To dog owners (again): I don't want your dog to touch me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I’m sorry if it was ever my dog. I keep them on leash but one is a puppy and still learning so sometimes sticks his face over to try to get a sniff of people as they pass, and it’s challenging in close areas like walking trails.

You said above that if a person touched you on the street, that would be assault. I don’t think that’s accurate. If someone tapped you on the shoulder or incidentally brushed against you on a crowded sidewalk, that is not assault. I know those interactions are often difficult for people with PTSD. If you are at that degree of impairment, I do think you should seek more assistance from a professional, as they could likely get you to a point where incidentally interactions (with humans or animals) are not so upsetting to you.

Best of luck.

This is incorrect. I know a woman who was charged with assault when she put her hand on a child’s arm to calm him down on the playground. I was there. She was not aggressive in the least. She was charged with assault and it was an ordeal for at least a year and cost her greatly with lawyer fees.

You cannot touch a person in public.

An element of both assault and battery is intent. Accidental touching is NEVER assault or battery by definition.

PP included the scenario of putting a hand on someone’s shoulder. You cannot touch someone. Allowing a dog to run off leash to greet people is the equivalent.

Putting your hand on someone’s shoulder isn’t assault or battery unless there’s an intent to cause harm or offense or imminent fear of harm or offense. The standard for offense is the reasonable person standard. So a security guard putting their hand on your shoulder and saying, “Ma’am, you actually want to be heading to your left, not your right,” is not assault or battery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread reminded me to take my dog for a walk on this beautiful day. My dog will be kept on a short leash, but we will NOT be crossing to the other side of the street every time we see a person because they might silently have an extreme phobia of dogs.

Nobody in this thread has remotely suggested that. People have routinely said it’s when they clearly try to avoid dogs.

You don’t have to be defensive.

OP says she uses “body signals” to show she doesn’t like dogs. What does that even mean?

She probably moves to the side of the sidewalk to be next to the human, rather than the dog, if she can’t cross the street. Doesn’t appear to want to be friendly to the dog. If it’s a dog walker, steps on a lawn to let them pass. IDK. That’s what I do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I’m sorry if it was ever my dog. I keep them on leash but one is a puppy and still learning so sometimes sticks his face over to try to get a sniff of people as they pass, and it’s challenging in close areas like walking trails.

You said above that if a person touched you on the street, that would be assault. I don’t think that’s accurate. If someone tapped you on the shoulder or incidentally brushed against you on a crowded sidewalk, that is not assault. I know those interactions are often difficult for people with PTSD. If you are at that degree of impairment, I do think you should seek more assistance from a professional, as they could likely get you to a point where incidentally interactions (with humans or animals) are not so upsetting to you.

Best of luck.

This is incorrect. I know a woman who was charged with assault when she put her hand on a child’s arm to calm him down on the playground. I was there. She was not aggressive in the least. She was charged with assault and it was an ordeal for at least a year and cost her greatly with lawyer fees.

You cannot touch a person in public.

An element of both assault and battery is intent. Accidental touching is NEVER assault or battery by definition.

PP included the scenario of putting a hand on someone’s shoulder. You cannot touch someone. Allowing a dog to run off leash to greet people is the equivalent.

Putting your hand on someone’s shoulder isn’t assault or battery unless there’s an intent to cause harm or offense or imminent fear of harm or offense. The standard for offense is the reasonable person standard. So a security guard putting their hand on your shoulder and saying, “Ma’am, you actually want to be heading to your left, not your right,” is not assault or battery.

They will charge you and you need to prove it want to cause harm. IDK why you’re arguing about this. The boys parents said it was harm. She had to prove it wasn’t.

Security guards can use their words. There is ZERO reason to touch someone in public.

Why is this so hard for you to understand?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly this is something YOU have to get over. You are clearly not well mentally and while I feel sorry for your history, you do live in a society where people have pets and children, etc and there will be interactions with them. Most mentally healthy people find these interactions pleasant and fulfilling even, but clearly you do not. That is not typical and the world should not be required to adjust to your extreme hypersensitivity. Try meds, therapy or consider in patient treatment. I wish you well

I managed to own a dog for 15 years, living in an apartment in urban areas, without him touching a single person on our walk who didn't specifically ask to pet him. Most people do not find a strange dog they don't know touching them without a clear affirmative consent "pleasant and fulfilling". They find it invasive. The fact that you think that's "extreme hypersensitivity" is bizarre.

