I have a 3 year old border terrier. She recently had an argument with a Jack Russell - lots of growling and a bit of fur flying but no bites. It is the only dog I have come accross that she doesn't like. I have told the owner that i will put my dog on a lead whenever I see them (not very often) and go the other way. However a couple of times now they have followed me on to the park and started following me shouting and swearing. My dog is now walked late at night round the streets on her lead as I am so frightened to run into this person again. I am now thinking of rehoming my dog as walks are becoming so stressful. How can I get my confidence back?

> I am now thinking of rehoming my dog as walks are becoming so stressful

Oh my gosh, you must feel awfull to consider that :(

Have you told the police, they will not be interested in the squabble between the dogs, but the behaviour of the JRTs owner is bang out of order and needs reporting. Grrr, how dare they intimadate other poeple like this

Is there anybody else that can go for a walk with you? Other dog walkers, or family/friend?

Poor you, we all come across other dogs once in a while that our dog does not like. Fights with fur flying are not great but you have told the other people that you would put yours on a lead as soon as theirs came into view. You are acting reasonably and responsibly. You should not be hounded out of a dog walking area by the behaviour of these people. Are there some other people that you could walk your dog with, preferably two large blokes?

If these other people keep on following you I would talk to the park warden about their intimidation tactics and I would even consider speaking to the police. On the face of it there is not much they can do but they may know who these people are and others may have complained about them.

Don't be frightened off- I think if you could find other dog people to walk with and go in a group, that would help your confidence and your dog would be getting the dog socialisation she needs.

I would definitely talk to the police - this is intimidation and personally, I would find it very threatening.  It's completely unnecessary - your dogs did not have a full-on fight and you have acted very responsibly and from the sound of it, in a reasonable and pleasant way, and have done as you said you would.  They have no right to act the way they are and need to learn as much.

I would also second the walking with others if you can, and make sure they know that if they continue, you will call the police.

I agree with others, if you can have someone else with you then they will witness the intimidation by the JRT owners, even if that other person does not have a dog and is just company for you then you will have another person to give a statement to the police to back you up, as the JRT owners are bound to say that you are making it up.
Your little dog has done nothing wrong and does not deserve to be rehomed just for this incident, and your life does not deserve to be upset like this, so please don't allow them to bully you.
I have a terrier and know they can be quite feisty and a JRT ( not mine ) attacked my very large GSD once, so some awful people think this is great but this is usually the type of people that are proud that 'my dog can kill your dog' attitude.

You have done nothing wrong. I would not permit these people to intimidate you, yes, contact the Police, this behaviour comes under (something like) behaviour likely to cause an affray??. The other thing to remember is that if they were just concerned for their dog then they would avoid you and your walking times like the plague so they definitely need reporting. I would carry on walking your dog at times that suit you, not them. Walking your dog should not be that stressful for you.

I think you need to face up to them Alliebee.  It sounds like they are doing it because you are an easy target and not standing up to them.  Please don't rehome your dog because of this.  If it was me I would turn round when they were following me and tell them that I have informed the police about what they are doing and will not hesitate to do so again, this time requesting them to take action.

If they walk to the park you will have a rough idea where they are from and if they drive you can find out what car they are in.  Whether you choose to contact the police is your own business but they need to be aware that there are potential outcomes for them if they continue to behave like idiots trying to intimidate you.

Please keep a detailed diary of all incidents and if it continues go to the police.

I was in a similar situation where gangs of local yobs thought it was fun to shout abuse at me & my dog, which made him react (which made them laugh), almost every time I ventured out of the house, and it carried on for two years. I almost became a hermit, was afraid to walk him anywhere (it even happened while I waited at the bus stop to get out of town!) and also felt so low and depressed by the initimidation that I also considered rehoming my dog, or moving.

In the end I had to move anyway, and when I did, I realised how miserable it had made my life, especially as the police didn't take it seriously (or perhaps I had been ground down so much that I didn't make the police take it seriously - it's hard to say). Don't let that happen to you, please - take it from one who's been through it - act now and don't let the scumbag rule your life!

It will also help if you know the name of the person and/or where they live - the police were reluctant to act because I had no idea who the youths were and never managed to get a photo or phone vid of them.