FANFARE: Announcing the winner of Emmeline Duncan's FLAT WHITE FATALITY is yesterday's commenter *Denise* - Denise, please contact Emmeline (Kelly) at garrett.kelly@gmail.com to let her know where to send your book. Congratulations!
HALLIE EPHRON: Today’s my day for a rant…
Yesterday morning (a gorgeous spring day so clear it made New England feel like Southern California) I took a walk in the woods. It’s spring and we were looking for pink lady slippers that bloom early in the spring at the base of trees and listening for birds. (This flower photo is one I took last year -- turns out this year we were too late to catch the lady slippers.)
I recently put an app, MERLIN, on my phone that listens for bird calls and tells you what it’s hearing. There was a tufted titmouse, a red-bellied woodpecker, red-winged blackbirds, a pine warbler, a Baltimore oriole, blue jays, warbling vireos, gray catbirds, plus robins and more robins. A bounteous array.
There were also dogs.
Turns out an awful lot of people use the hiking trails to walk their dogs, especially in the morning. Understandable since this area is in the middle of my suburban town with homes backing up to its many wooded acres on all sides.
Now I’m not a dog person. And big dogs scare me. So when a group of 5 women walking a pack of dogs off leash came toward us, I moved to the side of the path. Which did not deter the dogs which came racing up to us, barking.
Now I’m not a dog person. And big dogs scare me. So when a group of 5 women walking a pack of dogs off leash came toward us, I moved to the side of the path. Which did not deter the dogs which came racing up to us, barking.
One of them reared up on its hind legs and slobbered in my face. It was as tall as I am and could easily have knocked me over. I can still smell its breath.
What bothers me isn’t the dog’s behavior. It’s the women’s. Not one of them paused to ask if I was okay, or apologize, or even just call off the dog. They just continued on their merry way and left me physically shaken and in shock. So much so that a day later I'm moved to rant about it.
So here are my questions. Is it reasonable to expect owners to control their dogs on hiking trails? Are dog owners blissfully unaware of the effect their (large, unleashed, out of control) dog can have on others? What should I do (or say) next time a large, unleashed dog (and unleashed owner) comes at me on a hiking trail?
What bothers me isn’t the dog’s behavior. It’s the women’s. Not one of them paused to ask if I was okay, or apologize, or even just call off the dog. They just continued on their merry way and left me physically shaken and in shock. So much so that a day later I'm moved to rant about it.
So here are my questions. Is it reasonable to expect owners to control their dogs on hiking trails? Are dog owners blissfully unaware of the effect their (large, unleashed, out of control) dog can have on others? What should I do (or say) next time a large, unleashed dog (and unleashed owner) comes at me on a hiking trail?
Oh, no . . . you are not the unreasonable one in this situation, Hallie. Dog owners should control their dogs. The women should have properly disciplined the dog, apologized, and made certain you were okay. Granted, the dog was probably only trying to be friendly, but . . . . such callous behavior on the part of the women is definitely unacceptable.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reassurance, Joan.
DeleteI am completely with you. I have had many run ins with dog owners who don't think that the leash laws apply to their dog. Who laugh when a dog jumps on me when I'm trying to run. Or who say, as the dog is coming up to me barking like crazy, "Don't worry, his bark is worse than his bite." To which I respond, "for your sake, I hope so." My other favorite, when the dog is running up to me, "Don't worry, he's friendly." "But I'm not." The way the owners look at me, you can tell they aren't used to people not responding well to their dogs.
ReplyDeleteI get that dogs are unpredictable. I have no issue weaving well around a dog (like you did) when I'm out running. But I expect the owner to meet me half way, and I appreciate it when the dog owner is trying to do that.
Here here, Mark! Good to know that I'm not alone one this.
DeleteI do want to balance out my rant by acknowledging that I have also met LOTS of responsible dog owners who do their best to keep their dog well behaved while also letting their dog explore while at the park or in the neighborhood. As I said, I try my best to give them and their dogs a wide berth, so I do my part as well. Those meetings were friendly on all fronts.