There is middle ground here. I am a dog owner. I absolutely hate off-leash dogs, and I never intentionally bring my dog to someone without them expressly inviting it. But also if you're walking on a city sidewalk, my dog might turn around to sniff you and might even boop you with his snout because there just isn't a lot of room to pass and my dog isn't perfect. The interaction won't be long because I keep his leash very short when we pass someone, but I can't guarantee perfect.

Shorten your leash or don't have a dog if you cannot walk them without it touching other people or invading their space

I grab dog’s leash so he’s right up against me. The sidewalk is like 6 feet wide or less. Two people plus a dog means we’re all coming in close proximity.

So when you’re coming into close proximity with someone who is indicating they want to avoid your dog, stop, put yourself between your dog and the other person and make your dog is secure. If shortening the leash can’t assure your control, then hold the collar, use both hands, sit on the ground with the dog in your lap while you hug it, pick it up altogether, step off the sidewalk so the other person can pass, hire a dog walker who can control the dog, take it some place where there’s no chance of it being too close to others who don’t welcome interaction, or leave the dog home altogether. The fact is that every single human has the right to use the sidewalk without being accosted by a dog. Dogs are extended the privilege of sidewalk access only when the owner’s control insures they don’t inconvenience other people.

This cannot be a serious post. You would rather I sit on the sidewalk and hug my well behaved properly leashed dog than literally step to the side, as I will do, as we pass?

The dog hating insanity has gone off the deep end.

DP. If your dog is leashed and well-behaved, you wouldn't need to sit and hug it to keep it from other people.

The PP is clearly talking about dogs who can't resist approaching strangers on sidewalks. If that's your dog, he is not "well-behaved."

You have a responsibility to keep your dog away from strangers. Your dog should not be able to sniff, lick, or make a lot of physical contact (not talking about an incidental brush-by, but stuff like circling, head butting, and intentionally brushing up against looking for pets and attention) with a stranger unless they've given explicit permission. You need to train your dog not to do this stuff unless they get permission from the person AND from you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly this is something YOU have to get over. You are clearly not well mentally and while I feel sorry for your history, you do live in a society where people have pets and children, etc and there will be interactions with them. Most mentally healthy people find these interactions pleasant and fulfilling even, but clearly you do not. That is not typical and the world should not be required to adjust to your extreme hypersensitivity. Try meds, therapy or consider in patient treatment. I wish you well

I managed to own a dog for 15 years, living in an apartment in urban areas, without him touching a single person on our walk who didn't specifically ask to pet him. Most people do not find a strange dog they don't know touching them without a clear affirmative consent "pleasant and fulfilling". They find it invasive. The fact that you think that's "extreme hypersensitivity" is bizarre.

There is middle ground here. I am a dog owner. I absolutely hate off-leash dogs, and I never intentionally bring my dog to someone without them expressly inviting it. But also if you're walking on a city sidewalk, my dog might turn around to sniff you and might even boop you with his snout because there just isn't a lot of room to pass and my dog isn't perfect. The interaction won't be long because I keep his leash very short when we pass someone, but I can't guarantee perfect.

Shorten your leash or don't have a dog if you cannot walk them without it touching other people or invading their space

I grab dog’s leash so he’s right up against me. The sidewalk is like 6 feet wide or less. Two people plus a dog means we’re all coming in close proximity.

So when you’re coming into close proximity with someone who is indicating they want to avoid your dog, stop, put yourself between your dog and the other person and make your dog is secure. If shortening the leash can’t assure your control, then hold the collar, use both hands, sit on the ground with the dog in your lap while you hug it, pick it up altogether, step off the sidewalk so the other person can pass, hire a dog walker who can control the dog, take it some place where there’s no chance of it being too close to others who don’t welcome interaction, or leave the dog home altogether. The fact is that every single human has the right to use the sidewalk without being accosted by a dog. Dogs are extended the privilege of sidewalk access only when the owner’s control insures they don’t inconvenience other people.

This cannot be a serious post. You would rather I sit on the sidewalk and hug my well behaved properly leashed dog than literally step to the side, as I will do, as we pass?

The dog hating insanity has gone off the deep end.

DP here: If your dog is so well behaved then you can see someone who is approaching and move him to the other side. Or stop and put them in a sit. Or have them on a head collar so you can keep them looking at you.

If none of those work then your dog doesn’t belong on crowded sidewalks, so your options would include driving to a less crowded place or physically restraining your dog, or getting a dog trainer.

