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

[lesley33]

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?

I am getting a feeling that there is a parallel universe thing going on here.

[bonio]

She walks him well away from people. But sometimes she will turn a corner in a field or country park for example and see a family group. The dog doesn't approach people - the issue is when other people approach the dog. If you ignore him he is fine. She shouts at children running towards her dog to pet him. He looks a cuddly small safe dog, but he doesn't really want to have anything to do with most people.

I've not had a problem with dogs or dog owners, TBH, and I certainly don't expect them to behave perfectly. But it is the responsibilty of the owner to decide if the dog can be off a lead without scaring or worse the people around them. If you can't control them and they are likely to bite or bother people, you should keep them on leads in busy places and just let them run around in your garden or quiet areas.

If only there was some way you could keep control of a dog when he is behaving less than perfectly in a public place where there are other people.

Maybe you could get a piece of rope, or string, or maybe a leather strap, and attach it round his neck?

He nips to say stay away from me. But because he had been more friendly last time I saw him, I went to pet him. He is always punished for this behaviour, but he is definetly neurotic and couldn't live with a family.

If a dog is not people-friendly, best not to let him off the lead where there are people around.

And children should be taught not to go up and pet a dog without checking this is okay.

Well I must say that there are alot of dog haters on MN. I have a dog and in RL people seem to like my dog. He gets made a fuss of in town, at our local cafe in the park people come and stroke him and feed him titbits. He went out to meet trick or treaters and they all greeted him with joy. He is a lovelabe, friendly chap who like being involved with what's going on.

In fact, I am beginning to think he is nicer than some of you

Your last post is one of very few things I am in agreement with you on Lesley.
Keep well away from strange dogs.
I promise to all dog owners that I will do this. In return, dont let your dog come near me, lick me, jump up at me or shit on the path outside my house.

I hope he didn't LICK anyone DrN

That should be a criminal offence apparantly

He did actually catgirl. He licked a toddler boy . The boy squeeled with delight, the boys Dad fortunately loved dogs, esp labs as ours is. Phew.

:)

I may have to hide this thread as dog licking hysteria is doing my fricking nut in.

I am just glad real life is not like mumsnet. I could not cope with the hysteria. :)

What else do dogs lick apart from people...?

Oh, no answer to that then...

sigh........their bottoms, genitals, the bottoms and genitals of other dogs, food, things they find on the floor, people, etc etc etc

No I wouldnt relish a dog licking my mouth but you can wash you know and it won't kill you

Well they lick shit, their balls, other dogs balls, other dogs arses, food, lamposts, grass, all sorts of things.

I have been licked my many an animal in my time. I am still alive.

Snap catgirl!

Funnily enough, that's why some people are saying that they don't like to be licked by dogs.
Is it wrong not to like it?

Lesley, seriously you need to sort out your priorities. Kids come before dogs. Thats that ! Yes kids should be taught to not approach dogs but you know some kids will...it is what happens. A dog which has been known to nip/bite whatever you want to call it, should not be outside off lead without a muzzle ! it is highly irresponsible and very dangerous !

My jeans

On top of all that shit and ball licking they also enrich peoples lives. They assist blind people, deaf people, epileptic people. They discover explosives, they work on the front line with our troops and they find drugs. They change lives.

But if only they could learn to shake hands paws instead of licking folk hey?