This mornings walk

Well this morning I took Alfie on another route. We walked with my sister up to the beach, we were out for about 2 1/2 hours. We love this route as a family all through the summer and were hoping to do so with Alfie. We have done it a couple of times with him. However, its a very popular place for dog walking and I just don't think he will cope with it when its even busier in summer. It was a lovely day today so there were lots about, as it was we didn't go as far as we could, because we could see up ahead there were around 5 people with multiple loose dogs. How I wish I could do that! I couldn't risk there being any that would come over to him so we turned back.

Anyway on the way to the beach we were going along the canal when we saw a loose dog ahead. No owners in sight!   We held back, it hadn't spotted us and was sniffing around. I don't know the breed but it was a very large muscular dog. Eventually the owners came round the corner. I called out would they please put their dog on a lead as we passed as mine was not friendly. No answer. I asked again very politely. "Cant you see Im approaching the dog?!" she said, well she was slowly ambling along with the dog halfway between us. I said Im sorry but you didn't reply and you didn't call your dog. Then I got the old "my dog is friendly". I replied that yes but mine is not, that's why he is on the lead, he will go for him if he comes over. She then proceeded to ignore her dog and walked past it (luckily it seemed did seem a chilled dog) came over to us and said " Yours is muzzled anyway!" I told her he wasn't, it was a head collar. Anyway what difference does that make I wouldn't let my dog annoy a muzzled dog just because it couldn't bite!! She then pointed to the boggy muddy sides and said why don't you go round that way?! That's when I was getting angrier. I said "Excuse me why should I?! My dog is on a lead, yours is the one loose, he gets nervous with other dogs and snaps at them, I have just asked you to control your dog while we pass each other on the path!" She said "My dog wont come over to you" As I was saying I'd heard that so many times before and they do, her dog came over putting his big head into Alfies face! Of course as I'd warned Alfie went for him. Thankfully the dog reversed and didn't fight back! But he did make contact with the dogs face (a first), he didn't manage to bite him, but as he came down his teeth definitely touched his cheek. Now the dog had retreated and gone past, (thank goodness) I walked off with my sister saying very loudly, " See you try and warn people but they would rather their dog be hurt than put them on the lead just to walk past!"
To be honest had I walked through the boggy mud the dog would have still come over to us. Luckily their dog was friendly but that's not the point, mine isn't! I would have been happy if they had just held his collar as they went past and released it straight after if it wasn't bothered about coming after us.

I so wish little Alfie had been out and socialised, life would be so much easier (and without idiot owners!). He is an absolute joy at home.

All sympathies from here. This dog owner seems to have missed out on some of her own socialisation. What a selfish person.

I dont know how well-known it is, but there is a campaign (yellowdog: www.theyellowdogproject.com/) which is trying to gain awareness for the symbol of dogs wearing yellow. A dog with a yellow ribbon (or similar) means 'give me space'. Space may be needed for a number of reasons - not just because the dog is likely to lash out. For example, because it's on heat or has had an operation. My Douglas sounds as grumpy as your Alfie and has started wearing a flash of yellow.

If this code manages to gain traction, then perhaps, eventually, even idiots like this one you met on the towpath will manage to behave herself better.

Stupid cow!!!! When will people learn! Hope you and Alfie are ok sue xx

Thanks yeahbut. I very much doubt the idiots would understand it or if they did, make no difference.
I have heard about the ribbons, but I thought would you get, "Aw look that dog is so friendly its got ribbons on!"?   Especially kids.

Its so frustrating that just because theirs is friendly it can do what it likes! My old dog was friendly but if I saw another dog on a lead I would immediately put her on lead as I knew she would want to go to it. I always assumed it was on the lead for a good reason, unless told otherwise. If someone actually told me their dog would got for it if mine went over, then I would say thanks and be extra careful passing. Surely that's what "normal" people do?! I didn't want to risk my dog getting bitten. I didn't argue back. She went on the lead and released further on when safe. Simple.
Sorry im ranting again   

Im torn about a muzzle but will start a new topic on that one. x

Thanks Hayley, we are ok, Im just steaming at the stupidity.
As we know it would have Alfie blamed, if he had done any damage

Drives me mad! I can 100% sympathise but unfortunately cannot offer advice as I'm in the same situation.

I'm waiting until I've got some more money but I'm hoping to buy Biscuit one of the yellow "I need space" vests that they sell on the yellow dog website. Ignorant people will always be ignorant but it's fluorescent yellow so at leas they can't say they weren't warned!