[Anonymous]

I hate people touching me and it’s illegal for people to touch me without permission. Yet people keep bumping into me every single time I’m at a concert, festival, airport, or on the metro. I never told these people in advance that they can touch me, which makes it assault. I use clear body signals to show
I hate people. I put in noise-cancelling headphones, scowl, and cross my arms. I carry pepper spray and use it when people assault me like this. The police fully endorse this tactic and have supported me every time I use it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly this is something YOU have to get over. You are clearly not well mentally and while I feel sorry for your history, you do live in a society where people have pets and children, etc and there will be interactions with them. Most mentally healthy people find these interactions pleasant and fulfilling even, but clearly you do not. That is not typical and the world should not be required to adjust to your extreme hypersensitivity. Try meds, therapy or consider in patient treatment. I wish you well

I managed to own a dog for 15 years, living in an apartment in urban areas, without him touching a single person on our walk who didn't specifically ask to pet him. Most people do not find a strange dog they don't know touching them without a clear affirmative consent "pleasant and fulfilling". They find it invasive. The fact that you think that's "extreme hypersensitivity" is bizarre.

There is middle ground here. I am a dog owner. I absolutely hate off-leash dogs, and I never intentionally bring my dog to someone without them expressly inviting it. But also if you're walking on a city sidewalk, my dog might turn around to sniff you and might even boop you with his snout because there just isn't a lot of room to pass and my dog isn't perfect. The interaction won't be long because I keep his leash very short when we pass someone, but I can't guarantee perfect.

Shorten your leash or don't have a dog if you cannot walk them without it touching other people or invading their space

I grab dog’s leash so he’s right up against me. The sidewalk is like 6 feet wide or less. Two people plus a dog means we’re all coming in close proximity.

So when you’re coming into close proximity with someone who is indicating they want to avoid your dog, stop, put yourself between your dog and the other person and make your dog is secure. If shortening the leash can’t assure your control, then hold the collar, use both hands, sit on the ground with the dog in your lap while you hug it, pick it up altogether, step off the sidewalk so the other person can pass, hire a dog walker who can control the dog, take it some place where there’s no chance of it being too close to others who don’t welcome interaction, or leave the dog home altogether. The fact is that every single human has the right to use the sidewalk without being accosted by a dog. Dogs are extended the privilege of sidewalk access only when the owner’s control insures they don’t inconvenience other people.

This cannot be a serious post. You would rather I sit on the sidewalk and hug my well behaved properly leashed dog than literally step to the side, as I will do, as we pass?

The dog hating insanity has gone off the deep end.

DP here: If your dog is so well behaved then you can see someone who is approaching and move him to the other side. Or stop and put them in a sit. Or have them on a head collar so you can keep them looking at you.

If none of those work then your dog doesn’t belong on crowded sidewalks, so your options would include driving to a less crowded place or physically restraining your dog, or getting a dog trainer.

No. I have no obligation to do that. Keeping
My dog on a short leash is plenty. Both my dog and I are allowed to be there. If you hate dogs that much, then YOU move. We’re not talking about a restaurant or grocery store where dogs are prohibited. These are dog-friendly sidewalks and walking trails.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe you should wear a special shirt that says that so the dogs can read it and stay away.

It would say “ruff ruff ruff 🐶 “

Seriously, animals have no idea what PTSD is…..they simply do not understand that some humans may not want to be approached or touched even.

So if a dog does approach you - try to understand that it is just going on what is organic to them.

So many @sshole dog owners on this thread.

But you have nothing to say about the person threatening to poison random dogs?

Yeah, that line about dropping bacon-wrapped chocolate everywhere ended this thread for me. Poisoning any and all dogs, regardless of their proximity to you?

And we’re going to pretend only bad dog owners are the problem.

It warrants repeating, if you keep your dog away from strangers you have nothing to fear. It’s selfishness of dog owners that makes people want to harm your dog. You are the problem.

Really?

Because a poster above said to drop bacon-covered chocolate on the ground.

I’m a very careful and conscientious dog owner, and yet a poster recommends poisoning any and all dogs. That would include MINE.

So tell me I have nothing to fear again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep a pepper spray with you. Show the spray to dog owners. Say "Please keep your dog away from me. If your dog approaches me I will protect myself and use pepper spray".

Become that lady. I would.

If you pepper spray my leashed, licensed dog walking in a public space I will be the one calling law enforcement.

