Please call your dog

An unleaded dog came through my cat-flap and killed a much loved elderly cat -- I was DISTRAUGHT -- police informed and NOTHING done.Then my granddaughter attacked by a dog. Thank God myself and daughter were able to intervene before she suffered any permanent injuries. In view of this, I feel I shouldn't have to justify/explain myself to a--holes,who walk their dogs off- lead and call over to me 'He/she won't hurt you',etc.A life-long animal,unfortunately, my opinion of dogs/dog owners is now clouded -- ALL DOGS IN PUBLIC AREAS SHOULD NOT ONLY BE ON LEADS BUT MUZZLED -- as for dog-owners -- it's not about your dog hurting/not hurting me -- I don't want your animal off-lead in a public area where I or anyone else is walking -- I don't want your dog running up to me and I shouldn't have to stop (in anxiety/fear) contemplating what actions your animal is about to take. If dog-owners want to run their animals, they should use their own private gardens and people who don't have these shouldn't really have dogs anyway. When/if people disagree with me, I could and do go on to explain that my granddaughter suffered broken skin injuries and trauma,I was physically unable to intervene when my cat was attacked and killed in our own home -- I don't need to go into describing the scene -- it was horrific and something I wouldn't wish on anyone or wish to witness again.Tico RIP.

"the OP might be advised to get some help treating this fear."

........... bangs head against wall in desperation!!!!! .............

NO, NO, NO! - dogs are not an obligatory part of life to which we must adapt, like rain or wind. They are the chosen possession of those who like dogs, and those people have an absolute duty to make sure that their possessions do not annoy, damage or frighten others.

Another point to add -There are many people who have lived in countries where people own dogs to guard their property and have no experience with pet family dogs they are therefore scared of dogs. A responsible dog owner should keep their dog under control at all times and check with others they meet before letting them off the lead. The other dog may be old, sick or challenged in some way. Those who bag the poo and then chuck it somewhere - shame on you.

Looks like we all agree on the fold arms and turn back technique.

I am a dog owner and a dog lover but I am still very aware that many dog owners are extremely defensive if their dogs are criticised in any way. Our dog jumps up when people come to the house and I always tell them to turn their backs to the dog. This tells the dog in a way that they understand that they are being ignored and usually they stop. Also do not make eye contact with them as that encourages them to continue.
Hope this helps.

You kind of have two issues here op.

1. Your fear of dogs which arose from years ago and has not been addressed.

2. What to do in the moment a dog runs towards you.

So for the first one - would you want to do something about this?

The second one - remember dogs do things to get attention so one of the best things is to ignore. Try not to look or say anything to the dog as both these are attention. Keep walking and focus on something ahead of you for example a tree or lampost. Think about your breathing. Usually if you are totally uninteresting to the dog it will run back to its owner.

If a dog tries to jump up cross your arms and as quick as you can turn your back - don't look at it or say anything to it. Normally the dog will then come round to the front of you and try again so again - keeping your arms folded and no eye contact - turn again and repeat. If you are feeling brave you can also move towards the dog as it jumps up [I know this sounds odd when you actually just want to run away!] as bumping into it also helps prevent it jumping again.

Would add i have always been scared of dogs after a nasty attack as a child and i dont want my gc being the same.
To be told ‘ hes only being friendly’ doesnt help.

Eglantine working in the assumption that these over boisterous dogs are just that, I’d suggest you fold your arms across your chest and turn you back quite deliberately on them when they get too close. This is what I do when friends dogs jump up to great me. It sends out a message to them that you don’t want to ‘play’ or interact.

This was a technique I learned from Victoria Stilwell a well known dog trainer.

DJ I disagree with your thinking and I’m guessing you don’t own or have much interaction with dogs.

Recently out walking with our 2 small grandchildren, about 10 dogs all off lead, with just one woman in charge, came barking and jumping at the children. The dogs were not in control and very lively. She just watched and did nothing despite the children being clearly upset and terrified. I had to shout twice before she took any notice. Eventually she did call them off but was rude and angry. She seemed to think the heathland we were on was purely for dogs and we had no business being there. It takes all sorts....?.!!!

Out leafleting one day a couple of years ago, I was suddenly aware that one house had what looked like a German Shepherd shape - there was no warning until he bit off the end of my finger. Had he barked, or had there been any "Beware of the dog" notice, I would have ignored the house. What I still insist on calling "Alsatians" have always looked too much like wolves for comfort. I love dogs and wouldn't wish any action taken (apart from the owner being warned and some compensation (the police didn't take any action, so the ambulance chasing NWNF company couldn't get me a penny)). Still finger-tip numb after two years.

I'm scared of dogs too. I have had a few frightening incidents with them. I sometimes think it is thought of as a great crime if you say you don't like dogs. I told someone once that I didn't like dogs and she said 'oh and I thought you were a nice person'

When I was about eight, my brother and I were doing what children do and fighting. A dog jumped at us and bit my arm. I still have the scar.
The reason dogs can be kept as pets is because they have been trained to behave differently to what their instincts tell them, surely. They are pack animals and shouldn't be kept on their own.

Englantine, I am so glad you started this thread. I thought I was the only one who was frightened of dogs. I was also bitten as a child. I too have all the same responses from dog owners about him being friendly etc. I too freeze every time one comes near (not the thing to do I am told) and my heart starts racing. I used to love walking in the countryside but nowadays it seems every other person has a dog off a lead, so much so, my walks these days are restricted to National Trust properties where dogs are meant to be kept on a lead. I also thought of buying a high pitched whistle but the reviews were not great.

