Dog jumped and scratched child

[ShyChai]

So super long story short, my dog is about a year old, so still a puppy. He is very well behaved unless he gets super excited, then he is very difficult to control (mainly because he's 60 pounds).
I was out in front of my apartment in a grassy area playing with him with a ball. I know I shouldn't have him off leash, but he never runs off, and I only really play with him when no one's around. The leash obviously makes it impossible to run without getting tangled/tearing my arm off.

While we were playing, a little girl came over (12?). She asked if she could play. I warned her he was not aggressive but we are working on his jumping, which he does when he gets very excited (meeting new people). Two other girls around the same age came over. They were having a great time playing with him and having him do tricks.

About 30 mins later, a younger girl (8?) with an even younger girl (4?) came running up around the corner. The 4 year old got extremely excited to see the dog and yelled while running up to my dog. My dog got extremely excited and jumped on her. She got scared and started screaming. Unfortunately the more she screamed the more excited my dog got. Mind you, he never bit or growled, he thought they were playing. Unfortunately the poor kid was terrified, and all the little girls didn't know what to do so they just sat there. I didn't feel comfortable picking up the little girl, so it took me a few tries to grab my extremely excited dog without knocking over the terrified child. The 8 year old removed the 4 year old from the situation and my dog went back to playing with his ball like before. The 12 year old girls were a little shaken up at first, and I adamantly apologized and explained he didn't understand she was scared, he thought they were playing and got excited. They definitely agreed that he is a good dog and he didn't act out of aggression.
I noticed a scratch on her leg from one of his dew claws (all of his other claws are very dull). He didn't draw any blood but I know he did technically hurt the child. And I know it's my fault for having him off his leash, even though it was pretty much a freak accident. I'm just wondering what I should do in this situation. Should I reach out and try to get in contact with the 4 year olds guardian and explain what happened/ let them meet my dog (because he is so incredibly sweet when he isn't super excited)? Should I let it blow over? Should I reach out to management and explain what happened in case anything comes of it?

[GiveUpxo]

It needs putting to sleep? It didn't attack her ffs or cause any injury, it caused a scratch that didn't even break the skin, wow I hope u don't have any animals, if ur dog accidently scratched ur child you'd get it put down , bit extreme. If it attacked the child that would be a different story but it didn't

[GiveUpxo]

Not all dogs are monsters. This dog wasn't aggressive to her at all or hurt her , obviously the little girl would be shocked to have a puppy Jump up to her but he wasn't attacking her I just thought your comment was a bit extreme to suggest putting a dog down that's still a puppy for being excited and accidentally leaving a mark that I bet went within half an hour

[MrsKrabbapple]

😂 Then Terf, this thread might not be the best one for you to give advice on.

I'm really struggling with carrying out a three point turn and it's my driving lesson next week. Any tips?
Give up. I've never learnt to drive.

[CarolDanvers]

Do t be so utterly ridiculous terf

It all got a bit out of hand OP, you need to be on that in future. I sure you know now and yes I would try to find out a parent to talk to them and explain what happened.

[GiveUpxo]

Dunno what normal person would get a dog euthanised for something so minor. I'm glad to hear u don't want to own a dog

[userxx]

@terftastic1984 🤣🤣🤣. Clearly taking the piss. OP try not to worry, do you know this child? Your dog is still a pup and excitable, especially with excitable kids running around him. I'd be cautious in future of letting children play with him, just until he's not as giddy.

[KateyKube]

My dog jumped on my lap, I was wearing shorts and he accidentally scratched my knee. I suppose I should have him put to sleep too? 😂

OP just let it go and don’t let kids play with your dog any more. I don’t let anyone touch my dog in case they hysterically overreact like Terftastic has.

[GiveUpxo]

@terftastic1984 it's a dog so yes?😂 r u alright love?😂

[TopDogs2019]

Aww poor terftastic! 30+ and trolling! Go to sleep...(not put to sleep)...just put the glass of wine down...

[GiveUpxo]

@TopDogs2019 love the username to match ur comment 😂😂

[w0man]

Dog should not be put to sleep for this and I fully understand you didn't intend for anything bad to happen.

But if you know your dog gets very excited around new people and that you find it difficult to control him when he is excited due to his size, letting several new people play with him off leash wasn't a good idea and not what I'd call a freak accident. You know what makes him excited and you know you struggle to control him, might have best to only have new child play with him.

I think trying to find the parents is a good idea but be prepared for them to be angry and to not want to meet your dog. A small child's version of what happened will be very different to yours. Your dog is a giant to a four year old and they may well have told their parents your dog tried to attack them and you struggled to control it.

I say this as someone with a dog who also gets excited, more so around kids too. She doesn't jump but her tail is like a whip and can hurt when she wags it like fuck in excitement. For this reason I don't let children I don't know stroke or play with her without their parents permission and I've mentioned her tail and never off leash because while she has brilliant recall she can be nervy if startled, she's soft as shit but if she felt scared by a child suddenly shouting or something she could knock them over trying to run away and the last thing I want is angry parents on my door wanting my dog out to sleep.

[GiveUpxo]

@terftastic1984 should you not be asleep in bed by now?

[CallMeRachel]

It needs putting to sleep

Oh here comes the drama queen

Are you okay hun?

[GiveUpxo]

@terftastic1984 hope she took the dog with her if she has 1!

[JasperTheFriendlyGhost]

@terftastic1984 ODFOD

[CallMeRachel]

@ShyChai you put your dog at risk more than anything in allowing it to be amongst excitable kids.

In hindsight you should have put his lead on when you saw the 8 & 4 year old smaller, squeally kids come over.

You should really have walked the younger girls home and explained to their parents what happened and made sure everything was okay.

I'm not sure what you mean by notifying management, possibly the resort you live in? Not uk?

Until your dog is trained and can be trusted not to jump he should stay on the lead if there's a chance of kids nearby.

[TopDogs2019]

That you're not really 14 - 😂😂😂, that you are really 14- 😭😭😭, either way, your contribution to the thread is neither interesting or helpful, so take a good look at your level of 'maturity, and as previously said, go to bed. X

[GiveUpxo]

@terftastic1984 ur young ? 14?so dunno y out of all things ur on Mumsnet telling a woman to put her dog down. But talking about dogs and ur comment Do you not like them in general? Not being horrible just curious lol

[HoppingPavlova]

Not the dogs fault but the owners fault. Should never have let your dog who can get ‘excited’,no matter how nice, play with kids. Not hard to tell the kids it’s best the dog does not play with them. Avoids all chance of an incident.

[NaughtToThreeSadOnions]

Probably best ignore terf they've obviously had too much of that MN Gin or possiably er their not a genuine poster