Oh, if only getting a dog required a license. We could solve many of these problems that way. Unfortunately, there's no such thing as a "licensed" dog and thus our streets are full of untrained dogs with idiot owners who have no business with a dog. Thus this thread and every one like it.

If you love dogs and want others to tolerate dogs more, my suggestion is to start working on your fellow dog owners. They are the ones creating this problem with their bad behavior. If you see a person with an off leash dog, confront them. If you see people bringing their dogs into stores, confront them. If you see people using long or retractable leashes, walk up and tell them "that's not an appropriate leash for a dog, let me show you what an appropriate leash looks like" and so on.

Dog owners have created this problem. There used to be far less antagonism towards dogs on the street.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly this is something YOU have to get over. You are clearly not well mentally and while I feel sorry for your history, you do live in a society where people have pets and children, etc and there will be interactions with them. Most mentally healthy people find these interactions pleasant and fulfilling even, but clearly you do not. That is not typical and the world should not be required to adjust to your extreme hypersensitivity. Try meds, therapy or consider in patient treatment. I wish you well

I managed to own a dog for 15 years, living in an apartment in urban areas, without him touching a single person on our walk who didn't specifically ask to pet him. Most people do not find a strange dog they don't know touching them without a clear affirmative consent "pleasant and fulfilling". They find it invasive. The fact that you think that's "extreme hypersensitivity" is bizarre.

There is middle ground here. I am a dog owner. I absolutely hate off-leash dogs, and I never intentionally bring my dog to someone without them expressly inviting it. But also if you're walking on a city sidewalk, my dog might turn around to sniff you and might even boop you with his snout because there just isn't a lot of room to pass and my dog isn't perfect. The interaction won't be long because I keep his leash very short when we pass someone, but I can't guarantee perfect.

Shorten your leash or don't have a dog if you cannot walk them without it touching other people or invading their space

I grab dog’s leash so he’s right up against me. The sidewalk is like 6 feet wide or less. Two people plus a dog means we’re all coming in close proximity.

So when you’re coming into close proximity with someone who is indicating they want to avoid your dog, stop, put yourself between your dog and the other person and make your dog is secure. If shortening the leash can’t assure your control, then hold the collar, use both hands, sit on the ground with the dog in your lap while you hug it, pick it up altogether, step off the sidewalk so the other person can pass, hire a dog walker who can control the dog, take it some place where there’s no chance of it being too close to others who don’t welcome interaction, or leave the dog home altogether. The fact is that every single human has the right to use the sidewalk without being accosted by a dog. Dogs are extended the privilege of sidewalk access only when the owner’s control insures they don’t inconvenience other people.

This cannot be a serious post. You would rather I sit on the sidewalk and hug my well behaved properly leashed dog than literally step to the side, as I will do, as we pass?

The dog hating insanity has gone off the deep end.

DP here: If your dog is so well behaved then you can see someone who is approaching and move him to the other side. Or stop and put them in a sit. Or have them on a head collar so you can keep them looking at you.

If none of those work then your dog doesn’t belong on crowded sidewalks, so your options would include driving to a less crowded place or physically restraining your dog, or getting a dog trainer.

No. I have no obligation to do that. Keeping
My dog on a short leash is plenty. Both my dog and I are allowed to be there. If you hate dogs that much, then YOU move. We’re not talking about a restaurant or grocery store where dogs are prohibited. These are dog-friendly sidewalks and walking trails.

Who made them dog friendly? You don’t get to just proclaim that.

Your dog will never have as many rights as the person walking, you lunatic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly this is something YOU have to get over. You are clearly not well mentally and while I feel sorry for your history, you do live in a society where people have pets and children, etc and there will be interactions with them. Most mentally healthy people find these interactions pleasant and fulfilling even, but clearly you do not. That is not typical and the world should not be required to adjust to your extreme hypersensitivity. Try meds, therapy or consider in patient treatment. I wish you well

I managed to own a dog for 15 years, living in an apartment in urban areas, without him touching a single person on our walk who didn't specifically ask to pet him. Most people do not find a strange dog they don't know touching them without a clear affirmative consent "pleasant and fulfilling". They find it invasive. The fact that you think that's "extreme hypersensitivity" is bizarre.

