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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

What's your take on this - bit scary.

94 replies

LimitIsUp · 04/09/2022 11:42

So my adolescent dog is pretty good - but is intrigued by anything new.

We were walking in our local beauty spot and a man rounded the corner with a toddler in a child carrier on his back - an unfamiliar sight to my pup. I didn't have time to process his sudden appearance as he had emerged from around a bend (my usual practice is to immediately leash her as people and dogs approach just to be considerate - in case there are people who aren't keen on dogs or dogs that are reactive) before she barked twice and cantered over to him, stopping 4 feet short and just sat there looking up at him. Within seconds I put my whistle to my lips to recall her and just as I was about to blow it he raged at me - with his face contorted with disgust and anger "Call your fucking dog"!! and "Fucking dogs should be on a lead". He looked so hateful and angry and it was horrible. I would have understood if she had continued to bark or had jumped up at him (in fact I would have been horrified if she had done that), or if I was just standing there and taking no action - but none of this applied

It seemed disproportionate and aggressive. If he has simple said "Recall your dog" I would have apologised (although she had done very little 'wrong'), carried on with recalling her (I had my whistle in my mouth poised and ready!) and we could all have gone on our way.

OP posts:

stopitstopitnow · 04/09/2022 12:49

Why wasn't the dog on a lead before you got to the corner? If you can't see what's ahead then the dog should always be leashed.

Original poster

LimitIsUp · 04/09/2022 12:51

Thank you Downsize - very balanced.

OP posts:

watcherintherye · 04/09/2022 12:54

Sorry if this has already been established, and I missed it, but what breed is your dog? If large enough to reach his toddler’s carrier, were the dog to jump up, then I think the man’s reaction was knee-jerk and proportionate to the danger he perceived his child might be in. If a chihuahua, then not so much.

TokyoTen · 04/09/2022 12:55

I have a large dog - malamute, she has never shown aggression but people think she is a bit scary as she is large and a bit wolf looking. I remain on alert for recall and leashing because some people don't like her getting close. I think all dog owners should do the same

Snugglemonkey · 04/09/2022 12:59

I hate dogs rushing up to me. I love dogs, but a strange one running at me is very scary and I don't appreciate it at all. I think if your dog is going to run at people, it should be on a lead.

It is not whataboutery to point out that many people have been traumatised by dogs. Too many have unfortunately! Really, unless you are at a dog park, dogs should be on leads.

dottiedodah · 04/09/2022 13:03

Not everyone likes dogs Im afraid! I love them all and have a gorgeous 4 legged bestie complete with spots. She is very gentle but I take the view that not everyone feels like me.Call her back ,and if she is leaping about he probably felt worried about being knocked over with his child strapped to him! He was very rude but thats life.On our 3rd dog now and this is what people are like.Just shrug it off and apologise.I always do even if i dont feel Ive done anything wrong ,just to keep the peace!

Boreded · 04/09/2022 13:04

Ffs…the victim mentality here is ridiculous OP.

leash your dog ffs

liveforsummer · 04/09/2022 13:05

I keep my dog on a lead when I can't see round corners etc as she's similar to yours and might bark or investigate something new. I let her off when. I can see then recall for lead when I can't. Sounds like the guy was a bit over the top but he'd probably had previous experiences with poorly trained dogs.

Original poster

LimitIsUp · 04/09/2022 13:06

She was not leaping about dottiedodah

OP posts:

Flat04 · 04/09/2022 13:11

I think it's really hard when you're a responsible person who tries hard to do the right thing and you get caught out in a moment of imperfection and treated as though you've intentionally engaged in some kind of criminal behaviour. I honestly think it's not worth any more of your mental energy.

If it make you feel better, I had a similar situation recently.

I was in the park, by myself, with our 3.5 month old pup. Her recall's excellent, but obviously she can't be trusted completely, so was on the long lead. There was a group in the middle of the field having a picnic, 2 couples with a very young baby, a toddler, and 3-4 primary aged kids. They were a lovely looking, happy group.

Puppy and I were trotting along the outside path, when a couple of the primary aged kids started calling out to her, holding sandwiches. She turned on a dime and started running towards them. As soon as I saw what was happening, I called her and she stopped. The kids called again, still waving food, no adult telling them to stop, and she started towards them again. I stepped on the lead and stopped her, probably about 4 metres from their blanket, turned, switched to a short lead and started to walk away (with her on the lead).

One of the men got up and proceeded to follow me, practically stepping on the backs of my shoes, swearing and screaming abuse at me for the entire circuit of the park. Looking back, I really wish I'd asked him if that was really the behaviour he wanted to model for his young children, but, like you, I was too shaken and upset. I actually haven't been back to that park since.

