I was at my father's this afternoon and decided to go for a walk around the neighbor while he napped. I was walking on the sidewalk and all of a sudden this Golden Retriever comes charging at me. The owner was about 20 feet away and had a leash in their hand. I yelled at the dog and then at the owner and said "Leash you dog!". They did nothing nothing. So I yelled "You irresponsible jerk!" Then yelled it again and made a left turn and got out of there.
This is a neighbor of my father's and I have seen them before. Now I feel bad about I yelled at them. Should I? I mean the law is that in public all dogs should be leased and under control. This dog was neither. It was not an aggressive breed but still this particular dog was coming after me and barking. What do you think?
Several months back, mil attempted a walker walk with Brothers Wife and mils dog. Said dog startled, mil fell in the confusion, and the paramedics had to haul her off the street. Of course if it’d been someone’s unleashed dog, that person would have been in a boatload of trouble, but as it was, it was her fault. she still has the dog, and if she trips over it in her house, there’s not anything anyone can do about it.
Regular responsible dog walkers need to give a wide berth to humans needing mobility devices, be it a stroller, a walker, cane, wheelchair or whatever. Don’t go up to them like your dog is a therapy dog, not even if it is leashed.
but like I said, you can’t make the street dog free. If like you your father shares these apprehensions, along with his other issues, it might be well nigh to move him into an environment where this fall risk is even more mitigated, such as a dog free facility or condo complex.
I give you props for being honest enough to not be publicly faking concern for the dog as your main concern over behavior. If a dog is unleashed on the street, it’s ok if your main concern is what happens to ppl when a car hits it vs the dog. My fav personally was all these ppl calling us insisting that their noise complaints had to, absolutely had to, be related to animal abuse when really they wanted Aco to come out there and impound it as barking was on code enforcement. Animal control joked about the latter often.
This forum is only helpful if the topics are related to caregiving. Barking dogs, 5th grade report cards, do not belong on Agine Care. I would suggest that Lisa find an online forum more suited to her needs.
People generally ask for opinions to get different perspectives so they can do the right thing. You can go through a long, full life and still not have anywhere near the experiences of someone else. That's why asking for opinions can be beneficial.
"Only an estimated 86,629 (falls) are attributable to pets." "Only"? It seems that that's an important subject for eldercare.
I have the right to to do whatever it takes to protect myself in such a situation. If there is a "negative outcome" with the dog then I am in no way responsible. In fact if I am injured the dog owner might be.
I used to dislike dogs but then I found out the truth - in most cases it's not the dog I dislike but the irresponsible owner! The other discovery is that it is a cultural thing - in different places dogs behave different. It's a refection of the respect dog owners have for their neighbors and their dogs. That's when you can be nice.
And I never suggested to hold your hand out to an unfamiliar dog - who by the way, never touched you - walked away...was more civilized. Let it go already - for your own good.
And yes - it's very clear that you still dislike dogs - I don't understand that at all. My gosh - you are really missing out. The happiest times in my life have been with dogs - all dogs - any dog - just put a dog in front of me - please!
Just try being nice first - stop the judgement already - doesn't it make your day tense ....you're like the "Grinch of Dogs" - yikes! Lighten up - please!
It's also true I was aggressive by yelling but that's what I believe irresponsible dog owners need to hear and experience to change their behavior.
I'm through being a pushover when it comes to these kinds of people. When I look back at my life it has happened countless times. I just remembered one time I was swimming in the ocean in water over my head without lifeguards around (I no longer do this!). This retriever-type dog comes swimming out to me putting it's paws on me and causing a very dangerous situation.
I still remember feeling the dogs nails on my hands and body. I yelled at the dog and anyone nearby and was able to swim back. When I got to shore the dog owner or his dumb friend shouted out me "You're a wimp!". I just got my shoes on, picked up my towel and high tailed it out of there. No more though. Next time I will take a photo of the offending dog and owner, if I can, and forward it to animal control and the police.
Lol about a dog, specifically a golden retriever swimming to you in the ocean and putting their paws on you. What is it with you and that specific breed if dog. It's just uncanny and strange.
