Dear dog owner...: No, it is not OK that you... - Couch to 5K

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Dear dog owner...

Gryllotalpa profile image
GryllotalpaGraduate
25 Replies

No, it is not OK that you allowed your very friendly and fairly large dog examine me in a manner that would nearly constitute sexual harassment. And the beast had really sharp claws, too.

Anyone else running into trouble with unruly out of control dogs with idiotic owners?

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Gryllotalpa profile image
Gryllotalpa
Graduate
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25 Replies
Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Oh yes.... just ask Irish-John :)

SlowLoris profile image
SlowLoris

Frequently.

Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnGraduate

Don't get me started on irresponsible and self centered canine owners :( Most dogs are properly trained, restrained and exercised but as usual in any grouping, a minority think they are above any moral, ethical, legal or standard rules of civilised behaviour :(

Repeat offenders at the Park lead to strict muzzle laws being imposed and enforced, but the 'BUT...BUT..hes only being FRIENDLY!!!" asshats still surface all too often

My response these days is to tell them if they don't keep their dog away from me, I have a cannisters of pepper spray and it won't be the dog that gets a snoot full...

Had one woman call the police on me but you should have seen her outrage turn to total panic when the Responding Officer informed her she should be charged with assault and the dog held in a Pound while the court proceedure kicked into play.

Harsh? A few years ago I saw a 7 year old knocked down and lose teeth, get a broken clavicle and God knows what nightmares for how long after when a dog was being "friendly".

But... don't get me started on this topic... 😣

theoldfellow profile image
theoldfellow in reply toIrish-John

I used to train Guide Dog puppies (Seeing Eye Dogs, I think they are called in the US). Guide Dogs are bred to be intelligent and quite assertive for obvious reasons. It is quite possible to train any dog to react to most new situations (e.g. runner approaching fast) by running back to pack-leader, sitting down and watching attentively.

But no-one teaches new dog-owners that! I'll forgive those who take a dog from Rescue, but even they can usually be trained not to run at you and jump up.

I'd put the owners down.

Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnGraduate in reply totheoldfellow

Agreed!

Buddy34 profile image
Buddy34Graduate

Yes you do get idiot dog owners fortunately I am a dog owner but a responsible one. Last week i was out running and I was coming towards a lady with 2 small dogs , now instead of having them on a short leash as we were next to the road they were on a long leash and one if them went in front of me and I had to stop for a second to go around them . I dont know of people are idiots or just ignorant 😊😊🐶🐶

theoldfellow profile image
theoldfellow in reply toBuddy34

Both.

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate

I was out my last Stepping stone podcasts with Laura this morning, that's the Stamina podcast and had to stop for 1 second when a very friendly dog jumped up on me, the owner apologied and I continued on running, no harm done.

Granspeed profile image
GranspeedGraduate

Oh yes. 😱 Met a couple on my last run. Small yappy, under the feet one, not on a lead, and a larger, malamute mix type on a lead and still looking barely controlled! I am fond of dogs in many situations but not that time. ☹️ And both owners were completely casual & made virtually no effort to control and certainly no apology. I was amazed, and not in a good way.

Bluepup1 profile image
Bluepup1Graduate

So far it’s not happened to me running thankfully and sorry to hear of your very unpleasant experiences bless! I’ve had dogs cut me up when brisk walking (stopping suddenly with a permanent knee injury isn’t pleasant) and worse, cycling - thought I was going 2 fall and as I use a combined cycle and footpath I’m always mindful of other users so never go fast - unlike some riders I’ve seen! I luv dogs but unless well trained they should generally (imo) always be on a lead, especially if it’s busy, for their and others safety. Hope no one else has the experiences you’ve all mentioned x

backintime profile image
backintimeGraduate

My dogs are continual works in progress. They are always tethered when out and muzzled. However if they were off the lead they would probably be terrible.

Mine are retired greyhounds, I've had them less than a year from a refuge. Bzcause they grew up in kennels they have low social skills and low obediance skills. We are working on it, but it's like having two overgrown puppies. My males weighs 40kg, the female 27 kg.

I am lucky in that my garden is big enough for them to run, but if I were reliant on dog parks and parks, mine would probably be repeat offenders. At home, I call and they come, in a park, all bets are off. They are improving though ! Fingers crossed

Looneychewns profile image
Looneychewns in reply tobackintime

Love to you and your greyhounds. Rescue dogs are the best 😍 🐕

Time, patience and love means they will keep improving.

theoldfellow profile image
theoldfellow in reply tobackintime

That's a labour of love.👏

Don't let anyone tell you you can't teach old dogs new tricks, it's not true. Dogs want to please their pack leader. The key to it all is to convince them you are 'the one'. Sounds like you have got that. Good luck.