TenoringBehind · 04/09/2022 13:12

His language wasn’t pleasant but you should have called your dog back to you before going round the corner or had him on a lead if his recall isn’t 100% guaranteed.

watcherintherye · 04/09/2022 13:14

LimitIsUp · 04/09/2022 13:06

She was not leaping about dottiedodah

She might not have been leaping about at the time, but you say she was looking up at him and the carrier, as she is intrigued by new things. You know this, and you know your dog. Others don’t, and for all he knew she was focusing on the carrier, prior to jumping up at it. Maybe in his mind was the possibility she could have reached and bitten his child’s leg. Your dog wouldn’t, others might. He doesn’t know the difference. Give him some slack!

Plantstrees · 04/09/2022 13:17

Dogs should be on a lead or walking to heel in a public space. Unfortunately you were 100% in the wrong.

GetOffTheRoof · 04/09/2022 13:17

LimitIsUp · 04/09/2022 11:48

Whataboutery at its finest. He swore and shouted and scared the shit out of me for absolutely nothing.

You say you want dog owner perspectives. I have two dogs, one is very big.

If a man with a toddler went apeshit at me because my off lead dog approached him, I would assume he was frightened.

It's not what aboutery, it's a reasonable supposition.

I've been known to lose my rag in public before now as have millions of other people.

You know the answer is that the dog was the problem to him, but you're the owner and handler therefore you are the cause of the problem.

Thisdoesnotendwell · 04/09/2022 13:20

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

IrisVersicolor · 04/09/2022 13:27

OP if you were scared by his reaction can you see that he was scared too because he was carrying a child? His angry and aggressive reaction most likely sprung from fear.

What kind of dog do you have?

Panda333 · 04/09/2022 13:29

Unfortunately, people doing things like this give dog owners a bad name. It sounds like the man was feeling threatened/intimidated. You know your dog so wouldn’t feel the same but for a lot of people and unknown dog running and barking is scary. Unless you are somewhere absolutely secure your dog needs to be on lead. It doesn’t sound like you had very good control if it took you 10 seconds to start recall.

Newuser82 · 04/09/2022 13:30

I have two dogs, I have worked with dogs all my professional life. When I am out for a walk and an off lead dog comes running up to my kids I hate it. It makes me really nervous as you just don't know what their temperament is like and one of my kids is very little so at face height for a lot of dogs.

Having said that of course the man was out of order for being so rude. I would have been scared at being spoken to so aggressively. I can only think he may have been nervous, either for himself or his child.

ivfbabymomma1 · 04/09/2022 13:32

I have 3 dogs..... but I do believe dogs should be on leads in public areas and parks apart from big fields etc.

I'm not scared of dogs but I wouldn't want one running towards my son

longtompot · 04/09/2022 13:33

On our walks we have several places with blind corners. I usually call my dog back to me as we walk around them as I don't know who or what is around these corner. Usually it's a man who walks two Alsatians off lead who are a bit in your face and my dog, a cocker spaniel, isn't that keen on them.
I think of you know where these corners are and you know your dog reacts to unknown things probably best to have them walk to heel until you know it's clear.

findingsomeone · 04/09/2022 13:33

If I'm approaching any bend and therefore can't see if anyone may appear, I call my dogs back to heel or get them to sit and wait for me.

You couldn't see round the corner, and your dog barked and ran up to a man with a toddler on his back. I am very dog savvy and I wouldn't have been happy either. If it was muddy and the man was startled he might have fallen over, dogs don't need to make contact and bite to cause issues.

You should have been paying more attention and if your reflexes are slow enough that your dog got up to the man, you need to have it on a lunge line or only offlead in places with complete visibility.

Thatsplentyjack · 04/09/2022 13:35

OP this is mumsnet where people are offended ar even the mere sight of a child or an off lead dog 🤣

He was an aggressive dick. I would have told him someone should put him on a lead as being an aggressive man he poses more of a threat to you than your dog does to him.

Justkidding55 · 04/09/2022 13:35

I think the whistle would be what enraged him. Sleeping or young child who might have been startled? Just call your dog with your voice.
no need to shout and swear though.

thistimelastweek · 04/09/2022 13:36

I started off seeing both points of view but the OP has lost my sympathy.

LolaButt · 04/09/2022 13:40

I think his reaction was disproportionate. His kid was on his back out of harms way. Some people are just arseholes who take any opportunity to pop off in an aggressive way.

I do agree that recalling sooner when you’re at a bend is a good idea though but I’m sure most of us have learnt that one the hard way!

I’m fairly tough but a guy shouting at me in the field/woods etc would upset me too. Mainly because if I’m honest, being a woman walking in a quiet spot you do always have the doubt in your mind that it’s unsafe and you shouldn’t be walking alone.

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