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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want a dog licking my baby's mouth?

69 replies

Tinkerisdead · 22/12/2012 19:05

Actually it wasnt licking my baby's mouth it licked in her mouth.

So, i've been on this site for about 5/6 years and i'm going for it. I'm throwing myself into the AIBU pit...go for your lives.

So, i visit my dad/stepmum. They have three dogs. They are their babies. I respect that fully, they are "mummy" and "daddy" to these dogs and (having owned a dog in the past) conpletely get that we're in the dogs home and it's parents rules.

Baby dd2 is 10 months old. I warn, just be careful as she was quite frightened of friends dog on weds. So i hold dd2 on lap and we gradually introduce her to the three lovely, good natured dogs. They start to jump up a lot and so they get put outside. Dd2 is then crawling/cruising about and one dog gets back into the room. She bounds over to dd and starts licking her face and as dd laughs licking inside her mouth.

I swoop dd up and say "no licking faces" put dd in my lap again but dog jumps up again licking all over her mouth and in it. I stand up to get dd2 away and say "dad can you stop her please?" As clearly dog wont listen to my command understandably.

Stepmum took huge offense. Started loudly fussing dog that i'd told her off for playing with the baby etc and clearly not amused with me. She obviously thinks i was being precious.

So was i? They knew we were coming, but i know they have dogs. Should i expect that to go undetered or am i being unreasonable? My dad did tell his dog off but again stepmum told him off for going too far. They will openly kiss the dogs and stepmum will put her tongue out to them but i dont really want my baby's mouth to be licked like that.

Come on then... Hit me with it..

OP posts:
OpheliasWeepingWillow · 22/12/2012 19:44

Bleee. Is like being French kissed by a dog. Who wants THAT?

YANBU.

Definitely.

scuzy · 22/12/2012 19:45

PFB - sterlise pacifier when falls from mouth.

2nd child - put it in your mouth then back in child's mouth.

3rd child - -dog licks it.

Xmas Grin
peaceandlovebunny · 22/12/2012 19:48

don't go to their house. at all. don't let their dogs come to yours.
dogs are filthy and full of disease - the dog-lovers can say what they like, dogs sniff each others bums, lick their own arses, they shouldn't be anywhere near a baby's face.
not only that, a dog experiencing a brain event, or just a bad temper, could inflict serious damage. no matter how 'loving' it has been before or how 'family friendly' the breed is supposed to be.
ignore the animal fascists and keep your children away.

scuzy · 22/12/2012 19:51

full of diseases? you for real? i understand about not trusting animals completely around kids. but this discussion is about an over friendly dog, not the dangers of a bite ... and i guarantee when your back is turned kids are licking all sorts and putting things in their mouth far worse than a 3 sec dog lick!

pigletmania · 22/12/2012 19:51

Blugh I would hate it, dogs lick their bums. No we don't have pets so my 10 month old ds will not be crawling where dogs have sat, nine if our frends have pets either

Original poster
Tinkerisdead · 22/12/2012 19:53

I have fished a woodlouse out if her mouth once actually so there is truth in that scuzy.

OP posts:
Alisvolatpropiis · 22/12/2012 19:53

YANBU

Dogs lick bits and god knows what else.

MrsDeVere · 22/12/2012 19:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

scuzy · 22/12/2012 19:56

but why is it ok then for the child to crawl the floors that the dogs sit on, drag their arses on and walk on? i mean why so "bluegh" about a dog lick but ok with a child crawling on all floors on the floor with same "bleugh" dogs? i dont get it. honestly!

scuzy · 22/12/2012 19:56

TheDoctorsWife that would freak me out but then after i have calmed down would realise no harm would come to them

Ilovexmastime · 22/12/2012 19:58

Ha ha ha, I assume your name is sarcastic then peaceandlovebunny?!

Personally, I don't have a problem with dogs licking faces, especially mine as I know he can't reach his bum or balls to lick them, BUT I totally understand why other people have a problem with it. You sound like a very reasonable person OP, and anyone who has a problem with you complaining about their dog licking your babies face is obviously a little unhinged.

MickeyTheShortOne · 22/12/2012 19:58

I have a dog. I have a 5wo baby.. I don't mind the dog licking, say, my hand, but she knows not to lick faces. I certainly wouldn't want her licking DD anywhere, let alone her face!!! YANBU!!

BlatherskitedaboutChristmas · 22/12/2012 19:59

No way I would allow a dog to lick either of my children's mouths!