DeleteBut the ones who don't even try definitely stand out in a negative way.
Hallie, I am you SISTER in this. We have some fabulous open space with walking trails in my town. A sites are clearly labeled at all entrances: "All dogs much be leashed, curbed, and cleaned up after." I no longer go to any of it. People treat them as dog parks. The city doesn't enforce the laws. Owners can be rude and aggressive (or casually say, he won't hurt you). It raises my blood pressure too much to walk there.
ReplyDeleteEven on leash, some owners let the dog wander all over the path and don't keep it at their side when another person approaches.
That said, I've had Merlin for a couple of years and LOVE it!
The birds don't like the dogs much, either.
DeleteI'm with you. I'm afraid of big dogs too. When I was a teen I was bitten by a big dog while I was walking to my friend's house. Had no idea whose dog it was. I was petrified every time I walked to visit my friend or just for exercise.
ReplyDeleteHow terrifying - Sounds like something that would be on "replay" in your brain whenever you encounter an unleashed dog.
DeleteSome people think they own the world. The dogs should have been on a leash. Dogs are like small kids, they are naturally are unpredictable…so the owner should be in control.
ReplyDeleteand most little kids don't bite or jump all over strangers
DeleteI AM a dog person, and I think their behavior was terrible. A dog owner is responsible for their dog's behavior no matter where they are - city streets, hiking trails, parks. If there are leash laws posted on your favorite hiking site, I think you should point that out next time there's an encounter and then ask their names so you can report the owner. Scare them a little, because you shouldn't have to be scared by their dogs. If there aren't any leash laws posted, I think it's worth a visit to the city to get them posted.
ReplyDeleteIn retrospect I wish I'd thought to take a picture of them and the dog... It just never occurred to me that they'd be so callous and careless. I mean 5 women? I'm used to more solidarity.
DeleteYes, taking a picture is a great idea. Just thinking of their behavior makes me want to grit my teeth. What if one of them was a Pitbull? (That's a dog that scares me.)
DeletePitfalls are scary looking, but I've met some that were perfectly well behaved.
DeleteFrom Celia: Hallie, I am so sorry what a horrible experience. I am completely among those of us who have had difficult dog experiences. Growing up in the tropics I was constantly told by my mum, Don’t touch the dog, don’t let the dog touch you. There was always a fear of local rabid dogs which is still with me though at least now I understand her concerns. I am very cautious around all dogs until I get to know them. But you just experienced very poor human behavior.
ReplyDeleteWhen we were in Mexico there were homeless dogs everywhere. They were better behaved than the dog I met in the woods.
DeleteYes, people should control their dogs at all times. Wel, duh. Sadly, there are also some people who cannot control themselves, even in the best of times.
ReplyDeleteHa ha! You got that right.
DeleteWhen our cocker spaniel was a pup, he was kicked across our lawn by the mailman. From that day on he was assertive towards any male carrying a package or bag. We knew that and kept him indoors when delivery persons came around. Fast forward to post epidemic 21Century. Dog owners who know nothing about training their dogs. Dog owners who believe rules are meant for other dogs, but not their 'doggo'. And elderly who are told. Okay Boomer, in a snide voice. There are times when I am tempted to carry a squirt gun with vinegar on my walks, not for the dog, for the owner.
ReplyDeleteWhat to do? Rant, reflect, and publish our concerns. The times are still a changin' may domestic consideration and civilized behavior return. My new t-shirt will read "I stand with Hallie"
Coralee: HUGS!
DeleteCommon ground for ranting! Not a dog person here. My “favorite” owner’s excuse for letting the dog run free: “He’s my emotional support dog.” Retort I’ve never said, “your supporter my STRESSOR.” Elisabeth
ReplyDelete"Emotional support" dogs and their owners... are there standards for what that even means these days?
