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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think that a dog barking is not the same as a dog biting?

28 replies

FreeBirdsFlying · 30/05/2012 14:54

I brought my dog out for a walk and to collect DC from school.
I was chatting to a friend with the dog sitting beside me. There was a small child darting at the dog and running away and I said to the child Dogs don't like that. Almost on que the dog barked. He has a loud bark,which is surprising for the size of him. The child ran away and came back with the mother who was giving out to me for my dangerous dog trying to bite her child.
I explained that the dog barked and did not attempt to bite even though her child was teasing him. She replied that he shouldn't be barking at people then.

OP posts:

coffeeandcream · 30/05/2012 14:57

YANBU - dogs bark! What the hell does she think you can do about it? If you had your dog on a lead and under control, then you were not in the wrong in any way. Silly moo lady...

Original poster

FreeBirdsFlying · 30/05/2012 14:58

Yes he was on a lead. He was just sitting at my side.

OP posts:

AThingInYourLife · 30/05/2012 15:02

YANBU

She needs to teach her child not to tease dogs.

My DD2 (2) is dog mad. I have to be so careful of her because she just wants to chase them and hug them.

"Ask the owner first", "Dogs don't like that" etc. falls on deaf ears. I just have to keep her at a safe distance.

oopsi · 30/05/2012 15:03

were you on school grounds?

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 30/05/2012 15:04

YANBU.

But the mother felt your dog was being agressive towards her child, so I can see her point too.

Original poster

FreeBirdsFlying · 30/05/2012 15:06

AThing I take it you are there beside your DD. This childs mother wasn't as he ran off to find her when the dog barked. I should've gave out to her about her dangerous child

OP posts:

oopsi · 30/05/2012 15:07

were you on school grounds?

BarredfromhavingStella · 30/05/2012 15:07

YANBU-she needs to teach her child how to behave around dogs by the sounds of it.

Original poster

FreeBirdsFlying · 30/05/2012 15:10

oopsi I was at the gate because dogs arn't allowed in school grounds. Its directly across from DC line and I often stand there.

OP posts:

PandaWatch · 30/05/2012 15:15

YANBU and she was being very silly.

poutintrout · 30/05/2012 16:33

I thought that a dog that barked or growled when it was being wound up like a top by some brat annoyed was a good thing. At least it didn't go straight to nip or bite mode.

missmalteser · 30/05/2012 16:41

Yanbu the mother should have had her dd supervised especially with dogs around, and as your dog was provoked its understandable,
However, we have a dog at the end of our street who barks really aggressively at anyone who walks past and dd1 is petrified of it, she knows it can't get at her but the barking and trying to escape means she has to be walked past the door anytime she wants to call for her chum, I do think owners have a responsibility to teach their dogs not to go mental everytime they so much as see a person, it's very intimidating

Ormiriathomimus · 30/05/2012 16:43

No, it's bite is much worse than it's bark!

Ephiny · 30/05/2012 16:45

YANBU. I've noticed that a lot of people seem to assume that barking=aggression though, so maybe her attitude isn't that unusual.

Abbicob · 30/05/2012 16:48

I think it was just a misunderstanding as the child was obviously scared and told her mum that it had tried to bite not realising the difference

PandaWatch · 30/05/2012 16:49

My dog will do a single bark at me if I take too long getting him his daily dentastick when I come in from work. Well, he actually barks at the treat cupboard. He's not being aggressive, he's telling me to get a move on trying to get my attention because barking is a big part of how domesticated dogs communicate with humans.

DesperatelySeekingPomBears · 30/05/2012 16:51

missmalteser my dog does the same thing. She's one of life's vocalists. I've tried saying 'no' firmly when she barks, I've tried spraying a watergun at her when she barks, I've tried a sonic device that's activated by her barking but it doesn't deter her. When we go out for walks I get her back on the lead as soon as I see people or other dogs as I know they won't appreciate her vocal greeting.

I appreciate it might be intimidating for your daughter but what more can the owners do if their garden is fenced securely and the dog can't actually get to anyone?

Yummymummyyobe1 · 30/05/2012 16:58

OP if she says anything about it in the future ask her this:

Do you object to babies crying? as a dog barking much like a baby crying is communication. Your dog is communicating its displeasure at being teased by a very mean child. xx

Ephiny · 30/05/2012 16:59

Mine does the same PandaWatch. I blame DH for teaching him to 'speak' on command, using reward-based training - now he barks every time he wants something!

He barks when someone goes past the front door as well, and sometimes even barks in his sleep. My other one is much less vocal, though he will occasionally do a little 'woof' when very excited.

There's all kinds of reasons a dog might bark, generally it's nothing to do with aggression though, and nothing to be frightened or intimidated by (though I appreciate it can be annoying!)

Original poster

FreeBirdsFlying · 30/05/2012 17:04

The dog didn't move from sitting position btw.

I think the mother was being a bit precious about her not so DC.

She assumed the dog is dangerous because it let out one single bark,that wasn't even directed at anyone.

OP posts:

missmalteser · 30/05/2012 17:07

Desperately seeking, that's maybe the issue as well, as the dog really isn't secure (low/metal fence) so its more than just the barking, it can seem really close while its trying to get at you, this is really aggressive baking tho and not just the normal communication iykwim?
And when they are really big dogs or ones that look/sound scary its natural to feel intimidated when having to pass one if it's barking and snarling, this is the kind of barking I feel owners should try and control, a yorkie however can happily howl away :)

missmalteser · 30/05/2012 17:09

Really aggressive baking?

PandaWatch · 30/05/2012 17:10

I reckon she was just a bit embarrassed at coming over and accusing your dog of trying to bite and then tried to save face by still putting you in the wrong. What she should have done is apologised for the serious accusation she made

Ephiny Fortunately it's only the dentasticks that make our dog barky (treatwise that is - he is also very vocal when enforcing the no-fly zone over our garden whenever birds or planes dare to fly over!).

2shoes · 30/05/2012 17:12

yanbu. the woman was though and the child

thatisall · 30/05/2012 17:18

yanbu the woman should have been the one telling the child that 'dogs don't like that'

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