Dogs jumping up. What to do?

Shout OFF in a loud voice or raise a knee as it tries to jump

Agree with the last two. Why should we have to defend ourselves from other people's dogs? That's the owner's job, to protect other people by controlling their mutt.

I'll try the knee trick as I am struggling with my stick, absence of balance, inability to lift one knee or stand on one leg!

I would much rather the darned dog was on a lead! Why should I have to put myself at risk of a fall?

FranP, it isnt the OPs job to train sit or down or to make a party for an off lead, out of its handlers control dog running up, jumping on random people

Hold a flat hand down and outward as they approach. Shout SIT! Then if they jump, bring your knee forward into the dog's chest to tip it backward.

If you see the dog often, then is the time to say DOWN or repeat SIT. If they obey then praise them with a fuss. They will learn that they get a fuss if they don't jump on you.

I would tell them that it is illegal for their dog to be out of control and you have a duty to report it in order to protect the other people in the park.

Turn your back on the dog. Or if too late and dog has reached you and jumping up, bend your knee, and use as a barrier between you and dog. Give a little push with knee to let dog know they are not allowed to get jump on you. Think the park needs signs saying dogs MUST be on kead at all times. And, pemalty for failing to clear dog fouling will be applied. You are doing far too much, and the errant dog owners will just carry on. I've had 40 years of dog ownership and still take friend's dog when she's on holiday. What you are experiencing is awful.

I know it is said it's not the dog it's the owner. So what does everyone think should be done about it? You can't fine or punish the dog. I wonder if really clear messages should be given from the government down to local councils and the police. I'm also at the point of saying there ought to be strong public health type messages given using TV and radio. It is getting to be more than a nuisance. It's serious. During lockdown so many stupid people bought a dog and apparently afterwards abandoned them or dumped them on charities. It's cruel and mindless..Well cared for dogs can be a lovely addition to a family. But they do require time dedication and good training. A lot is required of the owners and I know a few who have regretted it. People really need to understand the breed, it's temperament and especially the patience and dedication it takes and commitment. More education at a national an local level to help people understand what they are letting themselves in for and their responsibility as an owner.

I’m not a dog person, much prefer cats.
I’m appalled how precious some, quite a lot of dog owners are about their dogs and cannot understand that I don’t really love their badly behaved, slobbering dogs. I’m made to feel very privileged that their dogs want to jump up at me and put their sharp muddy paws on my nice clothes. I don’t.
I also find it truly disgusting that more than occasionally owners don’t clear up after their dogs and a happy to leave behind a steaming pile. I know what I would like to do with it !

My daughter & I booked a table at a cafe we had never been to before. It turned out that was a dog friendly cafe too. The smell was off putting and dogs hairs all over the floor, where food was being served. It even put my daughter off and she's a dog owner.

I had lunch out today with a friend and it was ruined by a barking dog at another table. It’s a dog-friendly place with good countryside walks nearby but this particular creature went bonkers when there was any other dog in the vicinity. Why would you take a dog where there are likely to be other dogs if your own dog is so reactive? After about 30 minutes one of the party of three took the dog away but they should have done it much sooner. My friend is an experienced dog owner. She was sitting facing into the dining area and could see a lot of people were not happy at all the noise.

I rather enjoy it when a dog owner assures me that the unwanted attentions of their unruly dog is because "he's friendly", is to reply "I'm not" and walk purposefully away.

It really isn’t dogs who are the problem, sadly it’s dog owners!

My son has a new puppy.

A dog trainer is booked to come to the house for the next six weeks, just two a week and already into his second week of living with my son and his gf (& their very grumpy two cats), little pup knows not to go upstairs, poos only in the garden, can sit and come.

Chestnut

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.

.... and many have more than one!

polly123

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.

I AM a dog person and I agree.

I don’t like to see dogs in shopping centres at all ever (unless their vets or groomer are based there)

We would never take our dog into a busy shopping area.

I have no issues with well behaved, well trained dogs in hotels, cafes and restaurants but can understand those who don’t like it.

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.

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!

👏👏👏👏👏

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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!

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.

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??