There is middle ground here. I am a dog owner. I absolutely hate off-leash dogs, and I never intentionally bring my dog to someone without them expressly inviting it. But also if you're walking on a city sidewalk, my dog might turn around to sniff you and might even boop you with his snout because there just isn't a lot of room to pass and my dog isn't perfect. The interaction won't be long because I keep his leash very short when we pass someone, but I can't guarantee perfect.

Shorten your leash or don't have a dog if you cannot walk them without it touching other people or invading their space

I grab dog’s leash so he’s right up against me. The sidewalk is like 6 feet wide or less. Two people plus a dog means we’re all coming in close proximity.

So when you’re coming into close proximity with someone who is indicating they want to avoid your dog, stop, put yourself between your dog and the other person and make your dog is secure. If shortening the leash can’t assure your control, then hold the collar, use both hands, sit on the ground with the dog in your lap while you hug it, pick it up altogether, step off the sidewalk so the other person can pass, hire a dog walker who can control the dog, take it some place where there’s no chance of it being too close to others who don’t welcome interaction, or leave the dog home altogether. The fact is that every single human has the right to use the sidewalk without being accosted by a dog. Dogs are extended the privilege of sidewalk access only when the owner’s control insures they don’t inconvenience other people.

This cannot be a serious post. You would rather I sit on the sidewalk and hug my well behaved properly leashed dog than literally step to the side, as I will do, as we pass?

The dog hating insanity has gone off the deep end.

DP here: If your dog is so well behaved then you can see someone who is approaching and move him to the other side. Or stop and put them in a sit. Or have them on a head collar so you can keep them looking at you.

If none of those work then your dog doesn’t belong on crowded sidewalks, so your options would include driving to a less crowded place or physically restraining your dog, or getting a dog trainer.

No. I have no obligation to do that. Keeping
My dog on a short leash is plenty. Both my dog and I are allowed to be there. If you hate dogs that much, then YOU move. We’re not talking about a restaurant or grocery store where dogs are prohibited. These are dog-friendly sidewalks and walking trails.

Who made them dog friendly? You don’t get to just proclaim that.

Your dog will never have as many rights as the person walking, you lunatic.

The “dogs permitted on a six-foot leash” sign, the county ordinances, the laws? Are you insane?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep a pepper spray with you. Show the spray to dog owners. Say "Please keep your dog away from me. If your dog approaches me I will protect myself and use pepper spray".

Become that lady. I would.

If you pepper spray my leashed, licensed dog walking in a public space I will be the one calling law enforcement.

Oh, if only getting a dog required a license. We could solve many of these problems that way. Unfortunately, there's no such thing as a "licensed" dog and thus our streets are full of untrained dogs with idiot owners who have no business with a dog. Thus this thread and every one like it.

If you love dogs and want others to tolerate dogs more, my suggestion is to start working on your fellow dog owners. They are the ones creating this problem with their bad behavior. If you see a person with an off leash dog, confront them. If you see people bringing their dogs into stores, confront them. If you see people using long or retractable leashes, walk up and tell them "that's not an appropriate leash for a dog, let me show you what an appropriate leash looks like" and so on.

Dog owners have created this problem. There used to be far less antagonism towards dogs on the street.

You clearly know nothing about dogs. You are required to get a dog license to own a dog in every community within an hour of DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly this is something YOU have to get over. You are clearly not well mentally and while I feel sorry for your history, you do live in a society where people have pets and children, etc and there will be interactions with them. Most mentally healthy people find these interactions pleasant and fulfilling even, but clearly you do not. That is not typical and the world should not be required to adjust to your extreme hypersensitivity. Try meds, therapy or consider in patient treatment. I wish you well

I managed to own a dog for 15 years, living in an apartment in urban areas, without him touching a single person on our walk who didn't specifically ask to pet him. Most people do not find a strange dog they don't know touching them without a clear affirmative consent "pleasant and fulfilling". They find it invasive. The fact that you think that's "extreme hypersensitivity" is bizarre.

There is middle ground here. I am a dog owner. I absolutely hate off-leash dogs, and I never intentionally bring my dog to someone without them expressly inviting it. But also if you're walking on a city sidewalk, my dog might turn around to sniff you and might even boop you with his snout because there just isn't a lot of room to pass and my dog isn't perfect. The interaction won't be long because I keep his leash very short when we pass someone, but I can't guarantee perfect.

Shorten your leash or don't have a dog if you cannot walk them without it touching other people or invading their space

I grab dog’s leash so he’s right up against me. The sidewalk is like 6 feet wide or less. Two people plus a dog means we’re all coming in close proximity.

