Irresponsible dog owners

I got bitten by a dog a few weeks ago. One of those small yappy things with surprisingly sharp teeth. It didn't actually draw blood but it was uncomfortable to walk for a few days. I didn't report it because they might have killed the dog rather than the owner.

Then a couple of weeks ago a largish dog went for me. Full on threat display while I was just standing there. I called for the owner who appeared after several minutes - he then started shouting at me..... I asked him to control his dog, he said "don't you think I'm trying?".

I see about 50 people with lovely dogs running around and not bothering anybody every day but these are the two I remember.
 
hashcake said:
I've lived and owned dogs for 50 years and never had a problem with mine, every aggressive dog I've encountered is that way because of a *uckwit owner
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Not always, my GSD was attacked 3 times by black labs when he was young,
on his first few walks, hence his response was to attack first, I worked damn hard to
get him back, but every time we were getting close, wham another attack, excuse was always
that the other dog didn't like GSDs, so why didn't the owners call them back when they saw me ?
He was mostly ok if properly introduced to other dogs, we often walked with 4 other GSD now that did make
people grab their dogs
His other best mate was a lurcher, they used to play chase when we met up, how could anyone want to deny dogs
the joy of just running flat out for fun ?
 
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Gremlin said:
Not always, my GSD was attacked 3 times by black labs when he was young,
on his first few walks, hence his response was to attack first, I worked damn hard to
get him back, but every time we were getting close, wham another attack, excuse was always
that the other dog didn't like GSDs, so why didn't the owners call them back when they saw me ?
He was mostly ok if properly introduced to other dogs, we often walked with 4 other GSD now that did make
people grab their dogs
His other best mate was a lurcher, they used to play chase when we met up, how could anyone want to deny dogs
the joy of just running flat out for fun ?
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My lurcher was on his lead as I walked through a small car park adjacent to some houses. A guy was loading some stuff from his house onto the back of his pick-up.
As I walked past 2 staffies ran out the front door of his house and went for my dog. I knew what was going to happen so had to let my dog off the lead. I was telling him to "run"
Both Staffies went for him and I was frantically booting the Staffies to get them off my dog.
Eventually the Staffies ran off back into the house.
I was checking Ben for bites and remarkably he was ok. A lot of fights with dogs can be more noise than anything else.
The guy came out of the house carrying one of the Staffies who was injured and started shouting at me "look what your dog has done to my dog"
I told him he needed to keep his dogs under control and reminded him of the consequences if I were to call the police and report what happened.
He threw the dog in the pick-up and screeched off, presumably to the vets.
I did think about reporting it, and maybe I should have, but I didn't really want the dogs to get put down. He was the type of thuggish person that owns staffies because he thinks they make him look cool.
Not the dogs fault the way he's brought it up.
 
Bobsyeruncle said:
I was checking Ben for bites and remarkably he was ok. A lot of fights with dogs can be more noise than anything else.
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Pleased to hear Ben was ok, they have such thin skin and can be easily damaged
Normally yes they are all bluff, I'm lucky in that all the staffies that lived near me were fairly
well behaved with responsible owners

Bobsyeruncle said:
I did think about reporting it, and maybe I should have, but I didn't really want the dogs to get put down.
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Personallly, despite being a dog lover, I would have reported it, if it was a first offence I doubt the dogs would be
put down, possibly just a control order.
Things could be far worse if it happens again to someone less able or a smaller dog
 
I’m not a dog person but have nothing against them but some owners are irresponsible most are ok
I meet a lot of dogs and their owners walking along the river looking for dragonflies
it can be frightening though when you’re on your own and two large dogs are running fast towards you
The owners didn’t understand that their dogs running at people like that were a problem
 
LCPete said:
I’m not a dog person but have nothing against them but some owners are irresponsible most are ok
I meet a lot of dogs and their owners walking along the river looking for dragonflies
it can be frightening though when you’re on your own and two large dogs are running fast towards you
The owners didn’t understand that their dogs running at people like that were a problem
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Exactly, usually followed by the words "they won't hurt you"
 
Bobsyeruncle said:
I did think about reporting it, and maybe I should have, but I didn't really want the dogs to get put down. He was the type of thuggish person that owns staffies because he thinks they make him look cool.
Not the dogs fault the way he's brought it up.
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You should report it but even if you do the authorities may not actually do anything.

