Other people's dogs !

[sotagals]

I've been walking to my friend's house in the evenings lately and cross a small park on my way there and back.

People are out "walking" their dogs and so many don't have them under control.

Wednesday I got nipped on the back of my leg by a big wolfhound cross that was on a flexi lead but objected to my passing in front on the path.

Friday it was a little white terrier that was off the lead, I didn't realise it had slipped under the gate behind me until it started following me barking and then got hold of the bottom of my trousers.

It's 30 years since I had a dog but I can't remember seeing so many badly behaved ones until recently. Is it just me or are dogs more likely to be out of their owners' control these days?

I'm not the type to start shouting at the owners as this just inflames the situation but what do you think I should say?

Luckily I like dogs but what if I was scared of them? I'd have to do a half mile detour or get the car out.

[Omega1]

I have similar experiences. We have a scenic bridleway near us - a disused railway line. It is well used by walkers, runners, cyclists and horse riders. It's a common occurrence when out cycling to be chased by a dog and have my ankles nibbled. 'He's only playing!', is the frequent response.

[Vanillapod]

It’s actually very annoying.
I love dogs and always give them a smile when out and about rather than their humans 😆
However, some people aren’t dog lovers and it’s not really ok to just let them run riot.
My friend’s daughter is terrified of dogs and people telling you ‘he’s just saying hello!’ isn’t ok. I walked into town with her a couple of months ago when she came to stay and it was really apparent how out of control so many dogs are. I wouldn’t have noticed if I wasn’t having to carry a child each time one came bounding over. Literally no recall.
I think dogs have become an accessory. Everyone seems to have one and not everyone treats them appropriately.

[DisneyDaffodil]

Don’t get me started, it’s a pet hate of mine. We have a dog but never allow him off lead except in our garden. He is well behaved and likes people but I realise that not everyone loves my dog as much as I do so I wouldn’t allow him to just approach people randomly. Similarly my dog is a little wary of other dogs particularly big bouncy dogs. Yet so often we get these dogs off lead and often with no sign of their owners around coming up to us and annoying/scaring our dog. The owners always say don’t worry he’s friendly. I don’t care if he’s friendly, he should be on a lead and not scaring my dog. Often they are not friendly either, one was snarling and snapping at my dog who I managed to scoop up to safety. The owner shouted at ME for picking my dog up and said he needed to be socialised!

Ok, I’ll take a deep breath now 😀 I do think there should be more enforced laws about dogs in public places though.

[soooexcited!]

As a dog owner I'm very aware that not everyone loves my dog like I do. He's kept on a lead which is extendable but always brought close when anyone's around. He's only ever let off lead at my friends field or on a designated off lead area where I walk him. It does however surprise me knowing how many people walk that field knowing dogs are off lead then complain if he runs up to them. He would never be allowed off lead in a general park.

[shauney]

Wouldn't dream of having mine off lead where people are about.

If people want to come up to him and say hello and give him a fuss they're more than welcome (provided they ask permission first) but i'd never allow him to just approach anybody. You have no way of knowing if they have dog phobias or just plain dislike them. Oh, and he's not exactly small...

[vowels]

People do seem to believe you should like their dog as much as they do.

I don't.

I despise animals touching me, it makes my skin crawl, so am not thrilled when they bound towards me with their owner yelling, "He will not hurt you, he is only playing." Terrific, but I don't want to play!

That and not cleaning up the mess. My eight year old tripped and fell into a nice pile of dog poo, thankfully walking home from, rather than to school. That was a delightful half mile walk.

My thought is that too many people who have dogs work full time and when they walk their dogs, the animals have too much energy from being at home all day and the owners are too tired to control their pets properly. It is easier just to let them go and forgo responsibility. I hear the same dogs every day, locked indoors, on the walk to school. I am not a pet person but that is just cruel.

Other than animals giving me the creeps, my cousin is severely allergic to dogs, so much so that she has to carry an EpiPen lest a bounding dog wants her to be its plaything.

I do wish people would be more responsible with their dogs in regard to other peoples fears and health, and perhaps give more thought to whether they have the time that is needed to look after a dog properly.

Sotagals, if you are walking the same path frequently I would speak to the owners, even just to say you worry you may lose your balance and stand/fall on their dog. Possible vet bills may focus their minds.

[DiszeeBelle]

I have 2 dogs and they are let off the lead but do come when called and are friendly but I do go mad with my hubby and his parents wanting them off the lead all the time, there is a time and a place. Sometimes I think it's laziness with walking a dog, far easier when they run off the lead for the human. It is with my in-laws and sometimes with my hubby.However I often have other issues though with humans thinking they can just come up and pet any dog they like whether they are on the lead or off. My lab I have had since she was 8 weeks old and she thinks everyone is her friend, soft as rags. My other dog, patterdale cross, I rescued at nearly a year old. He is very wary of strangers just reaching out to him. I often have to be stern with children and adults about trying to pet him, just to be on the safe side. I've always told my children to ask permission first and then slowly put their hands out open palm and approach slowly.

[Mrs Valentine]

I love dogs, but people do not seem to follow through with the training of them. I often see dogs pulling there owners around the streets.

[Bianca]

Originally Posted by DisneyDaffodil

... I do think there should be more enforced laws about dogs in public places though.

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Shame that we need them, but probably true.

'Can' do something, doesn't mean do it without care or responsibility for the impact on other people and dogs around.

Originally Posted by shauney

Wouldn't dream of having mine off lead where people are about.

...You have no way of knowing if they have dog phobias or just plain dislike them. ...

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Well said! (P.S. Or allergies.)