To ask dog owners to keep there dogs away from my my children?

Yanbu.
Our dog is back on his lead the second we spot children. Regardless of whether we are on a beach, park or woodland walk?
Why? Cos many children are scared of dogs.

L

Seems fair. I’ve seen children behave abysmally with all parents staring on. A walk in the woods seems exactly the sort of place you might find a dog off lead. Round our way kids play parks forbid dogs, so that’s the place one could fully expect to be dog-free.

No, it’s a legal requirement that dogs aren’t dangerously out of control.

Yeah I don’t disagree, but I’ve seen many toddlers that probably should have been on reins, their parents couldn’t cope with them either. Is it a legal requirement to have a dog on a lead? I’m a cat owner.

My dog doesn’t react negatively to children running up and jumping all over her. She fucking loves it, infact. Loves nothing better than playing with my children and is gentle.

But she’s a huge retriever who weighs 90lb at not even a year old. She’s too exciteable and too friendly but she could take a small toddler out with her tail.

My children are used to her size - we don’t see her as a big dog anymore as we are used to her size, but a child who over excites her can easily become overwhelmed.

I also work hard to train her when out as I don’t want her to be over excited to see everyone, she’s a strong dog and my back would be done in holding her back.

She’s always on lead unless in a private dog field. But still, people persist in letting their children run over to her. Other dog owners too, when they can see I am standing aside with her, training her to focus on me as they walk by, they still insist on trying to get her to play with thier dogs.

If your dog doesn’t come the first time immediately in every situation when called it doesn’t have recall and isn’t in control.

So when you are out anywhere with your child, and you see a dog on a lead, exactly this. Hold your child’s hand and do not let go until the dog has passed. If you are in a pub or cafe and there are dogs present, be 100% certain that your child will come back immediately when called. If they don’t, they are not under control.

A child trying to stroke a dog is very different to a child grabbing it or surprising it

Teaching kids to respect animals is important - I always taught mine as well that if a dog approached they were to stand behind me or the buggy and let me deal with it. As teenagers they are confident to deal with a rogue dog themselves (although I wouldn’t fancy their chances against the unmuzzled and off lead xl bully we saw last week)

Unfortunately some kids have no respect for animals - I hate seeing kids throwing things at pigeons/ducks or chasing them.

My dc also ended up with a fear of dogs for years due to an untrained one chasing them around and jumping at them when they were very small.

None of my kids have ever gone running up to dogs and jumped on them, jumped up at them or started licking them, but sure it's the unruly kids who are the problem 🙄. I've always taught my children to ask before petting an animal but If someone's dog will react negatively to a child trying to stroke them then that just emphasises why they should be on a lead doesnt it.

Absolutely- and I have dogs.
No one should let their dog run up to people/other dogs/especially kids. One dog I have is extremely friendly and thinks everyone would love to have a kiss. He's on the lead unless we are alone. My other dog is not that interested in people and is very polite with other dogs and has 100% recall. She is off the lead.

Same, I also have loads of fields locally to choose from so I can vary her exercise. We also do weekly enrichment classes and workshops.

My pet peeve is other dogs owners bringing their dog over to 'say hello'..fine if they want 'Bella' sat on by a 47kg dog, don't complain when she does that, pins them to the floor. My dog doesn't need to say hello. She has her doggy pals to play with.

I'm sure there are indeed plenty of dog owners who think their dog is more important than a strangers children. But of course you should politely tell them to keep their distance with the dog if it bothers you or your kids.

Nonsense. My little niece is terrified of dogs and not because we've told people to keep them away from and she's heard. It's because she's had dogs bigger than her bounding up and jumping on her. In one case, the dog knocked her over hard and she was hurt.
It's scary when you're little, especially if it keeps happening.
The idea that this is somehow the parents fault is ridiculous.
Anyone incapable or unwilling to train their dog to minimum behaviour standards when out in public, isn't responsible enough to have a dog.

Similar thing with DS - he’s still terrified years later.

My DC have never approached dogs, we’ve had plenty approach us with the owners calling - don’t worry they are friendly. He used to hide behind me (taller than me now though!).

These threads always seem to focus on the individual cases and not the bigger policy issues. It's not about demonising dogs or children, but asking what the implications are of having ever-increasing numbers of dogs in spaces that are not designed for them? Do we need to bring dog numbers down, or change the environment?

Just as important, public spaces are not always safe or accessible for women and children, and we need to work on that. Dogs have an impact on that, both positively (dog walking may make spaces safer for women at either end of the day) and negatively (children less safe to roam freely).

Policy solutions cannot assume that 100% good dog ownership, or parenting, is achievable.

Incidentally, I also think we have too many cats (and I bloody love cats). But the consequences are largely suffered by the cats themselves.

I'm the same. Especially if they're big dogs.

Off topic but it wierds me put when people call their dogs their children. It's massively different.

To add mine are whistle trained and have amazing recall but I don’t think they should be free to invade other people’s space!

I keep my dogs on their leads unless we’re in a secure field (the type you rent for an hour etc.) - I honestly think this is common sense! I have a Doberman so I know people can be a bit scared of her from her size, I just incorporate training into the lead walks to make sure they’re enriched.

I think off lead dogs running over to other (on lead) dogs and people are just selfish.

Which you know wouldn't be necessary if all dog owners were responsible (and I love dogs)

It’s funny you say that. I was doing a click and collect from M&S yesterday and there were four dogs in the store! Just inside the door or looking at clothes. A shop worked asked them to go outside and it was met with “but it’s really cold”. Ummm don’t take your dog out then if it’s too cold! Entitled people who don’t think they are ever wrong.

This gets brought up a lot - recall. I would honestly say in 95/100 times if a dog wants to run off, sees something (cat, squirrel) or wants to play it will not come back to the owner when called. I see it all the time.

I am constantly amazed at people who make excuses for their dog but have to call them at least ten times to even get their attention.

Yes I own a dog who is kept on a lead. Most dog have not been trained and/or have poor recall.

If your dog doesn’t find the first time immediately in every situation when called it doesn’t have recall and isnt in control.

He DOESNT snarl or bite. Where did I say that?
I said some dogs do that. Sibling's dog is perfectly safe, but the parent was bloody stupid to encourage their child to touch it without checking first.
Also we had positioned the dog so that it wouldn't be accidentally touched, next to a wall by the table. The only way to touch it was deliberately.
If someone came up to me in a pub and without introducing themselves started to deliberately stroke me, I bloody well would give them a piece of my mind. So would anyone. I wouldn't blame a dog for reacting the same way. And I reiterate he barks (yaps) he's never bitten or snarled at anyone.

YABU because frankly what is the bloody point of you posting this here.
I agree with you completely as a dog owner and mother. My dog is always called back and put on lead for kids.
But a passive aggressive thread achieves nothing, teach your kids dog safety and bring this up to owners when it occurs (which if it's like around our, is all the time as there has been an explosion of shitty owners post covid)

If you let your child provoke my dog despite me saying NO to the 2 of you, then the resulting bite isn't my responsibility as the dog owner.

It's yours 100% as the parent.

You can report-obviously- and the police will assess the dog. They will find a calm, well mannered dog, not a danger to the general public. I'd explain that the dog was harassed despite me trying to walk away and asking the parent to stop their childs behaviour.

I'd keep my dog and your child would carry the scars of your ignorance.