A friend of mine was walking her dog when another dog ran from her house and attacked her dog and her. People driving past stopped and dragged the dog off. She ended up in hospital and her dog in the vets but thankfully both made a full recovery. The police did next to nothing and as far as we know knocking on the door and receiving no reply (they told my friend) was all the action they took.
 
hashcake said:
Are you living on the moon?
I see plenty of 'proper' dogs on a daily basis in my local park.
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My other half took our (large but stupidly friendly) staffie around London whilst I was working and got nothing but amazement from passers by at seeing a 'proper dog'. Lord knows what they'd be like if we took our Dutch Shepherd now!
 
Mr Bump said:
carried into pubs like precious babes, yapping and then carried back out to the BMW
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He has a point though, what is it with these designer breeds / tea cup dogs, that are referred to as "Fur babies"?
I saw a woman in Tesco the other day, it was cold and she had one of these large scarfs wrapped and draped a few time around her neck.
As I got close a little face appeared from among the folds! It also appeared to be a mature face rather than a pup face.
I always say if you are gonna have one have a big one (y)

But the burning question is ....
Who picks up guide dog s***?
 
This guy wouldn't need to worry if he had to walk about in London! lol


 
Gremlin said:
Not always, my GSD was attacked 3 times by black labs when he was young,
on his first few walks, hence his response was to attack first, I worked damn hard to
get him back, but every time we were getting close, wham another attack, excuse was always
that the other dog didn't like GSDs, so why didn't the owners call them back when they saw me ?
?
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For some reason some dogs just don't like GSD's.
My friends Cavalier King Charles Spaniel barks at every one of them he sees and yet he's never been attacked by one.
Another friends big soppy brown labrador barks at Malamutes whenever he see's them and he really is a friendly and sociable dog although recently 2 Malamute puppies have been coming to the park and is fine with them.
My girlfriends Male Malamute was attacked by another dog and it made him vary wary.
I never had this with my GSD but over the years I've heard the same from other GSD owners.
I read somewhere a while ago that Labradors are the number 1 culprits for biting people but all the ones I've encountered have been sociable and friendly.
 
hashcake said:
For some reason some dogs just don't like GSD's.
My friends Cavalier King Charles Spaniel barks at every one of them he sees and yet he's never been attacked by one.
Another friends big soppy brown labrador barks at Malamutes whenever he see's them and he really is a friendly and sociable dog although recently 2 Malamute puppies have been coming to the park and is fine with them.
My girlfriends Male Malamute was attacked by another dog and it made him vary wary.
I never had this with my GSD but over the years I've heard the same from other GSD owners.
I read somewhere a while ago that Labradors are the number 1 culprits for biting people but all the ones I've encountered have been sociable and friendly.
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One of my Greatdanes used to bark at black men, we came to the conclusion that at that time we didn't have many in this area and he couldn't understand the difference in colour.
 
mikew said:
One of my Greatdanes used to bark at black men, we came to the conclusion that at that time we didn't have many in this area and he couldn't understand the difference in colour.
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That's not the first time I've heard about dogs doing that.
 
When I lived in London our Bulldog used to do this whilst walking on the street, but I think it was more because they would suddenly cross the road as approaching so our dog would perhaps interpret this as a sign of weakness and get the bravery pills! lol Those which wore headscarves and burkas got the same treatment whether they crossed or not. It didn't help with him being a British Bulldog. :oops: :$ :police:
 
tijuana taxi said:
Exactly, usually followed by the words "they won't hurt you"
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I've said that countless times... But it's usually to other dog owners

It works both ways, and kids that aren't instructed on how to approach dogs are THE worst..

