Dogs jumping up. What to do?

Thank you to all who have replied here. I am reassured that my anxieties are not seen as unreasonable even by the dog owners here. It's good to know that turning away is probably the most sensible option. I have pointed out to people that the notice on the gate clearly says dogs should be kept on leads, but as some here have observed, not all dog owners are responsible, sensible or courteous.
The gates were closed for an extended period last year after one owner refused to put her two dogs on leads while the groundskeepers were actually cutting the grass and there was a bit of a barney.
Children used to play in there a lot, and it was a joy to hear them, but I think the frequent presence of the dogs and occasional faeces has put them off, as I don't see so many now.
After your encouragement here, I will be more assertive with the offending dog owners and hopefully they will get the message and the space can be enjoyed by everyone again.

You shouldn’t have to be assertive. And please be careful because some dog owners can be as aggressive as their dogs.

Please see if you have a local safer neighbourhood officer. Until we got speaking to one we didn’t realise just how many things they covered. As our said, you shouldn’t feel unsafe and it’s our job to protect you. I found ours much more helpful than the police.

Our dog warden is helpful. I wrote our councillor expressing concern at the numbers of commercial dog walkers with eight dogs off leash. He agreeed it’s a problem but couldn’t come up with solutions. Nearby areas have a limit of five dogs to one human. So people use our parks as the council did t set a limit

Guide dog trainers are only to have four on lead, never off. I’ve read a number of charities recommending a human should only wall the number of dogs that coincides with how many hands they have.

Dogs are jumping up to get their face to your face…if they can’t do that they usually won’t jump up. So turn your back to them as they approach & continue to do so if they move round too. Hopefully then the owner will be with you & get them under control.

I was hobbling along a footpath in a country park yesterday. I could see a dog walker approaching with 7 dogs, 4 of them off lead and excitedly bounding around. I could see one of them was heading for me and I tried the “turn your back” technique.

The dog was undeterred and jumped against my back and I lost my balance and came close to falling over. Did the walker apologise or put the lead on? No! 😡

Some of the frequent jumpers are small dogs, not a chance they’ll get to your face

I don’t like dogs - there - I’ve said it. I am not afraid of dogs, I just don’t like them. Why can’t dog lovers understand that? Many assume that I am afraid of them - wrong. I don’t like to be jump at or slobbered on. Keep them away from me.

While on the ‘dog’ topic, who picks up after Andrew’s dogs? I can’t believe his protection officer would….

Carry a water pistol or a can of pressurised air, available in pet shops or on that well known shopping site, many dog trainers use this as a training aid, dogs don’t like the sound and tend to turn away from it.

There is probably someone employed just to do that

I started reading this thread and had to stop as I was getting so angry. 😡😡

I am not a dog person and do not want contact with a dog unless I choose it. I don't want the dog deciding it wants to jump up, lick me or anything else. I will decide if I want to stroke a quiet dog.🐶 I have also become increasingly scared of them, because having very poor balance and mobility they could easily knock me over.

I think we're having huge problems now with dogs because there are so many of them, many more than in the past. Just for the record, in the UK we had about 5-6 million dogs in the 1980s and now have something like 15 million dogs. Is it any wonder we have problems?

Far too many, one in three households, and as we know most people go out to work and leave them alone. In an adjoining flat to me lives a young woman who leaves her cockapoodle-type dog for 11 hours every day. I hear it crying sometimes. Then she takes it out for 2 mins (literally) to do its business and that's its walk for the day. Selfish and cruel. It makes me so angry.

SaxonGrace

Carry a water pistol or a can of pressurised air, available in pet shops or on that well known shopping site, many dog trainers use this as a training aid, dogs don’t like the sound and tend to turn away from it.

Thanks Saxon Grace, I suggested this in an early post and was criticised. I have the K9 spray as my huge lab is fed up with off lead dogs getting in his face, jumping all over him. If I see the assault running to us I walk him away. No issues, the Jack Russell who had a go at him led to a reaction. He’s a muscular 30kg and whilst he’s a lovely kind gentle well behaved boy, who mixes brilliantly with dogs he knows, these incidents left him deciding roaring at rude dogs reacting like a fierce dog was the way to go. I’ve not used the spray as I’m very careful about where I walk him
A friends dog needed surgery last week after an attack by a “friendly” dog

