Our Pets

If startled my dog will bark and sometimes lunge ( bikes) . He is always on the lead (because of prey drive)

Ive got a yellow sleeve on his lead it says ' give me space'..

Yet still there are joggers and mountain bikers ( who shouldnt even be on footpaths) who come up behind us silently and try to squeeze past..

For a start no one should be closer than 1.5 mtrs in accordance with the covid laws and what idiot sneaks up behind an unknown dog and expects no reaction?

I try to explain to people that a dog does not know if you are jumping out of a bush to yell surprise or to hold a gun to our heads,, he cant tell the difference between a jogger and a mugger ..In fact dressing up like a jogger is the perfect disguise for any mugger they wouldnt stand out at all.

So he wears the yellow sleeve on his lead and guess what?
People still run up behind us give us no space try to squeeze past on narrow lanes and then blame the dog is he dares make a peep.

Could everyone please tell one jogger or one biker that nervous dogs, any dog, doesnt like to be sneaked up on..That it would be really nice if bikers used bells..Thats that thing on the handlebars that goes ping ping.. and joggers could call out a good morning or even coming through so dog owners had time to move to one side.

I know consideration is a dying concept but it would be really nice if we could all try it. IF people give me the heads up that they are coming I will move my dog and put him into a sitting position so they can pass unmolested.
But if they sneak up on me... well if the dog doesnt get them I might!