And why don't you correct everyone that assumes you are female?
Lisa, you can’t expect a dog free world for you and dad. While it is true that even leashed dogs can be a haz, in truth that’s the best you can expect, that they’re leashed, no matter what the risk is for falls to the population.
Any dog owner should be respected while following the leash law. The opposite is also true. The worst thing anyone wants is a dog caused fatality or injury, human or animal. As I meticulously detailed, this can cost an owner the price of a car even if they win their dogs life at the end. The right thing to do in a public byway is to leash.
So the world can be a lot more "dog friendly". It's just that irresponsible dog owners don't respect their neighbors. It's that simple.
Not that you're owed an explanation, but I have 25 years of service in caregiving without so much as a Post-it note in my work file. Do you? I have never been fired from a position, and my many references are so sterling that The Queen of England would brew her tea on them.
In the mail today was my second approval letter from my state for a homecare agency license in my name.
In my state if you want this kind of license a person can't have anything questionable. Not in one's work or tax history. Not bad credit, and not even an unpaid parking ticket to get this kind of licensing. So if the state who has held me serious scrutiny and pretty much talked to every family and agency I ever worked for in 25 years approves me, then I would hardly be criticized and humbled by the likes of you.
If only there was a finger emoji...
You have repeatedly told this forum how you intimidated your clients.
I have no doubt they were to scared to report the abuse before they died.
No confidence in any reporting in home health care. Not enough resources available for ALL the complaints.
Better bandage that arm, it must be spranged for all the patting yourself on the back:-)
Having the leash in your hand and seeing the dog but not calling it to come as soon as you appeared in the dog's line of sight was the owner's error. Next was the owner's apparent lack of urgency to get that dog onto the leash. Or the dog does not have a very well conditioned response to the command to come - or sit and stay or whatever.
My dog loved to run on the beach. As a puppy she did it with a 2 ft long cotton lead to give me a chance to grab her while she was learning. She. never did master the behavior (due to lack of skill on. my part) so her beach trips were early in the AM, and I kept my eyes on her and scanned all the dogs around us every couple of minutes...so I could get the leash on her if any dog was approaching.
For her safety and the other dog.
Had a couple of owners who were furious that I would not 'let' my dog play with their dog. Blind in one eye, my dog got freaked out if 2 strange dogs came up at the same time....
Try to chalk it up to stupid humans, and let it go. You sure can't control what others do, or their pets.
What I did was quote our county’s law, which is based on California law.
The law here is that if ones cat, rabbit, chicken or other animal is on the owners property and a dog harms or kills it, they can file a report requesting an animal control investigation. The dog will be picked up and involuntarily housed at hundreds of dollars per day to the owner for perhaps months while animal control prepares the case for a judge. Even if they are paying, there are no visitation privileges. If they won’t pay then custody reverts to the shelter, usually ending with a euthanasia.
If, and usually only if, the dog owner retains a lawyer in addition to paying, they may get the reward of being county required to put up 8 foot fences around their property with county issued dangerous dog signs all over it. They are required to inform their homeowners insurance. They are then only allowed to walk said dog with a muzzle for the dogs entire life. Animal control will be by for unscheduled drive bys for the dogs entire life.
20k in 2022 actually is a lowball estimate.
that’s not me talking about opinions. It’s how it actually works.
This is something that is not well known. I discovered it some years ago when I was knocked over by a small, energetic, yappy mutt that wouldn't leave my legs alone and I landed on my hip, which was sore for a week. As usual, the dog owner did not apologize.
PeggySue is spot on about service dogs. My niece's husband trains service dogs. It is a serious training pretty much from the moment that pup is born it starts.
Real service like this who are a blind person's eyes or deaf person's ears or who will be in law enforcement, do not just run over to a stranger to say 'hi'. They are so disciplined that never happens.
Maybe the "service" dogs for people who have emotional problems or anxiety disorders get different training. They are not seeing, hearing, or detecting explosives. Their job is a little easier. Their job can be managed with a little Ativan.
