Doggie Rage

RunToFart

I know its been discussed before but had a good one tonight:

Running into the wind dying a death and a lady and her dog were up ahead. The dog was on a lead so i gave what i thought was a wide berth. As I pass the dog goes for me but the lead stops it just at my ankles.... before i have a chance to flip out the lady goes "you shouldn't be running in a public place"... i pause to digest it.... "are you for real" is my response. "Would you not f*ck off to the olympics"..... again i have to pause.
I compose myself and we have a wonderful discussion where she compliments me on my ignorance and i compliment her on how lucky her boyfriend is among other things. I have now signed her as both my coach and agent and we are going to the olympics. Which is nice.

robinph

Crazy woman with dog wrote:

you shouldn't be running in a public place

Love that line.

Peckham

Not knowing this woman, but you can be pretty sure she's the type of dog owner who lets her dog poop all over the footpath. :mad:

rigal

RunToFart wrote: »

"Would you not f*ck off to the olympics".....

Classic line.. When I get a dog I'm going to use it...

thirtyfoot

Great stuff RunToFart!!

I was doing a run in St Annes once and had a run in with what I would regard as a decent sized dog. I was doing reps and he chased me on my 2nd last rep. On my last rep he chased me again and (what I thought at the time) nicked me on the calf with his owner running towards me and laughing and calling his name and waving his lead (I presume unaware that I believed he nicked me at the time). On believing he had nicked me I stopped and got him square in the jaw with a kick. She went bananas and starting shouting that I was a big hard man kicking a little puppy. He was a decent sized dog in my eyes and fair game based on the fact that I thought he nicked me. In the end he hadn't as my Ron Hill tights with stirrups had saved me.

Question is that when this happens and a dog attacks/harrasses/nicks you, is it ok to lash out and give him/her a kick? I felt good at the time and justified but later regretted it. Ever since I have always regretted it and now when I hear how RunToFart handled it believed that is the better way. Having said that it was some kick.

Enduro

Question is that when this happens and a dog attacks/harrasses/nicks you, is it ok to lash out and give him/her a kick? I felt good at the time and justified but later regretted it. Ever since I have always regretted it and now when I hear how RunToFart handled it believed that is the better way. Having said that it was some kick.

I think dogs are fantastic (we've always had at least one and more usually two down in the old ancestoral homeland), but even at that I would say that if the dog is being aggressive (As oppossed to playful) then yeah, a good kick that it'll remember and not want repeated. Dogs are intelligent, and well capable of learning (often unlike the owners). You might be saving the dog's life in the long term (If it attacked someone, such as a small child, it might have to be put down). Ultimately it is the owners fault for not training their dog correctly.

jinka

Well my last resort would be to kick the dog. I'd kick the owner though. Not really the dogs fault if his owner is an ignorant oaf.The good thing is when you are a runner you can easily out run the owner.

theduke1

The good thing is when you are a runner you can easily out run the owner.[/quote]

what if the owner is usain bolt?

MrCreosote

Tingle wrote: »

Question is that when this happens and a dog attacks/harrasses/nicks you, is it ok to lash out and give him/her a kick? I felt good at the time and justified but later regretted it. Ever since I have always regretted it and now when I hear how RunToFart handled it believed that is the better way. Having said that it was some kick.

If a dog is attacking you then of course you're justified kicking it. That's just self preservation. I've done it plenty of times myself. What's the other option- let Mr Ruffles chew on your leg while his owner catches up?

After all, what is our greatest hero of all time most famous for? That right! DRIVING HIS SLIOTAR DOWN SOME OFF-THE-LEAD DOG'S THROAT!

TheRoadRunner

Tingle wrote: »

Great stuff RunToFart!!

Question is that when this happens and a dog attacks/harrasses/nicks you, is it ok to lash out and give him/her a kick? I felt good at the time and justified but later regretted it. Ever since I have always regretted it and now when I hear how RunToFart handled it believed that is the better way. Having said that it was some kick.

