Smacking another person's dog

OK, in an ideal world we shouldn't even smack our own dog. But what about someone else's dog?

Reason I ask:-

Today Kuchar and I met up with a couple who have a younger, bigger and arguably even more boisterous dog than Kuchar. These chance meetings are always welcomed on both sides because the dogs play joyously with each other.

All joy again today, until Kuchar in an excess of joyfulness jumped up at Mr Other Dog and planted his paws in Mr Other Dog's midriff. (I would swear it was his midriff, below his belly button but above his crown jewels) and Mr OD immediately walloped Kuchar around the head. Now this guy has made an OTTP fuss on previous occasions when either dog has accidentally bashed into him, so I wasn't surprised to see him bend over double and moan and groan for about 5 minutes as if he'd been half killed.

Now, only a few days before his dog had jumped up at me and bashed me in the nose (I still have the bruise). Did I wallop his dog? No, it was an accident, even though it hurt.

To his credit, Mr OD (once he had recovered) apologised to Kuchar (although not to me) saying he shouldn't have lashed out, gave him cuddles and Kuchar was SO sorry he kept licking Mr's face.

But, even IF Kuchar accidentally punched him in the goolies with his paws, does this excuse someone hitting someone else's dog? Maybe only a man can answer this one!

I've got to admit to being a bit miffed, Kuchar is not used to being walloped around the head and has been a bit withdrawn the rest of today.

No - totally unacceptable. Would you be asking the question if it was a child? There's no difference in my opinion.

Nope!

Unacceptable.

Im not in any way condoning the slapping another persons dog, but sometimes it is automatic. Its still not acceptable, and if i did it to someone elses dog i would be very apologetic (but i dont think i would, i have good control usually hahah)

Thank you, all.

I am still trying hard not be bloody annoyed about this, and I don't want to be.

I think Hayley's right, it was just an automatic response. He probably didn't mean anything by it.

If someones dog was a nuisance and they weren't doing anything to correct it and I couldn't get myself or my dogs away I'd smack it.

I don't blame you for being upset! Hopefully he didn't mean anything by it.

I think what I would be more annoyed about is that he didn't apologise to you!

Caryll wrote:I think what I would be more annoyed about is that he didn't apologise to you!

Yeah you're absolutely right.

Shisa wrote:I think Hayley's right, it was just an automatic response. He probably didn't mean anything by it.

If someones dog was a nuisance and they weren't doing anything to correct it and I couldn't get myself or my dogs away I'd smack it.  

Yes, it was an automatic, temper-based, lash-out response.

And BOTH dogs were bouncing around each other excitedly as usual and occasionally including their humans in their play. I didn't have a chance to correct Kuchar, Mr lashed out immediately and cuffed Kuchar around the head.

This guy got paws in his tummy- I have had his dog bash his big heavy head into my face but I didn't lash out in an "automatic response".

He should have apologised TO YOU as soon as he had breath to do so. Maybe it was a reflex action, but then he should have said something to you.

At the very least his lack of apology was wrong!

Oh well, we met him again today and he smothered Kuchar with kisses and hugs (whilst I made blody sure Kuchar couldn't damage him in any way!) so that's the best it's going to get.

I must admit that now I know Mr has a very low threshold of pain and a very quick temper I shall make sure that Kuchar treats him like fragile Ming porcelain, and try not to bear a grudge!

Sometimes it's just better to let things go for the sake of the greater good!