You have some nerve trying to put words in my mouth.
But, I would expect nothing less from someone who justifies elder intimidation and back peddled like a pro when called out.
I'm lunk-headed enough that unless it's foaming at the mouth I welcome dogs charging at me as comic relief and innocent joy, BUT I very much understand being aggressively rushed at as though being attacked, and to have this happen while walking in deep thought makes this surprise an unfortunate combination. Your reaction is totally understandable.
If you're concerned that your reaction was a bit overkill, yes it would have been under better circumstances, which would've been you without troubles, and if the dog owner were more responsible and would've restrained the dog upon the first yank on the leash. This whole event would have been totally avoided. But you were caught off guard and the other party didn't do the right thing.
Sometimes when things go sh*t badly, or viciously startling, I wonder if I may have just been given a smack on the back of my head by fate to sharpen me up as a warning to avert something worse that may be in store for me.
Sometimes I think, after my heart stops thumping and I calm down - Okay, okay, Jeez Louise, what was the lesson? Maybe you're supposed to talk to this person eventually. Maybe you were the best tool to remind this person to do the right thing which actually helps a elderly senior on a stroll the next day.
Yes, I am a little whacky. At any rate, thinking like that softens the lingering discomfort of the episode.
As part of your community of caregivers I totally understand your part. A barking dog can be a fearful dog and/or an aggressive dog. Dog bites are not funny. You may have saved the dog's life by waking up the owner.
Because you question your reaction you definitely sound like a good person.
After a while you will pass that person again. Give a little wave and a nod if you can and build on it. Your dad may need him one day. He may need you.
Anyone has a right to be very concerned when an unleashed dog is coming at them illegally. In doing so, of course, said dog could get run over.
Fences, even low ones, make excellent barriers for dogs. An alternative is natural vegetation. A house near my parents has exotic cacti with five inch thorns as their fence.
People violating leash laws can be videoed just like anyone else in public. Take that evidence to your local animal control, which will have law enforcement powers to correct the situation without even naming you. Please leave this to the professionals.
Golden Retrievers are often friendly to a fault, and this lovable trait makes them fantastic companion dogs but works against them when they're trying to learn to protect someone or something from intruders. They're naturally protective dogs, but they're protective of everyone.
If any owner cares about their dog enough to walk it down a public street, they should care enough to put a leash on it.
Any dog that jumps on people isn't well trained.
You should bother to read your state laws, a leash isn't required if the dog is under voice control in many states. Maybe your dads is one.
You just made yourself look like what you are, so stop being surprised because you are treated like you ask to be.
She also indicates she lives in a populated area. Probably 98 percent of them have a leash law.
Further, if the dog had been under the voice control so many owners profess, it wouldn’t have been snarling at strangers.
Don‘t feel bad.
By the way, the owner was 20 ft in front on me. The dog was like 10 feet in front and I had no idea what it was going to do. It was charging at me and barking; totally unlike a retriever-type of dog.
I checked my city website and there is in fact a leash law all dogs must be on a leash when off of private property.
Barring a prior traumatic incident, I cannot understand anyone not loving animals. Or people thinking they’re dirty and don’t belong inside.
Anyhoo. I do agree they should have kept their dog on a leash. A retriever would probably just lick you to death. The horror! But as an old bumper sticker said, Leashed = Loved.
I’ve had leashed and unleashed dogs come up to me. The owners usually apologize and pull the dog back. Even though I’m one of those people who talks to dogs like they’re toddlers and don’t mind the visit at all!
But unless it’s obvious that a dog is running up to chew your face off, yelling at the owner just makes you look crazy. Or they see you as someone who just hates all animals and doesn’t want any animal in their periphery, thus they don’t give a rat’s butt about your rant.
Years ago I had a similar situation with multiple dogs charging from a yard into the street after me. I yelled at the dogs and owner who stood in his driveway drinking beer and not doing or saying anything. When I yelled I was going to call the police he got in his car and came after me! When he caught up with me he wanted to know where I lived and that I "better not call the police." I literally ran across a field, hopped rocks across a stream and continued running through thick woods and prickly bushes until I got to a road and ran home shaking and scratches all over my legs. I never walked by that neighbors house ever again. That was such a shame as it was beautiful setting.