So when you’re coming into close proximity with someone who is indicating they want to avoid your dog, stop, put yourself between your dog and the other person and make your dog is secure. If shortening the leash can’t assure your control, then hold the collar, use both hands, sit on the ground with the dog in your lap while you hug it, pick it up altogether, step off the sidewalk so the other person can pass, hire a dog walker who can control the dog, take it some place where there’s no chance of it being too close to others who don’t welcome interaction, or leave the dog home altogether. The fact is that every single human has the right to use the sidewalk without being accosted by a dog. Dogs are extended the privilege of sidewalk access only when the owner’s control insures they don’t inconvenience other people.

This cannot be a serious post. You would rather I sit on the sidewalk and hug my well behaved properly leashed dog than literally step to the side, as I will do, as we pass?

The dog hating insanity has gone off the deep end.

DP here: If your dog is so well behaved then you can see someone who is approaching and move him to the other side. Or stop and put them in a sit. Or have them on a head collar so you can keep them looking at you.

If none of those work then your dog doesn’t belong on crowded sidewalks, so your options would include driving to a less crowded place or physically restraining your dog, or getting a dog trainer.

No. I have no obligation to do that. Keeping
My dog on a short leash is plenty. Both my dog and I are allowed to be there. If you hate dogs that much, then YOU move. We’re not talking about a restaurant or grocery store where dogs are prohibited. These are dog-friendly sidewalks and walking trails.

Who made them dog friendly? You don’t get to just proclaim that.

Your dog will never have as many rights as the person walking, you lunatic.

The “dogs permitted on a six-foot leash” sign, the county ordinances, the laws? Are you insane?

You still don’t get it. A six foot leash AND you have to be able to stop your dog from bothering others. You are the insane one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly this is something YOU have to get over. You are clearly not well mentally and while I feel sorry for your history, you do live in a society where people have pets and children, etc and there will be interactions with them. Most mentally healthy people find these interactions pleasant and fulfilling even, but clearly you do not. That is not typical and the world should not be required to adjust to your extreme hypersensitivity. Try meds, therapy or consider in patient treatment. I wish you well

I managed to own a dog for 15 years, living in an apartment in urban areas, without him touching a single person on our walk who didn't specifically ask to pet him. Most people do not find a strange dog they don't know touching them without a clear affirmative consent "pleasant and fulfilling". They find it invasive. The fact that you think that's "extreme hypersensitivity" is bizarre.

There is middle ground here. I am a dog owner. I absolutely hate off-leash dogs, and I never intentionally bring my dog to someone without them expressly inviting it. But also if you're walking on a city sidewalk, my dog might turn around to sniff you and might even boop you with his snout because there just isn't a lot of room to pass and my dog isn't perfect. The interaction won't be long because I keep his leash very short when we pass someone, but I can't guarantee perfect.

Shorten your leash or don't have a dog if you cannot walk them without it touching other people or invading their space

I grab dog’s leash so he’s right up against me. The sidewalk is like 6 feet wide or less. Two people plus a dog means we’re all coming in close proximity.

So when you’re coming into close proximity with someone who is indicating they want to avoid your dog, stop, put yourself between your dog and the other person and make your dog is secure. If shortening the leash can’t assure your control, then hold the collar, use both hands, sit on the ground with the dog in your lap while you hug it, pick it up altogether, step off the sidewalk so the other person can pass, hire a dog walker who can control the dog, take it some place where there’s no chance of it being too close to others who don’t welcome interaction, or leave the dog home altogether. The fact is that every single human has the right to use the sidewalk without being accosted by a dog. Dogs are extended the privilege of sidewalk access only when the owner’s control insures they don’t inconvenience other people.

This cannot be a serious post. You would rather I sit on the sidewalk and hug my well behaved properly leashed dog than literally step to the side, as I will do, as we pass?

The dog hating insanity has gone off the deep end.

DP here: If your dog is so well behaved then you can see someone who is approaching and move him to the other side. Or stop and put them in a sit. Or have them on a head collar so you can keep them looking at you.

If none of those work then your dog doesn’t belong on crowded sidewalks, so your options would include driving to a less crowded place or physically restraining your dog, or getting a dog trainer.

No. I have no obligation to do that. Keeping
My dog on a short leash is plenty. Both my dog and I are allowed to be there. If you hate dogs that much, then YOU move. We’re not talking about a restaurant or grocery store where dogs are prohibited. These are dog-friendly sidewalks and walking trails.