DeleteI am a dog lover, Hallie, and I am outraged on your behalf! When I started reading your essay I thought you were going to tell us how owners were not cleaning up after their dogs on the trail and that would have been bad enough. But you were assaulted by a gang of dogs with their brainless keepers. No excuse for this at all!
ReplyDeleteI think it might be a very good idea to send a letter to the editor of the local paper. If this happened to you it more than likely happened to many other people as well.
You know, I thought about writing to my local paper. But honestly I'm afraid of the blowback... because off leash people can be scarier than off leash dogs.
DeleteOoh, I like that idea. And letters to editors often have a real effect.
DeleteI am so sorry that you had that experience. It was unbelievably irresponsible and rude on the part of the women and I am sorry you didn't photograph them.
ReplyDeleteOver the last 45 or so years, we have owned German Shepherds, Kenai was the last one. The first one was an enormous cross breed who was already 1-1/2 when he came to live with me. Within 2 days I realized he needed to be trained and signed him up. Even after he passed his off-leash class, he still was unpredictable at times.
It is very much the owner's responsibility to keep the dog under control. An apology was absolutely in order from that owner and from all of those women.
It really was disappointing. Young women... without a descent one in the bunch.
DeleteTotally agree with you, Hallie! I once visited my cousin, as kind as he is brilliant, who watched as his large dog jumped up on me and nearly knocked me over. No apology or attempt to control or correct the dog. Just: “We’ve never trained her.” Some dog owners have a huge blind spot!
ReplyDeleteI think it must be hard and take time to train a dog. My friend Susannah (who wrote SCENT OF THE MISSING) owns and trains search and rescue dogs. It's a full-time job but her dogs are amazing.
DeleteIt is very time consuming to train a dog. If you want a dog to obey the 6 most important commands, figure one to two hours per day besides classes. Each dog is an individual, with a unique personality, motivated by different stimuli, fearful of different things, just like people.
DeleteMy first dog carried a softball with him every time we went out and from room to room in the house. He would fall for any guy who'd throw that ball for him to chase. Kenai never thought that any ball was something of interest and mostly hid from any and all visitors, never wanting to meet anyone on the street.
What a horrible experience, Hallie. I am so sorry.
ReplyDeleteSome dog owners are outrageously blind to their canines' behaviour. I am afraid of large dogs and loathe it when their owners either ignore their behaviour or condone it. My M.O. is to stand still and say, "I'm afraid of dogs. Please call him." Sadly, that often gets this reply, "Oh, he's friendly. He won't hurt you." Grrrrr.
PS: Barbara Woodhouse, the iconic late British dog trainer, used to say, "It's not dogs I have problems with, it's the owners."
DeleteMaybe we need to start a line of collars and licenses for owners.
DeleteHallie, it isn't unreasonable to expect dog owners to control their dogs. And if the trail rules say the dogs are supposed to be leashed, then they should be. If they aren't, the city/town should be informed and then do their job by monitoring the trails for those who aren't following the rules.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the owners are unaware of how their dogs might affect others. It is like a lot of other things these days, they have an oversized sense of entitlement as if they are the only people in the world so they can do what they want and woe to those who try to check their misbehavior.
I think you're right. I had friends who owned pit bull after pit bull after Rottweiler... and thought their dog was adorable even when it bit them.
DeleteWe have two small dogs as in about 12 pounds each. They have never ever been off leash when outside the bounds of our home or fenced garden. They both adore visitors and hate the mailman. They love to sit in laps, but if we have a dog-shy guest, we don’t allow that. When out walking and approached by big dogs and their owners, I cross the street. Dogs are dogs, and there is always the possibility of aggression. It makes sense.
ReplyDeleteSgt Pepper, the mini poodle, has a robin friend. The robin hops around him just out of reach and Pepper interprets the pecking at food as play bowing. He’s convinced Cock Robin wants to play. It’s so funny.
Hallie, I’m so sorry you had this experience. Dog owners need training in basic manners. All our dogs have spent a couple of weeks in “residential” training with a wonderful trainer. Expensive but worth it. If an owner can’t afford this, maybe they can’t afford a dog.
