Dog owners in Alexandria - control your damn dogs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jogging this morning, a dog owner wasn't paying attention or controlling their dog with a tight leash, and their bigass dog jumped on me and put their jaw on my arm (no puncture, thankfully).

Furthermore, when I told the owner "control your damn dog" they attempted to blame me by saying I "startled" it, on a very public and very well-trafficked area.

I constantly see people with their dogs off leash, on waterfront areas where there are signs saying dogs must be on leashes. People jogging with their dogs on the Mt. Vernon Trail off leash.

Next time I see your dog running freely, whether it jumps on me or not, I'm going to pepper spray it. If it touches me, I'll pepper spray it. Your dog, your responsibility. I'm fed up with it. I know there are a lot of really great, really considerate dog owners, but too many of you are unbelievably selfish and should never be responsible for a dog.

Your dog, your responsibility. Period.

I would have kicked that dog in the jaw. Hard. Why didn't you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jogging this morning, a dog owner wasn't paying attention or controlling their dog with a tight leash, and their bigass dog jumped on me and put their jaw on my arm (no puncture, thankfully).

Furthermore, when I told the owner "control your damn dog" they attempted to blame me by saying I "startled" it, on a very public and very well-trafficked area.

I constantly see people with their dogs off leash, on waterfront areas where there are signs saying dogs must be on leashes. People jogging with their dogs on the Mt. Vernon Trail off leash.

Next time I see your dog running freely, whether it jumps on me or not, I'm going to pepper spray it. If it touches me, I'll pepper spray it. Your dog, your responsibility. I'm fed up with it. I know there are a lot of really great, really considerate dog owners, but too many of you are unbelievably selfish and should never be responsible for a dog.

Your dog, your responsibility. Period.

I would have kicked that dog in the jaw. Hard. Why didn't you?

It's kind of hard to kick the dog's jaw when it's on my arm. I'm just not that flexible. The dog released pretty quickly, due I guess to some combination of me pulling away, the owner tightening her long leash, and the dog realizing that I'm probably not a threat.

There are so many dogs in Alexandria, I'll now jog with pepper spray in my hand. I prefer to jog hands free, but asshole dog owners don't make it possible.

[Anonymous]

My dog is on a perfectly reasonable 5 foot leash. I have PTSD and a bad startle reflex: if she doesn't warn me that you are there, when you brush past me, I'm probably going to hit you. Get some manners and quit crowding people, dammit.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, most joggers suck. Is it really so hard to say "on your right" or "on your left" when you pass people?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dog is on a perfectly reasonable 5 foot leash. I have PTSD and a bad startle reflex: if she doesn't warn me that you are there, when you brush past me, I'm probably going to hit you. Get some manners and quit crowding people, dammit.

Why does your dog need to "warn" you on public and well-traveled paths? If your PTSD is so bad, you should probably stick to areas where there are not other people. Additionally, your dog doesn't need to "warn" you - unless this is a seeing eye dog, you need to pay attention to your own surroundings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, most joggers suck. Is it really so hard to say "on your right" or "on your left" when you pass people?

How little situational awareness do you have that you don't notice a jogger in the vicinity? Most joggers are not going that fast, or coming up on you that quickly.

[Anonymous]

Actually, most joggers are coming up on you quickly. When I am walking down an uncrowded narrow wooded trail then yes I am startled when a jogger comes running past without even a word. The least they could say is excuse me. I get that joggers are hard core and on a mission, but from my point of view you are no better than the so called rude dog owners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dog is on a perfectly reasonable 5 foot leash. I have PTSD and a bad startle reflex: if she doesn't warn me that you are there, when you brush past me, I'm probably going to hit you. Get some manners and quit crowding people, dammit.

Why does your dog need to "warn" you on public and well-traveled paths? If your PTSD is so bad, you should probably stick to areas where there are not other people. Additionally, your dog doesn't need to "warn" you - unless this is a seeing eye dog, you need to pay attention to your own surroundings.

