"It's ok, he's friendly"

Accyexplorer

Accyexplorer

Nori Brick
Tackler
While out walking my hound I often see other owners with their dogs off the lead,some people have the opinion that dogs should be kept on leads at all times in public places something i'm in two minds about however,I always have my dog under control and on the lead in public as it has a tendency to snap at other dogs.

Anyway,while i was out today i came across a fella who's dog (Labrador type) was off the lead and when it seen mine it came shooting over and proceeded to lift mine off its feet trying to sniff its backside.I (politely) shouted over to ask if he wouldn't mind putting his mutt on the lead while i passed " It's ok, he's friendly" was his reply.... words that may seem benign to some, but they constitute one of most rage-inducing phrases that i can hear after being respectful and polite and knowing my dog like i do.

I said "he might be but, mine can be a bit snappy with other dogs" with this the fella came bowling over and shouted "put a ....ing muzzle on it then" (i honestly thought it was going to come to fisticuffs) I refuse to muzzle my dog as i feel i can control it and have had a similar encounter to this were my dog got ragged about by two bull terriers while muzzled leaving me feeling helpless, in tears an with a hefty vets bill.
Anyhow,as he was coming over to me and saying "put a muzzle on it" my dog must of got sick of his dogs shenanigans and snapped at it (not a attack more go away and leave me alone).

As he got to me this fella was shouting abuse (that's when the red mist formed).
"listen" i said "it’s not just your dog that needs a lesson in manners, you do". "WHAT" he said "That’s right" i said "your dog isn't being friendly, he’s being an pain in the a..".
He put his mutt on the lead and said "whats wrong with my dog being off the lead if its friendly?" I told him It’s not just other people with dogs that might not want your mutt bowling upto them, there are people out there who fear other dogs and If they see your mutt off the lead, then it could cause them anxiety etc and folk who don’t want to be approached by dogs for whatever reason should not have to worry about your mutt running upto them.with this he called me a 'Richard' and walked off.

Surely i have the right to walk my dog without other dogs harassing me or my dog,or is he right and i was just being a "Richard"?
 
gpick24 said:
Happens to me a lot as well, and I'd say it was him being the "Richard".
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I thought that too :D,Now that my dogs getting old it's patience is a little thinner and I don’t want risk her (or any other dog) getting injured.
When she was younger I have, when needed, told folk “my dog’s aggressive and bites,” which I know she isn't and won’t, but some people just can’t comprehend being responsible.The looks I got after saying that and the things folk said were horrible. I’m just looking out for the safety and well being of mine and other dogs, its called being responsible not being a "Richard" :)
 
It just shows that this was not a responsible dog owner.
Most dog owners would have their animal on a lead.......or if it had been running free would put the lead on when coming up to another person or another animal.
There are dog owners and then there are people who have a dog...there is a subtle difference between the two.
 
Margaret Pilkington said:
It just shows that this was not a responsible dog owner.
Most dog owners would have their animal on a lead.......or if it had been running free would put the lead on when coming up to another person or another animal.
There are dog owners and then there are people who have a dog...there is a subtle difference between the two.
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Yes, your right there M, I've calmed down now and had a herbal ciggie :smoky:

Perhaps with me knowing my dog can snap (when provoked) I should muzzle it,however after witnessing a two English bull terriers playing tug of war with her while she was muzzled, I refuse to do so.
With mine also being of a bull breed I know which would of been labelled the "devil dog" if it had turned into a dog fight.
 
You'll always come across idiots, you just can't win with some people. You definitely did the right thing by informing him that your dog is a bit snappy, he was the total Richard, its becoming more of a pain than a pleasure taking your dog out sometimes these days.
 
I know exactly what you mean. If we see another dog coming towards us on a lead, we put Max on. He will only tolerate so much of another dog sniffind around his back end when he is on his lead.When we tell the other owners all we get off some is "it's ok he's friendly" Then when Max tells it off , it goes for him.
 
It's comforting to know I'm not the only one who feels folk should have control over their dogs (friendly or otherwise).
From now on, i will use whatever force I can ('legally') muster to protect myself and my dog from harassment an if an out of control dog or its owner gets hurt as a consequence of my (defensive) actions so be it, I'm not sure if this is (socially) acceptable behaviour, but I'll cross that bridge if and when.
 
Accyexplorer said:
It's comforting to know I'm not the only one who feels folk should have control over their dogs (friendly or otherwise).
From now on, i will use whatever force I can ('legally') muster to protect myself and my dog from harassment an if an out of control dog or its owner gets hurt as a consequence of my (defensive) actions so be it, I'm not sure if this is (socially) acceptable behaviour, but I'll cross that bridge if and when.
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Get one of them "stout" sticks I mentioned in the Manchester Dogs Home thread to bolster up your robust defence AcctX ;)
 
Accyexplorer said:
Anyway,while i was out today i came across a fella who's dog (Labrador type) was off the lead and when it seen mine it came shooting over and proceeded to lift mine off its feet trying to sniff its backside.I (politely) shouted over to ask if he wouldn't mind putting his mutt on the lead while i passed " It's ok, he's friendly" was his reply.... words that may seem benign to some, but they constitute one of most rage-inducing phrases that i can hear after being respectful and polite and knowing my dog like i do.
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Let me just paraphrase what you're saying here. Someone has a friendly, good natured dog out for exercise, and you expect them to reign in their dog in because yours is the one with the attitude problem?