Happy summer all. Xo
Ann, I follow your dogs on Facebook. Glad to hear they're as well behaved as they are adorable.
DeleteI am so sorry you had to go through that. It can be terrifying. I fall on the cat side of the person spectrum, but have owned dogs. Big ones. They were trained to hand and voice signals. One of these dogs was a trained support animal. I took him to hospitals to visit kids and elderly. He was far from vicious, but he could be be exuberant and wanted to share his stubby wagging tail with everyone. He ran with me, but immediately obeyed the heel, sit, and no commands. I would be mortified if any of my dogs jumped up on a stranger and would certainly make sure the stranger was all right. That includes offering to pay the cleaning bill because, you know, muddy paws.
ReplyDeleteYour dogs sound lovely. (PS I'm more of a cat person, too, allergies notwithstanding)
DeleteYou're right Hallie, the women behaved badly!! Lottie promises she will do better when you visit...
ReplyDeleteLottie's lucky she's not bigger!
DeleteI understand you totally. The owners are to blame, some people shouldn’t have dogs. They don’t feel concerned by other people and by the laws.
ReplyDeleteWalking everyday around home in the country and fearing dogs, I recognize good dog’s owners when dogs are kept on their ground by an enclosure or by good training or by surveillance .
Unfortunately, there is a portion of road that I avoid because of unpredictable dogs .
Even if the dog that jumped on you didn’t want to hurt you, he could have seriously injured you. It’s unacceptable. The owner should at the very least have called him back and apologized to you.
Danielle
Danielle, that's what I think, too.
DeleteI agree – people especially dog people (I think the thoughts in their people heads may be all the same – loose as a dog’s) should realize that not all people are dog LOVERS or in some cases are afraid of them – especially in public. Even people who have their own dogs may be timid to afraid of other’s pets.
ReplyDeleteI also go the other way in this topic, because we have a dog who we got as a pup (cute as a button - Wheaton terrier/lab- more terrier), who was brought up by two very quiet seniors. No kids, no other dogs (except the neighbour’s who he likes), and not a lot of strangers. He also spragged his front shoulder before he was a year old, and since then has ripped both ACL’s (I said cute, not smart), and is often on pain meds, and always on prednisone. He is the nicest dog with us, but wary of sudden lunges and loud noises. He also hates the sound of babies and puppies. His behaviour is to take himself and hide behind my chair, or sit on Jack’s lap – this is his safe place – please respect him and leave him alone.
I keep telling my cousins when they visit to leave the dog alone. They reply that they are good with dogs, and put their face down to the dog (did I not just say don’t look him in the eye…and let him come to you) and speak baby talk to him in a high pitched tone. He is going to bite one of them yet! They also encourage their kids and babies to do the same. Many times, Alf is then tethered to the stairs out of harm’s way.
So, I believe dog owner’s have a responsibility to tether their dog, and other people have a responsibility to listen to what the dog owner is saying to them. A dog’s brain (unlike a cat’s brain…) is not that large – don’t tax it!
Excellent point!
DeleteAs the owner of a large dog, this is completely unacceptable.
ReplyDeleteI always hold Koda on a tight, short leash because he is ridiculously friendly. He doesn't jump up, but his sheer size and weight can knock even an adult over because he gets so excited. So I hold him tight and say, "Quiet" or "Wait" until the person comes up to him. If she wants to pet him, go ahead. He loves the attention. But if not, that's okay, too. It's up to me to control my dog when in a public space.
I have read that making a loud, obnoxious noise at a dog will sometimes get them to stop. They may not comprehend words. But when a dog growls, barks, or snaps at another dog, the second dog generally gets the message. Same concept. I have used this with some success training Koda to be less overly-enthusiastic when strangers come into the house/yard.
"It's up to me to control my dog when in a public space." !!
DeleteAs a dog person, who is also scared of other dogs (I was bitten as a child), I am right there with you. What a horrible experience! We hike in Forest Park frequently and dogs are supposed to be on leash there (and in all city parks, except for designated off-leash areas) The majority of them are off leash (and are well-behaved), but the point of the leash is protection of the wildlife.
