other peoples dog when youre out walking...

[TTT]

I am a dog groomer and have two dogs of my own. I believe I am pretty good at reading dogs and behaving appropriately around them, however, I had an incident this morning that had the potential for the unthinkable.

An old man walks near me with a rottweiller who he used to keep on a lead but no longer does. This morning he was walking towards us and his dog fixed its gaze on my dogs, slowed its pace and lowered its head, then charged and lunged at them aggressively. It then turned and charged at the pram. On an occasion before this, it has approached me.in a friendly manner and stuck its head in the pram to take a look, to my surprise. This time I stepped calmly in its path and it walked away. Very frightening
I will be reporting this man for not keeping it on a lead but a dog trainer friend of mine said I should have turned around and walked away avoiding the situation altogether.

Do if you see a dog you aren't sure about, walk I'm the opposite direction. Don't rely on the owner to be responsible. Not worth the risk.

 

[Lucyboo]

I walked past someone's front garden a few days ago with LO in push chair, out of nowhere this large dog appeared and jumped up barking quite aggressively, I was a bit startled and stopped and hesitated unsure whether the dog was about to jump the short wall, the owner was in the garden but nowhere near the dog. I didn't have much choice where to go, after what happened in the news recently I agree not worth the risk. Surely the dog should have been in a lead if the front garden doesn't have a high enough wall/fence.

 

[TTT]

The trouble is, dogs are naturally territorial so will naturally bark at someone near their property because that's what they're wired to do. I don't let my dogs on our drive without me and they only go out the front to go to the car or on a walk so they're on a lead generally. That owner should have apologised to you as its not very nice being barked at when you're walking past someone s house. Especially if your lo is napping!

Its generally the owners who create these situations but for your own peace of mind, Google canine body language on Google images so you can better read other peoples dogs as unfortunately too many dog owners aren't responsible enough to manage their dogs for you. If a dog ever makes you uncomfortable, do your best to stay calm as a reaction from you would only make the dog react even more and any panic, shouting, running will make it more likely for a dog to turn aggressive.

Now you know where that dog is, walk on the other side of the road next time if possible. Its extreme for dogs to be aggressive but not worth the risk and never rely on the owner to control their dog.

 

[Mrs M]

I wouldn't understand a dogs body language anyway so if I was walking a certain way and I saw a dog coming towards me I wouldn't change direction.

 

[TTT]

If a dog goes still, lowers its head or body, fixes its gaze or has its ears back, be weary of it. Stay calm and avoid it.

If a dog has its tail between its legs, cowers and has its ears back, its frightened and uncomfortable with the situation, but fearful dogs will turn nasty to protect themselves as its their instincts so just leave such dog alone.

If a dog is bouncing, wagging, ears pricked, even barking, you probably have nothing to worry about.

Very basic but hope this helps some people. I love digs and work with them but all digs can turn if provoked or not managed and unfortunately most dog owners can't read their own dog

 

[MrsS143]

My wee dog is quite anxious
It annoys me when peoples dog runs up to him
If i see them coming i instantly scoop him up
Owners get offended like 'oh he won't hurt/bite/jump'
Well thats all well and good but my dogs on a lead for a reason!

 

[TTT]

Mine gets shout when other peoole s dogs run at her too as she was given a slipped disc by a dog that ran into her so she's understandably panicky when dogs run at her now.