Horrible dog experience

[PrimmyRose]

We have friends who have a beautiful lab. We have been going on walks with them as thinking about getting a dog ourselves so just testing the water a little bit.

Today went on a big walk along a dog beach. Lab playing happily, good recall etc. No issues, none of any of the walks we have been on before have had issues, she’s not aggressive. Met a family of 3 with a slightly smaller dog going in opposite direction. It immediately jumped up at me in quite an aggressive way. I think it smelt food - don’t know why it singled me out. I didn’t try to touch it or go near it. Lab owner/our friend was a bit in front at this point so was me and my DC (6). The family start peppering me with questions about the lab (also commenting on lab’s weight!) whilst also apologising for their dog, saying she’s a rescue, she’s a border collie cross with a staffie, still being trained, she’s been attacked before etc, I was too busy trying to cope with her jumping at me and also worrying about the lab and my DC, trying to get away from them. Whilst this was happening in between the lab and their dog were playing but the more it jumped up at me (near my face) the more the play was getting rough. I felt it was trying to bite me - don’t know if it was but it was way more aggressive than the usual muddy dog jumping up.

By the end I was shouting “no” loudly at their dog (I realise this might not be the right thing but I didn’t know what to do), the family had absolutely no control, they then ended up grabbing lab (?!) saying oh she’s getting rough (Lab) as she’s trying to protect you. I just quickly popped her on the lead and me and my DC legged it. This all happened really quickly so bit of a blur.

I’m still shaking. And really trying to make sense of what happened. My question is, does this happen a lot if you have a dog with you? Is this normal and as experienced dog owners how would you have handled it?

I'm not clear from your post what happened to the owner of the labrador, and that it was the other dog doing all the jumping?

In a way it doesn't matter as the answer to your question, sadly, is yes. Meeting other owners who have no control over their dog is quite common. Ultimately, it sounds like they knew their dog had issues, so it should have been on a lead.

There is no formula for response, but I centrally try to position myself between my dog and the other one (difficult if they are trying to play), and when one jumps at me I hold my hand out to block it as low as possible. Raised voices just make the dog more excited, so a calm but firm 'no' may help but will probably just be ignored.

Otherwise, putting your dog on a lead and walking away is exactly the right thing to do.

I wouldn’t say it’s common but it’s not unknown to come across owners that don’t have control of their dogs and have no concept of how annoying their dog is for other dogs or owners. The “ooh he’s just playing!” crowd. Very annoying. Though usually it’s my dog they bother not me. Best solution I’ve found is to be assertive and tell them firmly to put their dog on its lead, it can take a couple of attempts til they get the message. You get more experienced and faster at spotting the owners/dogs that will be a pain before it gets out of hand. (Note: I’m talking here about annoying dogs - have luckily very seldom come across truly aggressive dogs.)

If someone else’s dog is jumping at you, and especially near your face, you have every right to say “please get hold of your dog” or “put you dog on a lead please”.
Some dog owners are awful.

A lot of dog owners have no control over their dogs sadly and this is why I walk my lab early or places which are unpopular. I have taught my lab to return to me if he spots another dog or human, he's then put on a lead till we pass. The annoying thing is that half the dogs we then walk past are not on lead and allowed to wander up under the pretext that 'oh he's friendly.' Mine is too but that's not the point, he might be fearful of other dogs, have an illness/injury. I've always been of the understanding that if you see a dog on lead there is a reason, so you put yours on a lead too or if they are immaculately controlled put them to heal.

Other dog doing all the jumping up at me. Not Lab. Lab owner/friend only knew when we caught up (they were a bit ahead with some of the DCs).

Appreciate the input from everyone.

Ah so the other dog was jumping all over you....ok so thats not acceptable. I would have been telling the owner to get hold of their dog straight away. We have a reactive collie and always keep him on his lead in busy places - drives me mad when people allow their dogs to come bounding over, it puts my training back every time.

Being a rescue isn't an excuse. We have a reactive rescue and she's never off her lead anywhere where she could be a problem. Sadly not everyone who has a DDog also has sense.

I usually point out that your DDog might be friendly but mine bites! They often can't get away fast enough.

The dog was playing with the lab? Sounds over excited hence the jumping. But then you get the lab on the lead and ask them to recall their dog or put it on a lead. Jumping up is not ok. And they aren’t training it if they’re letting it do that.

I’m 46. Owned dogs (or my parents did) my entire life. I’ve been a self employed dog walker and worked at a rescue centre.

A dog has never jumped up at my face.

@Missingmyusername not sure if that makes me feel better or worse 😟

Depends where you live but yes I'd say most off lead dogs with no manners will bother your dog rather than you - very rarely have I had a dog jump up at me in public it's usually when I go round to someone's house lol.

But it is frustrating I was trying to train a black lab I was fostering and this little pug type dog came tearing up to us and wouldn't leave him alone. I called over to the owner to say please call your dog back and they got shirty with me saying he just wants to play etc. Ended up just leaving the area which is usually the easiest thing to do.

Unfortunately if you get a dog you do end up having to deal with other dogs on occasion. But it's not everyday.

@PrimmyRose meant to make you feel better lol! I wouldn’t say it’s common? They do jump up but I suppose waist/knee, rest paws on you for a fuss… (which they shouldn’t really).
The owner of the collie was in the wrong, should have clipped their dog on to the lead immediately, or actually shouldn’t let him off lead at all! A long line at most, until recall is sorted. I would not be happy with any dog jumping up to my face, could easily catch your skin even if being playful.

@Missingmyusername thank you -glad I'm
not overreacting! Hard not being a dog owner as I don’t know what’s normal. This thread has massively helped me for future.

DH tends to linger talking when aggressive or lively dog interactions happen, which elongates the whole horrid experience. I’m consistently directing him to ‘keep walking’, ‘don’t stop’ as our dog will just follow us.

When someone says "It's a rescue" to try and excuse some undesirable behaviour, I smile sweetly and say "Oh, I thought it was your dog."

Not common but not unheard of, they were in the wrong.

Tips for next time are to turn your back on the dog, and shout ‘recall your dog please’. Also try not to engage in the first place, keep walking ahead. You have to be really firm and disengage with bad owners.

I think that is where I went wrong too. Should have legged it immediately

I have a 'voice of God' PLEASE RECALL/COLLECT YOUR DOG NOW! Not for me but for the sake of my own dog. Out of control dogs are common where I live - mostly labs with no training. I am my dog's advocate. I don't want her to have to make her own decisions as they generally make poor ones!

I'm sorry it happened to you but I wouldn't worry too much. Next time (if there is one) then employ your best 'mum' voice and tell them to get their dog under control NOW.

The Dangerous Dogs Act has changed. I am fully aware my dog only has to make someone feel scared to be at danger of control orders for the rest of her life. She's a very friendly and inquisitive terrier puppy so is not permitted to approach people who I don't know.

I don't think it's common and its extremely bad manners on the part of the other dogs owners, their dog should have been on a lead and under control.

Being a rescue in no excuse and they sound like shit owners.

I would have been really angry with the other dog owners and told them to control their dog.

I have a 'voice of God' PLEASE RECALL/COLLECT YOUR DOG NOW

Oh I have one of those too. Last time I had to use it I the whole park stopped and stared.

The Woman who came scuttling for her DDog was mortified but if your DDog is lose and causing a nuisance and you're not even aware of where it is, you shouldn't really have let it off it's lead.