Healing saliva! What a load of bollocks.

Not sure what you do about Step Mum though. Could your Dad have a word with her?

BabylonElf · 22/12/2012 19:59

I love dogs, they're great.

They can be full of disease though, which is not harmful to them, but pretty nasty for humans.

Twice I have been hospitalised with campylobacter traced back to 2 different dogs.

Not pleasant and for that reason alone YANBU to not want the dogs licking babies face.

You said her house, her rules wrt the dogs. If they visit you, it is your house so therefore your rules??

Refuse to visit them and when they visit you, do not allow the dogs entry to your home.

But I really do love dogs. Smile

AlienRefucksLooksLikeSnow · 22/12/2012 20:03

Just how much does your step Mum love these dogs??!! Sticking her tongue out for a lick, is ggggrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiimmm.

elizaregina · 22/12/2012 20:04

YANBU

Its Ridiculous - she cant see the wood for the trees.Its nothing to do with her loving her dogs its basic manners isnt it?
If my DD went and licked someones face I would be mortified and v apolgectic!!
I have dog and she doesnt lick us. I would also be mortified if she licked a babys face...AND if that person didnt want to visit again i would understand

GailTheGoldfish · 22/12/2012 20:05

Ugh YANBU, dogs licking anyone's faces makes me heave but I would go crazy at a dog's tongue in my PFB's mouth! And it is dangerous to allow dogs to get their teeth that close to her. They should understand that.

breatheslowly · 22/12/2012 20:09

YANBU - that is grim. They are a bit odd to let ther dogs lick their faces.

CaliforniaSucksSnowballs · 22/12/2012 20:09

I think thats disgusting, I hate getting licked myself and would be more grossed out ny any of my kids getting licked especially in the mouth. Dogs lick their dam arses I don't need or want that tongue anywhere near me.

tazzle22 · 22/12/2012 20:12

hmmmmm I wonder how my three children, five grandchildren and numerous visiting children survived our house..... rarely sick either Grin. I mean all them germs from dogs on the floor, all them germs on their hands from petting the dogs never mind from the licking of hands and faces.

MInd you the eaten worm caused not problem either.... actually they had more illness from other humes... chicken pox, measles, coughs and colds etc Wink grin].

Seriously.....

.... I do guide my dogs away from licking faces but just as much a safety with regard to accidentally catching with teeth if youngsters move suddenly for example.

and definately definately have MUCH more issue with the offer that the children can play with the dogs toys... not from the germs point of view but more because its the dogs possession and may well be guarded. All my family were taught form an early stage ... do NOT take food or possession from a dog ever. I can and will because I am an adult and I know the behavioural signs that tell me if that is a problem or not, children dont.

I do not think you are being unreasonable for not wanting the dog to lick dC face ........ but dont think a lick, even in a mouth, is such a high risk. UNpleasant maybe for some people but not as risky as other things !

likeatonneofbricks · 22/12/2012 20:18

if you aer worried about germs from the dogs, you shouldn't allow the baby to crawl around on the floor - she's picking it all up on her hands and then puts hands in her mouth!

But Stepmum sounds a bit unhinged if she thinks everyone should like their faces licked by a dog just because she likes it Hmm. It's her choice and many dog owners do that with THEIR dogs, but to be in a huff??

also agree that it's the teeth I'd be worried about, accidents happen.

BieneMaja · 22/12/2012 20:21

YANBU a little but if sick actually came up when you said she sticks her tongue out for the dogs BlushConfused

BoatysTinselSails · 22/12/2012 20:42

Our DGS came to visit and initially was frightened of our dog as another dog had barked at him, although hasn't been scared of our dog in the past, we put our dog in the kitchen and let DGS settle then put dog on lead and slowly let him in. DGS was fine so let dog off, he tried to lick DGS, went straight back to kitchen!! YADNBU!

Original poster
Tinkerisdead · 22/12/2012 20:48

Thank you everyone for the responses. I feel quite justified now. (And i didnt even touch on them lighting tealights all over the coffee table where dd was cruising along holding on!) yes i moved her again.

Think i may have to have a frank discussion about her "babies" around my babies in the new year.

OP posts:
happierwithgin · 23/12/2012 07:51

IT WONT DO ANY HARM????????? Are you mad? Would you find a child licking a dogs arse acceptable because its exactly the same thing. For gods sake, google canine zoonotic diseases and internal parasites. I am a dog owner/breeder/trainer and am amazed at some peoples ignorance. You are right to be angry.