Hey - WHY.DON'T.YOU.SHUT.UP? You obviously don't know anything about PTSD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dog is on a perfectly reasonable 5 foot leash. I have PTSD and a bad startle reflex: if she doesn't warn me that you are there, when you brush past me, I'm probably going to hit you. Get some manners and quit crowding people, dammit.

Why does your dog need to "warn" you on public and well-traveled paths? If your PTSD is so bad, you should probably stick to areas where there are not other people. Additionally, your dog doesn't need to "warn" you - unless this is a seeing eye dog, you need to pay attention to your own surroundings.

Because people often come up quickly and from behind. That's her job. If you are close enough for her to reach you, you are passing too close to do so without saying something. And I'm quite likely to hit you, if I'm startled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Next time I see your dog running freely, whether it jumps on me or not, I'm going to pepper spray it.

No, that is illegal. And cruel since it's not the dog's fault that its owner is an ass.

If it's in an area where dogs are required to leash their dogs, no it is not illegal. The dog could be wild for all I know, and I'm not going to wait or hesitate until it does something to a person. You're right it's not the dog's fault, but I can't exactly communicate with the dog or pepper spray the owner. Absolutely fed up with irresponsible dog owners blaming others.

If the dog is off-leash and not interested in what you are doing, why would you need to do anything? It's pretty obvious when a dog is going to attack.

It is absolutely NOT obvious when a dog is going to attack, as they usually do so very rapidly and quickly, often snapping in an instant. In most places, it is illegal for you dog to be off leash, except in a private area, or a specifically sanctioned area like a dog park. Everybody else does not know your dog. Everybody else does not know what your dog is capable of, or has a history of, or how to predict the temperament of your specific dog. An owner or caretaker is solely responsible for the animal when you take it out in public, and they should always be kept on a short leash when there are other people around.

Look. I have a dog and she is never off leash. But there are plenty of signs that a dog is going to attack. Stiff ears, tail position, etc. Get a grip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dog is on a perfectly reasonable 5 foot leash. I have PTSD and a bad startle reflex: if she doesn't warn me that you are there, when you brush past me, I'm probably going to hit you. Get some manners and quit crowding people, dammit.

Why does your dog need to "warn" you on public and well-traveled paths? If your PTSD is so bad, you should probably stick to areas where there are not other people. Additionally, your dog doesn't need to "warn" you - unless this is a seeing eye dog, you need to pay attention to your own surroundings.

Because people often come up quickly and from behind. That's her job. If you are close enough for her to reach you, you are passing too close to do so without saying something. And I'm quite likely to hit you, if I'm startled.

Seriously. If you sneak up behind me while you are running and pass within 5' boundary of me, I am assuming you are a mugger/rapist. Maybe I should pepper spray you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dog is on a perfectly reasonable 5 foot leash. I have PTSD and a bad startle reflex: if she doesn't warn me that you are there, when you brush past me, I'm probably going to hit you. Get some manners and quit crowding people, dammit.

Why does your dog need to "warn" you on public and well-traveled paths? If your PTSD is so bad, you should probably stick to areas where there are not other people. Additionally, your dog doesn't need to "warn" you - unless this is a seeing eye dog, you need to pay attention to your own surroundings.

Because people often come up quickly and from behind. That's her job. If you are close enough for her to reach you, you are passing too close to do so without saying something. And I'm quite likely to hit you, if I'm startled.

Seriously. If you sneak up behind me while you are running and pass within 5' boundary of me, I am assuming you are a mugger/rapist. Maybe I should pepper spray you!

If you think everyone on a very well traveled path in total daylight is a rapist, you are welcome to avoid going on such a path.

Those paths by the way, while for everyone, are primarily for human beings - not dogs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dog is on a perfectly reasonable 5 foot leash. I have PTSD and a bad startle reflex: if she doesn't warn me that you are there, when you brush past me, I'm probably going to hit you. Get some manners and quit crowding people, dammit.

