A polite word

Hi,

I am hoping for some advice from fellow Dogs Today readers.

I have a Cocker Spaniel, Mandy, who is 11 years but still very active. We walk the same route every morning and very often come across a chap and his terrier type. The terrier type is a bit bigger than my Mandy, and is quite boisterous. He is friendly and not aggressive, but he does play roughly and does bowl Mandy over on occasion.

His owner is very pleasant and chatty, but doesn’t seem to understand that his dog’s boisterous play can be a bit much for my old girl. I have tried to say things like, “Oh, you’re a bit old for young dogs now, Mandy, aren’t you?”, before walking on quickly, in an attempt to help the terrier’s owner to call his dog away, but it doesn’t seem to be working. How can I politely ask him to jump in and stop when his dog has a bit too tight a hold on Mandy’s ears?

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

Yours,

Sheila, by email