The only place I’ve ever had issues with dogs is in my own neighborhood. Over 18 years here and 4 incidents- I was bit, my dad was bit protecting his dog when he was visiting, my old dog Leah was attacked and my dog when we first got here was “playfully ” run into. Thankfully, all were minor except the first “playful” incident when my dog had to have her eye removed. When I presented the owner with the vet bills they had the nerve to be affronted. I live in a very suburban neighborhood
My advice is call the police no matter how minor the incident. You find out quick how many run ins with the same dog aren’t reported because people feel bad reporting their neighbors - don’t.
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I am a huge dog person.
That said, I had a huge fear of dogs as a child. I was told a big dog jumped on me when I was a toddler. That will do it. Later my family got a puppy and that helped me get over my fear. I have friends who have similar experiences and friends who for one reason or another (in some cases cultural) who were never around pets and fear them. I totally get it.
@sly123 - based on my own experience I don’t believe the fear is “irrational”.
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Bumping this up. We are traveling and I’ve never see so many dogs in the airport as I did last Saturday.
Back in the day, if you were going away, you found a pet sitter or kennel. Now, you bring your dog.
Back in the day, if you are going grocery shopping, to the mall, out to eat, you left your pet at home.
I love dogs. But I’m truly surprised at this huge change. It seems pets are allowed everywhere now.
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We too saw many dogs in the airport. My own dogs enjoyed their own vacation!
At the moment, I am the neighborhood pariah as a group of people who were walking the nearby track and allowing their dogs to run as a pack are blaming me for the recent crackdown on their activities. They were visited by animal control and told to leash their dogs. As I had previously asked them to leash up, I am evidently behind this. I’ve received two greeting cards anonymously with typewritten greetings “thanking” me for being a great neighbor and how thankful they are I moved to “their” neighborhood (note, I’ve lived here in the neighborhood for 28 years) and blaming me for disrupting their well established practice. All that to say, some dog owners can be very entitled.
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We are staying in a terrific Airbnb. Our hosts live in the main house, and they have two really sweet pooches who come and visit in the courtyard (permission was asked and we said yes).
BUT the neighbor has at least two dogs that bark day and night…I don’t think they are ever inside. And geez they are loud. I feel sorry for these dogs!
That is terrible! I can’t believe the nerve of some people!!!
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Our community has a leash law. We have a dog park. Parks & Rec is now installing signage in all city parks reminding people of the law. Complaining about it to the city never did any good before, but clearly something has changed. Two years ago I had a bad fall and reinjured my hip as the result of one of these dogs running over to “play” with my dogs, who do not want to play with other dogs. The owner ran off, only “apologizing” when she realized I knew who she was and could id her. My dogs have been harrassed and attacked. I’m in no way sorry they have to follow the law. I only wish I’d been behind it!
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I’m in complete agreement! I may love dogs, but loose dogs while running is not a good combo. I’ve had plenty of incidents while running. My motto response to the “they don’t bite!” Line is “yeah. They don’t bite YOU!”
And as you said… there’s a leash law. Follow the law!
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I don’t get the entitlement. Dogs are unpredictable. I would swear up and down that my girl wouldn’t harm a fly, but she is very wary of strangers, so I don’t let people pet her and boy do some get offended. And the whole “ he’s friendly!” is bogus. I’ve had “friendly” off leash dogs get very aggressive with my dog. My Leah (rip) was attacked at least twice by unleashed dogs in my neighborhood. I carry pepper spray on every walk now.
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Dogs are dogs—they have instinctive reactions that can kick in. I am ok with dogs but don’t pet them unless their owner has given me permission and prefer that they stay away from public areas and remain leashed in public because they can cause harm and chaos.
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My H found a really cool device that has two buttons, one is an ultrasonic frequency and a loud warning beep. I’ve had to use the US once on an aggressive dog and it was amazing! The dog just shook its head and backed off, looking confused. I use the beep on my dog when she is trying to pull or chase birds. That is just enough to surprise her into stopping. Funny thing is I can’t hear the US, but my daughter can. One time we were walking and my thumb accidentally hit it and she was like “WHAT IS THAT?!?”
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We were hiking in a national park where dogs on trails must be leashed. A large dog ran up to us and aggressively blocked the trail. The owners eventually showed up and called off their dog, again, with the usual “don’t worry, he/she doesn’t bite”. Riiiiiiiiiiiight, that’s why it was growling and showing its fangs, riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.
We LOVE LOVE LOVE dogs, but when we vacation our dogs when we had one, would also go on their own separate vacation.
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I’m going to look into this! Pepper spray isn’t always a good option. Weather, surprise etc
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Our neighbors have been getting a new fence….for about 3 months. The guy/company that is slowly working on it arrives in a truck and while they are working their dog sits in the truck (inside)while they are working. Now that it’s a little warmer they still bring him but they have the truck window about 3/4 down. Dog has jumped out a couple times. I’ve rescued him twice and stuck him in their yard . He barks at every dog or person walking by. Including when I let my dog out.
This is so not fair for the dog! Isn’t there another solution for this pup?!!
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D had a similar experience a few days ago. She was walking her ( medium sized) dog , on leash in a neighborhood park when two large unleashed dogs approached and one jumped on her dog. Her dog was terrified and whimpering and she didn’t know if he was hurt so she threw herself on the ground to protect him. She is 5 months pregnant, btw.
The woman gave a small apology and muttered something about the dogs collar coming off , but she had two unleashed dogs. An older man ( about my age) was nearby , saw the whole thing , helped D and yelled at the woman to leash her dogs. She left in a huff.
We are a family who loves dogs, but we don’t always love the owners.
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I hope your D is okay. The entitlement is absolutely nuts.
My 2 dogs are a combined 110 lbs at the end of the leash. Sabadog is smart and protective. Sabapup has one brain cell. They want to walk with me. If I drop the leash, they don’t run off, they sit and wait. But seeing an off leash dog puts them on a high alert, defensive posture because of their past experiences.
I’d do the same as your D. If she doesn’t want to carry pepper spray, there’s a citronella alternative that has a similar effect but is more humane.
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My mom’s neighbor had a dog that barked constantly. She hid a deterrent device like this one in the middle of her lemon tree that grows against their shared wall. It took care of the barking.
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I like dogs more than people. It’s not the dog’s fault, so I’ll take it out on the owner, unless the dog is attacking my dog and then it’s 2 on 1 for the unleashed, unknown dog. I started carrying dog specific mace after the 3rd time my lab was attacked by an off leash dog.
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What is dog specific mace? Can you share the brand?