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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To get annoyed that some mumsnetters think dogs should be perfect all the time

331 replies

lesley33 · 01/11/2011 21:50

I try and be a responsible dog owner. I call my dog back if he is near anyone who looks uncomfortable with him, I move him over to the side of the path to let joggers by and clear up dog mess.

But some posters on here seem to think that dogs should alwa\ys be perfectly behaved, never run up to strangers and never bark at people.

Dogs are not robots. However much you train them no dog will always behave 100% perfectly all the time. Some dogs are harder to train. For example, dogs that are really really dim or dogs that have a very nervy and neurotic personality.

We all accept that DCs will not always behave in public. I think most dogs generally behave well most of the time - but it is unrealistic to expect them never to misbehave. So AIBU?

OP posts:

MrsHeffley · 02/11/2011 17:38

Actually Dooin if you look at the stats human bites are a fraction of dog bites.

Also if your car injures your child you get prosecuted and there is insurance. All dog biter owners should be prosecuted and should be insured.If my son had needed plastic surgery(like the child bitten by a dog on his tonsillectomy ward) the dog owner should be prepared to pay for immediate care,etc.

JaneBirkin · 02/11/2011 17:38

Exactly.

If my child was making dogs really upset I'd do something about it.

mousyfledermaus · 02/11/2011 17:39

I do not expect dogs to be perfect all the time that would be silly to expect from any creature.
but I do expect any dog to be under control. be that on the lead or near perfect at recall.

to add to that, if a dogowner cannot give the dog adequate training and/or going to classes, maybe they should not own a dog at all. maybe it is time to bring the dog license back. with tough restrictions.

bemybebe · 02/11/2011 17:40

"Why is it so unreasonable to suggest that owners of excitable dogs should keep an eye on them and call them back or put them on the lead when there are young children about? And apologise when their dog reduces a child to tears."

Absolutely not unreasonable and this is what I do all the time if mine is running around.

"I know so many kids who are scared of dogs and it's all down to incidents like this."

This i think is more a result of the bad parenting that creates drama where there is none. If the parent did not react with shock/horror, the child who was licked would forget it 5 seconds after the incident.

DooinMeCleanin · 02/11/2011 17:42

I agree all dog owners should have insurance. All owners of dogs who bite strangers outside of their own home and without undue provocation should be prosecuted and they generally are when they are caught, so just the same as drivers, then.

The stats of humans stabbing each other are far higher than that of dog bites.

All three of my dogs have third party insurance of upto £1m.

mousyfledermaus · 02/11/2011 17:43

I did not screech when ds was run over by a dog in the park. I showed him how to behave around dogs. he is still (after a number of years) very scared of free running dogs in the park.

DogsBestFriend · 02/11/2011 17:44

Holy fucking shit, another armchair Pit Bull identification expert on MN.

I do wonder why prosecution and defence in court pay so many thousands of pounds to expert witnesses to identify/deny that a dog is a Pit Bull.

They should just ask mothers on MN.

catgirl1976 · 02/11/2011 17:44

I htink most nips do get reported to the NHS as most people assume a tetanus will be required - even if it is just a little graze.

MrsHeffley · 02/11/2011 17:46

Most children's tetanus will be up to date.They should have antibiotics but most won't know that, I only did because I've done paed 1st aid.

cheeseandmarmitesandwich · 02/11/2011 17:48

Bemybebe, believe me, when DD was knocked down by a labrador I smiled through gritted teeth while she was crying and kept repeating 'he's a friendly dog, he's only saying hello' and asked the owner if she could stroke him to show he was friendly (while secretly wanting to punch the owner).

All too easy to blame the parents.

cheeseandmarmitesandwich · 02/11/2011 17:48

All too easy to blame the parents.

MrsHeffley · 02/11/2011 17:49

Re insurance. This is why I think they should all have visible license numbers on their collars.If you don't have the insurance you don't have the dog.

Also knowing they could get reported easily means the irresponsible dog owners would make sure their dogs didn't jump on,lick or bite small children.

catgirl1976 · 02/11/2011 17:50

Reported for licking?

bemybebe · 02/11/2011 17:52

I believe you and you are a great parent then!
I am talking about the parents like a couple that screamed obscenities at me when my labrador run past their approx 7 year old not even getting close to the child. My dog is very well behaved and I was so shocked at the abuse, I nearly cried...

