Grrrr

[Linz13]

I was out walking my two, met a lovely working cocker with his owner, two owners and dogs walking towards us and the other owner beat a hasty retreat.  I walked on, two on-coming dogs (a jack russel & alsation) onlead, so I crossed the grass so I was quite a distance away.  Anyway the alsation lunged at me and my two and the jack russel owner said 'you'd better get them on a lead because you'll know all about it if this alsation gets off. I stopped, said oh charming and walked on. 

So I stopped in at a friends to drop something off, and of course one of the owners was her neighbour    She got home and said oh thats the two dogs, I said that my two were nowhere near their dogs, she said in her opinion they should all be onlead all the time, I said she was entitled to her opinion as was everyone else. She repeated the threat that I would know all about it if the alsation got off. 

You can probably tell I am a tad angry - was I in the wrong?  I was quite a distance away and my two never even sniffed in the direction of these two. 

[sarahbe]

I suppose it can make people anxious when they see dogs off lead. You know that your dogs will behave - but they don't know your dogs and don't. Maybe?

[Karma]

No, it's absolutely their problem.
If your dogs had gone up to these dogs, I can see why they might have cause for complaint... they're probably just jealous that you have good control of your dogs and their can't even behave on the lead. 

You kept control of your dogs, you kept them away from the dogs on lead, and they were not the problem.  And it would be her responsibility if her German Shepherd got off lead.... 

[johndoran]

So what this owner was admitting to was the fact that she had a dangerous dog in public which is clearly against the law. I don't think you did anything wrong, I wouldn't want to rush to get Bonnie on the lead just because other dogs were coming in my direction. Prob' best to give them a wider berth if you see them again. Just reread your thread and realised that the idiot would think that your dogs would be safer if they were on the lead . Words fail me

[Linz13]

Thanks guys, I have calmed down this morning!  I'm happy that my dogs were under control and a good distance away from the other two.  Will steer well clear in future. 

[Lily Freya]

I don't blame you being upset.  Why should you have your dogs on lead, if you trust them?  Our dogs are entitled to be offlead now and then.  How else do they run and stretch their limbs?

She was obviously worried about her dog.................probably had problems in the past with it attacking others. 

[sneaks]

I NEVER have rogue on lead, ever! I never even take the lead out anymore  but I've recently met someone with a lab puppy who crosses the road and scowels at me. I've spoken to others who say she never lets her dog off the lead and won't let it approach other dogs. We've all agreed this WILL lead to behaviour problems when its older - shame! 

[Chocolatecoco]

I have my dogs on and offlead depending where i am walking them. If it is a safe place they will be off lead (safe meaning no roads).

I have to say that the other woman that has issues with her own dog, should clearly concentrate on that rather than you with your well behaved dogs offlead.

[SuperCat]

I have to admit it is annoying but I can vaguely empathise with that woman. We had a Springer who was very unpredictable and could turn suddenly on anything and quite often when we saw people with their dogs off lead we would be wary because the amount of people who let their dogs bound up to us shouting 'he/she's fine, don't worry, they're really friendly' was unbelievable, which is fine but our dog wasn't fine and those people would always blame us if their dog got bitten. So we started to get wary and always say our dog could be nasty but didn't threaten people like it sounds that woman almost did. I think she might have gone a bit far but could have been worried because of bad encounters with off lead dogs in the past. Like I said in my experience even if people let their dogs bound up to someone else's if that someone else's dog bites the dog that bounded up then that someone else will be blamed.

[Karma]

There's a big difference between warning people to keep their dogs away (and if you've already seen the owner give you space and call their dogs to do the same, you really shouldn't be overly concerned) and having a go because there are dogs that are off lead...  This person said that the OP's dogs should be on lead, when there was absolutely no reason for them to be on lead...

I absolutely agree that dog walkers should give dogs who are being walked on lead space and shouldn't let their dogs approach them - but if you have good control of your dog, that doesn't mean it needs to be on a lead! 
We have the opposite problem - Honey hates greeting any dog who is on the lead, and people constantly bring their on-lead dogs up to her, despite my warnings.... 

[Linz13]

If they had shouted, could you stick your two on the lead, I would have no problems with that.  If Maddi is onlead and we meet another dog she is a little monster.  Just wish she hadn't been so threatening and agressive about it. 

[smartietopdog]

I have to admit it is annoying but I can vaguely empathise with that woman. We had a Springer who was very unpredictable and could turn suddenly on anything and quite often when we saw people with their dogs off lead we would be wary because the amount of people who let their dogs bound up to us shouting 'he/she's fine, don't worry, they're really friendly' was unbelievable, which is fine but our dog wasn't fine and those people would always blame us if their dog got bitten. So we started to get wary and always say our dog could be nasty but didn't threaten people like it sounds that woman almost did. I think she might have gone a bit far but could have been worried because of bad encounters with off lead dogs in the past. Like I said in my experience even if people let their dogs bound up to someone else's if that someone else's dog bites the dog that bounded up then that someone else will be blamed.

I have to agree with that! I generally put Smartie on a lead when another comes the other way on a lead, as the way I see it, their dog is on a lead for a reason. Like you, it really bugs me, if I have one of mine on a lead and someone else lets theirs waltz up to them saying "don't worry , they're fine". Well how do you know mine are?
On the other hand, if there is room to give the dog on the lead a wide birth, then take it! There should be no need to have to put your dog on a lead.
You did nothing wrong, it's not like YOUR dogs were out of control, or antagonising the GSD.
Sorry if this doesn't make sense, I know what I'm trying to say, but my brain won't kick in this morning!!

[dogsgalore]

My labrador has fear issues with other dogs, particularly when she is on lead and is approached by dogs which are off lead, primarily because she has no where to run to get out of their space and into her comfort zone.  I have spent a lot of time and we have worked hard getting her to overcome her issues and it is so frustrating for her to experience a set back.  If we are walking on lead on the road and see anyone with their dog off lead I eithr get out of their way or I do ask them if at all possible to put their dog on lead, explaining politely that my dog has issues and would be distressed by being approached.  I always make sure I have her under control though.  If we are in a safe area and she can be off lead then I don't have the same problem.

If your dogs were under control and were not approaching those on lead then there shouldn't have been a problem and the owner of the Alsation shouldn't have made those comments, she should be working at overcoming her dogs problems. 

[fizzyntiffy]

If your dogs were under control and were not approaching those on lead then there shouldn't have been a problem and the owner of the Alsation shouldn't have made those comments, she should be working at overcoming her dogs problems. 

I agree. The GSD owner could have phrased things a lot better too.  I would have found that comment a bit threatening tbh.

[Coco]

If your dogs were under control and were not approaching those on lead then there shouldn't have been a problem and the owner of the Alsation shouldn't have made those comments, she should be working at overcoming her dogs problems.  

I agree. The GSD owner could have phrased things a lot better too.  I would have found that comment a bit threatening tbh.

I agree. Sometimes people do all they can to keep their dogs in check, especially if they know they are liable to start yet others who keep theirs off lead let them bound over and get upset if something happens.....That said, if she meant that, she phrased it really badly!!!!!! I would also have been angry and think you have every right to be in the fact that your dogs didn't approach hers.
Perhaps she is doing something to stop her dog's behaviour but that comment makes it kind of sound 'It's not my problem if something starts' I'm sure if she would have said something like 'My dog's really not keen on others and is liable to get aggressive if another dog approaches, so please can you make sure yours don't, maybe keep them on lead until we're gone' You'd have been much more happy and respected her honesty and willingness to accept a problem rather than make it your problem