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

I’m small and have mobility impairments and balance issues. To all the mockers in this and previous threads, having a dog of any size bounding towards me and/or jumping up is a terrifying experience.

As to why they do this, it’s because the owners are selfish and entitled.

Why the cynicism and mockery towards the OP?

I was knocked down and walked all over by a pair of 'friendly' boxers when I was just a child. I avoid all dogs I can and assume they are dangerous unless they are on a lead.

I’m getting very jittery when I walk my little dog now. So many big dogs have leapt all over her. The owners always say they’re only playing. My little dog doesn’t like it. She tries to avoid and hides between my legs which makes the other dog run around me. I’m either going to get knocked over or bitten. So many dogs out of control and it makes , what should be a lovely walk , into a worrisome pastime.

I agree with Nezumi an overly excitable dog which is not properly trained or under the control of its owner.
Gives responsible owners a bad name and of course is upsetting for non dog lovers.

I'm a dog-lover and former owner, but not for many years. Have never been scared of any type of dog, even very big exuberant ones.

But I have to say I'm increasingly becoming a dog-owner hater!

There is definitely an increase in unruly dogs off the lead in the park and the commensurate amount of dog sh*t left behind.

A recent incident: a medium-size dog jumped at me as I passed by and a front claw dug into my groin! Fortunately I had on thickish tracky bottoms so the claw didn't pierce the fabric but I certainly felt the jab. Needless to say the owner was long gone as he was on a bike with the dog running behind him.

Sound advice Iam64

There are some responses here from posters who are barely concealing their disdain of a previous poster that reported being knocked over by a large dog.

It's never ok for a dog to jump up and/or knock someone over and is the dog owners responsibility to not allow it to happen, by keeping their dog on a lead.

Yes Chewbacca, don't leave the house. There seem to be dangerous jumping dogs everywhere at the moment.

It shouldn’t happen ! Sad to say it often does, daily I take my dogs to a spot where they can go off lead for a good free run, however my toy poodle (massive I know) is a pest. When I spot others walkers 90% of the time I will recall him and put him on the lead as he does make a beeline and jump up on them. It is purely to greet them as believes everyone to be friends.

It wasn’t an ‘attack’ but if an owner knows that their dog is excitable then it should be on a lead. In fact IMO all dogs should be walked on leads in public spaces.

Just stay home chewbacca - it's safer!

I always wonder if a dog jumps up at an adult, aiming for their face, what possible damage could they do to a small child?

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?

If they run at you turn your back to them. My daughter has a wire haired vizla who always jumped at me and that's what I do.

There seems a lot of charging dogs on GN lately
Deja vue

You need to swap notes with Lavazza1 and find out how she deals with (over) exuberant dogs.

He was saying hello & was over excited. Jumping up with paws on shoulder is a very exited dog.

Should be under better control outside or on a lead really.

Owner should have been in better control or hugely apologetic. But he wasn’t attacking you.

As a dog owner I’m totally fed up of many other dog owners. You should see the comments on Facebook of dog owners not understanding why people get angry when their dog runs up to people or other dogs.

Get a dog dazer.

Unruly dogs will jump up when just being friendly but if you aren’t a doggy person( of which I’m one) it can be scary. It’s really the owners fault for not controlling their dog nothing that you did.

Honestly, people and their dogs. I'm tired of pooches jumping up at me when out for a walk. Even worse when the owner shouts 'it's alright, he won't hurt you'. Possibly not, but what about the mud all over my clothes? Grr.

Are you the poster who regularly has dogs charging at them when out for a walk?
You need to carry a big stick?