MrsHeffley · 02/11/2011 17:52

And adults.

My mum was bitten(by a dog not on a lead away from it's owner) out walking,thankfully it was just a ripped coat but if there was a number she could have reported it and got compensation.

mathanxiety · 02/11/2011 17:52

'Will you keep your car away from children in public?'

I really can't believe you would post this ridiculous question in all seriousness.

I keep my vehicle on the road. Roads are there for cars to use. Paths are for pedestrians. There are clearly marked places where pedestrians may take to the roads to cross in most urban and suburban areas. I look out for pedestrians very carefully.

I drive my car, sitting behind the wheel and in full control of the speed and direction it takes. If I don't turn the key in the ignition it doesn't take off and roam by itself.

Cars are dangerous because people text or make phone calls or drive drunk or distracted. Dogs are dangerous because people let out of their immediate control to run about where they have no business letting them run loose. It's the people at fault in both cases -- dogs can't help their nature but people can.

It's not a question of disproportionate risk posed by dogs as compared to any other hazard. People are comp0laining about the specific things that dogs do that are irritating or downright dangerous. The matter boils down to frustration at dog owners who refuse to acknowledge that some dog behaviour is unacceptable, refuse to keep their pets under their control (and a dog who is off a lead is not 100% under control), and seem to believe everyone else should find the attention of their pet as charming as they do. And nothing irritates like denial of course.

MrsHeffley · 02/11/2011 17:54

Licking can turn into a bite as I only know too well.Sorry it's an invasion of space,I don't want my kid anywhere near a dog's mouth.My kid has the right to walk down a street without a dog's mouth nuzzling into them and making contact.

All owners are more than capable of ensuring their dog's mouths aren't anywhere near my kid.If they aren't they need to be muzzled or not a dog owner.

JaneBirkin · 02/11/2011 17:55

DogsBestFriend Wed 02-Nov-11 17:44:25
Holy fucking shit, another armchair Pit Bull identification expert on MN.

'he was growled at by a staffy/PBT/something like that'

are you addressing me?

How the heck does my statement above equate with my claiming to be an expert at identifying any type of dog?

and yes, before someone links to it I've done the online 'is this a pitbull' test and scored 9/10.

No idea how. Oh I think due to reading up about these breeds for some reason or other.

But I'm not saying that makes me an expert. The dog was something like a PBT or Staffy. Which gives a huge range of possibilities I think...

DooinMeCleanin · 02/11/2011 17:56

I look out for pedestrians very carefully. - And I train my dogs carefully. Why shuold I be punished for the actions of a select few. That would be as fair as you not being allowed to use your car in public because of those less select few.

JaneBirkin · 02/11/2011 17:58

I think we are in agreement DMC. So if that's Ok I'll not address your posts, because they're probably aimed at someone else on the thread...just so you don't think I'm being rude

JaneBirkin · 02/11/2011 17:59

and why the sweary posts

I mean really, why? In this context I do find it really unnecessary. No one else is swearing.

JaneBirkin · 02/11/2011 17:59

@ DBF

MrsHeffley · 02/11/2011 18:00

Why would you be punished?

Your dog shouldn't be leaping on,sniffing or licking my kid.

catgirl1976 · 02/11/2011 18:02

How should someone be pusnihed if their dog licks or sniffs a child? Hanging? 50 lashes?

bemybebe · 02/11/2011 18:02

"I look out for pedestrians very carefully. - And I train my dogs carefully. Why shuold I be punished for the actions of a select few. That would be as fair as you not being allowed to use your car in public because of those less select few."

Absolutely. We have trained all year. She (my dog) got a bronze award at the age of 5 months and should have had her gold by the age of one year, only I gave birth prem and could not attend the test. She is very well behaved. But she is not a robot and cannot be expected to be one.

Incidentally, by disabled dh had a six year old on a bike run into him and nearly knocked him over. It could have been very dangerous for dh. Should we ban kids on bikes also or just accept that we all have to share the space and DO OUR UTMOST BEST to respect other people.

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