Offended? Rude?

Question

Okay, so..i went on a 6.2 mile hike today with my husband. We don't currently have a dog..I love dogs and have had them my whole life..so we went and took my sister's dog with us to give him some exersize while she worked today. I used to be afraid of one single certain dog when I was YOUNG but he was big and I was small and once I got bigger and learned that he wasn't going to hurt me, I was fine with him and we became friends. My sisters dog however, has been tied up and mistreated by humans but is a total sweetie. Hes a pit bull mix ( don't want to get started on a pit debate) but he doesn't look super big jawed and intimidating.

While hiking we ran into 2 separate couples on the trails who outwardly acted all scared and standoff ish and the other person had to say: oh she doesn't like dogs.. there was one girl and one guy. They were blatantly trying to skirt around us while I had the dog on a leash and close to me, sitting down as a kindness to others passing us on the muddy trail..

I realize some people may have been bitten by a dog before, but I couldn't help but be kind of offended. This friendly dog who I am in control of isn't going to hurt you, he wasn't raised to hurt anything and isn't taught that now..idk am I being too sensitive? Isn't it kind of rude?

Answer

Looks like a sweetheart!  Very beautiful!  Pits have such a bad wrap!  Any dog can be a bad fog if treated wrong!

Answer

I live in a private community and neighbors react this way to my girl constantly. It breaks my heart because she is so affectionate and friendly, but all people see is PIT BULL

Answer

I'd act that way with any dog I didn't know I got bit when I was little and I haven't been the same around dogs

Answer

I wouldn't say that they were being offensive, they may genuinely have a phobia of dogs. You don't know what experiences they have had in the past with dogs, just as they don't know what temperament your sister's dog has.

I don't mind dogs, but when I first meet a strange dog I am extremely cautious around them, and that IS because I was attacked by one when I was a child (and I'm not exaggerating, it didn't just jump up at me, the dog tore the skin and muscle on my back while it pinned me to the floor). But it hasn't made me hate them, it's just made me more wary which is a healthy human reaction.

So I definitely think that you are being a bit over sensitive chick. The strangers you met on the path didn't mean to offend you, and honestly, this shouldn't have upset you. It's a reaction you need to accept and expect if you're looking at having a dog of your own, and also if you take your sister's dog out hiking again (especially if he wasn't leashed as I'm guessing from the way you wrote this).

Don't worry about other's reactions to dogs, it's nothing personal xx

Answer

I have a pit mix and you would be shocked at the reaction I get anytime people see him. They get terrified and act like he is Cujo or something.. My baby is the sweetest dog ever. All he wants to do is say hi. He's always on a leash unless he's in our backyard.  
Anytime my mom comes over he bolts out of the door and runs straight to the car and hops on 2 feet to say hello to her.

People are just ignorant to the breed.

Answer

I was bitten by my pit before (I walked by him when him and my other dog were fighting and I got the backlash of it) and I still to this day will go up to a pit if I see one out in public (of course I'll ask if I can pet it first) but i always say hi to dogs, people can be scared but there's no reason to be all freaked out and act like the dog has a disease or something.

Answer

I always feel a little offended at first then I understand. I feel like people should conquer their fears. Who knows that one dog could change their perspective on dogs.

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Have they never met chihuahua? Hahaha. Some people don't have a clue. It's how they are brought up, any dog can be like that. 
Ignore them, walk with your head held high and smile and greet them.

Answer

You're offended because people don't like your sisters dog? I thought we were leaving the "offended by everything" in 2025?!?!? It is a dog.

I personally hate dogs at this current point in time, so I avoid them. If I see someone walking with a dog I will move over and avoid them because dogs usually get excited to see people and want to sniff them or they jump sometimes, things like that. It doesn't matter that you 'had control of the dog', it's other people's comfort level. Unless they were outwardly being rude and saying things to you about the dog, I think you're way overreacting and just need to chill out.

Answer

I only voted that it was understandable because you just never know with other people's dogs. Some people are terrible with their dogs so they act out, and those people have no way of knowing who you are or how the dog acts. It sucks, but maybe they were just being cautious because they don't know :) I'm sure the pup is sweet though!

Offended? Rude?

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