Why did strange dog jump up on me, aiming for my face?

Chewbacca

I wonder why there's been an upsurge in dogs suddenly leaping out and up at people recently? Walks in the countryside, streets and even church yards no longer seem to be safe these days without an errant dog lying in wait. Should I be worried?

I blame Brexit

Look to the owners, not the dogs.

All dogs should be kept on a lead in public places. All owners know the temperament of their dogs, probably over excited and just wanted to play, but very annoying that the owner just ignored it! I wouldn’t be happy

The simple answer is that the dog was badly trained.

I would have told the owner that he needs to control his dog, or keep it on a lead.

I find it frightening walking where there a loose dogs. I have balance problems and osteoporosis, so I could easily be knocked over by an over-exuberant dog; and if that happened there is a high chance of me breaking something. And I certainly would not be able to get up.

I know that people love their dogs, but it is beyond annoying - it is frankly dangerous - when they do not control them when out in public.

I try and walk in the local woods most days and, to be fair, most owners control their dogs (probably because it is Duchy land and they know they would be banned) - but it only takes one to do damage.

And even if an uncontrolled dog does not cause you physical harm, why would you want to be covered in mud, or slobbered over?

I carry a dog dazer - harmless to the dogs, but effective when needed. I wish it was not necessary; but sadly it is.

I seem to be remember there being guidance that you shouldn’t pat strange dogs (as in unknown to you ..not weird!) as their owners have patted them etc...I’m talking Covid. Another reason why owners need to be a little more vigilant.

Is this the poster who's posted before about dogs jumping up at her?

Having had kennels, kept and trained many dogs over the years, I’m appalled at the current surge in dog ownership by many I consider unsuitable.
A programme last night on tv concluded ‘12 puppies and me’.
I would say more than half hadn’t a clue how to home a puppy, expecting it to be ‘at home, well behaved and fully trained within a few weeks’ and rushing off to bring in pet behaviourists at the drop of a hat when things didn’t go their way. A puppy is a living thing, with a personality - not an inanimate object to look at and polish! I foresee many young dogs up for rehoming when people get back to work and bored dogs not used to being left home alone have ‘toilet’ troubles and wreck the house just for something to do. Others will end up crated for half their lives in an effort to curtail ‘bad’ behavior.

However - back to the OP. Turning away is a good idea as it shows the dog you’re not interested. Raising a knee as the dog jumps is also helpful - it catches the dog on the breast bone and it soon learns not to jump up. Any sort of noisy reaction could make a dog more excited - it can’t tell the difference between a scream of terror and one of excitement and encouragement. If I were the OP, and so concerned, I think I’d chose somewhere else to walk.

We had a large male golden retriever and, as a puppy, the breeder told us to attach a length of string to his collar and hold him down when he greeted people. This worked very well. He would do a happy dance with people he knew but didn’t jump up. She also insisted he needed a good free run every day to keep in shape.

A lot of people bought dogs during lockdown when there were no training/socialising classes available. They’ve possibly not realised how much time and effort training a puppy takes, especially for the inexperienced

Trick is not to make eye contact as that signals you are up for some fun. Hands in pockets or down by your side signalling you are not going to pet or stroke them. If you can bring your knee up (no need to bash the animal) that helps. If you have a walking stick and can hold it out across your body (without over balancing) that will signal “go away” as well. Turning you back works as well when possible.

I can’t remember the last time I walked anywhere that dogs might be roaming free.

Try the “police officer” stop. Flat of hand ? and say STOP in an assertive voice.

oldbat that works for me too, I usually say SIT and then down, most dogs seem to be trained with the flat of the hand out these days, try to do it before they get too close, then you still have time to turn away if it doesn’t work.
Most dogs just want a pat and a hello.

I've posted before about a few incidents with dogs. A neighbour had hold of a stray in her front garden. I went out to investigate. I don't like dogs but it looked sad so I bent down to speak to it. It leapt up and went for my face. It also attacked the dog catcher.
The police got involved and they told me that if it had locked its jaws onto my face it would never have let go.
On another occasion, I was passing a woman with a labrador on a lead. As I overtook them it jumped up at me. Its paws were on my (white) coat. When the owner dragged it off, my coat was muddy and there was a small tear in it. The owner didn't apologise and was trying not to laugh
I was too shocked to speak. My coat was ruined.

MawBe

Chewbacca

I wonder why there's been an upsurge in dogs suddenly leaping out and up at people recently? Walks in the countryside, streets and even church yards no longer seem to be safe these days without an errant dog lying in wait. Should I be worried?

I blame Brexit

??

Some flippant remarks on here about unruly dogs. Six months down the line after being knocked over by ‘ dogs playing’
Spending nearly a week in hospital after suffering broken arm and leg. Having metal plate and pins to fix broken leg.
Still in pain and still having physio.
I’m a dog owner and dog lover. No I don’t blame Brexit..I blame owners who can’t be a***d to train their dogs ?

Luckygirl what is a dog dazer? I think I’d like a couple !!

It is a small hand held device that emits a very high-pitched sound, not audible to human ears (except apparently some very young children) and dogs do not like it and back off. Some dog owners use them when training their dogs.

Lots on amazon.

The dog was just saying hello. The owner should have their dog under control, though.

A few years ago, I was in the forest with my puppy and an elderly friend. A huge Akita came running up to us, jumped up with his paws on my shoulders and stared at me.

It seemed expressionless to me - so I had no idea if it was friendly or hostile. I averted my eyes, stood still and froze.

Eventually, a man came running up and said 'It's OK, he's friendly, still only a puppy!'

We didn't know that, did we?

I was shaken, my friend was terrified, no knowing what to do. Always it's the idiot owner at fault - not the dog.

The dog was just saying hello - no "just" about it - some people do not want other people's dogs saying hello!!!!

Responsible dog owners know this.

You put your hand up and in a loud voice say NO .

Yes, I agree, dogs should always be kept in a lead but NOT those extending leads which allow the dog to roam where it wants and wrap itself around other people's legs!

Well as Awesomegranny hasn’t been back since she started this thread she’s either dreadfully traumatised or popped off for a long cup of coffee

moggie57

You put your hand up and in a loud voice say NO .

I tied that once........the owner told me NOT to shout at her dog!

I have a dog who is always kept on her lead cos she's a rescue and don't know what she did in her first 3 years of her life and I certainly can't have her jumping on people. As I child I was bitten badly on my face by a strange dog, hate the scars it left, another inch and it would of got my eye. I've always had my own dog though, but knowing the damage they can cause she will remain on her lead.

We have a major footpath running past our house and, with lockdown it is almost as busy as the M1 with families and couples walking, all of whom seem to have a dog, often a young dog.

DH and I have come to the conclusion that whenever anyone buys a house on one of the many new developments around the village on the day of completion the new owner is given the frontdor key and a puppy.

I do a lot of walking round our area and a couple of years ago I met a woman struggling to control to bull terrier type dogs, they were clearly too strong for her and they both leapt up at me, and it was not to show how pleased they were to see me. Thankfully both were wearing muzzles but one rammed into my arm and left a nasty bruise there.

I kept a wary eye open for those dogs for sometime after but haven't seen them since.