Dog off lead running at DD in park

[megcleary]

AIBU to have roared at man who said oh he won't hurt her.

My comments on his dog owning skills included the fact there is no sign on the dog to say he won't attack DD, the dog should be on a lead, sign as you enter park and the dog did not return/ respond when he called it.

His response was to tell me to shut up.

I hate dogs on the loose in the park.

i have a dog.

an absolute darling softy doodle

but whose recall is shit. its a work in progress. he only goes off lead in secure places with no distractions. he is not allowed offlead in the park areas, as he will very likely go up to random people to be fussed over.

at the same time, i get random children coming up to stroke him without asking. i make them stop, and ask. last week i told a girl off who just stroked him, as we were off the vets due to his ear infections, so he wasnt himself. i have also had people trying to pet him when he has a big buster collar on and is still dopey after an op (we live a short walk from the vets and no car).

i am still training him, but due to the fact he looks like a teddy bear it seems like a futile process at times.

if my dog jumped at a child whilst on/offlead, i would say sorry, and make sure the child is ok. but i would add he wouldnt hurt anyone. and if the child and parent were ok with it, i would get him to sit and wait and the child could say hello whilst he stays still (which he can do very well at times), just so the child learns that he wasnt trying to hurt them, and he learns he gets more fuss if he sits and waits.

Not reading the umpteen pages of the same neurotics reeling out the same old shit and self-entitled crap.

I pay my council taxes to maintain our open spaces. I therefore use those open spaces in accordance with the local byelaws and restrictions - which allow dogs off-lead as long as you pick their crap up. I pay a fucking large amount of money for training classes etc to make sure my dogs generally (for dogs, like kids have their moments) do what they're told.

If you've got a problem with that - it's exactly that, YOUR problem - not mine and I don't actually give much of a stuff if you're up in arms having hystrionics when my side of the equation are doing everything right. If you or your child got in mine or my dogs' (intentional plural apostrophe before the grammar police descend) faces screaming and yelling and spoiling our walk -you'd be told to fuck off. Likewise if your children come up and fuss my dogs without asking first - I wouldn't go over and pat your kids on the head unasked for - don't do it to Fido and Rover.

Ono, I am not relinquishing responsibility for my dog. All I am saying is that one of the things we learn in life growing up is how to react to situations outside our control, and what is a proportionate response.

And in my opinion, the OP overreacted big time. This could have been a lesson to teach her daughter how to behave aound strange dogs. What if the Op's daughter travels to rural France or developing countries where dogs roam freely on the streets? Is she not going to go there ever? Or how will she deal with beggar kids coming up for food or money when she is having a picnic in Egypt or India? Just feel uncomfortable and angry with the invasion of her personal space, or learn how to interact and enjoy the unexpected (as long as it is not threatening)?

me too, riverside
especially small ones where the owner think they can get away with no training and off lead because they can't do any damage

YANBU

We had a single incident in the park where a dog ran over to DS1 (4.5) wanting to play, DS1 was nervous and started to run away, dog gave (playful) chase, DS1 got very upset. DS2 (2.5) witnessed this from buggy and became absolutely hysterical. A few months later, DS1 remains a bit nervous but DS2 has really been very scared of dogs ever since. Such a shame.

Dog owner was on mobile whole time and just kind of smiling over at us. I should have roared at him, but was busy being very calm to keep kids calm.

rubyrubyruby Obviously I wasn't there but it doesn't sound like a non event to me. The OP's DC was scared, the dog jumped at the DC and above all, the dog was off the leash in an area where dogs were not allowed to be off the leash.

Not a non event at all. Except in the view of arrogant dog owners.

There's a new dog shit thread on here this morning. This one's getting boring with repeated tales of how a dog ran up to someone... perhaps some posters would like to go over to the new thread and tell of their shit on their shoes experiences.

If your child is scared of dogs then find a nice friendly dog and owner and socialise with them why should I do that? when I want nothing to do with dogs?

DBF nobody is forcing you to post in this thread, or read it. Perhaps you'd like to go off and post in the shit thread.

rubyrubyruby You don't think it is arrogant to dismiss something that clearly upset another human being as a 'non event'? Perhaps you need a dictionary. Or are you saying you are not a dog owner?

"DBF nobody is forcing you to post in this thread, or read it. Perhaps you'd like to go off and post in the shit thread."

thetasigmamum, thank you so much for your suggestion, which, as helpful and reasoned as your other posts on this thread though it is, I am going to have to decline owing to the fact that certain posters have spouted enough shit on here without me needing to search out more.

Toughasoldboots - that's one person saying that they hate all dogs - hardly a thread full of bitter dog haters! What there is instead are plenty of people who are quite happy with dogs who are well trained, come to heel immediately when called, and owners who abide by the 'dogs on leads' signs.

Just basic social behaviour. Hardly difficult to understand.

These threads are always the same!

Having only read the first 50 posts or so, I think my favourite comment so far is this one

"nobody needs children"

So having dogs is more important than the continuation of the human race? A novel view, each to their own I suppose

And of course man was being very U to have dog off lead on a dogs on leads area, with a dog which did not come when called, and jumped at a small child.

Just seen the last few comments, how terribly aggressive.

The OP was in a part of a park with a dogs on leads rule. Why are people talking about different parks where dogs can go off lead?

Thanks sardine

Re: the comment about 'how will the children cope if they go to france with dogs roaming free, or with beggar children approaching them in Egypt?

How's about you don't fret about that and leave it to other parents to decide when/ where/ how to acclimatise their children to various scenarios? As someone else said, the rest of mankind are not there to play bit parts in allowing you to 'socialise' your pet.

The idea that you are somehow doing us a favour by providing 'learning opportunities' for other peoples children is the most laughable excuse on the thread for having an out of control dog

"So having dogs is more important than the continuation of the human race? A novel view, each to their own I suppose"

Let's just say that looking at some of the anti dog sentiment on this thread, on MN in general and throughout the whole UK at the present time, looking at the backyard breeders, puppy farmers, the people who continue to buy from them and considering the abuse, neglect and abandonment of dogs I see daily I'm beginning to think that Aspinall had a point.

Well said CallmeMrs!

I'm actually quite touched - I hadn't really there were so many dog owners who were concerned with my children's learning opportunities. Here was me thinking that they just couldn't give a shit about signs telling owners to keep their dogs on leads, or training their dogs well - when in actual fact they want to ensure that my children learn how to deal with dogs in preparation for our holidays to France when we will deal with dogs roaming free (haven't seen any so far, but obv. going to the wrong parts of France) or beggars in Egypt.

What can I say, apart from thank you from the heart of my bottom?