During the Summer I threw an aggressive Jack Russell into the royal canal. I had a history with both the dog and owner in the past. I have a dog myself by the way and would consider myself a dog lover.

Domer

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

During the Summer I threw an aggressive Jack Russell into the royal canal.

Was the owner still attached???

TheRoadRunner

Domer wrote: »

Was the owner still attached???

no I couldn't budge her fat ar$e

plodder

I come across a lot of yappy dogs, in the rural roads where I run. My policy is to ignore them unless they come very close, looking like they're going to bite. Then I turn around and chase them with the aim of giving a good kick. Haven't succeeded yet.

thirtyfoot

theduke1 wrote: »

what if the owner is usain bolt?

Something like that happened at a Worlds or one of the big meets a few years ago. A couple of US sprinters were out for a walk and right in front of them a guy stole a women's handbag and did a legger. One of the sprinters was Maurice Greene. Needless to say the handbag thief was caught.

catweazle

Theres two sets of bastards near me, the first set I thought running on the other side of the road was stopping them but that works only if a car is coming at the same time. One is a particularly nasty piece of work, the small one of course, even running back at him doesnt scare him, he is angling in from the side for the bite then.

The second set are fine as long as you walk past them but go nuts if you run, they are big dogs so running after them isnt an option. This annoys me as I dont feel the time counts if I get a 20 second walking break in the middle of it

I have complained a few times and my OH has got into a few blazing arguments with them, but the next day they are there again outside the houses waiting for us.

I like dogs in general but I have thought about driving down beforehand and leaving a stick just before the houses, its either that or ringing the dog warden, although I am loathe to do that, as then I think it will get very messy with them.

Its a real piss off as I am put off even running that route and it is just shy of 5 miles, the other local route is just over 4 so I have to run down the end of the road again and back to get it up to 5 miles but the dogs on that route are all friendly

Cool Running

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

During the Summer I threw an aggressive Jack Russell into the royal canal. I had a history with both the dog and owner in the past. I have a dog myself by the way and would consider myself a dog lover.

Reminds me of the anchorman scene:D

shels4ever

One thing that really pisses me off is thoese extendable leads . people see you coming and still think its ok to take up the whole path .:eek:

TFBubendorfer

plodder wrote: »

I come across a lot of yappy dogs, in the rural roads where I run. My policy is to ignore them unless they come very close, looking like they're going to bite. Then I turn around and chase them with the aim of giving a good kick. Haven't succeeded yet.

I do exactly the same, and still treasure the one moment when I actually managed to connect with one particularly slow mutt. Of course I also hurt my shin in the process.

Normally I would not dream of kicking an animal (or its owner ), but when they are aggressive and getting close enough to bite then a defensive move is more than justified.

I've been bitten twice - by the same dog no less. The gardai were complete uninterested when I reported it, though.

robinph

If the creatures are a nusiance to the public then just that is surely enough reason to contact the dog warden type people? Nusiance being as "minor" as a constantly barking mutt or out of control and chasing people down the street in my book.

Have no love for any four legged creatures myself and think they should all be banned from being kept as pets, just to keep them well away from me. I've managed to avoid any incidents with them for a while now though thankfully.

plodder

I've heard that neither dog wardens nor the Gardai can get involved in normal doggy disputes. The reason is that it's a dispute between you and the dog owner, and what you're supposed to do apparently (if talking to the owner doesn't work) is go to the district court office and fill out a form there. It's up to the court to sort it out then.

robinph

What are the dog wardens for then if it's not to sort out dogs?

plodder

robinph wrote: »

What are the dog wardens for then if it's not to sort out dogs?

Good question. I heard the above on the Joe Duffy (or Derek Mooney?) show. There's some information about it here. I imagine that dog wardens would be able to tell you what you can do in most cases, if they can't act themselves.

colblimp

plodder wrote: »

I come across a lot of yappy dogs, in the rural roads where I run. My policy is to ignore them unless they come very close, looking like they're going to bite. Then I turn around and chase them with the aim of giving a good kick. Haven't succeeded yet.

