Quora User Expresses Annoyance At Dogs Suddenly Coming Up To Them, Asks Pet Owners Why They Do This
Some dog people hear “my space, my rules” and assume it’s about being unfriendly. It’s not. It’s about the exact moment a random dog comes barreling up to you while you’re minding your own business, and suddenly you’re the one dealing with the chaos.
In this Quora post, OP says it keeps happening on walks: a stranger lets their dog sneak up behind them, sniff their dogs, and act like it’s totally normal. They even describe a Golden on a harness dragging its owner’s way for 100 feet straight to OP’s dogs as OP screams for control, plus the ongoing problem of people grabbing at their dogs or clients’ dogs like it’s open season.
The straw that broke the leash, though, was when a friend called “Hi!” from across the street, and OP’s food-motivated dog launched toward the yard edge until “LEAVE IT” stopped him.
Even some dog lovers wouldn't want a random dog approaching them.
Yup, that’s what they think. I happen to love dogs in general and a couple in particular, but I must be at liberty to decide when and how I meet them, mine and others.
If I’m outdoors, my dogs are likely to be with me. I absolutely DON’T want anyone’s dog approaching mine.
Way too often, when I’m out walking, some moron will casually allow his dog to sneak up behind me and sniff my dogs. The other day, someone who had a Golden on a harness (the first sign of stupidity) allowed the dog to drag her 100 feet right up to my dogs while I’m screaming, “Control that dog!” I believe she could have stopped the dog but thought it was cute and that I would like it.
But more than that, teaching your dog to approach strangers is dangerous for them. I really don’t want anyone outside of my house to greet, touch, or interact with my dogs.
Any more than I would want my children to run up to random strangers begging for candy or hugs. I have had shouting matches with people who will not keep their hands off my dogs or my clients’ dogs.
Would you go into a classroom and start playing with the kids while the teacher is trying to teach? The whole thing is insane.
One day, I had my dogs in the yard off-leash when a friend of mine pulled up in her car on the opposite side of the street and called out, “Hi!” In the past, I stupidly allowed this friend to visit and bring treats (usually chicken!!) for the dogs, and one of mine is very food-motivated. He heard her and started for the edge of the yard at a run. I hollered, “Rico, LEAVE IT!” and he stopped.
Another dog would have shot right across, heedless of oncoming cars. That’s what can come of teaching any animal to approach strangers. Don’t feed the wild ducks and don’t touch other people’s dogs.
It's the lack of training that makes dogs uncontrollable.
Not all dog owners, of course. But…
Thoughtlessness and/or lack of training and control of their dogs. Owners should not allow their dogs to approach other people or indeed other people’s dogs without the consent of that person.
Our Willow is a rescue, and his early life has left him terrified of other dogs. We have spent a lot of time socializing him and joining in group dog-walking outings, but if a strange dog approaches him, his fear instinct kicks in.
We are hypervigilant with him and apply distraction techniques, but sometimes an in-your-face dog is allowed by its owner to come too close. Irresponsible dog owners tend to claim, “He was only being friendly!” and “Let them sort it out themselves.”
The OP shouldn't generalize owners and their dogs.
Not all dog owners do this, but I understand your point. Dog owners constantly tell people never to touch an unknown dog without asking its handler’s permission.
Conversely, a dog handler should never permit their dog to approach an unknown person without asking permission.
Sadly, there are more irresponsible pet owners than responsible ones.
It is a small percentage of folks that do not keep their dogs under control. There is no excuse for those who do not maintain control.
In most environments, dogs are controlled with a leash, but in the right environment, they can be off-leash with electronics or voice commands. My dogs spend a fair amount of time off-leash hunting but know to respect people and livestock.
Over time, I have found that dogs are often better judges of people than people are at judging other people. My dogs will let me know when they don’t trust someone by staying clear of them.
A fear of dogs is often passed from parents to children and is often unfounded. There are no bad dogs, only bad dog owners.
A respect for some breeds is reasonable and warranted.
Just be polite and tell the owner that you don't want to be near their dog.
It appears the dog may be smarter than some people and have better manners, but I digress.
No, they do not think everyone loves their dog. But neither do they think anyone is afraid of their fine, well-behaved companion that plays with their children.
Yes, conceptually, they are aware there are people who are scared of dogs. But it is not at the forefront of their minds as they go about because they seldom, if ever, knowingly encounter them.
When dealing with the public in public settings, those with dogs on leashes, which are often required by law, should avoid letting said beast invade the personal space of strangers, in my opinion.
It could be very dangerous for the dog. While it is true there are many people who are afraid of dogs, this is not the usual situation and is difficult to determine, so many dog walkers default to, “It's not a problem,” I think.
If you do not want someone's dog near you, it is a simple thing to politely say so. While you may be very uncomfortable with the situation, acting in an aggressive, hostile, or vocal manner may provoke that which you desperately want to avoid.
Dogs may be poor at detecting that you are scared of them, but they are very good at detecting hostility and respond poorly to it. Unfortunately, dogs like to befriend people and are very curious, especially when scents are involved.
I can appreciate the situation as the role is often reversed with strangers wanting to put their hands on my dog. “Excuse me!”
Most people who posted on the thread understood where the OP is coming from.
If you’re in public, I agree, the dog should be leashed and controlled. I love dogs and wouldn’t mind, but not everyone is comfortable with dogs.
If you’re at someone's house, then you should expect it or not go over, or talk to them beforehand. I would tell you not to come over, but I have locked my pups up before when my family came over because my nieces were terrified of my HUGE dogs.
A user is clearly annoyed at owners who can't control their dogs.
I'll just sum this question up: They're stupid enough to think that everyone cares about their pet as much as they do, which is ridiculous, but they're too stupid to understand this.
End of story…
The reason owners easily assume people will like their dogs.
I can see your frustration and why this would be an issue and seen as inconsiderate.
However, the chances of finding anyone or running into anyone who doesn't like dogs (besides maybe Rottweilers) is 0.0000000001%.
Though the common dogs you usually see out in public more often don't usually cause issues.
The OP calling dogs stupid didn't sit well with this user.
How do you know their dog is stupid? I'm not sure where you live, but where are you when this happens?
Sometimes dogs are nicer than people, but you will never find that out. Dogs can tell people who don’t like dogs and usually avoid them, so where are you when these so-called stupid dogs come up to you?
That Golden on the harness dragging 100 feet to OP’s dogs is the kind of “cute” move that turns into a full-on shouting match fast.
This is similar to the dog-fearing woman trying to be “sensitive” with an overly dog-obsessed host.
Then there’s the part where OP compares it to letting kids run up to strangers for hugs, because the whole vibe is the same: random interaction with no consent.
When OP recalls the friend pulling up and calling “Hi,” you can practically hear the panic as Rico decides treats are more important than cars.
And after OP admits one dog stopped on command while another would have sprinted across, the real issue becomes pretty obvious to anyone who’s watched the yard gate situation unfold.
To be a responsible owner means you have the ability to control your dog's unwanted or unpredictable behavior at all times. Although our pets may be the kindest and most adorable dogs, we also have to accept that we will encounter people who aren't fond of them.
It's best to keep your dog close to you, especially in situations where others may feel uncomfortable or uneasy around them.
OP might love dogs, but they do not want anyone else training their approach to strangers in real time.
Want the other side of this leash issue, see how reckless dog owners put others in danger with unleashed dogs.
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