I am beginning to hate "the I have no idea on owning a dog owners", today I met not one but 3 of these owners, they saw me call back Dottie & Kula [both wearing muzzles] & put them back on their leads. They however allowed their dogs to come over to my dog's I yelled over to them to call their dog back only to have them yell back "it's okay Ted's friendly" it's alright Tilly is friendly" " Harry is friendly he just want to say hello" I just smile then said well as you can see these 2 are wearing muzzles as they are not friendly & they don't like other dogs, then Ted's, Tilly's & Harry's owners spent the next 10 minutes calling their dogs back who took no notice of their owners at all & was sniffing around Dottie & Kula who were snarling at the other dogs. I really felt like taking the leads off & unmuzzling Kula & Dottie just to see the other dogs owners panic, but I wouldn't as I know they would attack the other dogs & could end up killing them. Yes your dogs might be friendly but not all dogs are friendly, some dogs can be nervous & are scared of other dogs, these dogs don't like having their space invaded by other dogs or having other dogs nose's shoved up their bums round their face so on, so if you see another owner calling their dog back & put them on their leads then do the sensible thing & call your dog back & put them on their leads [unless your dogs will stay next to you off lead] don't just yell over "it's ok he's/she's is friendly" Dogs wearing muzzles have them on for their own safety & for your dogs/child's safety they can be a non friendly dog, non liking people/children dog, nervous dog, ex racing dog/hunting dog [Greyhounds/Lurchers] ex police/ military dogs, court ordered dogs, these dogs don't want your "friendly dogs" near them, call your dog back when you see other dogs until you know its safe to leave your dog off their lead, don't just let your dog run over to other dogs to say "hello" find out first if its safe for your dog, as not all owners muzzle their non friendly dogs & your dog could end up being badly attacked or even killed.
Not sure why the last part as been strike through. but here it is again So if you see another owner calling their dogs back & put them on their leads then do the sensible thing & call your dog back & put them on their leads [unless your dogs will stay next to you off lead] don't just yell over "its ok he's/she's is friendly. Dogs wearing muzzles have them on for their own safety & for your dogs/child's safety, they can be a non friendly dog, non liking people/children dog, nervous dog, ex-racing/hunting dogs [Greyhounds/Lurchers] ex-police/military dogs, court ordered dogs, these dogs don't want your "friendly dogs" near them, call your dog back when you see other dogs until you know its safe to leave your dog off their lead, don't just let your dog run over to other dogs to say "hello" find out first if it's safe for your dog, as not all owners muzzle their non friendly dogs & your dog could end up being badly attacked or even killed.
Some people are clueless it seems. I wholeheartedly agree with you that should you see an animal with a muzzle to not allow your dog, child, or even yourself to go near it. Just common sense really. There is a reason the owner has the muzzle on the dog.
Dottie is a small JRT & is okay with some dogs but not all dogs so she is Muzzled all the time when on walkies. Kula is a powerful GSD & will snarl at all children & other dogs so she is also Muzzled everytime we go walkies.
When I taught classes, one of the things I drilled into owners was to call their dog and clip on the lead when other dogs were approaching. Courtesy and common sense. Dogs are sentient beings with minds of their own. Just because a dog has never run off before when a 'close' or 'heel' command is given, doesn't mean they won't ever do it. Just as an example, this morning we were walking along the prom. There are three sets of donkeys on the relatively short stretch. One of the sets was on its trek when one of the donkeys decided to take off at a gallop to another group. The little girl riding it was thrown off - no damage done. The donkey owners were astounded as 'it's never happened before'
Agree, this is my pet hate too. Eddie is one of those dogs who loves meeting his 'friends', but dislikes large dogs, (usually Retrievers), dancing in his face. If we see a young Lab. or a Golden approaching, we usually take both of ours to one side, turn them sideways on, and do a brief sit wait while the other dog passes. However, many of their owners do not even carry a lead, and those that do think that hanging on to the hand loop is enough, so poor Ed ends up his attentive wait disturbed, - and the dog in his face. Tina, I feel your pain!
Agree. I had Jade at the park once muzzled and she was just looking around and being a good girl, so some kids decided she could be petted. I took her back a step and told them not to. Later, while we were on the bench, they passed and decided that since she was just looking, to come within her range to try and pet her. Lo and behold, when in range, she came roaring out of her stance, lunging at their faces with full intent to bite. They all ran screaming in the other direction. That was the last time I brought her to the park when kids are there. I don't have time for any mishaps. Not a dog incident, but a people one. Worse IMO. Jade hates children and she doesn't bark or growl as warning, she just attacks once within range. Pretty nasty stuff.
Kula will snarl at children which is enough to scare the children not to touch her - if I am on my own when my young nephews & nieces visit me, then Kula is place in dinning room (lock on top of door to stop door being opened) or in brother's bedroom, as unfortunately young 1 & 2 years olds don't understand that Kula don't like children.
On a much brighter note a lovely Spitz [not sure which breed of Spitz, grey wolf coloured] was on park today off lead & when his owners saw me & my pack they called him back & put him back on his lead likewise I called Dottie & Kula back & put them back on their leads & told the others stay close, when we passed each other Kula & Dottie did their usual snarls as did this lovely Spitz who was also wearing a muzzle, I continued walking pass & once we were out of view I let Dottie & Kula offf their leads, its nice to know there are some sensible dog owners out there.
On our walk this morning we came across a bloke with a GSP , I saw he put his dog on a lead so we did the same ( btw I would always do this if I don't know the dog) , when we met he said " he's only young and can be a bit OTT" I said " I saw you leash him so we did the same, " carried on talking and I said " let him off if you like, these can take his OTT play, so he did and all dogs had a great time. I have been the on the other end of owning a dog that runs off ( Figo ) when young, but I would always apologise for his rude behaviour, luckily most folk understand a young pup, and luckily we gave not got into much trouble. But a little consideration for others goes a long way .