I find 'going on the offensive' really works. There's a little horror of a dog on one of my routes that hides and when I run past it, it always starts barking and chasing after me. The last time it started, I turned around and chased it - I've never seen it move so quick!

wayne0308

I had a (kinda) similar moment to this when I was cycling into work, part of the route takes you through a housing estate. I was just taking a corner (not very fast as I was wrecked at this stage) on which a van was parked which blocked the view around the corner. Just as I turned I seen a lady on the road to my left and the dog on the other side of the road attached by one of those variable length leads. I managed to stop before I hit the lead, the dog would have been in a bad state if I didn't see them. She seemed like she was going to give out to me for being on the road but she held her tongue and I held mine and drove on.

robinph

plodder wrote: »

Good question. I heard the above on the Joe Duffy (or Derek Mooney?) show. There's some information about it here. I imagine that dog wardens would be able to tell you what you can do in most cases, if they can't act themselves.

Dogs that must be muzzled wrote:

Rhodesian Ridgeback

I thought that was a dragon.

cphowlin

Was chased by a big dog while running down in limerick once. Was about 7 miles in to a 20 miler. only got away by dumping my water bottle in his face... which left me with a long way to go with pretty much no water...

These might help...
http://www.amazon.com/Halt-Dog-Repellent-1-5-oz/dp/B000E4Q7BS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1263984972&sr=8-1-catcorr

http://www.pepper-spray-shop.eu/

TFBubendorfer

cphowlin wrote: »

These might help...
http://www.amazon.com/Halt-Dog-Repellent-1-5-oz/dp/B000E4Q7BS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1263984972&sr=8-1-catcorr

http://www.pepper-spray-shop.eu/

Yeah, sure. I'll run around with a can of pepper spray on all of my runs from now on, just to be armed for any dog encounters that happen about once a year!

Isn't pepper spray illegal anyway?

cphowlin

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Isn't pepper spray illegal anyway?

No idea!

Taltos

think I read elsewhere the ps is illegal.

What I have done in the past is either a) chase them / b) just move towards them barking loudly myself - really angrily ... All about dominance.
Might have gotten a few odd looks - but what the hell - it works.

Most dogs I have met though have been grand - usually just look to run with me, the aggressive ones though - not the dogs fault - all about the training - hence the owners.

KoreaBraz

Ahh, the age-old argument. Dog owners v everyone else. Now, don't get me wrong-I love dogs, I've always had some at home. But I don't agree with unmannerly dogs or owners. It's only common decency to keep your dog under control. I mean, you wouldn't let a child nip someone else's ankles, would you? Once I was out walking my dogs (who were on the lead) & another woman came towards me with her dog (off the lead). I had 3 dogs at the time so I thought it'd be better all round if I stopped walking & just let them pass. The woman passed me & as her dog followed he started barking at one of mine. My dog, naturally, responded by barking back (she's a fiesty terrier!). The other dog didn't like this response & started lunging at mine. So I proceeded to block his advances with my foot; now I must point out that I didn't & never had any intention of actually touching either dog-I was just using my foot as a barrier. The lady turned around & asked me not to kick her dog! My blood boiled-not only was her dog off the lead, he'd also started the fight. When I pointed this out to her, she muttered something at me, turned around & walked off. I felt like running after her & kicking her instead of her dog. So you see, it's owners you've to watch out for-dogs are a doddle!

nerraw1111

It's the owners not the dogs to blame. I find the small dogs to be the worse as the owners generally appear not to have trained them or chastise them. With bigger dogs, you generally have no option but to train them.

But some runners/walkers have to look at their own behaviour.

I walk my dog regularly and the terrified reaction by some people actually encourage the dog to play with them, suddenly leaping a mile into the air at every movement of the dog. In the dog's head, that means, 'let's play.'

Approaching dogs, you should stand tall, ignore the dog, and you'll be fine for the most part. Nervously approaching them or taking a defensive approach is only going to provoke the dog or give the impression you want to play.

A good kick is required if the dog is snapping at your ankles.

