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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think if your child winds up a restrained dog

97 replies

rpickett · 08/10/2010 16:23

it's their own fault if they get bit?
I'm so pissed off, just been and walked my 7mth old puppy and one mother has wound me right up.

I was walking on the grass (which was a small strip nex to a pavement) and stopped to pick up after the dog went toilet, which isn't the easiest task at 8 mths pregnant with the bending, and this girl about 7 years old came bounding up to my dog an jumping in front of him trying to wind him up and play with him, she scared my dog and his tail went down and his heckles went up so I took a tighter hld of the lea whilst trying to tie up the doggy bag, while the mother just laughed and was yapping on about how her daughter has got him all excited, passed comment on how he didn't want to play and tried to walk off but no the daughter was still trying to wind the dog up while the mother was just laughing, practically walkin next to me so on the grass so I couldn't move out of the way and get passed.

If my dog had of gone for the girl I would be the one in the wrong (he didn't go for her but why take that risk) am I BU to think this mother needs parenting lessons if she thinks it's funny to allow her daughter to go upto strange dogs and wind them up?

BTW my puppy is great usually with kids, my two toddlers included but jumping in front of him waving your arms in his face is not the way to make friends.

OP posts:

Original poster

rpickett · 08/10/2010 16:24

Sorry about the spelling my laptop is having a mad one today.

OP posts:

ValentinCrimble · 08/10/2010 16:26

YABU...it's a puppy so people think it won't bie....the child and her mum may not be used to dogs....if I were you I would have said somethng like "She's afraid and you should talk gently and quietly to her."

If they were in your way you should have asked them to move...but at 8 months plus you have every right to be unreasonable.

curlymama · 08/10/2010 16:27

YANBU. I have felt the same countless times since getting our puppy. I honestly can't believe the nimber of parents that have stood by while their child has come over to our puppy and touched him without asking if it's ok. I was fairly tolerant at first, now I tell children that they should always ask the owner before stroking a dog. It's for their own safety,but more to the point, that of the dog.

ValentinCrimble · 08/10/2010 16:27

bite....not bite!

nickytwotimes · 08/10/2010 16:28

weelll, sure, parents should never let their kid do that. TOtally not on.

BUT if all dog owners were good at controlling their pet (as you are from the op) then the biting won't happen. So I think it is rather unfair to say they deserve the bite - after all the parent and the dog owner are the adults here.

AliceInHerPartyDress · 08/10/2010 16:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OrmRenewed · 08/10/2010 16:29

I think you are right but you perhaps should have said something to them.

LisaOz · 08/10/2010 16:30

YANBU. My daughter was taught to ask before going anywhere near a dog from a young age. I can't understand why anybody thinks it's ok to walk up to a strange dog.

AlgebraKnocksItUpANotchBAM · 08/10/2010 16:31

YANBU, children really need to be taught how to act around dogs IMO. breed or age has nothing to do with it, you can't tell if a dog is friendly just by looking at it.

that's not to say you should teach kids to be afraid or suspicious of dogs, but they need to understand that winding dogs up is a bad idea.

AlgebraKnocksItUpANotchBAM · 08/10/2010 16:33

I let my DD go up to dogs but before turning 3 she knew how to act - calmly, just putting a hand out to pet it.

however she's a bit scared of dogs now as a puppy bounded up to her in the park and knocked her over :(

Fluffypoms · 08/10/2010 16:34

Agree with lisaoz same here with my dc they know they must ask first.

frgr · 08/10/2010 16:39

YANBU. Children should be taught how to approach unknown dogs as part of growing up. Apart from the safety risk, it's damn impolite not to ask "is it ok if I pat / approach him" - I would have never dreamed to just go up and accost someone's pet as a child!

i would have stood off from afar and waited for the owner's permission to pat him if it was okayed or a parent said it was fine - i love dogs!

LotteryWinnersOnAcid · 08/10/2010 16:41

YANBU.

ValentinCrimble · 08/10/2010 16:45

I would never allow my kids to ggo up to a dog we do not know...when they try I always say "No we don't know that dog" and now although they love dogs they are always cautious...would never tease one like that...

AlpinePony · 08/10/2010 16:46

YANBU.

Some people are absolute pricks around animals. I "told off" two little girls on Sunday who were yanking my horses leadrope and trying to make it eat god only knows what - tied up outside a pub ( - the horses, not the kids obv., although the latter might've solved a few problems). In fact I asked them twice !

Original poster

rpickett · 08/10/2010 16:47

if I was asked and the girl stroked him instead on purposly trying to wind him up I wouldn't have a problem but it was the fact she came bounding up whilst I was trying to pick up dog poo, trying to tie the bag up and having to keep an extra hold on him whilst having contactions on and off for the last few days really wound me up, feeling better now I've ranted.
BTW if the moher couldn't see I was struggling with all that then she must be blind.
I don't think it matters that he is a puppy infact thats probably worse because they are less likely to be trained and have sharper teeth.

OP posts:

Mishy1234 · 08/10/2010 16:48

YANBU. The mother was clearly an idiot.

Hope she doesn't allow her daughter to do that with all dogs. If she does, it's only a matter of time until she does get bitten. Then the dog involved will have to be put down due to her stupidity.

BabyDubsEverywhere · 08/10/2010 16:50

You need to perfect a scowl. I glare at people, it makes life so much easier, but then I'm a cow who hates other peoples children.

My priority is my child/pet and i really am not interested in helping other people teach their children anything - (not just a cow on that one - very bitter experience!)

ChippingIn · 08/10/2010 16:52

YANBU - some people are just selfish idiots - some of them will be Mothers as well... sadly one does not prevent the other happening.

I have no problem telling other peoples kids off though

Bloodymary · 08/10/2010 16:53

YANBU every child should be taught to ASK the dogs owner if they may pet the dog.
My little girl knows a very friendly rotweiller, she can throw her arms around its neck and kiss it (not too near the mouth of course).
But, she also knows that she has to ask the owner every time that she wants to pet a strange dog, regardless of breed, age etc.

coraltoes · 08/10/2010 16:56

I'd have fucking bitten the girl myself, and the mum too.

minipie · 08/10/2010 17:01

YANBU. But why didn't you say "Please stop winding my dog up"?

2shoes · 08/10/2010 17:04

yanbu

amberleaf · 08/10/2010 17:30

Please can you define 'trying to wind up'

Do you think that winding the puppy up was her intention or was she trying to play/interact with him ?

Scuttlebutter · 08/10/2010 17:32

I find this so strange. Two of our greyhounds always wear muzzles (although they are actually fine with people) but I am constantly amazed at the number of idiots who actually encourage their small child to come over and poke/stroke/harass the dogs. I then have to be the bad guy and say a brief warning message to the child, suggesting they leave them alone or only stroke after they have asked us. This usually leads to glares from parents at the nasty dog lady who hasn't been nice - sigh.

Was taking one of the dogs to vet on Wednesday pm and just as I was walking him into the surgery, a small girl of about 8 came flying down the road like a banshee wailing and screeching and waving her arms saying "oooh, let me play with it". I had to be quite sharp with her as dog was looking spooked and in pain, hence vet visit - just wish parents would train offspring properly. I go to a lot of trouble to be a responsible dog owner and wish parents would do the same - we'd all get along a lot better then.

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