Can someone explain to me why it's so important that your dog say hi to mine?

[Anonymous]

If I'm walking my dog, and someone approaches with their dog, and I am clearly backing away and calling my dog to come with me, why do people continue to come forward, often while telling "it's OK, he's harmless."

I'm not a dog owner, but I've been sitting for my son's dog, Fang*, while he's out of town, and this is driving me crazy. To give you an example.

I'm walking the dog, and I stop at the ice cream man to get a treat. 30 seconds later, the dog poops. So, I stoop and scoop.

But now, I'm holding the leash, and untied bag of crap, and a popsicle. Tying the bag is tricky because my other hand is full, and I'd rather that my popsicle not touch the crap bag. So, I decide that I will stand still, eat the popsicle, deposit the stick in the crap bag, tie and it and dispose appropriately.

But then, out of nowhere Friendly McFriendlyson appears with her dog FooFoo. Now, I know from experience that if I let Fang and FooFoo "meet" each other, they will walk in circles sniffing butts until their leashes are tangled. Now, normally, this wouldn't be a big problem. I'd simply wrap Fang's leash around my hand so that it's too short to tangle, but that's hard to do with the crap and the popsicle, so instead, I call Fang to come with me and I back up, onto the grass, until we are out of range of FooFoo's leash, so that they can pass undisturbed on the sidewalk. Anyone who can see me, can clearly tell that I am trying to keep Fang away from FooFoo.

At which point, Friendly McF releases the button on FooFoo's extendable leash while calling "Oooh, a new friend for FooFoo!" and FooFoo comes running over, and wraps her leash around my legs, I go to untangle, dropping my popsicle.

Can you tell me why? I mean, in this case both dogs are safe, but if I'm backing away, why would you assume it's safe. Maybe Fang has a contagious illness. Maybe he's leash aggressive. Or maybe I just want to finish my popsicle in peace, but why would someone do that?

And yes, I know that it's even more annoying when someone lets their dog run up to your child. Back when Fang's owner was little that used to drive me batty. So, don't ask me to explain that either.

*Name changes to protect the innocent.

[Anonymous]

I think you should learn to use your words instead of assuming that the owner will correctly read your body language. You can say Fang isn't good with other dogs or the more accurate, Sorry, it's not a good time!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you should learn to use your words instead of assuming that the owner will correctly read your body language. You can say Fang isn't good with other dogs or the more accurate, Sorry, it's not a good time!

I normally would, but in this case, it happened so fast. I'm new at this dog thing, and sort of assumed that if I was well beyond the end of the current leash length, I'd be OK, or at least, the person would walk towards me, giving me time to say "Please don't bring her close". I wasn't expecting the dog to suddenly be released.

[Anonymous]

I don't like you because your post is too long. Clearly not real dog people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't like you because your post is too long. Clearly not real dog people.

OP here, and you're dead right. If I was a real dog person, I'd probably own a dog.

But if you don't like me, why don't you and your dog stay away? If you're a real dog person, and you can tell I'm not, why do you let your dog approach?

[Anonymous]

I think the other dog owner probably just didn't notice what was in your hands. Dog owners assume other dogs and other dog owners are open and friendly unless told they are not. Don't read too much into it.

[Anonymous]

You seem a little high maintenance. Just tell the other person to back off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the other dog owner probably just didn't notice what was in your hands. Dog owners assume other dogs and other dog owners are open and friendly unless told they are not. Don't read too much into it.

I don't expect them to notice what's in my hands. I expect them to notice that I am backing up, and calling the dog. "Here Fang, come on Fang." Like it should be really obvious that I'm trying to get away from them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the other dog owner probably just didn't notice what was in your hands. Dog owners assume other dogs and other dog owners are open and friendly unless told they are not. Don't read too much into it.

This. I try to stay away from people with dogs that aren't interested in greetings - maybe just not your thing or you're in a rush somewhere. But I like to keep my dog socialized with many dogs and people, keeps a dog friendly. Unsocialized dogs can be aggressive or fearful.

[Anonymous]

I'm completely on your side, OP.

Thing is, there are a lot of clueless people around who don't stop to read body language because they are impulsive and what they want is more important, regardless of your feelings in the matter.

[Anonymous]

I'm lucky to have a dog-aggressive dog when he's on leash. I'm anti-social. It's a win-win for me because he can lunge and bark at everyone and it gets me out of unwanted pleasantries.

I feel for you, OP. The worst part about owning a dog is having to make small talk with dog people. The only thing worse is having to make small talk with other parents at the playground.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm lucky to have a dog-aggressive dog when he's on leash. I'm anti-social. It's a win-win for me because he can lunge and bark at everyone and it gets me out of unwanted pleasantries.

I feel for you, OP. The worst part about owning a dog is having to make small talk with dog people. The only thing worse is having to make small talk with other parents at the playground.

I don't bother. I'm perfectly happy to stay aloof, lost in my own thoughts.

[Anonymous]

I completely agree with you, OP. People chase after me with their dogs of all sizes, when I'm clearly retreating or going the other direction. They get offended that I don't want my large dog near their tiny morsel of a toy breed. They get offended that I don't want my child near their dog. If I preemptively say "please give us space, my dog is not friendly," people yell at me, I guess for assuming they would want to be near me. Once a lady thought I was saying her dog was not friendly, and went off on me. People are stupid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm lucky to have a dog-aggressive dog when he's on leash. I'm anti-social. It's a win-win for me because he can lunge and bark at everyone and it gets me out of unwanted pleasantries.

I feel for you, OP. The worst part about owning a dog is having to make small talk with dog people. The only thing worse is having to make small talk with other parents at the playground.

I don't bother. I'm perfectly happy to stay aloof, lost in my own thoughts.

[/quote

PP here. Just want to say how much I appreciate this! (From the parent reading their book on a bench). Cheers!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the other dog owner probably just didn't notice what was in your hands. Dog owners assume other dogs and other dog owners are open and friendly unless told they are not. Don't read too much into it.

This. I try to stay away from people with dogs that aren't interested in greetings - maybe just not your thing or you're in a rush somewhere. But I like to keep my dog socialized with many dogs and people, keeps a dog friendly. Unsocialized dogs can be aggressive or fearful.

I'm glad your dog is friendly, but on-leash socialization is a nightmare for most dogs,even dogs that are friendly off-leash.