TheRoadRunner

nerraw1111 wrote: »

But some runners/walkers have to look at their own behaviour.

I agree with some of what you say but this is pants. If you have an ingrained fear of dogs it is hard to portray a confident manner. Most parks (not all, mind you) insist dogs are kept on leads, if this rule was followed 90% of all runners (and the general public) grievances would vanish.

stanleybowles

I was running on a beach in West Kerry last weekend. A big huskie came at me over the weekend. I was annoyed and brushed it aside. The owner was 40 metres behind. No movement.from the owner. I ran on, the dog started jumping up on me. Still no movement from the owner. I took off the earphones and lost the plot with him. After a 5 minute heated discussion, he apologised. Kept saying that dog was friendly etc. Animals are lovely but are still animals. They are not predictable. Spoke to a neighbour who same dog had jumped up on her recently.
If it happens again I'm contacting the dog warden / the guards.

HardyEustace

shels4ever wrote: »

One thing that really pisses me off is thoese extendable leads . people see you coming and still think its ok to take up the whole path .:eek:

Those are the bane of my life. Particularly on smaller dogs where they're at just the right level for tripping over.

gerard65

shels4ever wrote: »

One thing that really pisses me off is thoese extendable leads . people see you coming and still think its ok to take up the whole path .:eek:

Yep. Had one of these wrap around my legs last summer. By law a dog should be totally under control of the owner 100% of the time whether the dog is on a lead or not.
Marley is very strict on keeping dogs on leads, but bushy, pffff, it can turn into dog hell.

Kissy Lips

HardyEustace wrote: »

Those are the bane of my life. Particularly on smaller dogs where they're at just the right level for tripping over.

I remember zipping down a cycle path in top gear on my mountain bike years ago and hitting the cord of an extendable lead. I didnt even see it. Anway one end of the cord was attached to the owners hand and the other to it's dog. Ill never forget the noise the dog made. I cycled on. I would safely bet they kept the lead short around paths thereafter!

As a dog owner I would hate to see my gentle spaniel kicked, as a runner I would not hesitate to kick a snapping dog.

RubyK

I've made a great four legged friend, who I meet up with at mile four of my long weekend run. At first I was very wary of him, as he just stands in the middle of the country road, staring at me. Now we are great friends, and I have to stop for a few mins to rub him

I'm lucky, I've only had 1 small incident with a dog. One, a little Jack Russel terrier at mile 6 is a fecker, but now leaves me alone, after I squirted him with my water bottle.

When I run on the beach, usually a couple of dogs will see me, and want to run with me, but I've never had any problem, thankfully, apart from one large dog, trying to take my water bottle.

What I find more annoying, are the little ****s whizzing along on their bikes, on the footpath, who nearly knock you down if you are not quick enough to run onto the grass. They really piss me off no end, and well they know it, by my cursing at them

As a dog owner, our one is never left off the lead, and if there is someone coming against us, we'll move into the grass to let that person pass. I'm well aware that not everyone loves/likes dogs, and plenty are scared of them.

dna_leri

nerraw1111 wrote: »

It's the owners not the dogs to blame. I find the small dogs to be the worse as the owners generally appear not to have trained them or chastise them. With bigger dogs, you generally have no option but to train them.

But some runners/walkers have to look at their own behaviour.

I walk my dog regularly and the terrified reaction by some people actually encourage the dog to play with them, suddenly leaping a mile into the air at every movement of the dog. In the dog's head, that means, 'let's play.'

Approaching dogs, you should stand tall, ignore the dog, and you'll be fine for the most part. Nervously approaching them or taking a defensive approach is only going to provoke the dog or give the impression you want to play.

A good kick is required if the dog is snapping at your ankles.

So when I approach a dog while I am out for a run, I should stop, stand tall and ignore them !!?

I disagree, not only is it impossible to stand tall and ignore them at the same time, that's just giving in to the problem i.e. owners not looking after their animal. I will run along the edge of the path or off it if possible and the bigger the dog the wider the berth I will give but I should not have to stop and let them pass, I even object to slowing down.