Small dogs in particular are nasty s***es!
 
mikew said:
One of my Greatdanes used to bark at black men, we came to the conclusion that at that time we didn't have many in this area and he couldn't understand the difference in colour.
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I have a theory that dogs find it difficult to discriminate the facial features of dark skinned people (and other animals) and it unsettles them. My own dog is much the same, she doesn't bark but she will stand and watch them walk past.
 
hashcake said:
For some reason some dogs just don't like GSD's.
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I sometimes wonder if it's picked up from the owners.
There has always been a lot of bad feelings for GSDs, some people even cross the road to avoid
walking past them, walk 3 well behaved ones and they almost !!!!!
Just after the DDA came into force I was told that I should have mine muzzled in public and they
were going to report me, I quoted the dogs listed and that made them think.
Never understood why the Fila was included, beautiful dog but to my knowledge there aren't any
in the UK
 
Had a word with the owner today, it looks like i got it wrong ;)

His dogs never run wild, never go in the water, never chase the ducks, and most definitely do not go on the breeding islands, so he said its my word against his, of course, my wife was with me and i have some images, dont know what his reply was because i drove off on my scooter at that point.
 
My dog is not aggressive, she is just 'overly' bouncy, which a lot of dogs do not like. For this reason, I keep her on a lead when walking in the general park area. She is walked on a halti, to control her pulling, and a bright red lead. The other day, I was walking on the park, lead and halti in place, when I saw a number of dog walkers approaching the other way. I got my dog to sit whilst I waited for the others to recall their dogs, about 6 in total. They did not. Two of the dogs charged my dog, fur up, head up, dominate positioning. All I got was words of, they're friendly don't worry. At this point I am trying to control my dog, who is lashing around like a hooked fish, being circled by two dominate dogs and 4 other on looking. And still, the owners do not recall but just strolled past me struggling. Thanks.

And they wonder why I was not overly impressed!

If my dog is off lead, in safe areas, and another dog (on or off lead) is in sight, she is instantly recalled and placed on lead until it is agreed safe by all parties to allow off lead play. I do check how their dog responds to bouncy dogs.
 
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My dogs have been attacked 14 times & 11 times - all by off lead dogs. I think its safe to say that most dogs in my area are now treated with the same level of contempt as there owners.
 
Diving Pete said:
My dogs have been attacked 14 times & 11 times - all by off lead dogs. I think its safe to say that most dogs in my area are now treated with the same level of contempt as there owners.
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The problem is not that they are off-lead, but rather that the owners have not trained the dogs or frankly don't give a s***e.

Whilst my dog is off-lead she is vastly better behaved than the snarling rats on leads that try to snap at her.
 
Went out with the kids and dog for a walk/cycle in the valley (nature reserve), plenty of signs stating dogs should be kept on a lead at all times, and every normal/large dog I noticed was on a lead.. NONE of the rat owners had theirs leashed, takes the ****!!!
 
I have a rescue dog, a Jack Russel terrier cross called Judy.

She is a very nervous dog and scared of a lot of things, so she does bark at other dogs. Due to this, I always keep her on a lead. The amount of times since I got her last year and have seen another dog running towards me, and I try to move away to be told "Don't worry, He/She is OK" I can't count.
It then ends up in a barking fit with both dogs, and makes it seem like mine is aggressive.

She isn't, she just doesn't like other dogs coming right into her personal space. I've managed to get her near and OK with other dogs on leads, she just needs a while to realise the other dog is OK.

I do understand people wanting to let their dog off lead for a run in a field though. I live right next to a rugby field and large golf course, so if I take Judy there I use an extension lead so she can run, but keep aware of my surroundings.
 
conanthewarrior said:
I have a rescue dog, a Jack Russel terrier cross called Judy.

She is a very nervous dog and scared of a lot of things, so she does bark at other dogs. Due to this, I always keep her on a lead. The amount of times since I got her last year and have seen another dog running towards me, and I try to move away to be told "Don't worry, He/She is OK" I can't count.
It then ends up in a barking fit with both dogs, and makes it seem like mine is aggressive.

She isn't, she just doesn't like other dogs coming right into her personal space. I've managed to get her near and OK with other dogs on leads, she just needs a while to realise the other dog is OK.

