'Get your dog away from me': Woman on a walk has unleashed German Shepherd jump on her out of nowhere, the owner of the dog laughs in her face, trying to calm her down instead of controlling the dog, until she finally snaps

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Jul 23, 2025 11:00 AM EDT

Being a dog owner comes with a certain list of responsibilities. These are things that you have to be aware of, have to respect. And one of these things, shocking as it is, because dogs are adorable and that's pretty much a fact, is that… some people actually don't like dogs. Yes, unbelievable, but that does happen. And if you're going to go on a walk with your dog and unleash it, that is something that you simply must be aware of. 

And even though we tend to take the side of the owners in these kinds of cases, this time, we absolutely cannot do it. Because not only did this man let his German Shepherd run around unleashed, he also wasn't watching the dog carefully enough, ignored the screams of the woman that the dog jumped on, diminished her feelings and concerns, and then actually had the audacity to act like he was somehow the victim in the situation. 

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  • 01

    "[Am I wrong] for saying 'I’m not' when a dog owner said their dog was friendly?"

    "I kept trying to politely push the dog away... but it was very intent on getting the food I was eating."
    via Unsplash / Alexander Naglestad

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 02
    I wanna start this off by saying I don't like dogs. I don't hate dogs at all, don't get me wrong, I think they're very cute and I can see why some people like them, but I'm just personally not a fan. I wanna emphasize that I don't dislike. dogs, I just don't really like them. I'm much more of a cat person.
    via EggsBenedict116
  • 03
    Earlier this morning, I was walking through a park, when this unleashed German Shepherd (I think) came running at me and tried jumping on me. Naturally, I jumped back and screamed. I kept trying to politely push the dog away, backing away, all that, but it was very intent on getting the food I was eating.
    via EggsBenedict116
  • 04
    The owner finally approached, and I was relieved, until he started laughing and encouraging the dog to play with me, saying it was fine because "she's friendly, she just wants to play!"
    via EggsBenedict116
  • 05
    I tried explaining that I didn't want to play, but the guy just kept emphasizing the dog was friendly, until I snapped and said "well I'm not, so get your dog away from me".
    via EggsBenedict116
  • 06
    The guy was all huffy and puffy for a while, acting all shocked that someone could ever possibly not want a muddy dog jumping all over them and ruining their favorite shirt. Finally, the guy called the dog back and I went along with my day.
    via EggsBenedict116
  • 07
    About an hour ago, I told my mom about the whole ordeal and she said I was unnecessarily rude and could have just walked away, which is something I have a hard time doing bc I tend to freeze when my fight or flight is triggered. So aita for telling a guy I'm "not friendly" to dogs?
    via EggsBenedict116
  • 08
    Cheezburger Image 10532023552
    via Unsplash / Tayla Kohler

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Look, we love dogs, but we do also understand that not everyone does. Keeping your dog off its leash when you're walking with it outside means keeping an eye on it at all times and doing your best to keep it away from strangers. And it certainly means not laughing in the face of someone who wants you dog off them. 

  • 09
    KatzAKat NTA and that's a great comeback. I've known people with dog phobias and that guy is putting them in great jeopardy.
    via KatzAKat
  • 10
    EggsBenedict116 OP Ty I had seen some people say that about their own dogs so it was like the first thing that came to mind
    via EggsBenedict116
  • 11
    Available-Love7940 NTA! Basically, he was handwaving his dog's actions (and his shittiness as a dog owner). And, in honesty, I think he was getting his kicks off his dog tormenting you, or he wouldn't have encouraged the dog to continue.
    via Available-Love7940
  • 12
    EggsBenedict116 OP That could totally be the case. I'm young and kind of feminine presenting so I do get a lot of weirdos interacting with me to the point I'm starting to not want to go on my morning walks anymore
    via EggsBenedict116
  • 13
    Cheezburger Image 10532023808
    via Unsplash / Pedro Sanz

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 14
    Specialist-Owl2660 NTA! I hate when dog people think everyone will love their dog just because they are not biting someone. There are several circumstances in which a dog makes someone uncomfortable. Here are a few: 1.) Having been attacked by a dog. A giant animal running up can be triggering. 2.) Having a natural flight or freeze response that makes these interactions panic inducing.
    via Specialist-Owl2660
  • 15
    3.) NO REASON at all. Guess what some people don't owe you an explanation about whether they do or do not want to be near your animal. Your mom is wrong, the owner is wrong. When you are a pet owner you should abide by the same rules as a parent. Control your kid and don't let them run up to strangers. Control your dog and don't let them run up to strangers.
    via Specialist-Owl2660
  • 16
    BeGayDoThoughtcrime There's also 4) Hella allergic and doesn't want to deal with the side effects of Benadryl at work
    via BeGayDoThoughtcrime
  • 17
    Wonderful_Two_6710 NTA. I love dogs. This dog owner makes the rest of us look bad. I would have no issues telling him that if I see his dog off of its leash again I'll call animal control (if there's a leash law where you live, of course.)
    via Wonderful_Two_6710
  • 18
    Cheezburger Image 10532023040
    via Unsplash / Julia - jules2009

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • We are glad to see that this one does not seem to be controversial. People agree. The woman is in the right, the dog owner is in the wrong, and what was missing here is a basic level of respect and self-consciousness. 

  • 19
    Distinct_Arugula9953 NTA! It's incredibly rude and scary to let a big dog run up to strangers. How were you supposed to know it was friendly? That kind of situation could give the right person a heart attack.
    via Distinct_Arugula9953
  • 20
    Discount_Mithral NTA. I LOVE dogs, and even I don't want a large, muddy dog jumping up on me trying to get my food. The fact this guy encouraged this behavior is just awful. I don't know where you are, but he likely should have had his dog leashed. (I know not all areas have strict leash laws.) Your response was fine, IMO.
    via Discount_Mithral

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dogs german shepherd drama interesting snap reddit story doggo walking
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