Nice steady run until i hit my final 1k home, I was approaching another young woman running in the opposite direction with her German Shepherd when the dog came pounding and barking towards me! I honestly thought it was going to attack and bite me. The woman shouted and it ran back to her. She apologised and ran on. I’m still a bit shaky and angry.
Has anyone else had a close call with dogs whilst out running?
I’m not scared of dogs and nothing has ever happened but I often get small to medium-sized dogs snapping round my heels. I just slow to a walk and ignore them. To be honest some really want to play. There is one area where 3 or 4 dog owners meet in the mornings and let their hounds run around together. For about a month or so one or other of the beasts would come yapping at me - and bring the others. At one point I shouted at the owners - who just look on - “can you not keep your dogs under control?” Most recently I gave up, stopped, bent down and made friends with a couple of them, who obligingly rolled on their backs.If a big dog came bounding up to me I would stop and if it was really threatening shout “SIT”. I don’t know if that would work, but it was effective once as a 12 year old when I instinctively shouted at a black Labrador leaping towards me! To be fair he probably only wanted to play too!
My biggest encounter with dogs was while hiking in rural France, cross-country walking, not running. But I always think back on that moment when I find myself heading towards some dogs and dog walkers whilst running.
At that time, I could see 3 or 4 big dogs racing towards me, teeth bared, growling and viciously barking, no owner in sight and no one around. Were they wild? Were they protecting something?
I could feel my adrenaline rising. So when they were just 2m away I exploded into a huge shouted bark, right back at the dogs. I still remember that shout, louder than I’ve ever done before or ever since.
And the dogs? They stopped dead in their tracks. Barked one more time, but rather less viciously. Stood there for a moment, assessing this new situation, and then turned around and calm-pretence ran back from where they came.
That’s my vicious dog story. 😂
But it gives me some confidence that if I’m ever in a similar situation again, I have a feeling a big, solid adrenaline-fueled shout, right back at an attacking dog, will likely do the trick.
Wow! I read somewhere you’re not supposed to face them down as they react even more aggressively. But I think we do instinctively. And assuming they’re not a wild pack they are used to being bossed around by humans and will hopefully react accordingly. I once went for a run past a farmyard in Portugal. There was a huge fence, and it sounded as if there was a pack of slathering wolves behind it all barking and howling to get my blood. I was very glad the fence had no holes - and I changed my running route to avoid that farm!
😅yeah. I certainly didn’t plan that. It happened, rather, but seemed to work.
Pity about the dog Anna, I don't think that it wanted to bite you, just being a bit over friendly and it did go back to its owner when called, apart from the dog that was a good early morning run for you, good time as well.
This morning I am on the way to Milngavie and will 🚶 walk. about 8 Kilometres up the West Highland Way. 😊
Hope you enjoyed your walk yesterday, Alan. Was a lovely day for it x
It was a lovely day and I enjoyed the walk, I usually go that walk in the winter months when it isn't busy with walkers going all the way to Fort William, yesterday the West Highland Way was a little like Buchanan Street in Glasgow, there were 'hundreds' of walkers going to Ft William, I prefer that part of the walk when there are not just as many people about, nevertheless I enjoyed the walk, I also saw a few runners but they were not going to Fort William.
In general, the larger the dog, the less aggressive they tend to be. All bets are off if the dog thinks you're on its patch, but in a shared space they are more likely to be curious and playful. They have a natural desire to chase things that are moving.
But it ultimately comes down to their training and socialisation.
I suspect the worst that would have happened this morning with that particular dog is that the dog would have chased you a bit or even tried to jump up to make contact.
Dogs are a frequent problem. Owners chatting and not aware of you. It can be quite frightening. Owners like to tell you that they won't hurt you. Yes right...
Don't get me started on those extendable leads!
Yes although not as scary as that! They should be kept on a lead if there is a danger of this happening. I think a lot of dog owners just don't realise that some folk are a bit scared of big dogs.
