Even their dogs know how to Karen.

[Baitball Blogger]

This is a true story. Some background is needed. There's a strip of green nearby, where I sometimes walk my dogs, especially when there are too many people on the public sidewalk. With Covid, it was just understandable that people made adjustments to give everyone space to roam. But on this strip of green, there are problems that are sometimes encountered. Specifically, there are one or two people who allow their dogs to roam without a leash. It's legal, as long as you can control the dog with voice commands.

There was a time when this community wasn't so developed, and it was easier to take such risks. Now-a-days, I wouldn't do it, except under very controlled circumstances. But, at least two dog owners have other ideas, probably because their dogs are about 25 to 30 pounds, and they think it can't do much damage. Their dogs have full range of the green area and I can certainly understand it. What I don't understand is how they refuse to leash their dogs when there are other dogs within view.

The first encounter occurred about a month ago. This one is probably forgivable because there was something obstructing the view, and the dog ran up on my leashed dogs without realizing we were there. The owner came running up behind the dog and the whole thing was startling. My small dog barked, which, of course she would; while the big dog was reasonable. Didn't get wild, but was definitely in defensive mode, as well she should have been.

Then, a few days ago, this happened: We were walking on the public sidewalk and I looked across to the green which is far on the other side of a pond and saw two people with a dog that looked similar to the one in the first story. It was about to rain anyways, so I thought it was just best to head back. We were well out of the range of the green and already 100 feet on a side street, when suddenly we heard the sound of crazed barking. I mean, it sounded like someone was disemboweling a dog. And I look back to see a dog from hell head right for us, screaming and screeching like it was the one being attacked. It came right for us, and stopped a few feet away from us, like she/he was giving my dogs a challenge, and then she ran farther away, before finally heading back to the owner, which was so far away, still on the green, that she didn't even catch up to the dog until it was already past us, and well on her way to her owner.

Most of my attention was on my big dog. She never got into defensive mode. She looked perplexed and confused, just like I was, because the dog's cries were completely contrary to its actions.

Only after much reflection did it occur to me that the dog was a Karen. Totally on the attack, totally in the wrong, but anyone within earshot would think that we initiated the scuffle, and the dog was the victim.

[magicarpet]

1. We try and call that KKKarening as in KKKaren,... So as to not defame everyone named Karen.

kKKaren is a Nazi witch,.... But Karen is an okay person.

[dixiechiken1]

2. "Only after much reflection did it occur to me that the dog was a Karen."

Totally on the attack, totally in the wrong, but anyone within earshot would think that we initiated the scuffle, and the dog was the victim.

Probably the best analogous description of a "Karen" I've ever read. Very well done, BB.

[Baitball Blogger]

3. Thank you! I seem to finally have found my voice.

[FakeNoose]

4. A perfect illustration why dogs can never be allowed off the leash in public

It's because dogs are unpredictable, and their behavior is different when the owner isn't able to control them. I'm a dog-owner too and I understand that we all think our own pets are "perfect" in every situation. Well of course they're not perfect, and some can forget their training or become threatening and aggressive/defensive.

I might take my dog out for a walk in the neighborhood because it looks like nobody is out there. But 5 minutes later, someone else could come out with their dog, and I'd better be able to keep my dog from over-reacting, barking or behaving defensively.

If I can't control the situation then my dog needs a shock collar or maybe an electric fence around the yard. It's totally the responsibility of each pet owner and not all of them are able or willing to accept the responsibility.

[stopdiggin]

5. chiefly because the 'vocalizations'

(as you describe them) were so out of context to situation and behavior - I'd suggest that the animal you had contact with suffered from some sort of serious behavioral and/or socialization problems. As your senses were alerting you - something is just plain wrong here. And regardless of the cause - this animal, because of aberrant and unpredictable behavior, needs complete supervision - and there's no way it should be trusted in an uncontrolled situation.

(but you're not going to be able to convince the owners of that - so save your breath)

[Baitball Blogger]

6. I did come up with another plausible explanation.

It is possible that the owner was using an electric dog collar and was shocking the animal, who has not yet connected the two things.

I think owners aren't aware that those shock collars have different settings. I know one owner who used it, and her dog's fur began to turn white within the year. By my calculations, it died young.

[stopdiggin]

7. hadn't thought of that

seems plausible though. As poster above points out almost all pet owners are convinced that their 'baby' would never do anything ..... And then 'stuff' happens ....

[FoxNewsSucks]

8. Those shock collars are just torture

if the animal can't understand the reason, and what to do to not get shocked.