Dog walking in busy places

Sorry about that, as a dog owner I can tell you that many dog owners are totally irresponsible with their pets. Pitbull and Staffie owners are especially nasty, I tend to pack up and leave as soon as I see one of them. 

Hi. I try to walk where possible in quieter places and at times where it is not too busy. However my reason is different. A lot of the paths near me have room to pass and not a lot more.

My problem is that I don't like dogs that might be unpredictable and particularly don't like them brushing up against me. My nightmare is when dog walkers are on their phone or using a long lead so I can't avoid them. Several times recently I have retraced my steps to avoid one that looks unpredictable or where the owner has left no room for me to pass. I was once walking on a wide pavement and I walked to the side to avoid a dog approaching me on a long lead but said nothing and the owner started shouting at me.

I have to say not all dog owners are like this, some are very pleasant and some stand aside for me to pass.

I hope this explains the difficulty for those who don't like dogs and hope you find a relaxing solution.

No Tris it's one of the worst times for me, mornings are disgusting and should be slept through, I've had my fill of having to get up at sparrow fart for work, kids etc and anyhow living in  a farming area people are up and about early. I mean someone might try and be happy at me and morning people like being grunted at even less than others. Why do people treat mornings as something almost holy and expect everyone to be happy at being up and about when normal people (owls) are sleeping? lol

I tend to find routes, places and times that other people don't use.

Walking the dog is the time I get a break from everything and everyone, so when I can I usually drive to remote places, usually woodlands, later in the evening when it's dark and usually have them to myself. I always feel great afterwards. No masking needed and the quiet and darkness means less to absorb senses wise. Get to see lots of wildlife too, owls, foxes, badgers, deer etc. but I don't need to script or mask around them, they don't seem to mind me just being me.

not a good idea, if you have to keep your dogs safe. I swear that some people have absolutely zero awareness.

I am a dog owner, and I would not even think about going out in a holiday park on Easter Sunday. That would be a recipe for disaster.

Either find a doggy park or a place not attended by families, or stick to unsociable hours and times. The dogs won't mind at all and you will be safer.

You have no idea how many times I had to pull my dogs away because parents left their feral children roaming about unsupervised. 

It's the best time! Most people aren't on their way to work or school yet and in summer it hasn't hit 30° yet (also my dog super doesn't appreciate having to wait around for hours between his breakfast and walk). 

Tris anything before 8am is the middle of the night!

noise canceling headphones and walking in the grass, finding the quiet time.

I have a dog and always take him for a walk, often in a quieter area or at quiet times of the day. I often see other dog walkers on my walk, I will wave to say hello or acknowledge them. I understand why you felt overwhelmed and perhaps 'snapped' at a family, but to be totally honest with you, when you are walking in a public space (i.e. a park or housing estate), you must be prepared to come across other people, they have the right to be in that space as much as you do. What I do when I am trying to 'avoid' people and have a quieter walk is when I see people approaching or in the near distance, I cross the road or change the direction of my walk. Dog's do not care where they are walking, in terms of the route, they are just happy to be outside. I understand changing your walk may mean a change in routine but you need to be prepared to change your walk, especially if you are wanting to avoid other people or busy places.

It's all relative. You're going to see people anyway, but generally I see a lot fewer people if I go either before 8 or sorta 10-11am.

Picking a quiet time is easier said than done, I don't think there are any, some people want to get up and watch dawn break and others want to stay out all night, the middle of the day is full of families. It's one of the reasons I want to move back to the middle of nowhere and out of a village.

I put headphones on and people mostly ignore me (unless my dog likes theirs, then awkwardness happens). And pick times when it's quietest. 

Others impinging on your immediate environment, triggering sounds and smells, the ubiquity of the thing you fear, being unable to go for a walk as a result - life is indeed difficult for people who have a phobia of dogs.

I feel your pain, I really do, living on Anglesey we have loads of tourists and they're a pain in the bum. My dog can be a bit reactive, she dosen't like collies after being bitten by one so she goes mental if she see's one. Somehow it's always the dog's fault and never those who think whatever they do is OK because they're on holiday. I dont' know what the answer is, but if you find it, please let me know. I just try and go to places where I know there will be fewer people, even if it does mean I have to drive.

Yes, it can be awkward sometimes. Dog walking involves unexpected encounters and sometimes these are unpleasant. My dog is medium size and I had to pick him up yesterday during a walk because a larger animal that was out of control was monstering him. I had words with the owner. I put my own pooch on the lead and change my route if I think we're about to run into trouble (toddlers he might scare, big dogs who might scare him, people eating food on the move etc) but know that isn't always possible at busy times. I also tend to go out at quieter times as I'm semi-retired/self employed but that isn't possible if you're working full time. The upside is that a dog provides the uncomplicated love and support humans can't always be relied on for!