I don't have much experience with dogs, much less untrained off leash ones. One is pretty big (a lab maybe?) and always runs right up to me and my wife barking territorially whenever I'm out in my garden, and doesn't stop until one of my neighbor's kids comes and gets them. I've had dogs try to fight me before and they make me really nervous. I just want to touch grass :(

How should I be responding to the dog when this happens?

  • Lundi [none/use name]
    ·
    2 years ago

    runs right up to me and my wife barking territorially whenever I’m out in my garden, and doesn’t stop until one of my neighbor’s kids comes and gets them

    I know lots of people are really skeptical of dogs on this site but I'm almost 90% sure the dog is barking at you because it just wants your attention and not because it's 'protecting' its territory.

    • Quimby [any, any]
      ·
      2 years ago

      I don't completely agree. But I'd say it's more of an "identify yourself!" than "get off my lawn!" if that makes sense. The dog doesn't want to hurt anyone. It wants to know who you are and what you're doing.

      • Lundi [none/use name]
        ·
        2 years ago

        since I'm a dog person, I'd think it's a combination of 'identify yourself' and 'why aren't you petting me, that's super sus'.

        • Quimby [any, any]
          ·
          2 years ago

          haha. that can be true. it also super depends on the dog. I have herding dogs, so they are much more of the inquisitive sort. but if it's someone they know, then it's 100% "PET ME".

          But like, a golden retriever is basically always saying "pet me pet me pet meeeee"

          Pit bulls are, ironically, another one that I find is typically saying "pet me!! hello! human! I want pets!!!"

    • crime [she/her, any]
      ·
      2 years ago

      Usually when it runs over it's because it's already outside with the neighbor's kids so I'd be surprised if attention is the issue :/