As someone who was regularly harassed by a neighbour's alsatian as a child, developing a pathological fear that took me years to overcome, I agree with your last statement. A swift kick usually works.

islandexile

plodder wrote: »

I come across a lot of yappy dogs, in the rural roads where I run. My policy is to ignore them unless they come very close, looking like they're going to bite. Then I turn around and chase them with the aim of giving a good kick. Haven't succeeded yet.

More speedwork Plodder!!

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Isn't pepper spray illegal anyway?

Can't see how the dog would lodge a formal complaint to either its owner or the gardai....

ultraman1

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Yeah, sure. I'll run around with a can of pepper spray on all of my runs from now on, just to be armed for any dog encounters that happen about once a year!

Isn't pepper spray illegal anyway?

not in limerick.....

Krusty_Clown

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Isn't pepper spray illegal anyway?

In that case, just carry around individual pepper sachets. When you come across an unruly dog, rip the top off of one of those bad boys (the pepper sachet, not the dog), and pour it down the dogs nostrils.

We actually have a dog-only (off-lead) area in our local park (Shanganagh Park). Now if only we could get a runner-only area, without dogs, I'd be a happy puppy.

MrCreosote

nerraw1111 wrote: »

It's the owners not the dogs to blame. I find the small dogs to be the worse as the owners generally appear not to have trained them or chastise them. With bigger dogs, you generally have no option but to train them.

But some runners/walkers have to look at their own behaviour.

I walk my dog regularly and the terrified reaction by some people actually encourage the dog to play with them, suddenly leaping a mile into the air at every movement of the dog. In the dog's head, that means, 'let's play.'

Approaching dogs, you should stand tall, ignore the dog, and you'll be fine for the most part. Nervously approaching them or taking a defensive approach is only going to provoke the dog or give the impression you want to play.

This is such a load of bull. The dog is the owner's responsibility 100%. If it goes crazy just because someone runs past in a less than confident way then it shouldn't be out in public.

And as for the whole "he's just being friendly/he's just playing" thing?? Don't get me started!

baza1976

On my run home from work today I came across more barking, chasing, dogs than cars!!!! true.
7 dogs came running out of their homes roaring like asses. Some big and some small. I know by now where they are to be an I also know they ae not going to bit me. But I still hae stop and either chase them or shout at them.

By the way I met 4 cars in 9 miles of country back road. Now if I took the shorter route which is 7 miles I would have not met any dogs but would have met about 4000 cars all traveling as fast as the first car is going. there are no footpaths or street lighting on this road. There is no footpaths or street lighting on the long way home either, but l prefer to meet them 7 dogs any day rather then go the other way.

gar.k

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

During the Summer I threw an aggressive Jack Russell into the royal canal. I had a history with both the dog and owner in the past. I have a dog myself by the way and would consider myself a dog lover.

You may consider yourself a dog lover but you are not

TFBubendorfer

baza1976 wrote: »

7 dogs came running out of their homes roaring like asses.

That's what dogs do and does not count as a dog encounter. It's only when they start attacking you that you have reasonable grounds fro complaints.

TheRoadRunner

gar.k wrote: »

You may consider yourself a dog lover but you are not

I beg to differ. If a cat/human/lion/horse/snake/ape/EnterNameOfAnimal here attacked me I would have no hesitation in throwing them into the canal either and I would consider myself an animal lover. A bit of water never hurt anyone/anything anyway :cool:

neonman

This happened to me while out running before as well. Plenty of people walking their dogs on my running trail. I past 3 girls walking their dogs with them off their leads, one of the dogs decided to run after me and clipped my calf not sure if it was just his head or if he went to bite me.

Kept on running but I knew I would have to face the dog again on the way back and if he came for me I was going to grab him and f**k him into the irish sea (Well thats what was going through my head)

I past them on my way back girls had their dogs on their leads and they also said sorry which was nice.

If your dog can't be trusted while off the lead keep it on it !