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The doghouse

Very sad - child screaming and running when out with my dog.

110 replies

YNK · 22/04/2012 15:13

I have a very soft staffie x and there is a patch of grassland next to a pavement and postbox where we go for a run about.

Two little girls were walking on to the postbox when one started to scream and flap her arms and grapple with the other. My dog loves kids and ran in her direction at which point she started running and screaming even louder so Rita picked up pace. I called to her and she stopped.

Every time I called Rita she stopped running but this little girl became hysterical. I had to put Rita's lead on because the little girl didn't seem able to control herself and Rita thought it was a game.

I called the little girl over to see if she was ok (Rita was on the lead at that point) but she screamed louder when I started to walk towards her. The two girls ran off like lightning screaming their heads off.

At no point did Rita touch the children and she stopped everytime I called her but I'm so upset seeing this child so distressed. This has really shaken me up.

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TheFeministsWife · 22/04/2012 15:17

It's quite possible the girl may have some SN. My dd1 has ASD and she reacts like that to dogs.

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drivinmecrazy · 22/04/2012 15:22

No advice, but was in a similar situation with my Mum's Weimeraner when she was a pup. took her to the park with DD1 who was 3 at the time and had been around since day 1 with the Pup. Let her off the lead in the park and DD1 and dog were chasing each other playing, all good so far. Then along comes a little boy running with a kite, so Bella pup runs after the child and the kite which was dragging on the floor. I was calling her back but she thought all DC were the same as DD1. I yelled at him to drop the kite and just stand still, all would have been fine. Then running up comes the childs mother screaming black and blue at me about Bella. I had dog on lead by now, so asked the mum if her ds would like to come say hello to the dog, thinking this might alleviate his fears. the mum was incandesant with rage, dragging her child away.
I felt awful, but actually more sad for the little boy. My DD cried when they left cos she was so upset the little boy thought Bella was going to hurt him.

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Meglet · 22/04/2012 15:23

My 3.5yo DD freaks when she gets too near an energetic dog, even a teeny tiny one like a pug or little highland terrier. The only local dog we are on talking terms with is a tiny chiahuahua.

I have no idea why she is like it. I assume she'll grow out of it in time.

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YNK · 22/04/2012 15:27

Oh thanks TFW. I was literally shaking on the way home I was so frightened. I've never seen anything like this before so I didn't think about that.

I admit I'm worried she might say my dog did something to her but we weren't even aware of her until she started screaming and even then Rita was well behaved. She was desperate to join the girls in the 'game' though as the screaming and running was exciting her.

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YNK · 22/04/2012 15:53

The screams were absolutely blood curdling BTW. Like something from a hammer horror film!

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RedwingWinter · 22/04/2012 16:30

It sounds very upsetting, YNK, but I think you should be glad that your dog never touched the child and stopped every time you asked. Well done. Maybe the child had special needs. It sounds like she was screaming already before your dog approached, and maybe she is also afraid of dogs and it just made the screaming even worse. Your dog just misunderstood it as fun and a game but she didn't really do anything. It sounds like you did all the right things.

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saintlyjimjams · 22/04/2012 16:35

Ds2 used to react like that to every dog. I spent so many years shouting STAND STILL at him. Eventually managed to get him used to dogs via some friends. Now we have our own dog and I am always having to tell him to get his hands out of the dog's mouth Hmm

It's good your dog stopped. I never saw it as the owner's fault when dogs chased ds2. As I explained repeatedly to him if he ran off shrieking and waving his arms on the air every dog in the vicinity would think he was playing.

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YNK · 22/04/2012 16:38

Yes, she did start screaming before me of my dog even looked at her and I'm proud that Rita behaved so well (I'm actually a bit surprised because she was wagging her tail fit to burst!).
However she sounded like she was being murdered and she was giving the other little girl a bit of a mauling too. I'm just so worried to ever meet her again in case she says my dog did something to frighten her.

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flapperghasted · 22/04/2012 16:40

If there are kids around, my wee dog goes on her lead. I know she would never hurt them, but the kids don't and a little cute dog to me is actually an intimidating beast to them. I had a child who was terrified of dogs and I know how scared she was and how worried I was when I saw her run and dogs run after her. Personally I would call my dog back as soon as I saw kids screaming, put her back on the leash, just in case she decided to join in. And just in case they were frightened of her.

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YNK · 22/04/2012 16:52

Yes flapper, this is what I will do.

It's a shame because we were nowhere near her when the screaming started and until then we wouldn't have given her a second glance but my dog could be at risk if the girl lied about her.

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Ephiny · 22/04/2012 16:58

I would immediately put BearDog on the lead too, because if he hears a little one in distress he wants to rush over to see what's wrong. Which he would think was a helpful thing to do, but in fact would really, really not be Hmm.

You didn't do anything wrong though, and neither did your dog, no one was in any danger. Maybe keep an eye out for those girls in future and steer clear if you can!

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YNK · 22/04/2012 17:03

Yes Epiphany. I must admit I wanted to go and comfort her too but when I walked toward her (with dog on lead) the screams hit another level!
I can honestly say I've never heard anything like it in my life, and never want to again!

