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AIBU?

about children being allowed to run at dogs they don't know?

54 replies

Ellybellyboo · 31/03/2017 11:00

I was out walking my dog earlier. We were waiting for traffic lights to change to cross a busy road. Dog is on his lead, sitting down at my feet. I had wound the lead around my hand so it was very short.

While we were waiting a mum with a young boy (not really sure how old he was, but was wearing local primary school uniform, so at least 4/5) were walking along the road, when suddenly the boy runs ahead and just flings his arms around my dog's neck.

Dog is very friendly and loves children, but it did make him jump. Dog kind of stands up and looks around, resulting in a bit of a bump of heads and the boy ended up on his bottom.

I immediately apologised, explained that it was an accidental bump of heads. The mum was furious, said that her son was only playing, that he absolutely loved dogs and just wanted to stroke him. I said that my dog was fine with it (at this point my dog was calmly sitting while her son stroked him) but not all dogs would be. She just ranted that my dog should be wearing a muzzle, that it should be expected that children would want to stroke him and that he shouldn't be out if he was going to attack.

Dog didn't attack anyone, it was a total accident. I appreciate it gave her a fright, but we've drummed into our kids that they should never stroke or touch dogs (let along fling themselves round their necks) they don't know without asking the owner.

Frightened the life out of me too.

OP posts:

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mineofuselessinformation · 31/03/2017 11:01

Ignorant woman.

mineofuselessinformation · 31/03/2017 11:01

(Her, not you!)

Fruitcocktail6 · 31/03/2017 11:03

Don't worry, she was completely unreasonable. A child of 4/5 should absolutley know better, what he did I would expect more of a 2 year old. She will only have herself to blame if they come across a less than friendly dog.

I adore dogs and can't have one (renting) so I also stare longingly at dogs on the street, but I don't rush over to them. Your dog sounds lovely.

Spikeyball · 31/03/2017 11:04

Yanbu. Kids shouldn't run up to dogs and dogs shouldn't run up to kids.

RatherBeRiding · 31/03/2017 11:04

I would have taken the line of Keep your out of control child away from my dog please!

Stupid bloody woman. (her, not you obvs!)

Ellybellyboo · 31/03/2017 11:04

Sorry, meant to add, I have a very friendly, waggy dog and this sort of thing happens a lot when we are out and about.

It scares me to think what could happen

OP posts:

babybubblescomingsoon · 31/03/2017 11:05

Wow. She sounds mental!

MrsELM21 · 31/03/2017 11:06

That's ridiculous! My DC's would never touch another dog as you say you just don't know what would happen, I assumed this is what all parents would do, people are odd!

Thinkingblonde · 31/03/2017 11:07

I agree with you, the mother should have asked you if it's ok to stroke the dog. She should also teach her child not to approach dogs like that, he might have met a much more aggressive dog.
My granddaughter loves dogs, she is 22 months and had no fear of them, we have to watch her when out as she's inclined to launch herself at any dog she sees. Or at least she tries to.

sparechange · 31/03/2017 11:10

I hate this, and it happens all the bloody time near me.
Parents actively encouraging children - "look Jonny, a doggie, go and say hello" before a toddler charges towards us

We had someone bring their toddler over to say hello to sparedogs at a cafe a few days ago and ask if they lick
When told no, the parents said lots of other dogs give their DD kisses and she loves it

Yeah, that's a displacement behaviour to show the dog is stressed and/or scared, you idiots

Sirzy · 31/03/2017 11:10

It should be simple.

Don't approach a dog you don't know without checking with the owners first and dog owners don't let your dog approach a person you don't know without checking with them first.

Sadly some people on both sides fail to be sensible!

CoraPirbright · 31/03/2017 11:11

Stupid stupid woman. One day her little boy is going to do that to a dog who doesn't like it/is frightened and will snap at him and possibly injure him. Then, of course, it will be everyone else's fault but hers (esp the poor bewildered dog/shocked owner) when, in reality, it is her own parenting fail.

MadhattersWineParty · 31/03/2017 11:13

Argh stupid woman!!

