Looking after other people's dogs in the park.?

Question

How do you feel about it being necessary to look out for another's dog in the park. We just walked our Westie and met a couple with two dogs who relentlessly went after our dog- not in a malicious way, but they did make him nervous! The owners were far away talking and we just carried on with our walk. We were heading for the exit when the dogs- who had fallen behind a bit came racing past us towards the road. I didn't try to stop them as being inexperienced with any dogs other than ours I fully expected them to stop before they left the park. They didn't I felt guilty, fortunately the owner managed to get them back. 5 mins later (we're on the road- it's busy) the dog comes tearing towards us- I put out my hand to try and stop him and he ran onto the road- fortunately the drivers stopped. Last we saw he was headed off into the distance with the owner following behind him. Now I'm sat at home worrying about the poor thing and upset with the owner for putting me in this position

Sorry, that's incredibly long, but what do you think?

Answer 1

I agree with you totally.I have several complaints with the dog park and that's one of them.
I have 2 german shepherds weighing 110 #and 82#.Whether on leash or off I have enough to do to keep mine under control.People see us and just figure I can handle my 2 so surely I can handle theirs as well.What makes me maddest is the ones who allow their dogs to run across the field toward us without bothering to follow are the ones with dogs that areggesive.These dogs play too rough to be let loose with small dogs for fear they'll be hurt.But my 2 seem to be fair game.The larger of the 2 has arthritis and I don't appreciate having him used as a playtoy for a younger dog who jumps on his back or tries to roll him over.
I've managed this far to prevent fights from breaking out and have verbally stung several owners for this but I'm to the point now where I'd almost like to just turn both dogs loose and let them tear into another dog at will for trying to dominate mine.I'd like to see how fast the owner moves then.
{I'd never put my dogs at risk like this.But I'd sure like too!}
I fear one day it'll happen whether I want it too or not and I'll have no choice but to be stuck in the middle of a full blown fight.
I try but sometimes it's very hard to get my dogs to the park when there are'nt alot of other dogs there.
I've held my breath many times watching dogs bolt out onto the highway.I've been angered when forced to watch an idiot beat his dog for doing so and drag him back to the car and leave.It disgusts me to no end that anyone can own an animal.People who are irresponsible and negligent should not be allowed to breed themselves yet they think they're intelligent enough to have a dog.

Answer 2

There are so many irresponsible dog owners out there. I know exactly how you feel because my little dog is constantly being chased by other peoples pooches! She's a rescue dog who was very nervous when we got her and we are working hard to build up her confidence. Having great big dogs run towards her, is not helping and most owners do nothing but laugh as my dog runs round me in circles with her tail between her legs!

I honestly wouldn't worry about that dog. Most drivers slow down when they see a loose dog at the side of the road so I doubt it will have been hurt. As for the owner, if you see him again, request politely that he puts his dog on a lead until you've gone!

Answer 3

I so understand what you mean. My dog is never off the leash if we are not in a safe fencend in area

I have had to call the dog warden several times because I catch the dogs that are running loose in our neighborhood and put them inside my six foot fence, I wait and look around for someone looking for a dog if they don't come I call

A husky who kept breaking his tie out spent the night in the backyard once and he came back several times but either he got taken away or the owner decided to do something different because I sent that dog to the warden twice. It is better in most cases than them getting hit by a car on the busy streets.

I did two dogs once running and playing but one actually had a lisence so I called the vet and they gave me a number where I could got the phone number for the owner and the other dog was her neighbors dog.

Answer 4

You sound a bit like me. It drives me mad when i see dogs running around off their lead and not being kept under control. It was only a fee weeks ago that i was taking my son to school when we saw this lovely little brown dog running up the street. As you can imagine at 8.30 am the road is pretty busy. So i take my son to school and head for home when i see the dog crossing the road my heart was in my mouth, but he got across. I spent the next 45Min's driving round looking for him but i lost him when i stopped to park the car. It makes me mad that i care more for this the dog than the owner.I'm sure the dog you seen is fine at home safe and well.

Answer 5

That people should be resposible for their own dogs, there is helping out to a point but if a dog does not respond wneh called by the owner then it should not be off the lead especislly not near a busy road

Answer 6

Well even if you was going to try and stop a running dog, how? Dog's can run faster than people can and by running at you it could have been a sign of aggression. So by stopping it, it could have savaged you. So don't worry yourself about it, it was the owners duty to have the dogs on a lead if they were going after yours, so in other words, it wasn't your fault.

Answer 7

It makes me think you are caring, considerate pet owners.
Please try not to worry about the other dogs; you cannot do anything.
I understand how frustrating it was for you but the owner didn't put you in this position.
You have done this yourself. Because you care you assume other pet owners are going to be as responsible as you. Unfortunately life is not like that.
Try to let it go sweet; you cannot take every ones problems on your shoulders.

Answer 8

Owners should have their dogs under control at all times, not go for a walk and pay no attention to what their dog is up to. I know where my dogs are and what their doing at all times when we are out.

Answer 9

not your problem but maybe avoid that dog in the future youre obviuosly more interesting than its owner, maybe carry a water pistol to deter other dogs from following you, and im not being horrible before evey1 gets on their high horse just imagine how bad u would feel if the dog got splatted cause it chased yours out the field. put yourself in the other owners shoes and act as your conscience dictates but dont make yourself stressed cause of some1 elses problem

Answer 10

this is only one of the reasons i dont do the dog parks for one are the morons who seem not to understand when their dog does damage that they are responisble for it . That their dogs must be vacinated against rabies ,parvo etc. They dont seems to notice when their dog has a ton of fleas dropping off on other peoples dogs . Ewwwww...... Dog parks no thank you i walk mine in the regular park .