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oldandcrabby · 01/05/2012 23:10

Well done, what a well trained dog. If there are small children about I put my two back on lead, or ask the parent if their children are ok with dogs. With these girls I would turn and go in the opposite direction. You can usually tell by the child's body language if they are scared.
If dogs see children or adults flapping their hand about, they think they might have treats. My dog is a PAT dog but was very over-enthusiastic when he met a lady with furry gloves, was it a cat, was it a plane...?
If you can talk to the parent calmly, suggest they teach the child to fold their arms (not flap them about) and turn their backs to ignore the dog and stay still. They then become boring and not worth investigating. Always praise a child who asks to talk to your dog and be very relieved when your dog does not react when an over-enthusiastic toddler pinches your dog. Then treat the dog.

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suburbandream · 02/05/2012 13:48

YNK, it sounds like you did the right thing. My DS2 used to be absolutely terrified of dogs. He has Asperger's and would completely freak out at the sight of even the tiniest dog. I am so glad to hear how you handled this, many is the time I have been made to feel like a useless parent by dog owners who think my child is in the wrong for "over-reacting" (I was once told "IT (ie DS2) should be on a lead, not the dog!" by one charming dog owner Angry).
In my case, the good news is that a while ago DS2 had some sessions with a brilliant local dog therapy charity, and is completely fine now. In fact, we are now the proud owners of a puppy ourselves Grin. I know when I'm out and about I will always bear in mind that not everyone thinks my pup is as cute as I do.

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ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 02/05/2012 14:05

So girl obviously terrified of dogs screams. Your off-leash dog runs at her whenever she screams. You then put your dog on leash, shouted at terrified girls, and then approached her with your dog.

I can see why the girls were a tad upset.

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LtEveDallas · 02/05/2012 14:16

Where on earth does it say the OP shouted at the girls?

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ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 02/05/2012 14:33

She says she called them over. Unless they were right next to her she would have needed to shout.

A shouting adult after a barking dog probably added to the trauma. Esp as the OP suggests that she shouted "come here" or similar. No wonder the wee girls were terrified.

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MamaMaiasaura · 02/05/2012 14:40

Ffs thR girl was clearly scared. Pit dog on lead. End of Sad. My ds2 is scared of dogs and is only 4. Admittedly he doesn't scream instead wants me to hold him. But to date all dog owners have been great, they see small child, lead straight onto dog. We walk past and say pleasantries, then once past, they met dog back off lead. if a dog was running at him and not recalling and been put on lead, he'd be terrified.

I have no fear of dogs and so I know this isn't a fear put on him. Otoh he is likely on AS spectrum and being assesssed for this.

I think you were the adult and should have put dog on lead.

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MamaMaiasaura · 02/05/2012 14:41

Feckin typos Blush
The not thR
Put not pit

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Pagwatch · 02/05/2012 14:46

The little girl sounds like my son who has SN. Including the Hollywood screams.
It doesn't matter that you can explain that your dog is fine, he would just want you to go away.
So if you see these children again then call your dog to you and put him on his lead. It is honestly not complicated. The choked wants you to keep away so keep away.
I wouldn't be concerned that the child may say that your dog just did something. I woukd hazard a guess she just wants you to keep your dog away from her

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MamaMaiasaura · 02/05/2012 14:47

Ditto and xposts with pag

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AmberLeaf · 02/05/2012 14:50

I think your dog shouldve been on his lead TBH OP.

If you are scared of dogs seeing one off a lead no matter how well trained is even scarier! they wont know that really hes lovely.

drivinmecrazy
Then along comes a little boy running with a kite, so Bella pup runs after the child and the kite which was dragging on the floor. I was calling her back but she thought all DC were the same as DD1. I yelled at him to drop the kite and just stand still, all would have been fine

Im Shock that you dont see why you were wrong there! your dog didnt stop at your command so you blame the boy?!

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Mopswerver · 02/05/2012 14:53

I think you reacted very well and can't help thinking it is a shame that children are being brought up to be terrified of dogs. We have the most bomb-proof Lab x who loves people and can't resist running up to say hello if he is off the lead on the Dog Area of the beach yet I meet so many hostile parents. I, like you always put him on the lead if I can see very small children as Labs are quite big and I can appreciate that at that size it can be intimidating to a little one but their reactions even when older children are involved are so OTT sometimes that it is no wonder the children are terrified of dogs. Waggy tail = friendly dog and if that dog is on a lead and the owner is asking if your child would like to say Hello then why not take that opportunity so that your child doesn't take on and perpetuate your (mostly unfounded)fears?

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LtEveDallas · 02/05/2012 14:53

Itsallgoingtobefine: The OP says called the little girl over to see if she was ok so she could easily have just raised her voice and said Oh my darling, are you OK . The way you have posted makes it sound more Oi You, whats the problem .

The OP also clearly says but we weren't even aware of her until she started screaming and even then Rita was well behaved So the girl was creaming first, before OP even realised she was there - and then OP put the dog on a lead. In fact OP has a dog to be proud of, well behaved, good recall, good tempered. OP has done nothing wrong.

(and is clearly shaken up. My sympathies to you OP)

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TheHouseOnTheCorner · 02/05/2012 14:58

I sometimes encounter a dog which almost passes out with joy when it sees my DDs. his owner has explained that he thinks ALL small kids are like his grandchildren and are going to play ball etc. I dont mind and my DDs love this dog as he isgorgeous (large) and wants to play...but I know if one came running towards them, I would want it back on the lead right away.

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