WIBU to reassure this child that my dog is friendly

From my experience many parents seem to project their own dog fears upon their children. It really bothers me when kids (especially older ones) act stupidly around dogs - ie: screaming/shouting, throwing tantrums and running away when a dog dares to calmly walk past them on lead. Almost always followed by parents pulling them away as if they are about to get mauled by an XL bully. I accept that not everyone is comfortable around dogs but acting like this is a sure fire way to draw attention to yourself (and provoke a dog). The parents need to correct it, not reinforce this silly behaviour.

@AragornsManlyStubble Agree, she was, no need of it.I don’t get, why some people, particularly on this thread are so shocked to see dogs, when it’s common knowledge, it’s a place where dogs are allowed off lead Agree with you, best not to speak, to reassure.My dog, who’s elderly now, has never run up to people and jumped up on them, because she’s been trained and actually she’s not interested in other dogs or other people, she just wants to enjoy the freedom.There are plenty of dog owners, who are not irresponsible.
I’ve had many people, say can they say hello, stroke my dog, it’s just all down to courtesy, works both ways.

I feel she was rude.

I’m currently training my 17 week old beagle puppy, and when walking he’s on lead and I’m scanning the upcoming surroundings. If I see someone approaching we stop, I put him into a ‘watch me’ (a sit with eye contact so I can see where his attention goes) and let people pass with his attention on me. If that starts to wander then I shorten the lead and put myself between him and the person while getting him to ‘walk on’

If it’s a narrow path or we have to cross someone unexpectedly it’s a short lead, a ‘walk on’ and a clear ‘not everyone wants to say hello to you ’ At least then they know my focus is on them not engaging with him or vice versa.

My aim is getting him to automatically put attention onto me rather than the person passing.

I’ve definitely learnt from this thread not to use the ‘friendly’ word.

She was a rude cow. Your little dog was doing nothing wrong and a friendly comment to the little girl was treated with contempt. I suspect it was her poor parenting that caused the fear of dogs.

You didn’t do anything wrong. In fact, far from it, and you took correct action. Ie. Putting her on the lead. You were well meaning with your comment, and was trying to be reassuring.

You’re missing the point though, the dog was under control because op immediately put it on the led. A dog is not “out of control” just because it is not walking right next to its owner…,people don’t make their kids walk right next to them all the time, or even bother to supervise them - I was smacked by a fishing net last week walking along a riverside path because some child decided to randomly swing it round his head with no warning , for example, and I lose track of the number of kids on scooters who have nearly run me over.

@WasThatACorner there are places where people know dogs are going to be and off the lead.So why would it be shocking to see one.Op was in control of dog, she recalled her dog, who came straight back and was then put back on the lead.
In the uk, it’s legal, in green areas, parks, for dogs to be off the lead.If you feel so strongly about dogs, then yes, the alternative is don’t go to where it’s common knowledge, where dogs are going to be.
unfortunately, like in any situation there are some irresponsible people, who have a dog, but equally there are many people who are respectful.If you dislike dogs, it’s probably difficult for you to see that.

Psychic powers aren't necessary. If you are letting your dog off lead you should be in control of that dog. If you can't see what is around that corner then the dog should be at your side. That's all.

If the thing around that corner injured your dog I'm sure you wouldn't be shrugging your shoulders and saying "ah well, I'm not psychic".

To me, 'he's friendly' means 'might approach you but won't harm you'. I get that it's meant to be reassuring but I don't like dogs and I don't want them to approach me at all, ever.

I've had dogs approach me before and when the owner can see I don't like it, they apologise and call them back. It drives me mad, you don't know if a stranger likes dogs so just don't let them approach randoms in the first place? (I understand that this isn't what the OP did.)

Who said it was a beauty spot, it was a green space.
Where anyone can go to including dogs.Op didn’t say her dog tends to jump up on people, she said her dog was well behaved and had a good recall.
You don’t think it’s fair, legally it is.What’s the alternative, dogs are banned from going anywhere, that’s not to happen in the uk.It’s actually quite a dog friendly place.

So many dog owners say that and they usually have biters. So I can see why the mom was not impressed.

