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Question for dog owners, am I in the wrong here?
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To preface this post - I am not a dog owner (cat person myself), but I do love dogs and have had many great interactions with both dogs and dog owners.
I had a small run-in with a dog owner, and was wanted to get some opinions on whether they or I were in the wrong here.
Yesterday afternoon, my partner and I were taking engagement photos in Centennial park (at a place recommended by our photographer). This part of the park is an off-lead area, and though we were generally in the bushy part of the park, we saw many people walking their dogs past us, ride bikes past, etc, no issues at all.
At one point in the shoot, a Staffy bolts into our photographer (nearly knocking her over), tries to jump onto my partner (fortunately missing, as she was in a white dress), then jumps onto me, leaving a big dirty smudge on my shirt (again somewhat fortunately, you couldn't really see it on the navy). The dog continues jumping around for a good 10 seconds while I'm yelling out to find the owner, who turns out to be a gentleman a good 50-60 meters away, not paying attention to what is happening. He calls his dog in and waves an apology, before yelling "You know you're in a dog park, right?".
Now, I actually have no problem with being approached by a dog, indeed the Staffy was clearly super friendly, and on another day I might have given it a pat. My issue is more that the owner was clearly not paying attention to his dog, who had barged into a group of people and started jumping over them. Furthermore, the park is not a dog-park, it is a public park that is an off-lead area, and the park guidelines specify your dog should be under effective control while off-lead. Finally, we must have seen at least 100 other dogs that day off leads, none of which gave us an issue like this, and the photographer noted that in all the years she'd be photographing there, something like that had never happened.
In any case, our interaction ended there, but I was looking for opinions on whether my ire at this particular dog-owner was warranted, or we should have been more attentive in this off-lead area.
EDIT: Thanks to everyone who outlined their thoughts kindly (even those who think I was in the wrong), I can see this is a rather controversial topic. I think my take-away is that even though owners should be in control of their dogs, given that dogs can be excitable avoiding off-lead areas is probably better when it comes to good clothes and electronic equipment.
I also did not intend this to become a "dog owners versus non-dog owners" post. As I said, I love dogs, I'm just trying to work out whether I had a right to be annoyed, or what I could have done differently, which many people have kindly commented.
Top Comment: 361 votes, 439 comments. To preface this post - I am not a dog owner (cat person myself), but I do love dogs and have had many great interactions...
Am I allowed to take a medium/large sized dog on the MTA subway and busses?
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Some people are telling me that it's okay - nobody says anything about it. Anyone have any info on taking dogs on the subway or bus?
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it is technically illegal without a carrier, but a carrier is not defined. i occasionally take my 50 pound dog on the subway in a large ikea bag. i either keep him on my lap, if the train is busy, or put him on the seat next to me, if its not busy. i've walked past MTA officials, and police with this setup and they did not say anything. probably goes without saying that the dog should be well behaved so as to not attract unwanted attention.
As Requested, I am a professional dog walker/daycare/boarding service provider. AMA!
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Hi Guys!
I am the owner of Soulmutts Toronto Dog Walking & Dog Boarding, servicing Downtown Toronto and area since 2008.
www.soulmuttstoronto.com www.torontodogboarding.com
I run a daily walking route of 30-50 dogs, offer out of home boarding, own a dog ranch in the country and will be opening a new dog boarding/outdoor dog run facility in the spring of 2015.
It would be my pleasure to answer any of your questions about dogs, my profession, training, equipment and accessories, or just share some funny stories.
I'm heading out to the dog park right now and will start answering as soon as we return : )
Ally & The Pack xo
Proof:
http://soulmuttstoronto.com/2014/11/06/my-very-first-ama-on-reddit/
Top Comment:
What qualifications do you have (certified trainer, degrees, etc)?
[HELP] Am I walking my dog too much???? : dogs
Main Post: [HELP] Am I walking my dog too much???? : dogs
[FRESH] Chat Pile - I Am Dog Now : indieheads
Main Post: [FRESH] Chat Pile - I Am Dog Now : indieheads
I'm a dog. AMA
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Sup, reddit? Just a dog, hangin' out. My owners are out for a couple hours, so I thought I'd do an AMA for you guys til they get back.
Also, LOL
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- Why do you allow good people to suffer?
- Can you create a rock so heavy that you yourself cannot lift it?
- Why should I believe you exist?
I’m a canine expert, trainer and sister/teacher to Chaser the Border Collie, known internationally as “the smartest dog in the world,” and author of For the Love of Dog, the Ultimate Relationship Guide. AMA.
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I’m Pilley Bianchi, a canine expert and trainer, sister/teacher to Chaser the Border Collie, known internationally as “the smartest dog in the world” and author of the new book For the Love of Dog.I am the youngest daughter of Dr. John W. Pilley, Jr. the owner/teacher of Chaser the Border Collie, known internationally as “the smartest dog in the world.”
Chaser has the largest formal language learning of any animal in the world. I have been involved in my father’s work with Chaser as a producer, co-trainer, writer, and media consultant, and have collaborated on television, radio and print interviews on programs such as 60 Minutes, The Today Show, ABC World News Tonight, CBS Sunday Morning, Nat Geo Wild, and Discovery.I partnered behind the scenes with my father and his co-writer Hilary Hinzmann on their New York Times bestselling book Chaser, Unlocking the Genius of the Dog Who Knows 1000 Words (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt).
My new book For the Love of Dog: The Ultimate Relationship Guide with illustrator Calum Heath was just published by Princeton Architectural Press on Aug 22. It is based on Chaser, but is devoted to offering insight, inspiration and information regarding “everything dog.” It explores not only what we can teach dogs, but more importantly what we have to learn from dogs.I am an active member of International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). Contributor to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
Finally, I am the Executive Producer/Founder of The Chaser Initiative, dedicated to educating Children (K-12) about the power of play and power of praise (Pop Pop.) By bringing dogs into the classroom, children are exposed to discovering the legacy of John Pilley and Chaser’s method of learning — play. Through the Chaser Initiative, we aim to nurture partnerships with national and international canine organizations educating their constituents in teaching dogs’ language through play, with a deeper dive into the significance of our unique inter-species relationship.
Ask me anything about:Chaser herself. Was she really a genius dog? Can my dog learn like Chaser? Creating bonds / relationship building / how dogs perceive the world and communicate, and also, my new book. For the Love of Dog, the Ultimate Relationship Guide.
Thank you everyone for participating - this has been so much fun and wonderful to get to know the reddit dog community. Please check out my new book with illustrator Calum Heath, For the Love of Dog https://smarturl.it/9781797223308, and keep in touch via my social media @pilleybianchi, @chaserthebordercollie. I would love to hear from you!
https://x.com/ChasertheBC/status/1709177096352718988?s=20
!lock
Top Comment: Chaser's ability has been a huge inspiration. Have you looked at the research being done by UCSD https://cclab.ucsd.edu/2021/06/15/97/ for using Augmented Interspecies Communication? Would love to hear your thoughts on this. I've been teaching my dogs to use buttons (if they want to) to communicate and have seen amazing results specifically with my sheprador. For example this morning she asked to "cuddle eat" which we interpreted as eating on the couch next to me. We have a new puppy and the puppy has been a bit overwhelming when the adults get their food. So our shep has been a little anxious to eat her food in her usual spot. Her ability to communicate her wants has been so wonderful to our relationship.