Tactful way to tell a so called friend.....

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

that my Daisy is not a B_ _ tch because she does not care for her two dogs crowding around her while on leash sniffing and bumping her and "barks" her dogs off.

This has happens every time we are walking through the neighborhood and run into them. Yesterday was the final straw for me and I am angry.

One of many scenarios:

Happily walking Daisy in the evening through the neighborhood, walk around one bend and there is the 4 of them, Husband and Wife and their two cattle dogs. They see us and immediately let one of their two of leash to run to us. We get appropriately excited and greet him and the other 3 quickly come up where all 3 dogs say hello...after a few sniffs and leash tangling Daisy gets anxious and barks...said friend, the woman, says Daisy is such a b-word. Usually I just consider the source and move on but last night I was ticked! Seriously?!? I never said anything but I was seething.

She now refers to my doodle as that. I am really done with it. I don't want to make an enemy but I do want to put her in her place. We used to be closer but since they don't follow the association rules i.e. keep your dogs leashed, and I am on the Board I have had to distance ourselves from them. The dogs have charged other animals and walkers so many times and even bit an elderly gentleman that they have a fine and threat of their animals being removed from the property.

Don't get me wrong, I actually love their dogs, and so does Daisy but only when all are off leash and playing at the dog park or in our basement.

The other thing that bothers me about the humans in this foursome is the way they don't pet Daisy and she is such a people pup. The husband actually puts his hand in his pocket when she goes to him to say hi. When Daisy was little, they loved and cuddled her so that is what she thinks she gets with them but they just ignore her and talk about their dogs.

I know I am being a big baby about this but I really am offended and I just want it to stop. Any suggestions?

[F, Calla & Luca]

More good advice!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

She is 43 and frankly not a very warm person.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Not tactful but oh so satisfying, "Lady, there's only one bitch here and it's you". :>) Seriously, I don't think any thing you say will make a difference to these people as they don't see themselves doing anything wrong. I'd just explain that Daisy doesn't like to be overwhealmed by the other dogs when she is on leash and it that doesn't help go back to sentence one.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

I wish I had the nerve. I really don't get it though, she use to LOVE Daisy, but she was a puppy. Her youngest dog is the exact same age as Daisy, same weight and about 6" shorter, I don't call her tubby, cause I adore her so it really does just hurt my feelings.

[Christine & Camus]

I had a similar situation many years ago when I had Einstein (lab mix but not a doodle).  Whenever we ran into a neighbor with his dog he would immediately let his dog off leash.  I would not let Einstein off lease, the risks were too great, but he would get excited and try to play getting me tangled in his leash.  It also meant that he did not want to take care of business and I was often late to work. Nothing I said seemed to work, so I changed our walks to another direction.  The jerk found us and laughed when I turned and starting walking in another direction.  He was like a dog walking stalker!  Well, he finally got his due when his dog passed and he adopted two new dogs that turned out to be aggressive and unmanageable on leash.  He now walks them very early in the morning and after dark in the evening when no one else is out walking their dogs.  No more stalking.  Your neighbor sounds equally hardheaded.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Self Righteous would be a better description believe me.

[Moe]

Next time as the dog is running up you could yell out that your dog has a really bad case of kennel cough or some other contagious dog disease or a flea infestation. That might make them think twice next time.

I do feel your pain. People are nuts. There is a dog walker in my area that I run into all the time. She walks 7-8 dogs off leash and has absolutely no control over them. They charge at us whenever we run into them. My dog is very timid and it freaks her out. If I see her car I go somewhere else. People have suggested calling animal control or the state park service on her but I just don't have it in me. It does really bother me though.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Man if I was paying a dog walker and she did not have complete control of my dog at all times I would be seriously mad and would no longer employ that person.

[Moe]

I'm sure they have no idea.

[Rose Ann and Amante]

Just let them have it!! I get so angry with people who think the rules do not apply to them. They let their dogs do whatever, don't pick up poop etc. Daisy needs her Momma to stick up for her!! Can you call animal control ??

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

You are not being a baby, they are being rude, and clearly know little about polite dog behavior.  Of course they are not polite humans, so what can you expect. 

It is really not a good idea to let even the best of dog friends interact on leashes.  Too much opportunity for tangling and strangling and other difficult things.  In addition most dogs feel at a disadvantage on a leash and respond accordingly to other dogs.  One of the major things you have to teach a dog for the Canine Good Citizen is to meet and greet another dog politely, which is just the equivalent of a human, nod or handshake and then sitting or laying down. 

You could respond  "yes indeed, Daisy is technically a bitch, but a very sweet one, so I would appreciate it if you used her name.  Leave it at that or continue with "It makes me very nervous to have you let your dogs interact with Daisy when they are on leashes.  They are all such good friends I would hate for something to happen."  

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

oh I like that response Maryann. Thanks