What would you do if someone pushed your dog?

Question

I was at the dog park today and ours is split into a little and a big dog park. I keep my medium size dog there b/c he gets annoying round little dogs. This guy had a puppy and my dog was playing with him and barking at him but not being mean or biting or anything. I always stay on my dog when he does stuff like this. I make him leave the dog alone b/c it's annoying when he barks at other dogs
The owner of the puppy was being weird about it. He seemed normal but then he would tell my dog to back off when it seemed like my dog wasn't doing anything out of the normal.
It's not like the puppy wasn't following my dog around. The puppy was trying to play with my dog too.
Anyways, as they left they picked up the puppy and my dog thought ohh you picked it up must be a toy and my dog jumped up to the man not barking, just jumping. (my dogs only knee high by the way, not a "big" dog at all)
So this guy pushes my dog down hard. He hit the ground. I was extremely angry. what would you do?

Answer 1

I was walking my dog one day and this guy walked up and just kicked my dog my first reaction was to hit him (which I did) as I was saying why did you do that...His exact words were "because he is a rottweiler" I said "there is no reason for it." My dogs are my babies and I defend them just like they defend me. I was very angry at the man. He went to the store down the way and called the police because I hit him. When the police arrived they asked me what was going on and I told them, they arrested him for cruelty to animals. He was sentenced to 3 months in county. The police officer told me that it was in self defense only because I had a leash on my dog and he was under control. I honestly would not suggest hitting someone but as I said it was my first reaction.

Answer 2

If this man's dog was a small puppy, he shouldn't have brought it to the "big dog" park. Now if it was a large breed puppy, and he wanted to get it some good exercise, then I can see the "big" option, but then why would he be upset about another dog wanting to socialize with his? I would be angry too, it was this guy's CHOICE to bring his puppy to a park where medium to large sized dogs socialize and play. If this is not what he wanted for his puppy, he shouldn't have been there. And I probably would have told him so, but then that's me...

Answer 3

Dog can be unpredictable and their fights can be nasty, even for smaller dogs. Just because you didn't see any harm in your dog jumping up at someone, it doesn't mean everyone feels that way. If it was clear to you that the owner of the other dog was uncomfortable having your dog around, it's your responsibility to respect that. While I certainly don't support animal abuse, you should've been the one controlling your dog. If your dog came close enough to the man that he could push him down, he has every right to defend himself, even if your dog wasn't biting. You were in the wrong, not the other person. Control your dog and be a responsible pet owner.

Answer 4

I would have done the same thing. I do not know your dog and do not know what he will do and my job as an owner to my pup is to protect it from harm. You should have had control over your own dog and it would not have happened, all the excuses in the world do not make letting your dog jump on someone right. If you want to be angry be angry at yourself for the lack of control you have over your dog. This is the problem with dog owners they never take responsibility for the actions they allow, they only make excuses. Dog owners like you are the reason I NEVER take my dogs to dog parks.

Answer 5

I hope your dog wasn't hurt and I get your point because our small dog also jumps up a bit. If he(?) wasn't hurt I would hope that the rough push added to my own efforts to train him not to jump up. Not much you can do unless you want to risk an assault charge but if your dog had been hurt you could involve the law or animal protection. Happy Christmas holiday.
Just like to add that our efforts to train our dog do not include pushing or any other form of violence. We only reward good behaviour and ignore the bad. That way he doesn't get any attention for bad behaviour.

Answer 6

I would tell that guy to get his freakin' hands off my dog! Geez, if this guy owns a dog himself he really needs to lighten up. Then, I would make sure I get some really good training for my dog just to make sure that there are no other misunderstandings in the future. You need to protect you and your dog from other people mistaking your dog's over-friendliness as agression. You don't want lawsuits or any other jerks out there pushing your pup around like that. Good luck!

Answer 7

Well the guy was probably just being protective of his pup(which is something we all do.) But as for pushing your dog, if it was me i probably would tell him to put his dog down, then punch him in the nose. Pushing another persons dog is a really stupid thing to do coz you dont know whether the dog or owner would bite and its rude and uncalled for.

Answer 8

Maybe he thought your dog was being to playful but he's still an asshole nonetheless. I'd probably just give him a mad filthy if he was too far away to do anything soon enough. And if i was close enough id probably say something like... Uh excuse me! You didn't have to push my dog to the ground like that!
Poor doggy.

Answer 9

I would have told him, that if he touches my dog again, you will call the cops. Not sure what the cops would do but isn't that a form of abuse? I would NEVER push a dog (unless I was being attacked) nor would I allow someone to touch my dogs. I had a neighbor whose dog got loose ,came into my yard, and my 13 yr old partially blind (now is fully blind) dog ran after her dog ( my dogs 12 pounds). She threw her shoe at my dog, and I lost it. I told her to keep her ugly *** dog away from my house or Id stick the GSD on it. I never would but her actions infuriated me. That guy who pushed your dog is a dumb ***. He doesn't deserve to be a pet owner. Seriously if you see him there again, tell him he is NEVER EVER EVER to touch your dog again or you will press charges.

Answer 10

I would probably be really angry and say," Hey why did you do that?" and I would probably start an argument. I mean that's animal abuse and I feel bad for his dog (and yours). So what, dogs get over excited sometimes. That guy is probably just not a nice guy.