Don't say anything. Mom was appropriate, you were pushy. Back off with scared kids.

I had a gentle giant dog. Some people were scared of him and would cross the street. No problem.

I don't let my dog off the lead, she is a Frenchie with zero recall and conveniently deaf when she chooses.

I often get approached by children saying "oh, a Frenchie" and wanting to make a fuss of her. I always say "she's a bit nervous, so probably best not to". She isn't nervous, but she is a dog and I can't predict how she - or the child for that matter - will act.

I also don't like random dogs off the lead who just come along and start sniffing her bum because she definitely dislikes that and then if she gets feisty, I have her and the random dog, with no owner in sight, to deal with. Yes, she is the one who starts to get annoyed first, but she hasn't asked for a nose up her bum from an unattended dog.

Don't take it personally. She's probably had a million dog owners say that whilst letting their dogs jump up at her kids and scare them anyway so it's gets a bit meaningless.

Maybe she should have said “don’t worry, she’s not the slightest bit interested in you”, but no doubt the mother would have thought that was rude.

There are lots of things in life that people find “disgusting “ personally but have to live with, smokers and vapers hanging round doorways, the 2 children wrestling and screaming at each other in tescos yesterday whilst their parents ignored them blocking the aisle to choose coffee when I had a headache and the idiots who double dip in pic n mix/ salad bars are personal bugbears.

You do realise animals and homeless people (and lots of drunks) void themselves outside right? Unless you have OCD ( in which case get some help) you’re being ridiculous. Maybe if you lightened up and stroked a dog your blood pressure would drop & you’d be happier.

Fitting username btw, seem to have quite a bit of cognitive dissonance going on.

Are all dog owners meant to be psychic then, and no someone about to come round the corner is afraid of dogs? She saw something, she did something about it promptly, there was no problem. Get a grip and STOP SHOUTING! 🙄

But I, as the dog’s guardian, find it offensive because the PP is using it to denigrate because she (look how polite I was there) doesn’t like dogs. I personally don’t give a fig about pronouns but I do not take kindly to miserable people choosing to have a go.

Indeed 😅. "Friendly" has become a byword for "totally out of control, but we at least THINK he won't savage you but just slobber on you and steal your food".

The trouble is, all the idiots that let their dog jump at you, slobber on you and steal your picnics, holler "it's ok he's friendly" from a distance.

Also I was bitten last month by a dog someone said was friendly. I've got nerve damage in my hand.

You did nothing wrong. My son is scared of dogs and I've lost count of the number of times someone has let their dog run up to him shouting "he's friendly don't worry" and I've had to tell them to call their dog back as it doesn't matter how friendly it is, he's still bloody terrified. I love it when people put them on the lead around kids to prevent this. Mum was probably just having a stressful moment as she's experienced the same many times. In a world full of dogs it's very stressful taking kids who are scared of dogs for a walk, I don't think people appreciate this and how difficult it is wanting to get kids outside but also having to deal with the inevitable situation where someone's bloody dog runs up to them. My son won't go to play parks anymore or beaches, because it's happened so many times. Brush it off, you didn't do anything wrong.

I'm not a dog lover but love the idea of dogs being trained to stay by the owner if other people are around

Agree with PP that "I've got him under control" is better than "don't worry he's friendly"

YABU - every dog owner always says that about their dog. including those that then maul their own kids
As someone who doesn't like dogs I don't want to be sniffed/licked/jumped up at yapped at-in any circumstances. Of course you are entitled to use path/park/towpath etc same as me but just keep your dog off me please.

Tbf my own friends have said this and their dogs have tried to bite so I have zero trust now. The mum is probably the same

If OP felt the need to say anything she could thank the child for waiting calmly while she got her dog on a lead.

TBH waiting until she could see the child was anxious to call the dog back and put it on a lead was unreasonable. I love dogs, was a dog walkers and trainer, my own dogs are trained to come back to me when they see anyone walking towards us without me having to remind them. If there is anyone around your dog should be by your side.

Interestingly, the comments I get from people without dogs are generally "thank you" / "wow, he's well trained". Dog owners on the other hand get very offended that my dogs come back to me and I've been told many times that I'm "cruel for not letting them be dogs".