What gets me most is that not only do owners not care about the safety of their own dogs, but they don't care about the sanity of yours. I have noticed that when Biscuit's muzzled people are more likely to let their dogs run up as they won't get hurt.   

flowerbud wrote:but I thought would you get, "Aw look that dog is so friendly its got ribbons on!"?

Absolutely, a ribbon seems a bit girlie for Doug the Thug anyway. He has a bright yellow trouser clip - you know, the thing that stops your trousers getting pulled into your bicycle gears. It just sits on his lead, making its quiet statement. I've not heard anyone say he looks cute yet (though I think he is!).

flowerbud wrote:Thanks yeahbut. I very much doubt the idiots would understand it or if they did, make no difference.
I have heard about the ribbons, but I thought would you get, "Aw look that dog is so friendly its got ribbons on!"?   Especially kids.

I got this with the ribbons.. they thought they were decorations lol!

Rachel33 wrote:Drives me mad! I can 100% sympathise but unfortunately cannot offer advice as I'm in the same situation.

I'm waiting until I've got some more money but I'm hoping to buy Biscuit one of the yellow "I need space" vests that they sell on the yellow dog website. Ignorant people will always be ignorant but it's fluorescent yellow so at leas they can't say they weren't warned!

What gets me most is that not only do owners not care about the safety of their own dogs, but they don't care about the sanity of yours. I have noticed that when Biscuit's muzzled people are more likely to let their dogs run up as they won't get hurt.   

That's one of my worries Rachel, they see that "safety barrier" and so their dog can annoy yours with no worry!   
I thought of you actually, this was one dog, you have had 10-15!!

yeahbut wrote:

flowerbud wrote:but I thought would you get, "Aw look that dog is so friendly its got ribbons on!"?

Absolutely, a ribbon seems a bit girlie for Doug the Thug anyway. He has a bright yellow trouser clip - you know, the thing that stops your trousers getting pulled into your bicycle gears. It just sits on his lead, making its quiet statement. I've not heard anyone say he looks cute yet (though I think he is!).

He is cute!   Thanks will have a look around. I've seen the leads with warnings written on, but I don't think, with it moving etc they will be able to read it. I probably couldn't. But will have a look.

glad to hear you and alfie are fine,there's just no telling some people   

  

Some people are just idiots!   

I have the same when walking Skye and buster although I now muzzle buster when loose dogs about I have also had another off the lead go for Buz whilst he was wearing the muzzle but as he's on the lead I was able to intervene with unfortunately a swift boot. Got a fierce look off the owner but Skye would have defended her boy so it was better coming from me and not her (both of mine were on leads) so I know exactly how you feel

Thanks Stella and Inez. They sure are Sazzle

So frustrating isn't it Gazagem? Also scary how quickly things could go off.

If Alfie had really hurt the dog, as he was on a lead and the other dog wasn't Alfie wouldn't be responsible. I can't believe the other owner just ignoring your advice-some people shouldn't own a dog!   

I find it so strange Claire, I would much rather someone warned me, I'd be grateful! I would be angry in fact if someone didn't say, when a loose dog approached. That's what I found so unbelievable.

I would be panicking if Lily was off lead and somebody said that because she is so friendly I would put her lead on straight away   

That's because you are a responsible owner Claire and you love your dogs   

It used to amaze me though when I had 2 very big but very friendly always off lead but would heel as soon as I told them, how many people would avoid us even when they was walking with tiny yorky pups lol

I have heared from other owners that they are are now avoiding the local park as so many dogs are da and off lead ???? So stupid

I should add that shortly after we had left these idiots, we passed a larger area where there were 3 owners with around 7 loose dogs. They were all large dogs ridgebacks and others. However unlike the last lot (who couldn't even see their dog round the corner by us for several minutes   ) you could tell these were under control. We were keeping an eye on them as we passed, but the owners were watching their dogs too and giving them commands to sit and stay etc. No problems with them.   

This makes me so mad, we try our best to make sure our dogs are under control and others don't , sadly I have to deal with this on a regular basis. Rocky isn't good with Boxers and there is usually one on our daily walk, I have said to the owner, on numerous occasions, that Rocky doesn't like Boxers (Rocky is always on his lead the Boxer is always loose) so could you please put your dog on the lead as we pass.

I think the message has finally hit home though becasue when I saw it yesterday the lead went on the Boxer as soon as I saw it from about 100 metres away. Persistence pays eventually