Pootling at Swinley Forest and, here we go again, got chased by a German Shepherd. Owner was sitting on a tree trunk. I shouted at him “get your dog under control please” and then dived into some singletrack.
Muppet owner says “Ollie” or whatever it’s name was. Just the one word. Dog returns and then reappears further along the trail. Muppet owner has no chance of calling him, even if he did get off his backside.
What does concern me is that dogs pick up on peoples fear. It was important that I showed none despite this being the only breed that I have experienced to be unpredictable.
I like dogs, I used to have one and, indeed, I used to work with dogs in boarding kennels. But these days I can completely understand why people don’t like them. Owners do not understand the concept of training and how it has to be ongoing and reinforced.
My ride consisted of thinking about this subject and how it needs to be addressed. So, as I have to purchase a permit, why shouldn’t dog owners have to do the same? I would be happy to have a visible number on my permit provided that dogs did too. In fact if the owners were challenged, they could show a permit.
Calming down now. 🙂