dogs are nice its the owners

I have a rule for myself after a long discussion on another board.  If someone looks scared, I call my dog over and put her in the down stay position.  She stays there until they have gone, and if she tries to go back to them when we move on, I call her to me again.  I deliberately don't put her on a lead because her training is as good as a lead.  

I would only put her on a lead if I was told to by a park warden or policeman in uniform. I do have a delightful border collie which is very friendly and loves to be fussed by other dog owners.  She will also play with any dog of any size or breed, but was a bit frightened of German Shepherds at first.  

Reassurance is useless.  Either putting dog into down stay, or on a lead is the best way to reassure, and cuts arguments to nil in my experience.  

I am responsible for my dog, and her behaviour.  She is insured 3rd party, etc, but I must control her.  Even timid owners of other dogs tend to break out into a smile when they see what we can do.  Though she can be a so and so when she wants to herd a squirrel or two, she is good at showing off.

Thankyou everyone for your comments! I have since found out that he isn't a copper, and reported him to the police who have never heard of a pc butler for the parks dept, they think he works in the park dept as a groundsman! police (the real police) are now trying to trace him for impersinating a policeman!! lol!

Result!hope he gets his just desserts! I own the most laid back border collie ever born and she's never on lead except in busy traffic areas, she walks to heel naturally and stays with me at all times and she's a pets as therapy worker with me so is temprement tested! but we still get the odd remarks, your dog SHOULD BE ON A LEAD etc.

My son owns a big softie rescue staffie who is everyones friend my dog loves him too! he's great with kids and people, other dogs and is well trained but still people give him and my son the most awful glares and drag their toddlers close to hand, my son just responds by saying it's o.k he's already been fed lol.

One of my sisters has an english mastiff, Sam a real gentle giant, only 6months but weighing 871b already, he follows me everywhere to make sure I'm o.k so even in such a small puppy he senses all is not quite right with me and guards me with his life making sure I'm o.k including trying to sit on my lap!

It's the other persons problem when they misjudge a dog before even getting to know it or it's owner. There are bad owners sadly but dogs on the whole are loving creatures who never answer back and always give more love than we could ever wish for!

What a stupid idiot!! its not surprising some of us prefer dogs to most people Jilly :)  Ive has a few daft comments over the years from people who have no idea about the breed of dog they are talking about. I have rescued Bull mastiffs and english and french bulldogs..I LOVE the bull breeds ;) Staffies are lovely too and the rescue homes are full of them..sadly. I have a St Bernard and some poeple are funny about him because of his size, lol hes a teddy bear like all my dogs. I dont understand these weird people??  Glad you found out who he really was :)

Love scarlet x

Do try to be more understanding.  Some people have been bitten or at least scared already.  One friend was suddenly surrounded in her pushchair by a pack of hounds in full cry.  No wonder she's nervous!  

Reassurance is nothing without demonstration.  

The park groundsman did sort of have a right to ask you to put the dog on the lead.  I would always do so if a park official asked me to, or return to my car by the shortest available route to fetch the lead.  

We are liable for our dogs, and if they bite someone we could be required to have them put down.  So care for your pet with that in mind.  Someone can SAY  they were bitten, so be cautious.