Dogs at the bus stop

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I know someone who was totally randomly bit by a dog with no history of biting, and they were badly hurt. Imagine if that had happened to a child. Dogs are unpredictable. Every dog owner thinks their dog would ever bite, and yet it happens.

[Anonymous]

I’m a dog over and lover who has grown to see dogs as a public menace over the years due to irresponsible dog ownership. Way too many aggressive rescue dogs with serious behavioral issues that the owners are in denial about. It’s really sad and really irritating as a dog owner and parent.

So no, I absolutely do not want dogs at the bus stop. Unfortunately, I have learned you can’t trust people to be honest about their dog’s temperament and limitations and to have their dog totally under their control.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I ike dogs generally but not those that jump on me. I cannot believe owners don't train their animals to not do that.

It's sometimes not that easy. We spend a lot of time training and working with ours but she still jumps on people excited to see them.

Step on the leash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think if learning that some people do not want to be approached by your dog makes you feel combative and defensive, it’s time for some self reflection. Why does it make you so upset that some people can’t or don’t want to touch or be touched by your dog? You may consider working on this in therapy.

Some people truly view dogs as a stand in for children. They get just as offended as if someone said “get your kid specifically away from me.” You don’t see this as much with other pet owners because other pets haven’t encroached on social spaces the way dogs have. People have different valid reasons for not wanting to interact with dogs, particularly reactive and poor behaved ones, yet they’re everywhere - farmers markets, restaurant patios, bus stops.

If I’m walking and you’re walking your dog I will absolutely cross the street and give you a wide berth because your dog has a right to enjoy their walk, but when I’m in a public space not designed for animals to be there and someone’s dog who just had to come jumps on me/my kids or snaps at us walking by, I am really short with the dog owner because that dog doesn’t belong in a busy public setting. People can bear the consequence of bringing their ill behaved dogs into these spaces - if it’s uncomfortable enough for them perhaps they’ll finally just let the dog stay at home where it wants to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think if learning that some people do not want to be approached by your dog makes you feel combative and defensive, it’s time for some self reflection. Why does it make you so upset that some people can’t or don’t want to touch or be touched by your dog? You may consider working on this in therapy.

Some people truly view dogs as a stand in for children. They get just as offended as if someone said “get your kid specifically away from me.” You don’t see this as much with other pet owners because other pets haven’t encroached on social spaces the way dogs have. People have different valid reasons for not wanting to interact with dogs, particularly reactive and poor behaved ones, yet they’re everywhere - farmers markets, restaurant patios, bus stops.

If I’m walking and you’re walking your dog I will absolutely cross the street and give you a wide berth because your dog has a right to enjoy their walk, but when I’m in a public space not designed for animals to be there and someone’s dog who just had to come jumps on me/my kids or snaps at us walking by, I am really short with the dog owner because that dog doesn’t belong in a busy public setting. People can bear the consequence of bringing their ill behaved dogs into these spaces - if it’s uncomfortable enough for them perhaps they’ll finally just let the dog stay at home where it wants to be.

Yep. I complain every time I’m at a store or other space that isn’t dog friendly and people have brought a dog in. It’s really absurd at this point.