Radical Canines

Last weekend I went with a friend to an outdoor sculpture trail in Southern NH. It was pretty cool. There were multiple trails with a variety of sculptures along them to take in and it was dog friendly, so naturally I brought along one of the boys. When it comes to picking who gets to come along on these trips, lots of things go into play but at the end of the day, Ryder’s the most bomb proof, Rumor can be a bit whiney when there’s down time (stopping to look at sculptures and/or chat), and Rugby doesn’t appreciate dogs invading his space. Now the website says, “Dogs are allowed on the property but must be under your control at all times.” Which essentially means they are not required to be on leash BUT if they are off leash they need to respond to verbal commands extremely well. I opted for Ryder because lots of people *think* their dog is reliable off leash, when in fact they are not and I just didn’t want to risk it. Turns out it was a great choice!

When we got there the parking lot was packed and there were maybe 5 dogs in the parking lot, all on leash, all minding their own business more or less. Some were a bit bark-y but their owners did a good job of keeping their dogs managed otherwise and no one insisted their dog meet mine. Off we went on the trails. Now Ryder is pretty good off leash, but I wouldn’t say he’s 100% reliable with other dogs and people around without my full attention and management. I wanted to chat and enjoy the sculptures, which meant, he stayed on leash. He did great. Heeled when I asked him to, sat for pictures, ignored people and other dogs when I asked. Great.

About halfway through, we are stopped off the side of the trail, checking out a sculpture when a group approaches with their off leash dog. They don’t call their dog back to them, or really make any attempt to control their dog. Of course the dog beelines straight for Ryder, he’s staring and does not even look at me or my friend, and once he gets to Ryder, he’s posturing and stiff (generally not a great indication of things to come). So I do my best to block Ryder and position myself between this strange dog and Ryder. Up walks the group, and I ask them to please call their dog, which they do and GUESS WHAT!? the dog ignores them 100%. That’s when I hear them, my least favorite words when out in public with my dogs, “Oh, he’s friendly.” As though that suddenly makes their dog’s rude behavior okay. Again, I ask them to please call their dog, or come get him if he won’t listen. They in turn tell me that he just wants to say hi and play. At this point, I’m annoyed, and tell them if they don’t have control of their dog they really should have him on a leash and need to come get their dog. Finally they realize, I’m not going to ooooh and ahhhh all other their dog and quickly come over the drag their dog away.

So why is this such an issue? With Ryder it’s not the worst thing, though still unappreciated. He’s pretty easy going and doesn’t usually start things BUT, they don’t know that and it very easily could have been a dog, like Rugby, who doesn’t appreciate strange dogs invading his space. In the past, I’ve been told I shouldn’t bring my dog in public if I don’t want him greeting other dogs/people. Maybe if we were talking about a dog park that might be an acceptable answer, but this is a trail where the expectation is that dogs are under control at all times. Why should dogs who don’t appreciate space invaders have to be kept at home and not be allowed to go on outings with their people just because someone else thinks it’s fine for their dog to be rude? Even with Ryder and Rumor, who are generally pretty neutral (though Rumor tends to have a kick me target), I still prefer not allowing greetings with strange dogs because I have no idea what their dog might do, and I’d prefer my dogs attention be on me not other dogs/people.

I also don’t love the way this particular dog approached. As soon as he saw Ryder, he locked eyes on him and did not look away. He was also stiff in his body and posturing and his tail was stiff and up. All of these things can be warning signs that the interaction isn’t going to go great. There was no play bowing, looking away or tail wagging. All of these things can be nothing or can be indicators the interaction is going to go south rather quickly. Now all this to say, if you’re out and someone doesn’t have control of their dog, stay calm but be an assertive advocate for your dog. Be direct with how you need them to respond especially if they are not making any attempt (call your dog, come get your dog, please leash or hold your dog, etc.) If you are approaching another person with (or without a dog) make sure you have control of your dog. This means you have 100% verbal control of them and if you do not they need to be leashed. Don’t just assume the other person or their dogs wants an interaction with you and your dog. If you really feel the need to pursue an interaction, ASK FIRST, not as you allow your dog to approach or after the fact, AND here’s the kicker, RESPECT THE ANSWER! There are lots of reasons why someone doesn’t want their dog meeting your dog, even if your dog is friendly. It’s not hard to be respectful of other people and their dogs when you are out with yours.

Have you had unwanted or unwelcomed interactions with dogs in public? How do you and your dog handle it? Do you dread hearing, “Oh they’re friendly!” as much as I do?