to want to smack dog owners around a bit?

[smuggins]

Just been for a walk with DD in the backpack.
Walking across a lovely meadow, we saw a woman walking her bear (might have been a large dog - looked like a bear to me) in the distance. As we approached each other, the bear sat down and awaited its owner. As we came closer, it stood up and took two (meter long) steps towards us. Naturally (evolution, survival instinct, etc) we shied away. The owner cheerily told us that the bear was 'a real sweetie' and meant nothing by it. The wife was a bit riled so said something along the lines of how the hell are we to know that, its a fucking bear and it was coming towards my child and its not on a leash. The response was 'well, you weren't to know, so have a nice day'.

Why do dog owners assume that we all love dogs. I hate dogs. And why were we made to feel bad for being threatened by the bloody bear. There are countless stories of 'real sweetie' dogs biting people - be they strangers / family / children. Do the dog owners know the law on such matters? Not sure I do totally, but I'd like to think that if an injury occurred because of a dog owners lack of control of their animal, they would be liable for that injury and the dog will be destroyed. Anyone know any different?

Anyway. I don't like dogs. Keep yours under control. Please.

I am speechless!

Actually I have one word for you OP

Knob.

The dog took two steps forward? Clearly out of control and gone wild Actually, I'm surprised the owner was so polite after your rudeness .

It's going to be a little hard to fire up the killer instinct in my dane who just wants to sleep all the time despite being one of those large dogs.

Has the op came back?
Sure he is not for real.

Humans or dog's hmm i know which i prefer and i'm with Vallhala all the way.

I'm a bit new to this ...was op just a wind up

The thing is, having a dog approach you when out with your DCs can be alarming especially if you are not au fait with dogs. But lots of dog owners (like the ones described in the OP's post) just don't give a shit. They expect us to know that their dog would never harm our children. Those dog owners should respect that people are going to be alarmed when their dog bounds up to them and call them to heel.

- BeerTricksPotter.

THE DOG DID NOT BOUND OR LEAP UP TO THEM.

hahaha - HUMANSHAPE!!!

actually made me lol!!!

OK, bound up to, approached, whatever...

personally i think that us dog owners should have places where people without dogs arent allowed.

At least that way we wouldn't have to put up with idiots like the op

oh bugger! The bun fight is over already?

Took 2 steps forward. ooooh the shock!! Op plus wife is clearly a bit unstable.Poor DD.

Erm, no. She might just be shit-scared of dogs.

YANBU I do not like dog owners either. I like dogs though. From the distance.

The op and family walked closer to the sitting dog and then swore at the owner afer the dog took two steps. Barmy.

Ermm, yes. So they shouldn't be walking in a meadow then should they?

The dog did not do anything??? so what is the problem??

This is all academic since we all suspect that OP is a fat, hairy, troll but if your dog is making moves towards a group of people with children you call it back. My father does and he owns the thickest, slowest labrador in the world. It is called being considerate.

Cupcakes (and OP, if you're still here and haven't just run away) seeing as there are dogs in the world, and it's likely there always will be, really it's in your interests and your childrens' to learn a little bit about dog body-language so you can understand whether they are behaving in a friendly way or are actually worth steering clear of.

To refuse to do so because you don't like dogs and wish they weren't allowed in public places is in my head as illogical as refusing to learn the highway code because you don't like cars and wish our streets were free of them, and maintaining that you should be able to cross the street whenever you like without having to watch out for the bloody cars etc etc...you're making your world less safe through stubbornness.

I'm a dog owner and am aware that some people can't read dog body language and are afraid of them. And it's not that I don't give a shit, but I do know that my dogs are well-trained enough not to actually cause them a real danger - they don't bite and they won't approach or touch strangers if I tell them not to. So I've taken my responsibility seriously in terms of mitigating real danger; I think it's your job to deal with the irrationally perceived danger (like the ridiculous OP).

Making moves??

I grew up around dogs, thanks. Six of them. I maintain that they are unpredictable dickheads and so are their owners.

Oh I didn't mean that last bit, I just can't be arsed arguing the toss over this. :)

I agree with Q. We have had enough versions of this thread on MN and enough links posted to sites about how to respond safely to dogs. Yet there are still posters who come on time after time who haven't taught their children how to respond to a dog, and can't as adults understand dog behaviour.

You do as a parent have a responsibility to teach children how to avoid being bitten by a dog. It doesn't excuse reckless dog ownership any more than teaching children road safety excuses dangerous driving.

My child reacts very well to dogs. It's me that doesn't like them.

Where is ScottishMummy? It was her that had a big stick for whacking wayward hounds with, wasn't it?