Back in the day, I'd always call my dogs if they ran up to anyone, and a well trained dog shouldn't do it. But yes, I see it happen, and have had dogs leap up at me, and scare my DGC by rushing at them. I've another excuse for the list. One ran up and bit my DH, drawing blood through his jeans, and the owner said it was because he didn't like people carrying newspapers. The onus is on the owner to get the dog trained or keep it on a short lead.

I don't blame the dogs. They're just being dogs. They want to greet and be acknowledged. I totally blame the owners. Police dogs and guide dogs don't try to 'make friends' with me so that that behaviour can be controlled if the dog is trained and controlled by the human.

The most stupid response from a dog owner was that the only reason I was allergic to dogs was because I avoided them. If I spent time with dogs, stroking and letting them sit on me then I would cease to have allergic reactions. I pointed out that I preferred not to have eyes so swollen and weepy I could hardly see, itchy skin and hives and I rather like to be able to breath through my nose not feel as if I have the worst cold ever. So I wouldn't be putting his theory into practise.

Also what is it with allowing puppies to nip. Yes I understand they're only milk teeth but when they break my skin the reaction is painful.

I know my fear is my problem Anya and I would love to be near a dog and not be frightened of it but it doesn't work that way, not even with my daughters dog who I have known since a puppy. Dogs a a distance or on a lead, no problem. Dog charging towards me, utter panic.
It was a bad bite, not just teeth marks but down to the bone and required surgery and months of aftercare.
I'm not a anti dog but I don't see that asking an owner to call their dog away is unreasonable.
I'm willing to take advice on what to do when the running up happens, which it does lots, jumping up only now and again with larger dogs. Stand still, keep walking? I'm afraid if I took a walking pole as suggested earlier Im so frightened I might actually hit out in my panic.

I was attacked by a large dog when a very small child so am now understandably nervous around them. I avoid areas where dogs are allowed to run off the lead - I understand they need the exercise. However, if I am on a street and some dog not on a lead jumps up at me I don't want the owner to tell me it is just being friendly or wants to play, I want the owner to keep it under control. If it is free to jump up at me then it is also free to jump on a child or run into a road.

FN I too have been bitten by dogs, twice. Both times by bloody corgis in fact, when I was as child. However it merely made me a touch wary of corgis as I recognise most dogs, the vast majority of dogs are friendly, and even over friendly. If it’s causing a problem in everyday life, so much so that she needs to write about it, then the OP might be advised to get some help treating this fear.

I’m putting the other side of the case and reminding people that dogs are not fearsome beasts, any more that all humans are potential attackers. Indeed I’d agree entirely with this who blame the human owners. And those who have reason to thank dogs for the good they can do and how they add to the experience of many, many people will also know this.

If you’ve ever watched the various programmes about rescue dogs you will see that more harm, pain, and viscous neglect is directed at dogs by own so called ‘animal loving’ society than is ever directed by dogs on people.

I expect you also Very Rarely have dogs run up to you, barking and growling and then plunging their teeth into you.
But it has happened to the OP who is now, understandably, nervous of dogs.

Anya, the OP said dogs run up to her, not jump up.

In a park with "Dogs Must be on a Lead" signs, one of those dogs with heavy jowls ran up to me & was slobbering over my shoes, coat & trousers - when I complained I got the "he's only being friendly" reply so I said that I didn't want her dog being friendly and anyway he should be on a lead - I won't tell you how she responded - too many asterisks.
Dogs off the lead are a menace - an estimated 15,000 sheep killed last year - I've mentioned to owners on at least 6 occasions that there are sheep in a field and their dog should be on a lead but they either ignore me (as they ignore the signs) or say "my dog doesn't chase sheep" - and once an owner had to run after his dog who was chasing sheep and even when he finally caught him he didn't put him on a lead so I said "perhaps he should be on a lead" and the bloke replied "Oh no, he's never done that before".
Last year there were 7,227 hospital admissions for dog bites and goodness knows how many who didn't have to be admitted.
People have a right to walk in their local park without being made afraid by uncontrolled dogs.
Rant over - but please don't get me started on little plastic bags of dog poo hanging from trees & bushes - who on earth do these dog owners think is going to remove them?

Sorry, Anya, but saying very rarely do dogs jump up at me means they jump up at you.
If you are allergic to dogs then you never want a dog to jump up at you!

DH and I were in a wetland's park and I turned to look at a bird in a tree and a Great Dane ran at me, jumped up and put it's paws on my shoulders. I nearly had a heart attack I got such a shock. I was left shaking and did not receive an apology from the owner. I was afraid it was going to bite my face.

I was in a book shop a few weeks ago and a woman had two spaniels on a lead just inside the shop. Both beautiful dogs; in fact I'd spoken to the woman and said how gorgeous they were. A few minutes later, a woman walked into the shop with two small children. One of the children reached out to one of the dogs [the woman was sitting in the entrance to the book store] and the dog went for her. The child screamed, the dog owner didn't apologise and the mother blamed the child for approaching the dog. I would imagine that child will be traumatised by it. The S.O. and I watched in disbelief .

I don’t recognise this scenario or I think you are exaggerating. Very rarely do I meet dogs who jump up at me. It happens very rarely indeed.