“Don’t worry, he’s friendly”

[Anonymous]

Pepper spray for dogs:

https://www.amazon.com/Halt-Repellent-Repeller-Protector-Agressive/dp/B00NDMBDB2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=12KW2NSALH933&keywords=dog+spray+for+aggressive+dogs&qid=1694017456&sprefix=dog+spray+for+aggressive+dogs%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

If the dog stays away, no problem. If an unleashed dog approaches you or your child, give a quick spray in front of the dog. It uses capsaicin, the active element in hot peppers. Does not hurt the dog, but will turn the dog away. Hopefully the spray in front of their nose will chase the dog away. If not, and the dog continues to approach after smelling the spray, then spray on the face.

You will likely get the bad dog owners upset. But explain that had they had their dog on a leash and under their control, you would not have needed to protect yourself and your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The PNW is horrible about this. Thank God IME people in DC are not nearly as unhinged.

I'm in Old Town Alexandria and experience exactly what OP describes. Plenty of dog parks and dog areas, yet some owners let their dogs go unleashed in playgrounds (that specifically say no dogs!), on the Mount Vernon Trail, and basically almost everywhere. I'm so, so, so tired of hearing "don't worry, he's friendly." I don't care. Leash your dog!

I remember an article in WaPo not too long ago. A man shot dead a loose Labrador which was running towards him and his wife while the owner was in pursuit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The PNW is horrible about this. Thank God IME people in DC are not nearly as unhinged.

I'm in Old Town Alexandria and experience exactly what OP describes. Plenty of dog parks and dog areas, yet some owners let their dogs go unleashed in playgrounds (that specifically say no dogs!), on the Mount Vernon Trail, and basically almost everywhere. I'm so, so, so tired of hearing "don't worry, he's friendly." I don't care. Leash your dog!

+1, on Capital Hill. It's far from the majority of dog owners -- it's a small number of either aggressive or totally clueless people who ruin it for everyone else.

The people who take their dogs to playgrounds when there are a ton of signs saying they aren't allowed are the ones who make me most mad. There will be a sign on the gate to the playground and then throughout the playground, and still people will wander in with their dogs. We have a playground across the street that is adjacent to both a rec center and a school. No dogs allowed. But dog owners really like to use the small field next to the playground to walk their dogs and let them use the bathroom (don't get me started on how absolutely obnoxious it is to let your dog piss on a field that is used for kids to play -- f*** these people). I see the same 4-5 people there. A couple of them were clearly initially just oblivious. I walked up to them and pointed out the signs and they were nice enough. And then I saw them there the next week, and the week after. They just don't care. This field is near their house and they don't want to take their dog to the dog park a few blocks away, or to just walk their dog on the side walk and find somewhere they are allowed to let their dogs pee, because you aren't supposed to let them use most tree boxes so it might require some actual effort.

I HATE these people. Most of their dogs are not great either because these are lazy people who also don't put effort into training their dogs or getting them enough exercise. I don't blame the dog, it's not their fault their owners suck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live in the PNW in an area that’s very very very dog friendly. There are as many dog parks as their are parks with playgrounds.

There are a few parks near us with really cool playgrounds next to soccer fields with a pathway around it and people will often walk their dogs. They have strict leash laws

There are several other parks where there are no leash laws plus the plethora of dog specific parks.

Yet we (and other parents) had issues with unleashes dogs running up to them and their children while between playground equipment or in the soccer fields.

Yes. 9/10 these dogs are friendly. Some just run up and sniff but others jump up on excitement and have accidentally scratched or gotten clothing dirty or even knocked down smaller kids.

Everyone, the owner comes slowly walking “oh, don’t worry he’s friendly”.

Yes, very clearly friendly and untrained. I do not want a dog jumping up on me. I do not want a dog running after my kids when I have no idea how this dog reacts to children. I do not trust dog owners who can’t follow basic leash laws to also have well-trained dogs. I don’t trust that they’re all friendly.

Thankfully we’ve never had any incidences beyond being knocked down or a scratch but a medium size dog bit an older kid playing soccer off leash and it’s created a Nextdoor debacle.

Dog owners vs. Kid owners. Dog owners feel just as entitled to the same space as kids and families. When we point out the leash laws they huff and basically say they’ll do as they please.

