What would you have done?

[Ellen]

I wanted to get the community's thoughts on something that happened this morning.

A bit of background about my 7-year old medium-sized doodle Riley:  He attends doggie daycare almost daily, so he doesn't get excited when seeing other dogs during our morning or evening walks.  In fact, he usually just ignores other dogs that we encounter even if they bark or lunge at him.  And I know that my dog is non-reactive if another dog is dominant or becomes aggressive.

This morning, I was walking Riley on a running/biking path that runs through various neighborhoods, and along the way, there are several access routes to/from a neighborhood to the main path.  As I was walking Riley, I saw a teenager coming up an access path with two large dogs (looked like German wire-haired pointers) that were barking and lunging at Riley.  They were about 40-50 feet from us.  Upon seeing them, I sped up with Riley and walked quickly past the access path.  

As usual, Riley didn't react to the other dogs.  After we passed the access path, the guy lost control of his dogs, and they bum-rushed Riley, who yelped.  At first I thought they bit Riley, but I think he yelped because he was just surprised by two big dogs barreling into us from behind.  The other dogs had a lot of energy, but were not aggressive and just really wanted to meet Riley.  

When the teenager came up us, I expected him to apologize for failing to control his dogs, but instead, he said "If you see somebody with lunging dogs, you should turn around with your dog" -- i.e., he expected me to turn around having seen him and his lunging dogs on the access path.

This pissed me off to no end, but I kept my cool and didn't yell, but firmly said that I was not to blame for what happened.  In fact, I was walking quickly with my dog to pass by them to de-escalate the situation.  I said that I had every right to continue walking on the pathway, and that I didn't need to turn around just because he couldn't control his dogs.  I didn't say the following, but it was clear that this kid did not know how to handle his dogs.  They were both on long leashes (instead of shorter leashes), making control much harder when they are lunging.  Even while we were standing there talking, he lost control of their leashes two times again.

If Riley were also jumping and lunging at the other dogs, I would have stopped on the path or pull him away from the main path with a shortened hold on the leash and try to divert Riley's attention until the other dogs passed.  But even if Riley were reactive, I don't think I would have turned around.  

Now that the incident is over, I'm wondering if the teenager had a valid point.  

What would you have done in my situation?  Turn around or continue walking?

[Lynda Kamrath]

Oh, yes, he was wrong.  My old school teacher showing through, I would just have said, "Well, honey, everyone needs to be in control of their dogs.  I'm so glad nobody was hurt today."  It doesn't help to get angry and it is obvious that he does not know how to control his dogs.  It would be better if he takes one at a time out for a walk.  I know my dogs are much better behaved when I do not have the two together.  There is something about the competition.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Yes, I believe he was wrong too.  But that being said, I'd always opt for being safe rather than sorry.  Since I am a retired "old" lady, I am sure I would have given him some advice - like "hey buddy, you need to shorten up those leashes and get some control over your dogs!"  LOL

[Moe]

Yea, he's totally wrong but you can't control other people's behavior. I have turned around on a bike path by my house and I'll usually step off a path into the woods to let people pass. People are nuts with their dogs. They'll yell - oh they're friendly. When what they really mean is - I would like them to be friendly. I never chance meeting strange dogs if I can step off a path and avoid them. 

[Moe]

PS: This reminds me of a woman I used to know when my kids were little. One day her kid bit another kid at a party. She ran over and grabbed the other kid and yelled - "What did you do to my Jack that made him bite you." True story. People are nuts. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

The teenager did NOT have a valid point.  He is responsible for controlling his dogs.  I probably wouldn't have thought of it at the time, but the boy needed to be told that, for his dogs safety, he must keep them leashed to him.  He needed to be shown how to hold leashes so the dogs cannot get away (they might drag you :-}) but they won't get away from you. It would have been great if you knew where he lived and could tell his parents that he wasn't able to control the dogs.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

I agree with everyone else. This young man needs to learn to control his dogs. I have done an about face tho. If I see someone with a aggressive dog or appears to be having trouble with what looks like an aggressive dog....I either give them wide berth or turn around. Or, many times, I put her in a sit stay, well away from the passing dog and make her " wait". It's another opportunity to get in some training too. Enzo is such a non-aggressive girl...I just try to do everything possible to avoid her getting hurt.
In your case....I think I may have said a few choice words to the kid. I'm not known for keeping my mouth shut. :p

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

I walk my girls on a tab leash so I feel like I have the best control.  When we see others approach (with or without dogs) we step to the side and the girls have to sit until they pass.  It helps them remember their manners, it reminds others with dogs that mine already behave, people that are fearful of dogs can relax a bit and my girls get lots of attention and compliments because of it.  If I see a dog that doesn't appear to be controlled I step farther away, not sure that turning around would help, I do not want to be looking over my shoulder with an aggressive dog behind me.  As far as the teenager goes, it is kind of sad that his parents have not taught him to control the dogs or to have manners when speaking to another person.  I would have reminded him that my dogs were behaving and my second thought (sitting at home and not having encountered this in real life) would have been to ask him if he would like some pointers on how to have better control over his dogs as well.

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

I agree with the others- he was wrong. The person that has the lunging dogs(s) should be the one that turns around (or whatever else they need to do) in order to gain control.

This situation really strikes a nerve for me as it is one of my biggest pet peeves -blaming someone else for his own inadequacy. And, being disrespectful by not apologizing....grrr.....

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

I think you are completely right in the situation. We have a family in the neighborhood that has mixed dogs (not sure what they are) but they are always so out of control in the and even though I shouldn't, I always turn and walk the other way when I see them. I guess I look at it like I know my boys are good and I am in control, but should a dog fight break out, Loki and Moose collectively weigh so much it would be very hard for me to safely control them- let alone keep both of them safe. I think some people are just complete morons and your not going to convince them otherwise (which is so frustrating) so I just try to avoid those situations.

When Loki was younger we were out for a walk and an off leash "friendly" pitbull ran up to us and it freaked Loki out so I unclipped his leash to try and prevent bad leash reactivity (he has perfect recall) and the pitbull's owner (who's dog was never on a leash to begin with!) freaked out that I would take my dog off the leash! EXCUSE ME! You never leashed your dog to begin with and now my dog is uncomfortable! I had some choice words and still always saw that dog off the leash running around like a spaz.

I think you handled the situation much better than I would have :) Glad you and your baby are safe and sound! That can be so scary!