“Don’t worry, he’s friendly”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

When my kids were little we went to a large, local playground with numerous signs that dogs weren't allowed. Someone had tied their dog up at the bottom of the slide! Giant dog sitting at the bottom of the slide. No owner in sight. It was one of those play structures where you climbed up one side, walked along a ways, and then slid down at the slide at the other end, only no kid could slide down because the damn dog was there.

I would have walked near the dog and if the dog was wagging it's tail and not growling, I would have untied it and let the dog go. The owner could then go and hunt for their runaway dog.

If the dog was not friendly, I would have called the local police station and let them know that someone had abandoned their dog at the playground and it was threatening children. The police can come and deal with the dog and the dog owner when they showed up.

I would never turn the dog loose — not for the owner’s sake, but because the dog did nothing wrong and I’d worry it would get hit by a car. Don’t make the dog pay for its owner’s transgressions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

I hate this! My dog is leash-aggressive and will absolutely go after other dogs if they approach her off leash. She’s also a hound and an experienced hunting dog. If these idiots let their dog off leash and it comes up to her, they are going to have a large vet bill and I’m not paying it. The price of stupidity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really dislike the "don't worry he is friendly!" or "I promise he is harmless" comment because that implies that the only dogs that have to be leased are dangerous, unfriendly ones. If you are a human I feel comfortable assuming that you're not going to let a dog you know to be dangerous walk around without a leash on. I don't assume you are a horrible person. I just think you should follow the rules.

Shout out to all the really nice dog owners who keep their dogs on leashes and say yes when my kids ask to pet their dogs.

I'm a nice dog owner but, I will say please don't pet my dog. That doesn't make me not nice but, my dog is nervous around kids and doesn't want your pets. Just like some kids don't like dogs the same can be true about dogs. Please respect those dogs

I should have also said “thank you to the dog owners who say no when my kids ask to pet them” because that is good of you to protect my kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is so unusual and is going to be super productive!

You just put out the bat call for the insane people who fantasize about kicking, stabbing, and shooting dogs.

I have zero wish to harm a dog. I do not want a dog to harm me.

I posted this in general discussion but it was moved here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really dislike the "don't worry he is friendly!" or "I promise he is harmless" comment because that implies that the only dogs that have to be leased are dangerous, unfriendly ones. If you are a human I feel comfortable assuming that you're not going to let a dog you know to be dangerous walk around without a leash on. I don't assume you are a horrible person. I just think you should follow the rules.

Shout out to all the really nice dog owners who keep their dogs on leashes and say yes when my kids ask to pet their dogs.

I'm a nice dog owner but, I will say please don't pet my dog. That doesn't make me not nice but, my dog is nervous around kids and doesn't want your pets. Just like some kids don't like dogs the same can be true about dogs. Please respect those dogs

I should have also said “thank you to the dog owners who say no when my kids ask to pet them” because that is good of you to protect my kids.

It's win-win because I am also protecting my dog as well as your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really dislike the "don't worry he is friendly!" or "I promise he is harmless" comment because that implies that the only dogs that have to be leased are dangerous, unfriendly ones. If you are a human I feel comfortable assuming that you're not going to let a dog you know to be dangerous walk around without a leash on. I don't assume you are a horrible person. I just think you should follow the rules.

Shout out to all the really nice dog owners who keep their dogs on leashes and say yes when my kids ask to pet their dogs.

I'm a nice dog owner but, I will say please don't pet my dog. That doesn't make me not nice but, my dog is nervous around kids and doesn't want your pets. Just like some kids don't like dogs the same can be true about dogs. Please respect those dogs

I should have also said “thank you to the dog owners who say no when my kids ask to pet them” because that is good of you to protect my kids.

It's win-win because I am also protecting my dog as well as your kids.

You are protecting yourself and your legal liability. Smart. I'd do this too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really dislike the "don't worry he is friendly!" or "I promise he is harmless" comment because that implies that the only dogs that have to be leased are dangerous, unfriendly ones. If you are a human I feel comfortable assuming that you're not going to let a dog you know to be dangerous walk around without a leash on. I don't assume you are a horrible person. I just think you should follow the rules.

Shout out to all the really nice dog owners who keep their dogs on leashes and say yes when my kids ask to pet their dogs.

I'm a nice dog owner but, I will say please don't pet my dog. That doesn't make me not nice but, my dog is nervous around kids and doesn't want your pets. Just like some kids don't like dogs the same can be true about dogs. Please respect those dogs

I should have also said “thank you to the dog owners who say no when my kids ask to pet them” because that is good of you to protect my kids.

