So today I found a lovely new place to run where there wouldn't be so many dogs....again on my last 5 min wk4r3 I was approached by a dog albeit it Doberman puppy it still jumped up and tried to grab my arm...for the first time in years I spoke out loud instead of getting upset and wound up,I said it shouldn't be allowed to just jump up,to which she replied "but he's not aggressive!" Erm it is my human right not to have a dog jump up at me or even run up to me,and yes she was sorry but this is stressing me out I am considering where I run it preoccupies my mind before I set off gets me all stressed out and slightly panicky! I am a dog owner of a very mellow 14 year old golden that sadly no longer goes out of the garden due to arthritis but even as a young one we kept her on a lead in public areas. Why do some dog owners think it's acceptable?? It is not fair! Any way despite my moan...I completed week 4 and I ended it for the first time with a smile on my hot sweaty red face π
Another dog jumper π«: So today I found a lovely... - Couch to 5K
Another dog jumper π«
![Mee07 profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/a349b1206224a8642c9a2b3d78e4061a_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
![Mee07 profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/a349b1206224a8642c9a2b3d78e4061a_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
![Irishprincess profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/3b41f9cda3a111ddede447e89c45beef_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
Don't get me started π‘ Many dog owners are responsible but others have no clue and can't discipline their dogs at all. I had an incident once where I was running somewhere pretty remote and suddenly out of nowhere came The Hound Of the Baskervilles bounding out of the undergrowth and heading straight for me. He was huge and I really thought he was going to go for me. I did actually scream! Then, casual as you like, the owner came out of the same undergrowth and didn't even attempt to call the dog back or reassure me. Grrrrrrr π‘ I think many of us here have lots of similar tales π tales?!! Get it? Haha π
Anyway, well done to you for challenging the owner and for getting to the end of week 4! Fabulous π
Sorry your majesty.. this did make me giggle.. I had this vision of you, in all your running gear.... growling back at the owner of the dog!!! Not funny though, some dogs are really big and would knock us over ! Good job Irish-John is away..he would have some comments.. his posts are full of unthinking dog-owners!
![runswithdogs profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/520a4a8de5e3bfd0fb2050c84f591703_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
That's so frustrating. In general if I see rowdy dogs in an off-leash area I'll sneak in a walk break, less chance they'll pop up. Our Parkrun winds through an off-leash area and it's infuriating when people don't have control of their dogs and they either run through the paths of the group running, or in one case they knocked a poor kid over that was visiting from another country.
![Oldfloss profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/105fc46b2ead0530d0e1540d94760674_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
Oh dear.. the old story.. unthinking owners and not the dog's fault...
I have to say I always stop, or walk if I see dogs.. I think because I field and track run, I tend to see the same folk if I see anyone, and they have introduced me to their dogs.. Think I am lucky though .
Try not to let it preoccupy your thoughts... just walk when you see a dog that is not on a leash?
Well done you for finishing with style... and a smile though
![Bluebirdrunner profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/eb1e1abfe1d60d255e0666c9da6c5e7f_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
I have been lucky to only pass dog owners who are responsible and actually take charge and shorten the lead when I'm passing..
Well done to standing up to that owner and I hope your runs go smoothly ftom now on.
I have a 14 yr old Goldie with arthritis too. Hug for yours.x
Good luck with W5 π...
![RainbowC profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/b7410ee71977eacbbf66c14aa7303e5a_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
I do agree, Mee07 - aggressive or not is only a tiny part of the issue. Fundamentally it comes down to manners. Not everyone wants a strange dog jumping at them (indeed, I'm pretty certain it's a minority of the population who really don't mind); some people (reasonably) just don't like it, some people are highly allergic, and some people are phobic. My dogs are usually off-lead in the fields we walk in, but because I don't trust them to behave I call them back and put them on the lead as soon as I see someone else approaching - and fortunately they're not very observant so I can easily get in first before they spot the excitement!
It does sadden and frustrate me that so many owners seem to think it's just about danger.
I agree with most of the things.
Just wanted to add few words from the other side of the barricade. Please don't lynch me.
I am owner of 5yo amstaff (American Stafford Terrier) - very energetic, jumpy, people-lover, quite big dog. I used to be scared of dogs, so I understand the subjec. I am also aware that even if you're not scared, my cute Lori can look terrifing when on full speed, not so small muscle bullet with hard head and sharp teeth. In areas where are people I'm always keeping her on lead. However, there are places where she is of leash, e.g. football ground (if nobody is playing there), or pathway next to canal where youcan rarely meet someone. I try to keep an eye on everything around, but sometimes she is faster, sometimes I am just tired or lost in my minds for a few seconds, and this can be enough for her to start her sprint to greet somebody new and interesting. She is quite obedient, but in state of high emotions, she is deaf, blind, and just runs to the destination point (usually happy human, but sometimes terrified and unexpectin human). I try to warn the person and call her off, it is rarely working. I took her from the shelter when she was approx. 1 year old. We tried different kind of trainings, dog behaviourist, tricks. Nothing is working for more than 1-2 weeks. She is just too neurotic.
I walk with her everyday at least 30min with sprint running and fetching. I try once a week go for a long walk with her, durin good weather for 4-5 hour hike. Recently, on top of that I started to run with her. At home we are training obedience. So I'd say I try to do everything to avoid it, but it still sometimes happens that she run and/or jump on somebody. Till now, never on the runner, thankfully. When she is on the lead shorrtening the leash and taking her under control usually ends up with contrary effect, as she knows something "important" is happening and her focus and tension is even bigger. On long leash, as longβ as somebody don't smile to her, she is fine and just going and sniffing her way.
I am aware that there are too many careless dog owners or just who think it's fine. I just want to say that sometimes it just happens, not always with bad intentions.
Please don't hate me.
I am sorry, but there are no two ways about this.....if the dog does not respond to commands, then it is not under control and you are at risk of breaking the law.
I love dogs and they rarely bother me ( some owners do!!) but my wife has never owned dogs and is intimidated by them when not under control. It is the owners responsibility not to permit this behaviour.
That's why 99% of time she's on the lead.
You still are letting it off the other 1% of the time. I am peripherally involved in law enforcement over here and over the years am sick of hearing 'But she NEVER hurt anyone before!" "He was only in the room with the baby for a minute or two" 'My dog has NEVER attacked anyone before'
that last by the owner of a dog that did for a two year old kiddie.
Think of it this way - if I 'only' drive blind drunk one percent of the time should I possess a vehicle?
No sympathy here on this from me I'm afraid. You have a dog that should be leashed 100% of the time if there is ANY chance you even at the very least letting it disturb the peace of mind of the anyone.
(edited for typos)
Sounds like you are trying your best & definitely don't hate you lol . But your dog must. E very frightening to those who come across it off lead . Have you tried dog training classes ? Maybe some expert advice might help ?
![IannodaTruffe profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/3f4bb9be0d77359f644e07c022a99698_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
I was told once by a dog owner that I should not run past a dog, to which I would have replied (will next time) if my brain was quicker that I have a legal right to run on the footpath while he has a legal duty to keep his dog under control...........which of us has a case in law? Shall we ask the police?
Most owners and most dogs are well behaved. Only once was I worried, not for myself, but if a small child had been present, when a Rottweiler decided to run along with me, totally ignoring the pathetic squeals of the owner, who had no control whatsoever over this large and fortunately friendly dog, who, did as told, when I stopped and told him to go back to the owner.
I could go on.......