Why does your dog need to "warn" you on public and well-traveled paths? If your PTSD is so bad, you should probably stick to areas where there are not other people. Additionally, your dog doesn't need to "warn" you - unless this is a seeing eye dog, you need to pay attention to your own surroundings.

Because people often come up quickly and from behind. That's her job. If you are close enough for her to reach you, you are passing too close to do so without saying something. And I'm quite likely to hit you, if I'm startled.

Seriously. If you sneak up behind me while you are running and pass within 5' boundary of me, I am assuming you are a mugger/rapist. Maybe I should pepper spray you!

If you think everyone on a very well traveled path in total daylight is a rapist, you are welcome to avoid going on such a path.

Those paths by the way, while for everyone, are primarily for human beings - not dogs.

Not to mention, by jogging in a public park, you're not doing anything illegal. Having your dog off its leash in a park or on a trail (that isn't a dog park)? Illegal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dog is on a perfectly reasonable 5 foot leash. I have PTSD and a bad startle reflex: if she doesn't warn me that you are there, when you brush past me, I'm probably going to hit you. Get some manners and quit crowding people, dammit.

Why does your dog need to "warn" you on public and well-traveled paths? If your PTSD is so bad, you should probably stick to areas where there are not other people. Additionally, your dog doesn't need to "warn" you - unless this is a seeing eye dog, you need to pay attention to your own surroundings.

Because people often come up quickly and from behind. That's her job. If you are close enough for her to reach you, you are passing too close to do so without saying something. And I'm quite likely to hit you, if I'm startled.

Seriously. If you sneak up behind me while you are running and pass within 5' boundary of me, I am assuming you are a mugger/rapist. Maybe I should pepper spray you!

If you think everyone on a very well traveled path in total daylight is a rapist, you are welcome to avoid going on such a path.

Those paths by the way, while for everyone, are primarily for human beings - not dogs.

Yes, but you don't need to pass by so closely that a dog on a short leash could touch you. It's common courtesy. By the same thought process, if you think my docile leashed dog might attack you, you are free to avoid the area, too.

This whole conversation is stupid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dog is on a perfectly reasonable 5 foot leash. I have PTSD and a bad startle reflex: if she doesn't warn me that you are there, when you brush past me, I'm probably going to hit you. Get some manners and quit crowding people, dammit.

Why does your dog need to "warn" you on public and well-traveled paths? If your PTSD is so bad, you should probably stick to areas where there are not other people. Additionally, your dog doesn't need to "warn" you - unless this is a seeing eye dog, you need to pay attention to your own surroundings.

Because people often come up quickly and from behind. That's her job. If you are close enough for her to reach you, you are passing too close to do so without saying something. And I'm quite likely to hit you, if I'm startled.

Seriously. If you sneak up behind me while you are running and pass within 5' boundary of me, I am assuming you are a mugger/rapist. Maybe I should pepper spray you!

If you think everyone on a very well traveled path in total daylight is a rapist, you are welcome to avoid going on such a path.

Those paths by the way, while for everyone, are primarily for human beings - not dogs.

Yes, but you don't need to pass by so closely that a dog on a short leash could touch you. It's common courtesy. By the same thought process, if you think my docile leashed dog might attack you, you are free to avoid the area, too.

This whole conversation is stupid.

Most paths aren't 5+ feet wide. furthermore, if you're walking on the right but your dog is to the left of you, you're not using common sense or thoughtful etiquette to walk your dog. Or, you have not trained your dog to walk properly alongside an owner/caretaker.

I agree with you that this whole conversation is stupid. There are some considerate dog owners - this thread isn't about them. This is about the selfish assholes that thinks others ought to accommodate their personal pet, instead of understanding the world and public community does not revolve around your pet. The former understand, and aren't replying. The latter know they're assholes, and are defensive about it.