I’m not sure if this is just a very centralized issue or if you’ve experienced something similar?[/quote]

Why does this matter? You aren't living here. If it is a problem for you than it is a problem. Deal with it out there and don't post how we handle it. That doesn't make any sense. Also, you have a strange way of phrasing it..dog owners vs kid owners? I don't "own" my kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have kids and I have a dog. I will not let my dog off leash in an area that's not specifically for dogs or is enclosed for dogs. Definitely not around a children't playground. No way. Never.

I have a wheaten terrier who is good with kids. Still, I would never let him loose in a public place that's not fenced in just for dogs. I don't get the mindset of owners who do that.

In the same vein, I get irritated when people let their kids run around in enclosed dog parks. But, that's not too common.

I appreciate this.

I love dogs but my kid is TERRIFIED of them. We don't know why, we are working on it. I have come to really resent people who let dogs off leash in non-designated areas because if a dog comes bounding up to my kid, even if the dog is friendly and not dangerous, she will lose it. It's terrifying to her. I do get it on some level because she's still small and a lot of dogs are bigger than her (though she is also terrified of small dogs, so it's not just this).

I am careful not to take my kid to parks with a ton of dogs (even if people are good at keeping them on leash, it's too much of her) and would of course never take her to an actual dog park. So it makes me mad when people let their dogs off leash on parks with clearly signed restrictions on this. We also have a number of playgrounds near us where dogs are not allowed and it's clearly signed and it makes me really angry when people bring their dogs to these places, even on a leash. These are some of the few places in our neighborhood where we can feel confident there won't be dogs. When people break those rules, it just makes it even harder for us.

And all of this is making it tougher to acclimate our kid to dogs, and maybe even get one some day. The more she encounters off-leash dogs, or dogs on playgrounds, the harder it is to get her to understand that dogs can be safe and even wonderful.

Please do not let your dog off leash in places where that is not allowed, and do not take your dog to schools/playgrounds where they aren't allowed. No matter how friendly and harmless they are. You cannot assume that everyone is excited to have a dog come up right up to them, for some people (especially some kids) that is terrifying.

My dog is terrified of kids so I would appriecate all kids to not come running at us waving their arms and screaming to pet my dog. And btw, I will walk m dog in the neighborhood past a playground if need be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have kids and I have a dog. I will not let my dog off leash in an area that's not specifically for dogs or is enclosed for dogs. Definitely not around a children't playground. No way. Never.

I have a wheaten terrier who is good with kids. Still, I would never let him loose in a public place that's not fenced in just for dogs. I don't get the mindset of owners who do that.

In the same vein, I get irritated when people let their kids run around in enclosed dog parks. But, that's not too common.

I appreciate this.

I love dogs but my kid is TERRIFIED of them. We don't know why, we are working on it. I have come to really resent people who let dogs off leash in non-designated areas because if a dog comes bounding up to my kid, even if the dog is friendly and not dangerous, she will lose it. It's terrifying to her. I do get it on some level because she's still small and a lot of dogs are bigger than her (though she is also terrified of small dogs, so it's not just this).

I am careful not to take my kid to parks with a ton of dogs (even if people are good at keeping them on leash, it's too much of her) and would of course never take her to an actual dog park. So it makes me mad when people let their dogs off leash on parks with clearly signed restrictions on this. We also have a number of playgrounds near us where dogs are not allowed and it's clearly signed and it makes me really angry when people bring their dogs to these places, even on a leash. These are some of the few places in our neighborhood where we can feel confident there won't be dogs. When people break those rules, it just makes it even harder for us.

And all of this is making it tougher to acclimate our kid to dogs, and maybe even get one some day. The more she encounters off-leash dogs, or dogs on playgrounds, the harder it is to get her to understand that dogs can be safe and even wonderful.

Please do not let your dog off leash in places where that is not allowed, and do not take your dog to schools/playgrounds where they aren't allowed. No matter how friendly and harmless they are. You cannot assume that everyone is excited to have a dog come up right up to them, for some people (especially some kids) that is terrifying.

My dog is terrified of kids so I would appriecate all kids to not come running at us waving their arms and screaming to pet my dog. And btw, I will walk m dog in the neighborhood past a playground if need be.

(1) Literally never seen a kid run up to a dog screaming and waving their arms. If that happens, it is not a common occurrence. Whereas I see unleashed dogs bounding up to strangers or other dogs all the time, that's a normal dog behavior.

(2) No one said you couldn't walk your dog past a playground. They are saying don't bring your dog onto a playground, especially not one with signs posted clearly saying dogs are not allowed. All the playgrounds in my neighborhood have fences and gates, so if there is a dog on the playground, it means their owner walked right past the "no dogs" sign to get there. D**k move.

