I don't care if your dog is nice
people of montreal:
the sun is out and I've noticed more and more people out with their dogs.
I cannot count how many times in the past two weeks I've been out with my dog and we've been jumpscared by another dog from behind with their owner just letting them do what they want. just because your dog is seemingly inoffensive DOES NOT mean my dog is. the result is my reactive dog tries to lunge at the stranger's dog, barking her head off, and I have to be the one to restrain her. I've broken a nail, got my wrist messed up and gotten pissed more than I can count. it's a highly stressful event that we both would like to avoid.
please be considerate of reactive dogs and don't automatically think my dog wants to be approached by yours, especially if they're on the bigger side. dogs are always going to be drawn to each other, and it's our responsibility to constrain our pets, until their owner consents to the interaction or is at the very least aware of what is happening.
I appreciate any time another dog and their owner swaps sidewalks.
and before I get comments about training her, she was a rescue and I don't have the funds to train her, and positive reinforcement can only go so far. she's also up there in age, so for now, she'll be wearing a warning tag to not approach.
edited to add:
this also pertains to owners who let their dog off-leash. don't be a dick and leash your dog. no one wants to be approached by a stranger's animal, with or without their own dog, and no amount of saying "my dog is nice" changes that.