Ooh how frightening😡 yes just about every run ..there are dogs off the lead.. it really freaks me out.. if it's a large dog I stop running ... The little ones jump around your ankles..and owners just say..oh he's friendly 😖 That doesn't mean I want your dog tripping me over 😡
Can spoil my runs some days 🥺
Thanks needed that moan 🤣
Ooh and nice run 👏
Constantly! Dog owners can (not all I know) be absolutely useless in paying attention to their animal or controlling them! I had one owner recently say as her annoying mutt started barking and growling running around my feet (off its lead of course!) Oh it's because you're running! No, I said, it's because you can't control it and just ran on (it was too small to be concerned about)
I'm not usually too bothered but after my cow attack I was jumpy around everything! I won't run up behind old dogs as they might get spooked so often I have to slow to a walk until I can find a way past.
I always think if one does come bounding towards me not looking friendly then my plan is to stand my ground, with smaller dogs simply be ready to drop kick them away. Larger dogs are the bigger problem so as with other animals I try to be aware of what fences I can get over etc.
I often run with my dogs usually one or the other but the other day I was with both on leads and we didnt hear a mountain biker come up behind us on the path until he said excuse me... we all jumped and my dogs started barking... which alerted my third unleashed dog to run back to us and chase him a bit.. they are animals and should be trained or on leash but life isnt perfect and hopefully the cyclist wasn't too shaken up, if I had seen him coming the third dog would have been on a leash as well but we are out in the country so didn't expect to come across anyone. Everyone needs to consider others needs, unfortunately it just isnt always the case. Luckily most dogs are friendly and just excited to see a human doing a fun run just like them 😅😂
Thanks everyone for your replies. I have two dogs of my own, though I wouldn’t go out running with them. My lab is 13 and prefers a leisurely stroll up the fields and my wee poodle would be annoying to me and others as she’s a bit hyper and over friendly and I get that not everyone likes dogs.
I love dogs generally and have passed people with dogs before on and off their leads and they’ve never approached or barked at me however this dog was definitely aggressive and I hope I don’t come across them again as I would hate to have to change my route ..x
I confess that whenever I see a dog I slow right down (not that I ever run fast) or stop just to say hello, dogs are a weakness of mine. 
I stopped thinking of it as ruining my run and started looking at it as something nice.
That being said, unleashed dogs can be a problem especially if they are protective and think you are running towards their owner. If you are used to dogs you can often tell by their body language if they are being protective or not, but owners should be more aware of their dogs and control them where the situation requires it.
I have encountered this from time to time. I worry that because I’m running towards their owner, they will want to attack and protect. I always stop and say hi. Stroke or pat the dog then continue.
Out for a walk a while ago, I had a large dog approaching me whilst growling and bearing its teeth. The owner’s response was to tell me to keep still! Think I replied with “keep your damn dog under control”. Just wished I’d managed to get a photo so that I could report her. Didn’t encounter it again so nothing further happened.
In the same place, I also encountered an elderly woman with a white westie. She was very apologetic as the westie ran up and put two muddy front paws on my leg. I was wearing shorts and just commented that I have washable legs.
More recently, when out for a run; I came across a medium sized dog that was bouncing around and obviously quite playful. I just carried on but it ran after me and managed to trip me up. I think the person most worried was the walker coming the other way who thought I was going to fall on her. Thankfully, I was able to regain my balance.
I’ve never run with Gizmo but trying to walk quickly with him was perilous because he’s prone to darting across the path. These days, he can only manage a very slow amble.
Yes I have too. Its quite scary and the advice is to stand still and remain calm. Not sure that's right. Also very difficult to do! Owners have a duty to keep their dogs under control and most owners are fine and if I am running up behind someone with a dog I usually shout a cheery hello and most then either put dog on lead or call it to them. My funniest was after a large dog ran towards me barking the owner said " he's just being friendly" I responded " and just how am I supposed to know that?" Take care but if it happens again worth reporting to the police. Take care
Yes, I got bitten last December 😬
Out and about running this morning!
Early morning run anyone?
Tips for better morning running?