I do understand people wanting to let their dog off lead for a run in a field though. I live right next to a rugby field and large golf course, so if I take Judy there I use an extension lead so she can run, but keep aware of my surroundings.
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I agree completely. Our rescue dog which we got when he was about 4 years old came from a breeder of working terriers but hadn't been worked. We suspect (but obviously do not know) the breeder spotted something 'amiss' (from the working point of view) in him and he was sidelined as a pup. He does not like traffic approaching from behind so we suspect he might have bee hit or frightened by a vehicle when very young. I can imagine (again speculation) the breeder would not want to show a litter of potential working dogs to prospective buyers that contained one who did not appear to up to the mark.

He seems not to know the body language of other dogs or how to greet them, so he reacts 'aggressively' towards other dogs that approach him, but I suspect it is mainly a fear reaction.

His prey drive is very strong and anything fox-sized or smaller is to be chased, or would be if we did not have him on a lead all the time.

We too have had the, "He/she is OK/friendly" response many times and like yourself monitor the area we walk him is constantly while we are out.

I ask anyone who lets their dog off the lead to watch if your dog starts to approach a dog that is on a lead. If that happens please put your dog on a lead for a while, or otherwise have it under close control. It will really help us with reactive dogs.

I have to admit my failings here. The two dogs (a crossed cairn terrier and a Bearded Collie) we had about thirty years ago were off the lead just about all the time on walks and at the time we thought they never caused a problem with other dogs, but perhaps/probably we were wrong.

Dave
 
Tringa said:
I have to admit my failings here. The two dogs (a crossed cairn terrier and a Bearded Collie) we had about thirty years ago were off the lead just about all the time on walks and at the time we thought they never caused a problem with other dogs, but perhaps/probably we were wrong.
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A different era, people took time to train a socialise their dogs, if there was a minor scuffle it was accepted as
part of being a dog owner, rarely was any damage done.
Now dogs only seem to be out for a short walk, and in wet cold weather you can go for miles without seeing
another person/dog, those you do are normally happy well behaved/socialised dogs that don't cause problems
I used to hate the warm weather, it was a nightmare when all the fairweather dog owners came out, or in some cases, this years puppy because they couldn't handle a manic juvenile dog stuck in the house all winter
 
Tringa said:
I agree completely. Our rescue dog which we got when he was about 4 years old came from a breeder of working terriers but hadn't been worked. We suspect (but obviously do not know) the breeder spotted something 'amiss' (from the working point of view) in him and he was sidelined as a pup. He does not like traffic approaching from behind so we suspect he might have bee hit or frightened by a vehicle when very young. I can imagine (again speculation) the breeder would not want to show a litter of potential working dogs to prospective buyers that contained one who did not appear to up to the mark.

He seems not to know the body language of other dogs or how to greet them, so he reacts 'aggressively' towards other dogs that approach him, but I suspect it is mainly a fear reaction.

His prey drive is very strong and anything fox-sized or smaller is to be chased, or would be if we did not have him on a lead all the time.

We too have had the, "He/she is OK/friendly" response many times and like yourself monitor the area we walk him is constantly while we are out.

I ask anyone who lets their dog off the lead to watch if your dog starts to approach a dog that is on a lead. If that happens please put your dog on a lead for a while, or otherwise have it under close control. It will really help us with reactive dogs.

I have to admit my failings here. The two dogs (a crossed cairn terrier and a Bearded Collie) we had about thirty years ago were off the lead just about all the time on walks and at the time we thought they never caused a problem with other dogs, but perhaps/probably we were wrong.

Dave
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That is strange you mention the traffic approaching from behind, as when I first got Judy she was also very frightened of all traffic coming from behind. Now it just seems to happen with larger vehicles like buses and vans.

We don't know much at all what happened to her before we got her, apart from she come from Ireland found as a stray. Due to her fear of other dogs, a couple of people locally who work rehabilitating rescue dogs think she may have been used as a 'bait' dog, although I am unsure of this.

If only they could talk!
 
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