The phrase "don’t worry they’re friendly", is wishful thinking. Jumping up is an annoying and potentially dangerous behavior in dogs. Every dog is a potential weapon. There is always a first time when a dog bites or knocks over a person warranting first aid treatment or replacement of soiled/torn/damaged clothing.
One needs a permit to possess a gun/weapon. Therefore it should be law that dog owners prove their competence in handling their dogs.
The best advice I can give, is to stand completely still when a boisterous (untrained) dog approaches, hands wrapped around one's upper body, and as already mentioned, lift up one knee to ward off the dog, avoiding eye contact, and refraining from speaking or touching them. The dog is expecting a reaction, any reaction, positive or negative.
Some breeds like Jack Russell Terriers, Border Collies, and Golden Retrievers, are often enthusiastic greeters.
Every dog owner is (actually) aware that their dog's poop must be picked up. Unfortunately, you cannot watch them 24/7, and some irresponsible owners will pretend that it wasn't their dog's poop. Despicable! Getting dog owners to monitor each other, may work if they all cooperate.

I am a dog person so it’s easier for me, but I still don’t appreciate being charged by a strange dog (except for little fluffy ones). Last time a Rottweiler bounced over I gave it a Paddington Very Hard Stare and commanded SIT. It did just that.
But truthfully you have choices; give someone else the office of Key Holder or ask your local dog warden to pay a visit.

So long as none of the dogs are aggressive, turn your back on them before they reach you.

Dog owners should not allow their dogs to do this!

Speak with the offending dog owners??

This is my pet hate, pun intended. Some owners use them like accessories. It really annoys me as they are allowed everywhere, cafes, shopping centres etc. What happened to taking your dog for a walk, taking them home and then meeting them in a coffee shop? No way should they be let off lead in a park..way too dangerous. And no way pooping in the park without cleaning up. My grandson had a terrible incident with an off lead vicious looking large dog and owner. Luckily he stood completely still, the dog stared at him and looked ready to attack. I was a few feet away. I didn't want to move as thought it might provoke the dog. I quietly asked asked the owner (who looked really unpleasant) if the dog was safe. He said he hasn't attacked my grandkids yet. He also looked unsure what the dog would do. Fortunately my grandson was not attacked. I was was very proud of the way he kept still. My granddaughter wouldn't have. I dislike going to people's homes with dogs that just won't leave you alone, jumping up constantly etc. The owners think this is totally acceptable. These dogs seemed starved of affection as I don't see them jumping up or wanting to sit on their laps. As for the park you have a duty to report what is going on, off lead, pooping and jumping up. Seems like a chunk of society with dogs think they have a god given right for their dogs to behave as they want. Totally untrained! And I do like dogs and there are some good owners who know they are the boss/leader.

I would be very firmly saying “please control your dog, I do not want it jumping up at me”! The signage needs to be increased too, allowing dogs to foul and not clean up is just gross!

I am not a dog person and don't enjoy finding them inside cafes and restaurants. There seems to be a growing trend to treat dogs as if they are human (point has already been well made) but they are animals. I am fine with a well behaved dog but hate to see untrained and uncontrolled dogs out and about. What on earth is wrong with their owners.

Maybe it's the owners who need to be put on a lead! It's often too late to get to say can you control your dog as they're mostly oblivious and a long way behind.

I was in Cornwall last week and the amount of dogs there was unbelievable. Also nearly every cafe & some shops we passed or entered dogs were allowed.

I wouldn't like them jumping up on me either.

Welshy

I was in Cornwall last week and the amount of dogs there was unbelievable. Also nearly every cafe & some shops we passed or entered dogs were allowed.

I wouldn't like them jumping up on me either.

As I said, 1 in 3 households have a dog now, which is why they are everywhere. 15 million dogs is 3 times as many as the 1980s.

Given that so many people have had dogs since the pandemic I feel there should be a public awareness campaign on responsible dog ownership.

Astitchintime

I would be very firmly saying “please control your dog, I do not want it jumping up at me”! The signage needs to be increased too, allowing dogs to foul and not clean up is just gross!

👏👏👏👏👏

The best advice I can give, is to stand completely still when a boisterous (untrained) dog approaches, hands wrapped around one's upper body, and as already mentioned, lift up one knee to ward off the dog, avoiding eye contact, and refraining from speaking or touching them. The dog is expecting a reaction, any reaction, positive or negative.

I can stand on one leg with the other knee raised and remain relatively stable but my DH would topple before the dog had even breathed on him so this advice is far from universal. Many posters have pointed out their fear of bouncy dogs approaching them is because they have mobility or stability concerns.