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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Andrewofgg · 02/11/2011 18:03

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

For a first offence. After that, get severe.

DBF Put down the flame-thrower, you know I'm not serious this time!

mathanxiety · 02/11/2011 18:03

You can train all you like, but unless you are in full control of your dog at all times when outdoors you still can't be 100% sure of his behaviour.

I have heard too much about erstwhile well trained pets going nuts among lambs to believe anything to the contrary.

We all pay for the poor judgement of others. Anyone who drives a car and pays for insurance pays for the bad behaviour of others. There are tradeoffs in every detail of life and no-one has an untrammeled right to do as they please.

catgirl1976 · 02/11/2011 18:03

Grin Andrew

JaneBirkin · 02/11/2011 18:05

I think I have a crush on math. Blush

bemybebe · 02/11/2011 18:08

I have a dog and train her to the best of my and her ability. She is a good dog and I will let her off the lead unless I think it is better not to.

math I suggest you get over the fact that the world is not created for your personal use

MrsHeffley · 02/11/2011 18:16

Cat-by being fined then eventually banned from owning dogs,Basically if your dog repeatedly is a nuisance you clearly shouldn't be a dog owner.

mathanxiety · 02/11/2011 18:20

Confused Bemybabe?

'my personal use'?

catgirl1976 · 02/11/2011 18:20

For sniffing people? Really?

I am sorry your son was bitten and I do actually favour some sort of licensing scheme for dog ownership with mandatory training classes and checks on how animals are being treated and educating dog owners in terms of care, training and responsibility. I also think owners who allow their dogs to behave badly or cannot control them should not have dogs.

But I think fining someone because thier dog sniffed or licked someone is perhaps totally ridiculous going just a little bit too far

MrsHeffley · 02/11/2011 18:23

I don't want any dog's mouth nuzzling into my kid.I make sure my kids don't go near dogs so if a dog has got it's nose buried into my kid it's invading his/her space and is a threat.If a dog's nose is making contact it's mouth is too.It shouldn't be and it's not difficult to ensure it doesn't happen.

cheeseandmarmitesandwich · 02/11/2011 18:28

Catgirl, if a strange bloke ran up to you and licked you in the face would that be ok?! Same goes for dogs, except their breath smells worse and rheir teeth are sharper. You may let your own dog lick your face, but I think if you let your animal jump up at and lick the face of random strangers you don't have control of that animal and some kind of warning/punishment is appropriate.

cheeseandmarmitesandwich · 02/11/2011 18:28

Catgirl, if a strange bloke ran up to you and licked you in the face would that be ok?! Same goes for dogs, except their breath smells worse and rheir teeth are sharper. You may let your own dog lick your face, but I think if you let your animal jump up at and lick the face of random strangers you don't have control of that animal and some kind of warning/punishment is appropriate.

catgirl1976 · 02/11/2011 18:29

In this thread I have been hypothetically licked by a lion, a horse and a random man.

I have not had this much excitement since Uni.

MrsHeffley · 02/11/2011 18:31

Hmmmm Cheese we could have t-shirts and everything. Grin

cheeseandmarmitesandwich · 02/11/2011 18:39

Ooh I got so excited by the campaign I forgot about the horse! And the lion! Though strange man is probably grossest so I'll stick with that analogy now Grin

Heffley I like your thinking!

cheeseandmarmitesandwich · 02/11/2011 18:39

Ooh I got so excited by the campaign I forgot about the horse! And the lion! Though strange man is probably grossest so I'll stick with that analogy now Grin

Heffley I like your thinking!

mousyfledermaus · 02/11/2011 18:41

cheese like your posts, but once each would do :o

cheeseandmarmitesandwich · 02/11/2011 18:43

I know, I know, my blackberry has a mind of its own Blush

cheeseandmarmitesandwich · 02/11/2011 18:43

I know, I know, my blackberry has a mind of its own Blush

Andrewofgg · 02/11/2011 18:48

cheese You are a piss-artist. You are a piss-artist.

DooinMeCleanin · 02/11/2011 18:55

It would be punishing me to and my dogs if they were made to stay on leads at all times in public places MrsHeffley, as you and a few other posters have suggested. As it is I am happy to abide by the laws and respect on-lead rules in the areas that they apply to.

I train and insure my dogs and I pick up after them. I do not allow them to sniff or lick random passers by. I do not allow them to jump up at anyone. I do not let them off leash near picnic areas but if you are picnicking on the dog field, more fool you, although given it's mainly nettles and mud we don't encounter much of that kind of behaviour.

I want my dog running upto you about as much as you do. I don't much like people and I certainly don't want to have to talk to them on my walks. I like my peace and quiet un-interupted, thanks all the same.

Most dog owners do want their dogs disturbing random passers by. As far as I can see no-one on this thread has suggested that this is okay. They have said it might happen during training. They have not said it is okay to allow it happen or not train for this issue.

KittyFane · 02/11/2011 18:56

:( @ being licked by a strange person in the park.
:( @ being licked by a slobbering dog in the park.
Both would make me feel sick and both equally disgusting.

Original poster
lesley33 · 02/11/2011 18:57

Of course it is not ok for any dog to nip. But I am really surprised that you say half of all kids will be nipped or bitten? Maybe its the dogs and owners I know. The only dog I have ever known nip is a pretty nervy neurotic dog of a friend. He has nipped me - although it is my fault as I tried to stroke him and should have known better with him. And my friend only walks him very quiet places and if she does see any kids always shouts - don't go near the black dog.

OP posts:
FabbyChic · 02/11/2011 18:59

My dog is always on a lead, however he is curious and loves people, he is very friendly but I never let him go near people if they shy away from him. most though want to say hello, who wouldn't Westies are gorgeous.

KittyFane · 02/11/2011 19:00

And my friend only walks him very quiet places and if she does see any kids always shouts - don't go near the black dog.
Yikes...

mathanxiety · 02/11/2011 19:16

Lesley, a person walks a 'nervy, neurotic' dog off lead whom she knows has nipped even people he is familiar with in the past and warns children to keep clear? Did I get that right?

If so, is that fair even to the dog?