No such thing. There are public places where dogs are not banned, but it doesn't mean they are "dog friendly." A "dog friendly" place would be a place designed for dogs -- a dog park, a business that labels itself "dog friendly", an event designed for dogs like pups at the park or a festival where people are encouraged to bring dogs.

A sidewalk is designed for people, but dogs are allowed. They have to behave though, and they can't obstruct a person's ability to use the sidewalk. If your dog is doing things that make it hard for other people (including children, people in wheelchairs or with mobility problems, and people who don't want to come into physical contact with your dog for whatever reason) to use the sidewalk, you need to control your dog. The rights of people to use the sidewalk supersede your dog's access. It is not a place "for" dogs, it's just a place dogs are allowed to be (if well behaved).

Same with trails, which is why trails that permit dogs ALWAYS require them to be on leash, something dog owners constantly flout because you care more about your dog's needs than those of the other human beings for whom the trail was designed and built.

If you want a dog friendly place for your dog to run around, get a yard or visit a dog park.

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Anonymous wrote:Honestly this is something YOU have to get over. You are clearly not well mentally and while I feel sorry for your history, you do live in a society where people have pets and children, etc and there will be interactions with them. Most mentally healthy people find these interactions pleasant and fulfilling even, but clearly you do not. That is not typical and the world should not be required to adjust to your extreme hypersensitivity. Try meds, therapy or consider in patient treatment. I wish you well

I managed to own a dog for 15 years, living in an apartment in urban areas, without him touching a single person on our walk who didn't specifically ask to pet him. Most people do not find a strange dog they don't know touching them without a clear affirmative consent "pleasant and fulfilling". They find it invasive. The fact that you think that's "extreme hypersensitivity" is bizarre.

There is middle ground here. I am a dog owner. I absolutely hate off-leash dogs, and I never intentionally bring my dog to someone without them expressly inviting it. But also if you're walking on a city sidewalk, my dog might turn around to sniff you and might even boop you with his snout because there just isn't a lot of room to pass and my dog isn't perfect. The interaction won't be long because I keep his leash very short when we pass someone, but I can't guarantee perfect.

Shorten your leash or don't have a dog if you cannot walk them without it touching other people or invading their space

I grab dog’s leash so he’s right up against me. The sidewalk is like 6 feet wide or less. Two people plus a dog means we’re all coming in close proximity.

So when you’re coming into close proximity with someone who is indicating they want to avoid your dog, stop, put yourself between your dog and the other person and make your dog is secure. If shortening the leash can’t assure your control, then hold the collar, use both hands, sit on the ground with the dog in your lap while you hug it, pick it up altogether, step off the sidewalk so the other person can pass, hire a dog walker who can control the dog, take it some place where there’s no chance of it being too close to others who don’t welcome interaction, or leave the dog home altogether. The fact is that every single human has the right to use the sidewalk without being accosted by a dog. Dogs are extended the privilege of sidewalk access only when the owner’s control insures they don’t inconvenience other people.

This cannot be a serious post. You would rather I sit on the sidewalk and hug my well behaved properly leashed dog than literally step to the side, as I will do, as we pass?

The dog hating insanity has gone off the deep end.

DP here: If your dog is so well behaved then you can see someone who is approaching and move him to the other side. Or stop and put them in a sit. Or have them on a head collar so you can keep them looking at you.

If none of those work then your dog doesn’t belong on crowded sidewalks, so your options would include driving to a less crowded place or physically restraining your dog, or getting a dog trainer.

No. I have no obligation to do that. Keeping
My dog on a short leash is plenty. Both my dog and I are allowed to be there. If you hate dogs that much, then YOU move. We’re not talking about a restaurant or grocery store where dogs are prohibited. These are dog-friendly sidewalks and walking trails.

Who made them dog friendly? You don’t get to just proclaim that.

Your dog will never have as many rights as the person walking, you lunatic.

The “dogs permitted on a six-foot leash” sign, the county ordinances, the laws? Are you insane?

You still don’t get it. A six foot leash AND you have to be able to stop your dog from bothering others. You are the insane one.

“Bothering” to people on this thread means passing a person on a narrow trail or a crowded sidewalk. Dogs are allowed to do that. Dogs are allowed to accidentally brush up against people or sniff in their direction. That doesn’t make the dog “out of control” or lawless, as many on this thread have said.