[Anonymous]

Dog lover here! I hate unleashed dogs where they are supposed to be leashed. I have also definitely had kids running up screaming to my dog LOL.

But I will +1 on the dog spray. I know people who have gotten attacked on hiking trails by unleashed dogs and the dog spray was life saving. I would not hesitate to spray a dog running up unleashed to my child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have kids and I have a dog. I will not let my dog off leash in an area that's not specifically for dogs or is enclosed for dogs. Definitely not around a children't playground. No way. Never.

I have a wheaten terrier who is good with kids. Still, I would never let him loose in a public place that's not fenced in just for dogs. I don't get the mindset of owners who do that.

In the same vein, I get irritated when people let their kids run around in enclosed dog parks. But, that's not too common.

I appreciate this.

I love dogs but my kid is TERRIFIED of them. We don't know why, we are working on it. I have come to really resent people who let dogs off leash in non-designated areas because if a dog comes bounding up to my kid, even if the dog is friendly and not dangerous, she will lose it. It's terrifying to her. I do get it on some level because she's still small and a lot of dogs are bigger than her (though she is also terrified of small dogs, so it's not just this).

I am careful not to take my kid to parks with a ton of dogs (even if people are good at keeping them on leash, it's too much of her) and would of course never take her to an actual dog park. So it makes me mad when people let their dogs off leash on parks with clearly signed restrictions on this. We also have a number of playgrounds near us where dogs are not allowed and it's clearly signed and it makes me really angry when people bring their dogs to these places, even on a leash. These are some of the few places in our neighborhood where we can feel confident there won't be dogs. When people break those rules, it just makes it even harder for us.

And all of this is making it tougher to acclimate our kid to dogs, and maybe even get one some day. The more she encounters off-leash dogs, or dogs on playgrounds, the harder it is to get her to understand that dogs can be safe and even wonderful.

Please do not let your dog off leash in places where that is not allowed, and do not take your dog to schools/playgrounds where they aren't allowed. No matter how friendly and harmless they are. You cannot assume that everyone is excited to have a dog come up right up to them, for some people (especially some kids) that is terrifying.

My dog is terrified of kids so I would appriecate all kids to not come running at us waving their arms and screaming to pet my dog. And btw, I will walk m dog in the neighborhood past a playground if need be.

(1) Literally never seen a kid run up to a dog screaming and waving their arms. If that happens, it is not a common occurrence. Whereas I see unleashed dogs bounding up to strangers or other dogs all the time, that's a normal dog behavior.

(2) No one said you couldn't walk your dog past a playground. They are saying don't bring your dog onto a playground, especially not one with signs posted clearly saying dogs are not allowed. All the playgrounds in my neighborhood have fences and gates, so if there is a dog on the playground, it means their owner walked right past the "no dogs" sign to get there. D**k move.

NP. I have a dog who is afraid of children, and it absolutely does happen all the damn time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pepper spray for dogs:

https://www.amazon.com/Halt-Repellent-Repeller-Protector-Agressive/dp/B00NDMBDB2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=12KW2NSALH933&keywords=dog+spray+for+aggressive+dogs&qid=1694017456&sprefix=dog+spray+for+aggressive+dogs%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

If the dog stays away, no problem. If an unleashed dog approaches you or your child, give a quick spray in front of the dog. It uses capsaicin, the active element in hot peppers. Does not hurt the dog, but will turn the dog away. Hopefully the spray in front of their nose will chase the dog away. If not, and the dog continues to approach after smelling the spray, then spray on the face.

You will likely get the bad dog owners upset. But explain that had they had their dog on a leash and under their control, you would not have needed to protect yourself and your child.

Thanks for the link. I was all set to purchase it but amazon is telling me I can't have it delivered to my address. Bummer! I'm in DC.

[Anonymous]

I think it's the same everywhere, OP.

My dog loves all humans, particularly children, but can easily knock a kid down (even with years of training).

