I was out for a run this weekend, running down a residential street in late morning with no traffic and few pedestrians. As I approached, a woman walking a dog on the opposite sidewalk shouted “STOP! STOP!” at me. When I stopped, a little panicked, she yelled “please walk until you are well past us, my dog tries to chase anything running.” The dog was on a leash and looked like a medium-sized mutt. I was about 50 feet away.
I was so surprised by the request that I did as she asked. But I got a little annoyed thinking about it later. If her dog can’t handle runners (which are pretty common around here), is it up to all of us to adapt, or does she need to find a different place to walk her dog?
But I’m wondering if I’m thinking selfishly. Finding a place to walk her dog without anything running by is probably tough. Maybe it’s a new dog she’s trying to train. I’m not some Olympian; it’s not a huge deal to stop and walk for a couple minutes. But it is an annoyance – I had a good regular pace going, and it messes up my rhythm and is tough to get back into it.
So what do you think, was this a reasonable request? If I see her again, do I do the same and walk, or run by with middle finger held up proudly? (Spoiler: I’m sure I would walk again, but I’d probably be muttering under my breath the whole time.)
Since you all love a poll, what would you do if someone asked you to walk because of their dog? Pick the closest option, and if you aren’t a runner, pretend you are.
Keep running and ignore her
Keep running and let her know what I thought of her request
Walk but tell her I thought this was an unreasonable request and/or suggest she find an alternative place to walk
I wonder if she’s unable to control the dog when the dog tries to chase, and it can pull completely away from her. If that’s the case, she shouldn’t have the dog out in public unless she is able to have it under complete control. Maybe she needs a non-pull harness. I’d probably talk to her next time and find out the situation.
I would likely assume it was a new dog she was trying to train. However, the request is unreasonable, and I might humor her once, but if she asked again it would be a solid no. The dog owner is responsible for controlling their dog.
I voted “Keep runninand tell her what you think.” But I don’t mean a rude gesture or cursing as you pass.
Maa’m your request is unreasonable. Humans outrank animals. My interests exceed that of any dog. So control your animal or keep it away from people. That is all. Good day."
With maybe a bit of consideration if the woman was elderly or otherwise apparently infirm and so not a strong walker. Even a small dog can pull on old person down with dire consequences. But at that point I’d change my speech a bit that it’s far too dangerous for her to be out with an uncontrollable dog. So get a dog walker to exercise your critter and walk alone for your own safety.
I would stop and talk to her, one time. Try to find out if she is in early stages of (knowledgeable, professional) dog training, or at any rate what she is doing to try to control the dog. If she can’t or won’t control the dog, then I would tell her that in future I shall continue my running and that her dog is her problem, not mine. I might also carry some kind of dog deterrent (pepper spray or something? I’m not up to date on what’s available) and use it on the dog if it gets out of her control and chases me.
I had similar happen on a bike trail while I was on a bike. As I approached a guy walking a dog from behind, I dinged my bell to alert them that I was approaching and would overtake them on their left. I take care to give enough time so the person can make any adjustment they see fit. Well, evidently it wasn’t enough time and the dog lunged as I passed, and the guy yelled at me. I don’t know what he expected me to do, stop and ask for permission to pass?
Anyway, for the OP, I would probably let her know the request was unreasonable. It sounds like a “you” problem, lady, that your dog is uncontrollable in certain situations you are very likely to encounter on a dog walk, so don’t make the rest of the world revolve around you.
I would continue to run, and I would suggest that having me run by her is a good opportunity for her to train her dog. Then again, this is a fantasy, because me? Run? Ha.
If you’re running and she is walking her dog on the opposite side of the street, how long are you going to be abreast of her and Fido-- a few seconds? She can jolly well stop, grip the dog’s leash or harness tightly, and wait for you to be out of range. Good grief.
I was for “keep running and let her know what you thought,” but I think the best way to do that is not with a finger, but a simple firm “No!” as you momentarily turn your face to her without breaking your stride. Make eye contact while saying it if possible.
My reaction might be predicated on how their request was made, and who made it. The tone. Was it a simple request or was it an order. I don’t respond well to orders from strangers. In that case I might say “This is a public street and you need to learn to control your dog.” And keep on running.
However, I’m basically soft-hearted, and if it was an elderly or infirm person, and they phrased it as a request, I might be willing to accommodate them. I would still tell them, kindly, that people have a right to run on a public sidewalk and they should take a dog training course.
When I would walk my dog, I constantly ‘sized up’ people we encountered who, likewise, were walking their dogs.
All too often, I’d see a rather rambunctious, apparently poorly-trained dog who was clearly more powerful than the owner on the other end of the leash.
Sam and I always gave these people a very wide berth.
As a recovering runner? I figured – in your poll – I’d walk, but I’d tell her that this was an …
Everybody gets one. I think I’d point out that this concession on my part … was her ‘one.’
IMHO, a simple firm “No!” is the best for dog and human alike in this circumstance and in many others too. You can say it without breaking your stride. When I took a Defend Yourself class, “No!” is the word I was taught to shout while striking pain points. But when your “No!” is merely verbal, it’s ideal because it firmly sets your boundaries without initiating aggression back. Short and snappy - it’s the American way.
Mostly, because there are possible mitigating circumstances, alluded to upthread. Rehabilitating a rescue, re-training a poorly trained dog, woman is dogwalking someone else’s poorly trained dog.
Under many of the circumstances above, I’d still suggest they take said dog to an area with fewer challenges. If they’re residents of the area, they have the right to be there but the responsibility of restraining the dog’s impulses.
If they’re uptight about it, demanding their right over their responsibility, then the next time it happens, I’ll run by uncaring and damn straight bring charges if the dog attacked me.
I am not unbiased though - during my wife’s PhD program she used to walk home from campus (a reasonably long walk, but downhill most way) a local dog would chase her, repeatedly, despite her walking normally on a sidewalk. And bit her, once.