You sit there and moan about how ppl don’t like your dog? Could that be because you make your dog into a problem for others? Because 99 percent of ppl with actual registered service dogs don’t come at it like this.
If there is a dog coming at you from 10 feet away unleashed like Lisa said, that’s a problem. And if it actually bit Lisa or her father on her property, that dog is probably going down for a dirt nap were it my county.
Im aware Lisa isn’t the most popular poster on this board. She doesn’t have to be. However, that is how it’s gonna go down and it’s up to good dog owners, service dogs or otherwise, to make sure it’s not their dog.
Thats it. If you want to get into ad hominems, I’m gonna decline. I suggest we no longer interact.
Not saying thousands of dollars need to be spent but if you have a dog, then train them or have them trained. Do not think its cute that your dog smells someone (I hate this), jumps up on them or licks their face. I HATE it and will not return to ur home unless the dog becomes better behaved.
Lisa, maybe did overreact, but the guy was a jerk. Standing there with a leash in hand but allowing the dog to run free. I am 5 ft tall and I don't care for large breed dogs. I just read where Labs and Retrievers can be aggressive and I would have not appreciated a dog that big coming at me. Dogs by law are to be leashed at all times and contained on your property with no way to escape.
Our neighbor adopted a dog that looks like an over grown beagle. He is about the size of a Lab. He was sniffing around my house and I wanted to leave. I hollered to the owner to please come get ur dog and he said "he is just wandering around". Dogs lovers don't seem to understand that everyone does not love their dog. That there are people who are afraid of them. If you have this problem again, turn your back to the dog. Show no aggression. I don't see where you need to apologize. The person was a jerk. He should have called his dog back. If the dog is not trained to take commands, it should be leashed at all times. But then a trained dog would not have come at you and a responsible owner would leash their dog,
As my daughter said when I said I was afraid Mom would fall and break something..."they will fall". She literally turned her back on a resident in a wheel chair for a second and in that second the resident was able to stand up and then fell.
These were not shelter dogs. They were from a breeder. The fall happened on our property. I couldn't have proven those dogs were the reason I fell. We didn't have cameras on our property. I probably could have sued our homeowner's insurance though. Then again my medical bills were fully covered and a claim like that would only have risen the premiums.
People need to mind their animals, their kids, and their old folks. The world would be a far less stessful place if they did.
people, especially from other cultures. Bad habit, my fault, and will try to retrain her. A lady my husband knew had to to get rid of her lovely large dog because it jumped up on her and she was injured, as she was disabled. I think this owner was in the wrong. Perhaps, a note explaining your concern causing the shocked response might make him be more careful? I must admit I know of dog owners, and people parents, that excuse egregious behavior by those they have, is raised the right word.? I saw a trainer exhibiting a method to retrain. He attached a long lead and let the dog wander until it ignored the lead, and when the dog jumped, he jerked it knocking the dog over. It was harsh, worked instantly. He explained it was the reason after biting that made people give dogs to shelters. A very bad habit.
I'd give animal control a call too. Let the guy get a nice fine then see how fast he buys a leash for his dog.
I had irresponsible dog owner's as neighbors. They had three little dogs and thought it was fine to just let them all over toour place to crap. I didn't have any dogs myself, yet I had a yard full of crap.
We tried talking to them and that accomplished nothing. The dogs were still at our place several times a day. The final straw was I was bringing in groceries and they were nipping at my feet and I fell on the groceries which also got wrecked.
My husband or myself usually cleaned up their dogs' crap daily from our yard. Only I had a broken foot with two pins in it from the fall. So he had to clean up the dog crap alone for a while and he did.
Everyday after work he'd scoop it up into a big old Hefty garbage bag.
When that bag got good and full, he went next door and dumped it in their swimming pool.
Never saw those dogs in our yard again. The following spring my hubs, FIL, and BIL's put up a fence.