Just so you know - having a dog on a lead is not having it "under control". If your dog were to bite another dog then any claim would come under the Animals Act 1971 which allows for civil reparation when animals cause injuries or property damage. If your dog is classed as a banned breed then it's covered by criminal law, the Dangerous Dogs Act.

The Animals Act does not make any distinction whether the dog is restrained. It does (rather messily) accommodate temporary aberrations vs aggression that is in the animal's nature. You've already indicated on a public forum that your dog is aggressive towards others. If your dog bites someone else's dog, and they sue you for the vet's bill, you'll lose, even if your dog was on a lead and theirs wasn't. Reckon it's time for you to invest in that muzzle...
 
Studio25 said:
Let me just paraphrase what you're saying here. Someone has a friendly, good natured dog out for exercise, and you expect them to reign in their dog in because yours is the one with the attitude problem?

Just so you know - having a dog on a lead is not having it "under control". If your dog were to bite another dog then any claim would come under the Animals Act 1971 which allows for civil reparation when animals cause injuries or property damage. If your dog is classed as a banned breed then it's covered by criminal law, the Dangerous Dogs Act.

The Animals Act does not make any distinction whether the dog is restrained. It does (rather messily) accommodate temporary aberrations vs aggression that is in the animal's nature. You've already indicated on a public forum that your dog is aggressive towards others. If your dog bites someone else's dog, and they sue you for the vet's bill, you'll lose, even if your dog was on a lead and theirs wasn't. Reckon it's time for you to invest in that muzzle...
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Let me put it another way, My mother has had two hip replacement surgeries. And part of her rehab is walking.During this period she is slightly unstable and easily toppled.
The mere sight of a dog off the lead is enough to make her nervous. Obviously, She doesn't know the level of training any particular dog has had.
are you suggesting she is fully expected to have to avoid it?

I've been there and seen those 'perfectly' trained dogs. You know the ones,the ones that NEVER disobey :rolleyes:
I've seen them come pounding over to us sniffing sometimes even jumping up all be it with friendly excitement. Do you see this as acceptable,responsible dog ownership? (i don't).
My dog being on the lead sends out a clear sign to other folk in my community that i care for their limitations.

As mentioned, with my dog being in it's senior years it can't really take the excitement of a younger dog jumping at her or lifting her off her feet trying to sniff at her back end.
I have a taylor made muzzle but i won't use it for the reasoned previously mention and also she has a good recall when told.She's not of a banned breed and i'm confident she would pass any dangerous dogs test as regardless of law each case would be taken on its own merit subject to testing etc.

I guess what i'm trying to say is regardless of if you have a dog or not you shouldn't be expected to have others dogs invade your personal space against your wishes.

Now,had this incident happened say 10years ago i'd of left that fella with a broken jaw for his ill manners and abuse.
 
Accyexplorer said:
i'd of left that fella with a broken jaw for his ill manners and abuse.
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Maybe you could borrow DtheP's Colt ... or my SIG P226 ... if there's any shooting gonna take place, I'd rather see the lead;) end up in some dip shiite human than in a dog.

Oh, and my dog isn't friendly .... she's old, deaf, don't see too good, and she's a terrier. She likes Lucy, a scruffy little mutt from up the street, Baby, my neighbour's Chihuahua ... and she will tolerate Jake, a Mastiff/Bernese cross who often comes gallumping into my yard from my FB's place. She's not bad with most humans, although I wouldn't trust her as far as I could throw Jake. But she's my best friend, and I know how to take care of her ... and I love doing it. Friendly or not, there are no bad dogs ... or cats for that matter (even my Pookie isn't bad; she just has a touch of evil in here ... sound "familiar":D)

But taking care of animals, like good parenting, is something that some folks just don't get. But the upside, and I always consider positives if there are any, is that the dog mentioned in the opening post at least has a home, probably gets groceries into him regularly, and has a warm place to kip. Lotsa dogs ain't so lucky.
 
Accyexplorer said:
Let me put it another way, My mother has had two hip replacement surgeries. And part of her rehab is walking.During this period she is slightly unstable and easily toppled.
The mere sight of a dog off the lead is enough to make her nervous. Obviously, She doesn't know the level of training any particular dog has had. are you suggesting she is fully expected to have to avoid it?
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If your mother's mobility and nervousness around dogs is likely to upset her, I wouldn't expect her to be anywhere near where she's likely to find dogs being walked, whether leashed or not.

(The dogs, not your mother.)

Surely she would need to be walking somewhere there's little chance of her slipping or tripping? Like anywhere other than a field or woodland?

Personally, I don't care if a dog is on its leash. I only felt the need to join in this thread because after an encounter with a trio of angry dogs which were supposedly "restrained", I've had need to read up on the law.
 
Studio25 said:
Surely she would need to be walking somewhere there's little chance of her slipping or tripping? Like anywhere other than a field or woodland?
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What about a park Studio?
People out with dogs should have them under control and not allow them to approach others who may not want them coming near for whatever reason.
I have a dog that`s snappy also, and the reason she`s snappy is that she has been attacked in the past by these "friendly" dogs, what`s she to do when a strange dog comes running towards her after what has happened in the past, I always tell the person with the other dog and most of the time they say something like "ah well, it`ll serve him/her right", the more sensible ones put theirs on a lead.
 
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