Another "he only wants to play" rant

gettingready

Was walking with Zara in Wanstead Park - as we normally do, Zara off lead minding her own business...

I saw a smallish, terrier type dog in a distance watching us (owner a fair bit away from the dog) , something about the dog did not feel quite right so called Zara to me, took her by the collar and made her sit. She did.

The dog is getting closer and is now growling at Zara - I have her by the collar just in case, dog'w owner trying to call her dog off, dog has gone deaf.

Owner trotting over our way - by that time the dog is barking and trying to nip Zara's legs - Zara is sitting by me and paying no notice and still have her by the collar.

Dog is circling Zara and growling and trying to nip.

Owner within ear shot so I shout "shuh, go away or Zara will eat you if you are attacking her" - hell broke loose at that point.

Woman - He is a puppy he just wants to play I am going to report you for having a dog that could eat my dog.

Me - My dog is under control, yours is not.

Woman - He only wants to say hello and play, he is only a puppy.

Me - Your puppy is circling around my dog, growling and trying to nip

Woman - Go back to your bl..........y country.

My jaw dropped at that point.

That from someone who has ZERO control over her dog who may be a puppy BUT was growling, circling and trying to nip MY dog while MY dog was sitting nicely next to me AND was being held by the collar.

Where do those people come from??????

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

gettingready

JUst to add- tha above is an abbreviated version of our "conversation" - woman went tottaly psycho on me... sigh...

elsien

I tend to find the "if you don't get your dog under control and away from mine, I'm going to let her off the lead and let her get on with it" approach usually works quite well.
Luckily no-one has ever taken me up on the offer as a) I wouldn't actually do it and mutt would never defend herself in a month of Sundays.

gettingready

YOu see, I was so sure I was being considerate and made Zara sit/held her collar when I saw that other dog.

Instead of appreciation from the other dog owner - who had no control over her agressive "pup".. I got a lot of abuse, including telling me to go back to my bl....y country....

Seriously, my jaw just absolutely dropped at THAT....

zaksmum

Go back to your country?? What's THAT about?

elsien

I don't think I'd have managed to be as restrained as you -I've let rip with the verbal abuse myself once or twice over out-of-control dogs having a go at mutt. Not wise, but I always did have a big gob.
That's where it helps having a badly trained dog - in her younger days mutt wouldn't have been as well-behaved as Zara, she'd have been kicking off herself, which makes owners step in that little bit quicker when I threaten to let her go.
You probably did the best thing being restrained, some people just really aren't worth getting upset over. Console youirself that you are the responsible dog owner and she's going to get herself in real strife one day. What comes around, and all that.

gettingready

I love that park, we are walking there almost every day - saw this woman for the first time.

She is not going to stop me walking Zara there....

Jesus, really upset me stupid stupid woman.

gettingready

Oh, I would have been really rude to her if it was not for 2 guys with a small kid near by.

They told her to mind her language with the kiddy there within earshot.

I am not normally that restrained myself.

Zara had no interest in that dog whatesoever BUT to be safe I held her as she would not let him bother her.

If she was off the lead and he growled/circled/nipped her - would have been a mince meat by the time I am typing this.

So in essence I was being responsible - she was being abnoctious (spelling?)

elsien

Not worth it - congenital idiocy can't be helped.
A black friend of mine when he gets the "go back where you came from" comments, usually just says "what, Birmingham?" Usually gets the open mouthed fish out of water response, as their tiny brains struggle to think of any sort of relevant answer.

Caroline_a

Why are people so horrible! Can't say I've ever had another dog approach Oakley growling (he's one of those supremely dominant dogs that doesnt need to prove himself, so it's more he goes to say hello to them), and those that have growled at him when he's gone to say hello tend to get ignored and he'll walk away.

I'd have been tempted to let Zara go though... but then you'd have been in the wrong if she'd gone for the pup, you could never win this one I'm afraid. I need to bring my two over to walk with you some time, nobody would want to approach 2 big Shepherds looking like ours do!! (with Sid bringing up the rear as the comic turn!)

Hugs xx

gettingready

Thanks, she really upset me the woman - she had no argument as far as dogs are concerned so picked on my accent, Jesusssssssssssssssssssssssss