"It's OK, He won't bite"

[Stolly]

Potential replys:
1) "Its OK. I don't kick" (whilst swinging leg at dog)
2) "I'm just a grumpy old git " (perhaps whilst swinging a large stick at the dog)
3) "I'm only playing " (ditto)
4) "Its because he's snarling and barking" (this is invariably offered as an explaination for why you are kicking or beating the dog as if it were itsfault.

I think I'll stick to running with my dog thanks - he's not vicious, miserable or grumpy in the slightest..... unlike some of you lot

[DrPatrickBarry]

When I meet a responsible dog owner,who calls their dog over (and the dog does so) I am soooooooo appreciative of that and I make sure I give a really clear thank you very much. When I have been threatened, bitten, etc, which I have had on numerous occasions, I let the owners know in no uncertain terms what I think. Am I miserable and grumpy?

[PeteS]

I think I'll stick to running with my dog thanks - he's not vicious, miserable or grumpy in the slightest..... unlike some of you lot

me too.

[Ilkley Swimmer]

When I meet a responsible dog owner,who calls their dog over (and the dog does so) I am soooooooo appreciative of that and I make sure I give a really clear thank you very much. When I have been threatened, bitten, etc, which I have had on numerous occasions, I let the owners know in no uncertain terms what I think. Am I miserable and grumpy?

No. But I wonder if you're my long-lost twin?!

[William Clough]

Potential replys:
1) "Its OK. I don't kick" (whilst swinging leg at dog)
2) "I'm just a grumpy old git " (perhaps whilst swinging a large stick at the dog)
3) "I'm only playing " (ditto)
4) "Its because he's snarling and barking" (this is invariably offered as an explaination for why you are kicking or beating the dog as if it were itsfault.

like!

[shaunaneto]

Pfft, some dog owners don't have a clue what their dogs are really thinking

5dd0adb1483d6e750f9964f5aa096254 by piemonster, on Flickr

[JohnK]

I think I'll stick to running with my dog thanks - he's not vicious, miserable or grumpy in the slightest..... unlike some of you lot

Right on Stolly

Another observation I have made over the years is that while I am out running with my dog the majority of other runners we come across seem perfectly relaxed as dog and I pass them, but if I am walking with the same dog the runners look at us as if the dog is some sort of pariah.

Another observation is that walkers are seldom perturbed by my dog and usually pass the time of day or share a bit of jovial banter which is always nice imo.

It is worth remembering that there are a lot of folk around that have lot to thank SARDA for, and of course there are all the companion dogs that help so many folk less fortunate than ourselves, then of course there are the detection dogs saving lives sniffing out explosives etc etc.

I hope that none of you folk that profess fear of dog`s ever need to be found by one, because who knows what the shock of seeing a dog running toward them barking might do to them when they are maybe injured and possibly delirious.

[Derby Tup]

I love dogs and often stop while walking AND running to ask "what kind of terrier is that?", or say "that's a handsome pointer". All that is fine. A snarling doberman or rottweiler or similar, with an idiot at the other end of its lead, or much worse no lead and no idiot is the problem

[William Clough]

Don't get me wrong although I don't have a dog (despite a relentless campaign by my wife and son to get one)a well behaved and trained dog is a thing of great pleasure. On Pennine club night we have some wonderful dogs including Springers' a Red Setter and lots of Collies especially Dutch Peaks wonderful animal.
It's just the usual 1% of idiot owners that spoil it for everyone else.

[shaunaneto]

Another observation I have made over the years is that while I am out running with my dog the majority of other runners we come across seem perfectly relaxed as dog and I pass them, but if I am walking with the same dog the runners look at us as if the dog is some sort of pariah.

IIRC dogs enter a different pychological state when running. When walking Humans basically are too slow, so dogs become more interested in what's around them. When running dogs become focused on travelling.

Another observation is that walkers are seldom perturbed by my dog and usually pass the time of day or share a bit of jovial banter which is always nice imo.

Your dog may actually be one of the vast majority and not agressive. But(not referring to your dog here) also, it may have something to do with the dogs responses to whats going on. Runners tend to appear suddenly without much noise. Walkers are slow and usually blethering so the dog is rarely spooked.

It is worth remembering that there are a lot of folk around that have lot to thank SARDA for, and of course there are all the companion dogs that help so many folk less fortunate than ourselves, then of course there are the detection dogs saving lives sniffing out explosives etc etc.

As has been alluded to by the overwhelming majority of posters. Dogs are in general pretty cool, it's a minority being reffered to.

I re-read this thread, and I'm not seeing anything to suggest that anything other than a small/tiny minority of dogs to sit in the 'problem' category.