ReplyDeleteAt my neighborhood trail through the golf course, I once had a dog jump up and give me a scratch on the knee. Not a big deal, but it hurt and I was frightened. The worst incident though was when Gloria, my first golden, was young and I had hired a friend to walk her while I was at work. Said friend Gary was on the stairs going down to the park when he encountered a guy named Brian and his young German shepherd, who was not on a leash. The dogs both got very excited, trying to play. Somehow Gloria's leash was wrapped around Gary's leg, and he fell and broke his arm and ended up having surgery.
I have a friend who shattered her ankle not once but twice walking her dog... It happens.
DeleteClare: That is terrible owner behavior. We sometimes walk our two dogs of leash because they are trained to voice command. I would never do it if they were not. When someone approaches us we call them back to our side. We hold them or leash them until the person has passed. If they are having a day when they won’t instantly come back when called they stay on the leash. It’s common courtesy and safer for the dogs and the humans.
ReplyDeleteHoping to run into you and your dog in the woods!
DeleteThe lady slippers are out for the next week or two, so you may want to look elsewhere to see some. I’ve noticed many of them haven’t bloomed this year though their leaves are out. But I counted 30 in the woods near me yesterday.
ReplyDeleteThere’s no excuse for a big dog to jump on you. The owner owed you a sincere apology. I have owned many dogs, and just like with children, you figure it out as you go along. There were mistakes I made with my first dog that I don’t make more.
There are some things you can do to deter rude dogs like yelling “no” at them. If you stand still, dogs are more likely to approach you. Go for a walk with a dog savvy friend and have them demonstrate some tips.
HALLIE: So sorry you had that scary incident with these dogs when you just wanted to go on a peaceful morning walk in the woods! Truly unacceptable behaviour by the dog owner and bystanders. I hope this incident won't deter you from going back to the woods.
ReplyDeleteThanks. It won't.
DeleteHallie, I am so sorry that happened to you. I'm with you. These women sound like older versions of "mean girls" to me. Yikes!
ReplyDeleteThese women should have apologized to you. Even if their dogs are friendly and harmless, the owners STILL have to respect other people's boundaries. You made it clear that you did Not want to pet the dogs. They should have respected that!
Just yesterday I saw something on Instagram about dogs. Do's and Do Not's Rules. No Eye Contact (very difficult for me as a deaf person). Never grab and kiss (I knew a teenager who did that to her cat).
Diana
I'm guessing if it had been ONE of them, I might have been acknowledged and given an apology. But traveling in a pack somehow made that dog owner feel insulated.
DeleteI agree with you completely, and thank you for expressing my feelings. While I can appreciate a pretty dog, I do not want them in my face.
ReplyDeleteHow terrible!!! You have every right to be angry.
ReplyDeleteThose women were totally clueless.
Is it marked on the trail that dogs must be on leash?
Next time maybe start screaming and yell is there a lawyer around I am filing a lawsuit!!
https://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2012/05/08/152191615/these-apps-are-going-to-the-birds-and-people-who-watch-them
ReplyDeleteI've already posted how awful those women were - but on a happier note maybe the above story on NPR might be interesting.
You are completely right. I have a beautiful boxer but he can be overly friendly; he is always leashed. We’ve traveled for years in our RV and have dealt with so many inconsiderate owners. My dog was attacked and spent 4 days hospitalized and 6 months recuperating. Don’t even get me started on the people who don’t pick up poop! Grrr
ReplyDeleteI have the Merlin app too. What a delight it is!
