Some people get right on my *!!!

I just been out with my little man where we usually go and he is very friendly he wants to say hello to everyone so he ran up to this old lady who was stood in the middle of the field talking and she said to me go away I don't like dogs so I said your stood right in the middle of a field where there's loads of dogs running around his only 3 months old what's he gonna do lick you to death?

Aw, I'm sure he is a friendly fellow. Some people just prefer not to have dogs run up to them.. even loving dogs, I prefer not to have others run up to me. But I'm sure there were plenty of people around for him to love

Yes , people are funny creatures sometimes lol. If she doesn't like dogs why is she stood in the middle of the field surrounded by them? In the summer dogs are only allowed on certain beaches where we live. I took Mia on one of the very few beaches that does allow dogs and there was a woman and a child there, keep your dog away as my daughter is scared of dogs she said to me. I pointed out if she didn't like dogs then why bring her on one of the very few beaches where dogs are allowed, surely it would make sense to go on a beach where dogs aren't allowed. It is people like that who complain to the council and dogs are banned. Soon dogs won't be allowed anywhere off the lead. Sorry, rant over .

I agree, banes wanted to play with some walking balls of fluff in the woods, (he wanted the one in front) so after a lengthily run up he managed to jump some and get to the front one, I thought it was very clever if him and started laughing, I was firmly told "get your dog away it's annoying" so why walk through the woods with your dogs when there are loads if them about. I'm always being told to socialize but when he wants to play they shoo him away, gets right up my nose!

There are some misery guts out there   

Sadly there will always that one person out there to spoil the party just for the sake of it, it's their loss

I'm gonna go against the grain here and say it does my head in when people allow their dogs to run up to me, especially when I've got Biscuit with me as she's terrified of them and is muzzled for a reason. It's just bad manners.. Some people have genuine phobias of dogs, or even allergies. And due to the media some people are very scared of our dogs in particular! I'd rather keep biscuit under control and show a good example than allow her to harass people or other dogs. Anywhere you go there are dogs.. Should people just not go outside?

I know what you mean Rachel, Rocky can be very nervous of certain dogs too and I don't like them just running over and jumping up at him but it seems to happen on a daily basis. I get so fed up with asking people to put their dogs on the lead all the time.

As Rocky can be nervous of loose dogs some owners have asked us to muzzle him although he is always on a lead and under control, I just don't see why he should have to suffer because of loose dog owners, sorry I am ranting now and will shut up

No I totally understand you not wanting to muzzle, I only do because Biscuit is human aggressive too.. If your dog is minding his own business and permission hasn't been granted I think it's just irresponsible to allow your dog to run up to them, no matter where they are! Even if Biscuit was sociable I would never allow her to do that!

Well for a start I don't let Mia just run up to any dog or any person, if I see a dog on the lead I call her to heel until we have gone past, to be honest she is not that interested in other dogs, especially when we have her ball. Mia wasn't taking any notice of the mum and daughter on the beach and I was told to keep her away, that's what makes it so annoying. Personally I don't mind other dogs coming up to me, they just want to say hello and a fuss which is better than a dog coming up to you who is human or dog aggressive. Some people just don't care though and let their dogs off regardless of the consequences. Gives dog owners a bad name.

Ledger is 100% focused on his ball when we play in the park probably thinks if he pretends that he cant see any other person or dog then they cant see him in this mode he even blanked the dog walker last week when we met her out with my neighbours dog he goes absolutely batty for her otherwise. However despite me being considerate and keeping him away from people and other dogs being walked we still get loads of dogs charge up to him and even had a couple of people (with dogs) stand at the entrance of the park stare at us and despite me saying ill keep him over out of the way they still turn around and walk away

noticed the other day a lot of issues on the canal a good 5/6 boats in a 45 min walk had the dog tied up in the middle of the tow path not that we had major issues but most of the dogs were alert and clearly protecting their territory and also people just sat in the way and seeming to take offence as if we had just walked through their front room or something

I did keep banes on a lead, but it was the people who regular the woods who told me to let him off to socialize. Especially cause he was nervous. Now he likes to socialize there telling me to keep him away. One bloke called me a bad owner cause "Stafford need to socialize". Now I'm told to keep him away, can't win either way. Also he ain't even 5 months yet so it ain't like he's big and scary.

Socialization is great and I'm sure that there will be many owners willing to let your little one socialize with their dogs but I'd always ask first. Who knows, maybe their little dog was nervous himself, or old and not up to being hounded by a pup

Some were old but the white fluffy one wanted to play. I normally call him back cause there is normally a reason why dogs are kept on leads, but these were agreeing with the bloke who called me a bad owner. So thought it would be ok. They can't have it both ways. Either I'm a bad owner for keeping him on a lead or one for letting him off. Even the bloke who actually called me a bad owner told me to keep banes away. He's not even aggressive, if he was I would understand.

I have to agree with the above. I always think of it like this: I would never go running up into another human's space nor would I want a person running up into my face. Better to be responsible and let them off when they have a reliable recall or not to let them run off without asking permission - it saves a lot of arguments and keeps our dogs from getting bad names.

Sadly there will always be those contradictory owners who say it's ok and then suddenly it isn't - rather move on to owners and dogs who are happy to play

As for people not liking dogs running up to them, as Rach says there are reasons people don't and they have just as much right to be outside, so better to play it safe and ask permission or have a really strong recall for those moments

We walk in a area that has a lot of livestock and Tip isn't allowed off lead except in the little field next to my house (it is fenced). We also live right next to a squatter camp and the people she meets up with are afraid of her. And we all know scared people do stupid stuff that might get them bitten. Murphy's law.
So our walks are mostly on lead.

I love it when a staffy runs to me   then i get to say hello to the dog,or even most other dogs

Hmmm I love dogs, wouldn't work with them if I didn't, but I had a foster a few years back that would do this, and every person that greeted him just reinforced him running off and ignoring me.. Very frustrating when you're trying to train. Thank god for long lines...

Long lines are a god send!

Yes, the long training lead it definitely a God send