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For the past 2 days I ran laps around my neighborhood using the sidewalks. I do this often and have never had any issues. Well yesterday and today I came head on with a lady and a large, aggressive German Shephard. It tried to bite me every time I ran past them. She walks on the side of the sidewalk with him on the grass, so in theory there is PLENTY of room for me to run by them. But when I dorun by them her dog tries to eat me. She shortens the least and does what she can to stop him, but he got pretty close a few times.
I know, I know...why would I keep running past them if I know her dog is aggressive. Well, IMO she should cross the street when someone is approaching because she is the one with the hard to control dog. So basically I played chicken with her and today I cut my run short because I was fed up and I knew I wouldn't be able to the next time I saw her.
Am I wrong to think that SHE should cross the street or at least move up on the grass to keep people passing her out of harms way? She stands her ground like it's normal to have an out of control dog. I so badly wanted to give her the card to our dog trainer because my German Shepard mix wouldn't hurt a fly and I know it is because we trained him right from the beginning. UGH.
whenever i am walking my dogs and we are passed or approached by a jogger or someone just moving more quickly than we are, i always keep them off to the side and away from the other person.... just common courtesy, imo.....
The owner of the dog who knows it is aggressive, should be the one taking the extra steps to control their dog. They should step off the sidewalk and give the pedestrians distance, cross to the other side, or take some other action. If the dog is simply being a mean spirited dog but is not actually attempting to bite, thats a bit different and hugging it to the owners side may be acceptable. But if it is trying to throw down on you and wants to rumble with its teeth, that's just aggesssion and if the owner is not capable of fully controlling it, the next time you might get bitten.
If this is happening regularly and you can pin down the time that person is out with their dog, contact animal control or who ever has jurisdiction for aggressive dogs and place them on notice with all the details. If they know when to come out and see the actions, they may do so and can take action under aggressive dog laws if needed.
I always move to the side and let the person pass. However it doesn't sound like this lady has a clue and if she does she certainly has no shame. For me confrontation with a person like that just leads to me being more frustrated. I would make a big production of giving her dog a wide berth and probably drop the trainers business card on the sidewalk.
If I were a jogger I would be looking ahead of me at all times for potential issues.
Rather than "play chicken" and come home early -- and angry -- I would focus on how I could make my jog more enjoyable.
IMHO, you can focus on who is right and who is wrong or you can choose to enjoy your run and decide to avoid potential problems.
To me, this is an example of "doing the same thing expecting a different outcome"... if you know what I mean.
Yes, ^^^ that! A lot easier for the jogger to run around on the street than for the dog walker to avert the jogger. Running towards a dog -- especially a protective breed -- can stir him up. He might assume you are a potential attacker. IMHO, common sense says the person who can accommodate the situation more easily should extend him/herself. Its being a gentleman to just make it a bit easier for a dog walker when you both have equal rights to the sidewalk......
Yes, ^^^ that! A lot easier for the jogger to run around on the street than for the dog walker to avert the jogger. Running towards a dog -- especially a protective breed -- can stir him up. He might assume you are a potential attacker.
IMHO, common sense says the person who can accommodate the situation more easily should extend him/herself.
Its being a gentleman to just make it a bit easier for a dog walker when you both have equal rights to the sidewalk......
I'm so glad you brought up the fact that a runner running toward them would seem threatening to most dogs...
I agree totally with your post. Thank you!
Last edited by World Citizen; 02-23-2011 at 04:28 PM..
I always move to the side and let the person pass. However it doesn't sound like this lady has a clue and if she does she certainly has no shame. For me confrontation with a person like that just leads to me being more frustrated. I would make a big production of giving her dog a wide berth and probably drop the trainers business card on the sidewalk.
oooh, I like this. She has no clue and no shame, it's pretty clear. I'd like to think I have the nerve to drop her a business card, too
Big dogs don't bother me, but big dogs that are stronger than their owner and who try to lunge at me passing them do. My version of running is not fullspeed ahead...it's more of a jog, but yes, this can seem threatening to an unsocialized/aggressive/protective dog. I just think that it wouldn't take much to walk up on the grass if you have an aggressive dog. Our sidewalks are heavily used by people of all ages and not all of them will know that she can't control her dog when passing, especially kids who don't know any better and will walk up to any dog.
Ok here goes, why in the heck is this an issue. Jog across the street. The owner is an idiot but who cares. What can you control? YOURSELF.
Just an assumption but the running was probably triggering the Chase, tackle and kill instinct that is very strong in Germans. Why do you think they make such great guard and police dogs?
Ok that's solved anyone want to hear the cure for cancer?
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the next time I saw her.