ReplyDeleteI walk my dog off leash when we are alone. Any sign of person or other animal and he is back to me and leashed. He is trained to do this! And we practice his training to proof his behavour. Because we share trails and people deserve to be comfortable there. It is my job to be aware of the environment and ensure everyone is safe, including my dog. When mistakes happen, the least the dog handler can do is show consideration, apologize and actively seek help if necessary. People who fail to train and contain their dogs are bane for those of us who advocate for more dog friendly policies. They deserve all the bad karma. deaun
Yikes! You could have been knocked over and injured badly. Completely irresponsible dog owner behavior.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was about 7 and my little sister was 5 she was bitten by a German Shepherd as we walked past its yard. I've been traumatized ever since (and she was, too, of course), and it's taken me a lot of years to stop being intimidated by dogs, especially big ones. Which all of my granddogs are, naturally. I once lived in a two-family building when I was single. One of the downstairs guys had a girlfriend with an Irish wolfhound. They went out of town and left the dog and her FIVE enormous "puppies" in our shared basement. I had to go down to get the laundry and was surrounded by probably 900 pounds of dog. That was also terrifying.
Dog owners never think their own animals are capable of biting, but that is nonsense. They all are, in the right circumstances. Even our gentlest giant Bernese Mountain dog has bitten her owner, when he stepped on a painful part of her body accidentally. He had a severe bite, too, no little tiny puncture.
A friend was once bitten severely by another friend's dogs. She was terrified of dogs, these were off-leash as she was walking by, and the dog owner was careless. The scared friend froze and screamed and the dogs reacted, putting her into diabetic shock. There was a huge brouhaha and neighbors closed ranks, depending on friendships, and it even went to court for the medical costs. These women are mostly all still my friends, 20 years later, but I could see very clearly the privilege inherent in the dog owner's insistence on her animals being nonthreatening, despite clear evidence otherwise. And she was in the wrong, in my opinion.
A year or two later the victim of the attack and I were walking together around a golf course lake and a German Shepherd came after us, viciously barking (even though we were a good 200 yards from its own property). My friend stopped dead and started shaking, too terrified to use the mace she held in her hand. From who knows where I got the courage to stand my ground and shout the dog away. Afterwards I took the mace from her to see how far it sprayed, and we discovered it was too old to spray. I nearly fainted.
Clearly, this topic unleashed feelings I didn't realize I had! So sorry for your trauma, Hallie. Maybe get some mace, and test it regularly.
DeleteI was COMPLETELY out of line to not apologize and unacceptable for the dogs to be off leash. I am a dog person...have two. I never walk them off leash....never. It is not safe for the pups and not safe for other dogs and humans. They are animals...and no matter how sweet they are at home, there is no way to be completely positive of their reactions. Obviously, I have thoughts.
Delete"It" was out of line...
DeleteHa! For a minute I thought one of the dog ladies was a JRW commenter..
DeleteAlthough I don’t have a dog, I love dogs. But I expect dog owners to keep their dogs on leashes when they’re going walking. I’m especially wary when a dog owner tells me “don’t be afraid, my dog doesn’t bite.” Around twenty years ago when I was going for a walk, I was bitten by a dog WHILE THE OWNER WAS SPEAKING THOSE WORDS. He had let his dog off the leash, and the dog ran straight over to me and bit me, twice. I reported the incident, and the dog was quarantined at the animal shelter for two weeks; the owner received a written warning. My town has an ordinance prohibiting dog owners from letting their dogs off leash when they’re not in their own yard. Dogs would certainly not be allowed off leash on trails! I would have been afraid if were in your circumstances, Hallie.
ReplyDeleteDebRo
I'll keep this short - there is a couple at church who got a pandemic pup and did keep it when life started to calm down. Which is nice but the dog can not left at home, it comes to church because the dog doesn't stay in the fenced yard and tears up the furniture in the house when left alone. It's always on a leash but it can't be left at home, alone? There are small children and frail adults at church, and in the world, and a large dog that can't be left at home alone and always pulls in its leash, and has for the past two years, is an incident waiting to happen.
ReplyDeleteMy sister also has a large dog that needs better manners, especially in my house. I love dogs but not ones that can knock down my 6ft, 4 in brother in law and nephew that work in heavy construction and are used to lifting/carrying heavy stuff.