ManchesterRunnerBean profile image
ManchesterRunnerBeanGraduate

I’ve had a few excited dogs jump up to me and cover me in mud but I’m far more bothered about witnessing dogs excreting on the path whilst the owner toddles I’m up ahead oblivious. If you take your dog off the lead you shouldn’t walk on miles ahead whilst they shit everywhere!! 🤬

Dozydora61 profile image
Dozydora61Graduate

Oh yes, I had one on one side of the path with a dog on a long lead on the other, no consideration.

I don't care if your dog is only being friendly, I cannot see the difference. I am told that I had a frightening experience with a dog that I used to play with when I was a toddler and it had left a fear of any dog. Please dog owners remember that not everyone feels like you about them.

Yebam profile image
YebamGraduate

wow, I am so glad that it's not just me that this bothers. I thought other runners didn't mind being accosted by our four legged friends when out on a run. Owners should be given a manual.

Anren profile image
AnrenGraduate

I run with my Dog and so nearly always slow down as the other dogs often want to meet or play with my him. I guess that's an advantage of running with Kef is that he's more interesting to other dogs than I am, I do occasionally fall over him though :P

The other week he spotted a cat froze and I tripped over a tree branch then managed to dive over him to land in a heap on the grass.

I'm one of the responsible owners, when he was a puppy and I was training him I actually had another dog owner tell me off for not letting him 'play and chase' other dogs.

I explained I wanted him be in control of him so would rather he learnt to 'play' with me first. They were still rude, and I explained I didn't want to be responsible for an accident or my dog knocking someone over. (This persons dog later went on to knock someone over and break there leg - thus ending up being re-homed)

AspieWren profile image
AspieWren

My dog wears a muzzle and a yellow "give me space" lead sleeve or jacket, to give runners and cyclists a fighting chance. He will lunge at anything that gets too close to me, but he's only doing his job. Running past or up behind a dog you don't know is risky, but the law says the dog should be under close control at all times. They should certainly not be running up to you or jumping up.

Teresa1632 profile image
Teresa1632Graduate

Out on rural roads here, it's not uncommon for dogs to be on the loose. Sometimes I run on, most times I shout "GO HOME!" and that sorts of out. But its annoying and off putting. Dogs are on the scent of hares (lots of them around this year), and not controlled by owners.

But its geese that worry me. They do a lot of honking, flapping and giving chase up the road. I save that run for my sprint effort and the adrenaline surge 🤣

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate

Definitely, i run in the park quite a bit and honestly, dog owners think that their dogs have right of way on the paths than humans!!! Its SO annoying...and then, when they run in front of you, jumping up with their muddy paws...they dont apologise?!! Grrrrrr....not all dog owners are the same, i have a dog and he knows his place...but this kind of dog owner often gets the wrath of my tongue!!!

Coel profile image
Coel

I had no major issues with dogs and owners until yesterday. I run a path which always has other runners or families with young kids on it and loads of really friendly, responsible dog owners. I always say thanks as I pass to the people who hold their dog's collar as I pass. I've grown up with dogs and know the issues with rescues and unpredictability but wouldn't dream of taking a dog I didn't trust on that path. It's just stupid to do so when there are so many alternatives without people on all the time.

Yesterday I'm running wearing bright orange so everyone can see me and I suddenly have a spaniel jump on me from behind with no warning and try to tackle me to the floor. The owner made no attempt to warn me or control his dog. After I had got the dog off me he asked if I was ok and I yelled back that I was in shock. He shrugged and walked off. I know the dog was playing, no teeth or claws were used, but it should not be walked on a path frequented by runners and children!

Crolla profile image
Crolla

I have more trouble with the owners, tbh, and I'm a dog owner too! I run round a park and last year encountered three people walking one dog. They stayed on the path the entire time while they threw balls for the dog. I had to dodge past them five times, veering off the path because they couldn't get it into their heads to move the slightest bit to the side to let me past. I wasn't the only runner that morning, but this trio were absolutely oblivious!

Fleetnot profile image
FleetnotGraduate

Since the 2016 legislation dogs should be on a short lead on any public highway ie road/ pavement and on any path also used by cyclists. Fines 100 or 1000 if goes to court.As a parish councillor it is always what we get most complaints about. I like dogs ...but.

Sophia1712 profile image
Sophia1712Graduate

Other end of the scale, I have my dog on a running lead that’s elasticated and goes round my waist. Ran towards a group of men the other day. They all move to the right of the path except one who was struggling to decide whether to go left or right. So I went left. My dog chose right.

We neatly wrapped the man up in dog lead. 😂

Sophia1712 profile image
Sophia1712Graduate

It’s reminded me though, on week 3 of C25k, my daughter cane running with me and an enthusiastic collie ran at us and pushed my daughter to the ground. She went down with a tight old bang.

It’s completely put her off coming out with me 😞

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