As a result, he is not only leashed on walks, as required by law, but I yield the sidewalk when people walk by, and I am a particularly aware of small children, strollers, and the elderly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pepper spray for dogs:

https://www.amazon.com/Halt-Repellent-Repeller-Protector-Agressive/dp/B00NDMBDB2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=12KW2NSALH933&keywords=dog+spray+for+aggressive+dogs&qid=1694017456&sprefix=dog+spray+for+aggressive+dogs%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

If the dog stays away, no problem. If an unleashed dog approaches you or your child, give a quick spray in front of the dog. It uses capsaicin, the active element in hot peppers. Does not hurt the dog, but will turn the dog away. Hopefully the spray in front of their nose will chase the dog away. If not, and the dog continues to approach after smelling the spray, then spray on the face.

You will likely get the bad dog owners upset. But explain that had they had their dog on a leash and under their control, you would not have needed to protect yourself and your child.

Thanks for the link. I was all set to purchase it but amazon is telling me I can't have it delivered to my address. Bummer! I'm in DC.

There are others. Look for "Spray for Aggressive Dogs" which is what I put in. That was the first of several that popped up, but there are others.

[Anonymous]

Translation when owners say this: "I hate being responsible for my dog."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pepper spray for dogs:

https://www.amazon.com/Halt-Repellent-Repeller-Protector-Agressive/dp/B00NDMBDB2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=12KW2NSALH933&keywords=dog+spray+for+aggressive+dogs&qid=1694017456&sprefix=dog+spray+for+aggressive+dogs%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

If the dog stays away, no problem. If an unleashed dog approaches you or your child, give a quick spray in front of the dog. It uses capsaicin, the active element in hot peppers. Does not hurt the dog, but will turn the dog away. Hopefully the spray in front of their nose will chase the dog away. If not, and the dog continues to approach after smelling the spray, then spray on the face.

You will likely get the bad dog owners upset. But explain that had they had their dog on a leash and under their control, you would not have needed to protect yourself and your child.

Thanks for the link. I was all set to purchase it but amazon is telling me I can't have it delivered to my address. Bummer! I'm in DC.

Thank you for being a responsible dog owner.

Now that my kids are older, we appreciate dogs out on walks and my kids love to ask owners if dogs can be petted, etc. However, when my twins were younger, we had an incident where an exuberant dog on one of those retractable leashes bounded up and knocked both of them over and scared the bejeesus out of them. And, of course, the irresponsible dog owner usd the "don't worry, he's friendly!" totally ignoring the fact that two children were now lying on the hard sidewalk and crying. She didn't think there was anything wrong. I told her she should not use the retractable leash and she said that the kids would be fine and then left. It took a while to get them used to dogs again.

The problem is that especially post-pandemic, there are many more irresponsible dog owners out now than ever before and it's become a big problem.

[Anonymous]

I walk my leashed dog a few times a day. When somebody with an out of control dog yells "He's friendly," I yell back "Mine's not." Some people scramble to catch their dog, others shrug.

I get so frustrated with all variations of this -- off leash, leashed but all over the place, leash attached to a harness that does nothing, giant dog with tiny owner ... there is no other context where we allow that kind of thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pepper spray for dogs:

https://www.amazon.com/Halt-Repellent-Repeller-Protector-Agressive/dp/B00NDMBDB2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=12KW2NSALH933&keywords=dog+spray+for+aggressive+dogs&qid=1694017456&sprefix=dog+spray+for+aggressive+dogs%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

If the dog stays away, no problem. If an unleashed dog approaches you or your child, give a quick spray in front of the dog. It uses capsaicin, the active element in hot peppers. Does not hurt the dog, but will turn the dog away. Hopefully the spray in front of their nose will chase the dog away. If not, and the dog continues to approach after smelling the spray, then spray on the face.

You will likely get the bad dog owners upset. But explain that had they had their dog on a leash and under their control, you would not have needed to protect yourself and your child.

Thanks for the link. I was all set to purchase it but amazon is telling me I can't have it delivered to my address. Bummer! I'm in DC.

Thank you for being a responsible dog owner.

Now that my kids are older, we appreciate dogs out on walks and my kids love to ask owners if dogs can be petted, etc. However, when my twins were younger, we had an incident where an exuberant dog on one of those retractable leashes bounded up and knocked both of them over and scared the bejeesus out of them. And, of course, the irresponsible dog owner usd the "don't worry, he's friendly!" totally ignoring the fact that two children were now lying on the hard sidewalk and crying. She didn't think there was anything wrong. I told her she should not use the retractable leash and she said that the kids would be fine and then left. It took a while to get them used to dogs again.

The problem is that especially post-pandemic, there are many more irresponsible dog owners out now than ever before and it's become a big problem.

Oops...this was replying to 13:28, not the above poster.