Hallie, I am a total dog nut, and I would still be outraged by those women's behavior. No, you don't allow your dog to rush at strangers. My overly-affectionate Shih Tzus do that, so when I'm out and about, they're leashed - and I'm working on breaking the behavior when guests come to the house.
ReplyDeleteDogs are like small kids in a lot of ways, and just like small children, they can be either delightful or horrors, depending on how they are trained.
I'm glad, Julia. So many small dog owners think they are "not problems" just because their dogs are small. The only dog that has ever truly frightened me was a small dog, and I think one of the Malti-Poos our former neighbors had nipped at Koda, because he always retreated to a far corner of our fenced area when that dog was out.
DeleteHallie, as the owner of two large and scary-looking dogs, I am appalled by those women's behavior. Incredibly rude and irresponsible!! I'd write the local newspaper (nicely, just in case someone might pay attention) and I'd also complain to the city.
ReplyDeleteHave you thought about carrying a walking stick? You can get really cool ones, and if one of those loose dogs should be unfriendly, they can make a pretty good deterent.
I am outraged on your behalf, Hallie! But I see the same behavior regularly at a nearby park. I live in a rural part of the township, the wooded park is very close by, and signage says dogs must be leashed. Hah! No park rangers, no cameras, no dogs on leashes. When my nephews were very small, we came to the park to walk. A man had two large dogs, off leash. They began circling around through the woods towards us while the man watched. I got the boys calmly up the slope towards the parking lot, then told them to run directly to the car as soon as we reached the top of the climb. I hate the entitlement of people who think rules don't apply to them and who have absolutely no consideration for other people using the space. And I love dogs.
ReplyDeleteHallie, investigate leash laws and talk to the police. Even though I'm a dog owner, I remember the terror I felt when a Shar Pei charged from his house into the street and jumped my two dogs. Blood was drawn. It was at dusk, cars were flying by, and all I could do was drag my (snapping, biting) dogs out of the street and hope the SP didn't get hit by a car. At least ten minutes passed before the owners called the SP inside. Carry a walking stick and ask the police about deterrent sprays, the kind mail carriers have. And keep us posted.
ReplyDeleteHonestly? It's the owners who need to be on leashes.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for you, Hallie. No question the women's behavior was unacceptable and rude. People who fear dogs feel even more unsafe when they see the owner isn't going to help them.
ReplyDeleteLots of good comments here. Most of us get that dog owners can be rude. It was good that someone pointed out that sometimes people get too close and friendly with dogs against the owner's advice/wishes.
Another point -- dogs often need more than a short walk on a short leash. How can dog owners best meet their needs, not just for exercise, but for exploration and engagement with their environment as they would do in the wild? An enriching environment is as important for an animal as it is for a child. My heart bleeds for dogs I see kept as virtual prisoners because the owner just wants a companion. Bioethicist, Jessica Pierce addresses pet ownership in her book, RUN, SPOT, RUN: THE ETHICS OF KEEPING PETS.
I've seen one older man shuffle along a busy road with a young dog on a short leash and choke chain. The dog's head is pulled up the whole time and he is never allowed to sniff, or lag behind, or get ahead. And after a short outing to do his business, back to an apartment for the day. Cruel!
It's one of the reasons I won't get another dog. Walking off leash was the only way to do what was right for our dog, but it isn't safe with so many other people on the trails, so...
But, no way is it OK to let your dog jump on, bark at, bite, or otherwise upset people. No. Just, no.
One more comment from a dog lover who agrees that those women acted reprehensibly. My dog is large and sweet as the day is long. However, I never have him off leash outside of our house. He loves people (to the point of waiting for someone who has just pulled into their driveway to get out of the car so he can “greet” them. I realized that was what he was waiting for and am now the mean mom who makes him move along!), but I don’t know how he’s going to react in every situation. I don’t like when a dog comes at me, either. I’m very sorry for what you experienced. - Pat S.