It's win-win because I am also protecting my dog as well as your kids.

You are protecting yourself and your legal liability. Smart. I'd do this too.

Of course. Why would you think I meant anything else?

[Anonymous]

Kids want to pet my dog frequently (Golden Retriever), and I don't think a single one has come up to her without first asking me if they can pet her. I've been very impressed by that. I never assume anyone of any age wants her to come near them so I steer her away unless the person approaches her first.

Darling Husband is unfortunately one of those owners who thinks everyone wants the dog to come near them and doesn't rein her in like he should. I can't control him

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids want to pet my dog frequently (Golden Retriever), and I don't think a single one has come up to her without first asking me if they can pet her. I've been very impressed by that. I never assume anyone of any age wants her to come near them so I steer her away unless the person approaches her first.

Darling Husband is unfortunately one of those owners who thinks everyone wants the dog to come near them and doesn't rein her in like he should. I can't control him

I had no idea there were kids who just walked up to strange dogs until last year, when I picked up my DD's best friend along with DD after school and we walked home together. My DD is super naturally cautious about dogs, and wouldn't pet one unless she knew the owner, the dog was leashed and very calm AND she was explicitly invited to do so. And maybe not even then.

Her friend walked straight up to the first dog we saw and reached out to per him. Luckily this was a docile dog and a friendly owner. I ran over and apologized to the dog owner and told the girl that we always have to ask first before petting someone's dog.

One block later, exact same thing. I'm running over again. It was so stressful, especially because this was someone else's child in my care.

Anyway, folks, teach your kids that dogs are like people with sharp teeth -- you don't run right up and pet them on the head! My DD waves at dogs or says "hi doggy" and that's fine too. But you never know what you're going to get with a dog.

And of course, a big eff you to dog owners who disobey leash laws, take dogs where they aren't supposed to be, let their dogs run right up to people or even jump on them, etc. You are a massive part of the problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is so unusual and is going to be super productive!

You just put out the bat call for the insane people who fantasize about kicking, stabbing, and shooting dogs.

Just imagine a creative, amazing solution to your fears! It's...keeping your stupid dog leashed!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is so unusual and is going to be super productive!

You just put out the bat call for the insane people who fantasize about kicking, stabbing, and shooting dogs.

Just imagine a creative, amazing solution to your fears! It's...keeping your stupid dog leashed!

Why is the dog stupid if the owners are the one who don't have a leash on it? Isn't it the owners who are the stupid ones?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really dislike the "don't worry he is friendly!" or "I promise he is harmless" comment because that implies that the only dogs that have to be leased are dangerous, unfriendly ones. If you are a human I feel comfortable assuming that you're not going to let a dog you know to be dangerous walk around without a leash on. I don't assume you are a horrible person. I just think you should follow the rules.

Shout out to all the really nice dog owners who keep their dogs on leashes and say yes when my kids ask to pet their dogs.

I'm a nice dog owner but, I will say please don't pet my dog. That doesn't make me not nice but, my dog is nervous around kids and doesn't want your pets. Just like some kids don't like dogs the same can be true about dogs. Please respect those dogs

I should have also said “thank you to the dog owners who say no when my kids ask to pet them” because that is good of you to protect my kids.

It's win-win because I am also protecting my dog as well as your kids.

You are protecting yourself and your legal liability. Smart. I'd do this too.

Of course. Why would you think I meant anything else?

because you failed to say it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really dislike the "don't worry he is friendly!" or "I promise he is harmless" comment because that implies that the only dogs that have to be leased are dangerous, unfriendly ones. If you are a human I feel comfortable assuming that you're not going to let a dog you know to be dangerous walk around without a leash on. I don't assume you are a horrible person. I just think you should follow the rules.

Shout out to all the really nice dog owners who keep their dogs on leashes and say yes when my kids ask to pet their dogs.

I'm a nice dog owner but, I will say please don't pet my dog. That doesn't make me not nice but, my dog is nervous around kids and doesn't want your pets. Just like some kids don't like dogs the same can be true about dogs. Please respect those dogs

I should have also said “thank you to the dog owners who say no when my kids ask to pet them” because that is good of you to protect my kids.

It's win-win because I am also protecting my dog as well as your kids.

You are protecting yourself and your legal liability. Smart. I'd do this too.

Of course. Why would you think I meant anything else?

because you failed to say it?

Do you have to have everything spelled out for you??? 🙄

[Anonymous]

Dog owners that say that typically are not very experienced with dogs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dog owners that say that typically are not very experienced with dogs.

Or they’re just in denial about their dog’s behavior.