This happens to me a lot when we are out and about. Have two small very cute dogs but they do not like being randomly run up to. If approached calmly and quietly they will happily be petted.

Kids do it all the time in the park- they will just tear up to them face on. The smallest dog hides behind me when this happens but my other dog will stand and bark loudly. The kid back off (some start crying) Then the parent will stop looking on indulgently and say something like 'oh come away they are clearly not very nice dogs'. They have never ever been aggressive or bitten but the bark is because he is scared.

Well how would a child react to someone they didn't know running screeching into their face?!

Bad parenting not to teach them how to approach correctly. And you should ask the usher first anyway if it's ok to pet the dog.

HarrietKettleWasHere · 31/03/2017 11:14

*The owner!

BagittoGo · 31/03/2017 11:15

Can't believe A 4 yr old would do that maybe child was in pre school uniform or had special needs. Either way you and your dog did nothing wrong.

mirime · 31/03/2017 11:16

I've drummed it into my three year old DS over and over that you do not touch dogs without asking the owner if it's ok. He's pretty good but does need reminding and if I think he's going to run over to a dog I make sure we're holding hands and remind him again.

It's just common sense isn't it?

Taytotots · 31/03/2017 11:16

My kids (around same age) love dogs but i have taught them to ask if they can stroke them as some dogs don't like kids. A bump is hardly an attack! If a dog was randomly chasing children and biting them that would be different but yours was under control and approached by the child.

BagittoGo · 31/03/2017 11:18

Just to add my 5 year old knows not to touch any dog unless owner says it's ok. If dog scares me we don't touch dog regardless. Also have to remind my boy that shouting near dogs is a bad idea as it scares dogs and can make them bark in turn making him ( and me) scared. Don't get me started on dog owners who practically shove their dog in your arms like newborns🙄

FoonaBaboona · 31/03/2017 11:19

My dog is afraid of children now exactly for this reason.

We tried to introduce her to as much new stuff as possible doing her socialisation phase but she was spooked by some children running up to her and trying to grab her when she was a small puppy. Mother was on the phone while they were running riot.

Luckily we have some grandchildren in the family now that she's growing up with so shes getting better. But if she sees noisy children her tail is straight down and she hides behind me.

I actively keep her away from children so as not to stress her out as much as I can, but I can pinpoint her fear to that exact day.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 31/03/2017 11:21

Stupid fuckin idiot. What was she thinking of. You don't let child touch strange dogs. Thankfully your dog didn't go for him, but. Things could have been very different.
You and your dog did nothing wrong.

Ellybellyboo · 31/03/2017 11:22

Thanks!

It was definitely the primary school uniform. My DD goes to the same school.

It just scares me to think what could happen. My dog loves the attention and it fine with it.

My friend has a rescue dog that's easily scared and she had to resort to walking him late at night

OP posts:

PastysPrincess · 31/03/2017 11:24

My son absolutely loves dogs and will rush up to them as he doesn't understand the potential danger. When I'm out walking with him I actively monitor where all the dogs are so that I can step in and hold his hand. If the owner is happy to let my son pet theirdog then we go together and I control him. I hate to see children and dogs not being properly controlled.

Mcchickenbb41 · 31/03/2017 11:27

I face this situation daily. My dd3 adores dogs. We like to go walking in a near by beauty spot where kids and dogs run free. I am teaching her that she NEVER approaches a dog. Mummy talks to the owner first etc etc. Most of the time the owner is only to happy for dd to have a stroke. Other times they may so I'd rather she didn't doggy isn't really into kids or being a bit irritable today. That is absolutely fine and I appreciate them saying no. And that is why you don't let your dc take the lead ( no pun intended ). The woman was an idiot.

feathermucker · 31/03/2017 11:28

She was in the wrong! Not you!

Bigblug · 31/03/2017 11:32

My 2 year old son, who's incredibly friendly with people and animals, knows he can't approach random dogs. No matter how cute and waggy they are you never know how a dog will react to unwanted attention until you ask the owner. She was totally unreasonable.

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