As the owner of a reactive dog (who’s not actually aggressive - just very scared), I can promise you that for the people actually working on training, a reaction is just as upsetting to us as it is to you, because it means our dog is having a setback in training and will be easier to trigger for the next few days, not to mention that it’s incredibly embarrassing. You get to walk away from that moment believing whatever awful thing you need to in order to feel better and calm your nerves. We know and sense that. And usually I end up crying once we get home because im disappointed and frustrated and ashamed. But you know what I’m never going to do? Abuse my dog so that a stranger thinks I’m “doing enough.” Did the dog injure you? No? Then you’re fine. What you’re describing is an unpleasant experience. We all have them. I’m sorry you had an unpleasant morning. If you need a place to channel that feeling, maybe lobby for something more realistic like banning those really loud cars that sound like gunshots from the roadways.

Most of us take care to make sure this doesn’t happen. I’m nowhere near poplar apts, btw.

You did the right thing by walking past and ignoring the dog.

But if you wanted the owner to “prove” themselves by having a heavier hand with the dog in public, I’m sorry, that’s not a good sign and something you should not want if you want fewer reactive dogs in your community.