ReplyDeleteHallie -- as a known dog owner on this blog (Teddy Roosevelt Ruff Rider and Franklin Delano), I couldn't agree more with the other commenters. It is the owner's responsibility to train their dogs properly and keep them under control. While golden retrievers are generally quite friendly, they are large breed dogs and we are very sensitive to how others we meet when walking might react to them, and recognize that their enthusiasm might easily be misunderstood as threatening to some. At a bare minimum, the owners should have been sensitive to what happened and apologized and also made sure that you were okay.
ReplyDeleteOn a separate but related literary note, you made reference to your friend Susannah (who I presume is Susannah Charleson). Just to put a plug in for her, she is a terrific author and I have read all of her books. Her devotion to dogs of all sizes and shapes and the work that she has done for SAR purposes is just amazing.
Susan Shea here. What should you say? At the top of your lungs, "Get your dog off me!"
ReplyDeleteI am a dog person and I always keep mine leashed even on trails. There are dog parks for off leash activivites!!! Argh. There's simply no excuse for letting a dog jump up on a person or poop in their yard or any other bad behavior. It infuriates me on your behalf, Hallie. I'm sorry that happened to you. Smacking the women is probably not the answer, and yet...
ReplyDeleteYou are preaching to the choir, Hallie. I love dogs but so many of their owners are oblivious to common sense and courtesy. I hate that they ignore signs to put your dog on a leash; evidently it doesn't apply to their dog.I hate when they pull their dog right up to our dog to see if they like each other. That is not the way to find out. I could rant on and on but that won't solve the problem. You might try keeping a spray bottle of vinegar or something equally stinky. Spray in the dog's face or maybe get lucky and hit the owner too.
ReplyDeleteI am a dog lover (cats too). Irresponsible and clueless dog owners like those you encountered Hallie are a serious menace. I raised 9 puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. Big dogs, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds and a Labrador. Training is for the dogs and owners. Owners are much harder to train. Training isn't just for the safety of the people who encounter your dog, it's for the safety of dogs too. Off leash they can be attacked, run into traffic or be harmed by other hazards (rattlesnakes). Perhaps your town animal control could put on a clinic about both aspects of dog safety. I'm so sorry so many have had frightening experiences with dogs.
ReplyDeleteDog owners should always be responsible. You're well within your rights to ask them to please control their dogs. They know better. They don't expect anyone to call them on it. -Keenan
ReplyDeleteEllen Kozak here. I LOVE dogs (more than I like most people) and the dog was probably just being friendly BUT the women behaved abominably and probably should have been leashed. What are the rules for off-leash pets in that area? Start with the law. And a letter to the editor. And calls to the Powers That Be. And photos in the future.
ReplyDeleteWhile it might not be criminal (read: resulting in a fine) to have a dog off leash in that area, there is civil liability. And no responsible dog owner lets dogs in a pack run off leash-- in packs, they spur each other on. Like teenagers.
We run into this all the time. Dog owners are constantly walking their dog off leash in public parks. It’s dangerous and should not be tolerated. I love dogs and have dogs but mine always stay on leash. At the very least it’s the courteous thing to do. You may love and trust your dog, but I don’t. Plus, it scares my dogs.
ReplyDeleteI always leash my dogs when approaching strangers on a hiking trail. I also stop and wait till the persons are well past. I no not everyone loves dogs like I do.
ReplyDeleteAldo those women should have checked on you. I’m sorry that happened.
Plus there was the time one of my dogs peed on the boots of a visitor to my house…..
That is horrible and beyond unacceptable. Oh. I am in awe that you did not say something. Whoa.Terrifying.
ReplyDeleteYES! Dogs should be good citizens the same as humans. If you wouldn’t let your kid jump on passing strangers you shouldn’t let your dog do it either. Sorry poor behavior interrupted your beautiful morning.
ReplyDeleteI am a dog lover, but that is unacceptable. Let me just add my pet peeve--people who have big dogs on leashes but they can't control them. I don't want to be bounced on by dogs either.
ReplyDelete