Owners Of Reactive Dogs Vent About Ignorant People Who Provoke Their Pups Outside

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elina lee
Apr 7, 2022 12:00 PM EDT

Hello ICanHasers, we hope y'all are well! And just like that, we bring you another Dog-related Reddit discussion. Sorry cat people, it's doggo time. 

If you've ever owned a reactive dog, you may relate to the following. Feeling like the smallest thing that comes so easy to other dogs (or dog owners) is so difficult for (you and) your dog. Like walking down the street, going to the dog park, or even inviting people over. There are countless reasons for reactivity in dogs, there is no way to categorize them into just one box. The most important thing to remember is that reactive does not necessarily mean aggressive. 

Oftentimes, parents of reactive dogs will take them on walks during less busy times of the day and in less busy areas to avoid negative altercations. This allows both the owner and the dog to enjoy their time outside. If you ever encounter a reactive dog, don't ever provoke him/her. Always make sure to ask dog owners whether it's okay to come up and pet the dog. With that said, we present to you a Reddit discussion where dog owners discuss ignorant strangers that like to purposefully provoke dogs, despite owners' warning. 

 

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  • 01
    Font - Posted by u/cheesycheese84577 14 hours ago Ignorant strangers make training difficult Vent
    via u/cheesycheese84577
  • 02
    Mammal - I have two 65 Ib dogs. One is very friendly and the other is reactive to dogs, especially while on a leash. She has overcome her fear of people over the years and does so much better on walks but we still struggle with meeting other dogs while on leash.
    via u/cheesycheese84577
  • 03
    Font - So this morning. My husband goes into the coffee shop and I go wait in the completely empty parking lot at the back with the 2 dogs and my infant in the stroller. We are all sitting down, baby is having a bottle and these two men and a small dog start walking straight for us. I thought surely they aren't going to come to us. As they got closer I said "One of my dogs does not like other dogs." So they started to walk around us. Their dog started to pull to my happy retriever and their dog
    via u/cheesycheese84577

    'He came a little closer and finally turned away and pulled his dog with him, while muttering "This is why I hate f*cking dogs" and other things under his breath.'

    Sorry not sorry, but is this guy okay? What in the world would make anyone feel like it's okay to approach someone with a reactive dog after they've told you constantly not to? Wouldn't you feel scared for your dog at least? 

  • 04
    Organism - I am SO upset right now but so proud of my dog who usually lunges, snarls and acts terrified. She was relatively well behaved for having some random dog come right up into her space WITH OUR BABY AROUND. She got lots of head scratches for being a good pup. I cannot comprehend why some people act the way they do. They make it so difficult to work on better behaviour with my dog.
    via u/cheesycheese84577

    "…so proud of my dog who usually lunges, snarls and acts terrified. She was relatively well behaved for having some random dog come right up into her space WITH OUR BABY AROUND. She got lots of head scratches for being a good pup." 

    As you should! Your doggo is truly a G!

  • 05
    Human body - I'm working on being more vocal and I was so proud of myself for telling them first before my dog did anything. But it didn't matter in the end because these people didn't care. Should I have handled this differently?
    via u/cheesycheese84577
  • 06
    Font - mizgekko · 13 hr. ago Slow walking, older man ignoring his off-leash dog that romped around the park, running up to people and other dogs, including people who clearly were uncomfortable having a strange dog jump on them, and toward me with my reactive dogs, after I call out to him to leash his dog or control it: "He won't hurt your damn dog, lady. Chill out, willya?"
    via u/mizgekko
  • 07
    Font - "Yes, but my dog might kill yours. Also, leash law?" And me to a lady with her dog straining at the leash to come "greet" my reactive dogs. I am literally holding my dogs back as they lunge and snarl. "Lady, please don't come any closer. My dogs don't like other dogs." She stops and huffs at me, "Well! You shouldn't bring them to the park, then!"
    via u/mizgekko
  • 08
    Font - Um, yes I should? Because I'm training my reactive dogs? Because some people don't deliberately walk up to random strange dogs they don't know under the assumption that every dog wants to be greeted by your exuberant pup? Some people have the ability to recognize the body language of the dog handler and the reactive dog and give a wide berth? Well, then there's you ...
    via u/mizgekko
  • 09
    Dress - sixup604 · 13 hr. ago · edited 9 hr. ago This is why I hate f*cking people. 10 Ibs of stupid in a 5 lb bag, that guy, lol.
    via u/sixup604
  • 10
    Font - sarahsam55 · 11 hr. ago People are idiots. That's all I can say. I was walking my dog today and 2 women(each with a dog) were going to be crossing paths with me. I always walk my dog on my left, but when dogs are coming I switch him to my right. That's usually enough of a signal that I need to keep my dog more distant. Some people get the cue and will switch their dog. But today these 2 dogs were pulling straight ahead, the smaller dog started barking at my dog and the bigger dog started
    via u/sarahsam55
  • 11
    Font - underthemound · 12 hr. ago You, a woman, were alone in the back of a parking lot, feeding your infant, and this strange man comes toward you?! That alone is creepy, even if you had only your easy dog with you. People need to learn basic spatial awareness and respect! You could have said, "Don't bother me or I am calling the cops."
    via u/underthemound
  • 12
    Font - Sippy-Cupp · 8 hr. ago I was walking my dog in a local park in not the best weather (cold and threatening rain) thinking we'd be less likely to run into other dogs. Well here comes this old man with his tiny poodle mix, who was only half secured in its harness (only 1 leg was in its proper strap) on a long retractable leash. As I'm struggling to keep my boy by my side as he's lunging for this man's dog, the old man was laughing. Seriously? You think it would be funny if he got away from m
    via u/Sippy-Cupp
  • 13
    Rectangle - stink3rbelle · 12 hr. ago I have this neighbor who has two dogs. Not every time I see them, but a few times I've tried to holler at him (as friendly as possible) about my dog. This dude looks at me like he doesn't understand what purpose human speaking serves.
    via u/stink3rbelle
  • 14
    Human body - BurtskeefDay · 9 hr. ago Sometimes I don't even know if we can have a good day because some stranger will ignore our open requests to leave us alone.
    via u/BurtskeefDay

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opinion dogs strangers discussion reactive-dogs doggo dog shaming training ignorant
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