(edit title) Dog owner etiquette Other than picking up poop... Options

[OkieFromMuskogee]

Hi,

I had a couple of odd encounters recently at the dog park and I'm a little curious if I'm violating some kind of unspoken rules or if I just ran into some odd people...

Over the weekend, I walked to an enclosed dog run in a popular park. There was a woman with a smallish dog in the dog run. I walked to the fence...dogs greeted each other and seemed fine...the other dog owner was sitting nearby and didn't say anything..so I walked in with my dog. The small dog was playing a bit aggressive (jumping up my dog and what-not), but my dog is quite a bit bigger and he didn't really seem to mind. My dog walked away, so the smaller dog started barking, which got the attention of owner. I guess she was on her cell phone or something and didn't hear me enter. She pretty much freaked out on me and started yelling at me that I must ask permission to enter the park if someone else is in the park. She then told me to leave because she did not like my dog, even though it was her dog that was being aggressive.

I thought it was just the case of someone being weird, but today another woman told me I could not come into the dog run because her dog (which was much bigger than my dog) did not like neutered dogs, which I found to be really strange. On the one hand, they were there first, but on the other hand they (and their dogs) are the one's with the problems, so why don't they deal with it instead of yell at me?

But I'm a stranger here, so I want to fit in... so is there some kind of general dog run etiquette? Pick up after my dog and ask permission to enter the dog run seem to be two I've seen so far...it also seems a little odd when and where people are allowed to have dogs off leash...last week, I was out in the middle of a field just outside the city, letting my dog chase rabbits. A jogger came by and told me that I should have my dog on a leash, even though my dog never got within 50ms of this guy (he was busy hunting rabbits...) . So, I put him on a leash. Not 5 minutes later a family with 3 dogs off-leash came walking down the trail...so, not really sure?

Any suggestions are appreciated...thanks!

Thanks for any help

[*Trowbridge H. Ford*]

According to my limited experience, dog owners and their dogs have become so difficult about the various mixing in such enclosed aresas, that no one goes there anymore because of the disputes. At least, that's the case here in Lidingö. Sounds like a good idea, but it just doesn't work

And people who don't like dogs will tell you that they must be on leads all the time, but just nod and go on your way.

[William Sachsen-Coburg-Go...]

Depends who owns it I think. The one closest to us is owned by the local dog club and there are set times for big dogs, little dogs, females etc. The rest of the time it's a free for all.

[Svensksmith]

Not sure about the etiquette in the city, but on Öland there were specific times of the year when you could have your dog running free and other times when you had to have them leashed...at least that's what I was told.

To be honest, after awhile I quit worrying about everyone thought and just did what I thought was best. Took a load of pressure off the whole experience.

[delfinita]

Hello!
Between March and September dogs must be leashed in order to protect nursing wildlife. This is a rule all over Sweden and were told about this by our vet.

About the dog parks, no idea to be honest. Never had such issues but yes, owners of smaller dogs tend to get annoyed when their dog gets all nuts with another dog...my dog is a biggish lab, very friendly, never barks never gets agresssive and when she greets small dogs that walk by the fence by coming nead the edge and wagging her tail (no noises of any type), the owners of smaller dogs seem uncomfortable. One even told me to keep my dog under control...its like...dude this is my private backyard and my dog is just coming to say hi with absolute NO NOISE. wtf. However owners of biggish dogs seem happy by my dog's happiness.

I dont really get it. These women were telling you that you shouldnt do something because their dog doesnt like it?? WTF? Maybe you just want to ask them if its ok to come in and if they say "my dog doesnt like it" then maybe its time for them to move on and let you be in there...right?

[Aussie Sven]

If someone with a badge, or a gun asks you to put your dog on a leash, or leave an area, do it. Otherwise carry on your merry way unless someone is going to get hurt. And always smile.

[fogelfeifer]

I think Aussie Sven has it down just right....when first here I used to get really upset by the 'you should have your dog on a lead' brigade. I know when/where to control my dog and when it's safe to let her off. So now I just let the uptight others do their thing and drag their poor little dogs away when they try and socialise with my happy little dog. And absolutely...a big smile on (our) faces...!

[John.Smith]

I put the lead on if I see any other dog approaching and or a person approaching. This is deemed quite acceptable practice. We live in the sticks so people are more relaxed about these things here.

[Ambre]

I also agree with Aussie Sven and John Smith and I do the same, if others do not like the way their dog behave, its their problem, not yours and you should not move for them up to them to go away!!!!! You should also answer back and tell them to F*** off politely or smile and keep on doing what you do, something I would certainly do if someone was annoyed at my dog because of their dogs behaviour, how stupid can Swedes be?! Idiots! Their dog has an issue but we should move for them??????? Jesus, what a country of numpties with no logic whatsoever! I dare anyone to say anything to me, this country and this kind of behaviour makes ME aggressive!

[johnjohn]

Hope Ambre's rabies vaccination is up to date.

[Ambre]

bla bla bla

[cogito]

In our building in an 65-square-meter apartment there lives a family composed of a mother, two young children (about 1 and 3) and Dad, who keeps a fully-grown Rottweiler (40 kilos? maybe more?). Mother seems to be frightened into zombiedom--whether of her man or his dog is hard to say.
He parades his Rottweiller through the building and on the city street without a leash.
Apart from dog-etiquette, shouldn't there be a law...?

[delfinita]

Ambre:

Extending the behaviour of two (or more persons) to the whole of a society only shows ignorance.
Dont say that about "the swedes". I wouldnt like it said for the people in my country.

[John.Smith]

I also agree with Aussie Sven and John Smith and I do the same, if others do not like the way their dog behave, its their problem, not yours and you should not move for them u ... (show full quote)

I also agree with Aussie Sven and John Smith and I do the same, if others do not like the way their dog behave, its their problem, not yours and you should not move for them up to them to go away!!!!! You should also answer back and tell them to F*** off politely or smile and keep on doing what you do, something I would certainly do if someone was annoyed at my dog because of their dogs behaviour, how stupid can Swedes be?! Idiots! Their dog has an issue but we should move for them??????? Jesus, what a country of numpties with no logic whatsoever! I dare anyone to say anything to me, this country and this kind of behaviour makes ME aggressive! ... (hide full quote)

Holy Crap... you need to be on a leash!

[soultraveler3]

Since your dog wasn't being aggressive and is well-behaved you should have told that woman to leave with her dog if she didn't like it. It's a public dog park ffs, you don't have to ask permission to use it. Since her dog was being aggressive or acting that way due to nervousness (like many small dogs can be) she has no business bringing it to a public dog park. That's how trouble starts.

I've been to multiple dog parks where 50+ dogs were all playing together without problem and loving it. Most of the people at dog parks are nice and friendly as well. It sounds like you ran into a nut.