To think that if your child is scared of dogs you should encourage them not to scre and wail if my dog is 300 ft away...

[Beccadugs]

Walking my dog today, she was of lead, about 10ft ahea of me waiting for me to chuck the ball. A child cycled towards us, saw my dog (who is half toy poodle so tiny) and started screaming. My dog just looked at her and then carried on our walk, if she was the type to run up to strangers/kids she wouldn't be off the lead. However, when she was a puppy and less well trained this screaming was an invitation (in her mind) to investigate.

While I accept that some children are scared of dogs, and that is fine. I would have thought that if there is a dog in the general vicinity encouraging your DC not to scream is probably for the best when the dog is ignoring you completely. AIBU, we all want to use the local facilities happily.

[Beccadugs]

Off lead not of lead...

[AngelsLieToKeepControl]

Who was encouraging her to scream?

My dd would have done the same at one stage, she was terrified, there is no way I could have stopped her screaming and crying. It took years and a very, very kind lady to get her over her phobia of dogs and I was always looked down upon by dog owners who thought I was somehow encoraging her phobia.

[PomBearWithAnOFRS]

You need to keep your dog under control at all times, no matter what anyone does. Or would you really like to see it destroyed because a child screamed, startled the dog, and it bit them?
Children take priority over dogs in our society, legally, and generally speaking except among dog owners in everyone's minds too.

I'd put your asbestos knickers on if I were you lovey

[Tulip26]

Kids need to be taught that screaming will potentially encourage a dog, as it will naturally want to know what's wrong. They can sense emotions.

[caruthers]

Children wouldn't have to worry about Dogs if the Dogs were kept on the lead.

[UniS]

But a frightened child doesn't think " I was told that a dog might come to me if I scream and a dog might think I want to play if I flap" they just see dog and go into panic mode.

[Beccadugs]

As I said in my post she is under control otherwise wouldn't be off her lead. She's not bothered by noise or children screaming. I'm asking about the screaming when the dog is in the same vicinity.

[cornflakegirl]

My friend's DD had a dog phobia. She was okayish if the dog was on a lead, but very scared if not. Not unreasonable in my opinion - even a small dog is pretty big to a small child. I don't like it when dogs are off the lead in an area where children play.

[Beccadugs]

And she was no where near the child who cycled towards me.

[Sirzy]

It's because of an irresponsible dog owner that DS (nearly 4) screams when he sees dogs. I have managed to get it so most of the time he just hides behind me which is much better.

He was great with dogs until a stupid woman let her dog jump up at him and knock him over using the normal "he is just being friendly" crap!

[BuzzardBirdBloodBath]

How ridiculous, how could a child not scream if it's instinct is to scream? I believe a fear is a fear

[Beccagain]

As I said in my post she is under control otherwise wouldn't be off her lead.

If she is off her lead she is not under control.

[isitsnowingyet]

FFS

[isitsnowingyet]

Cross post - oops - I'll get my coat

[Beccagain]

Don't do that Snowing...at least not before saying which post you FFS was in response to!

[Itsjustafleshwound]

YOU know the dog is under control but no-one else does - they just have to assume ...

This is so arrogant .... And makes me so angry! I don't want anyone's dog anywhere near me.

It is a bit like asking kids just to stop being afraid of the dark ...

[isitsnowingyet]

We walk our dog in a very large wood. Sometimes I let my dog off the lead in this very big wood. Very occasionally, will meet a person or group of people. Perhaps the OP was in a place like this, not in a park with a children's area etc, and has every right to walk her well behaved dog.

[5madthings]

What sirzy says was the case with my ds2 and is the case with my ds4. Ds2 has got over his fear, ds4 we are working on it.


Most parents dotn encourage their child to scream and wail ffs. Its just what children do of scared.

Oh and ds4 would have and a fit as your dog was off lead, he is okish with dogs that he can see are on a lead.

[LST]

YANBU

My dog is mostly off lead. He is called to me if anybody comes close etc and told to sit and wait, which he does. Insinuating dogs should never be let off their leads is ridiculous. Not every dog owner is irresponsible.

[Beccagain]

and has every right to walk her well behaved dog.

of course she does, as long as the dog is on a lead.

[BackOnlyBriefly]

How are the rest of us supposed to know that your dog is under control? Other dog owners have made it risky to make that assumption.

In other news I see they have increased the maximum jail sentence for the owners of dogs that attack and kill someone. Because dogs sometimes attack and kill people

[isitsnowingyet]

[LST]

Op should keep her dog leashed everywhere?! Really?

[Lweji]

If you could explain how to train a child who is frightened of dogs not to scream, that would be helpful.

What treats do you suggest? What command word?

Guess who takes priority between a child and a dog.

[Beccagain]

Op should keep her dog leashed everywhere?! Really?


Yes, really (except of course in her own garden). HTH