To have complained about this dog being in the park?

[TangoPurple]

The deed is already done, so it's more a case of was i unreasonable?

Today we've had the first bit of sunshine in months!

I picked dd up from school and took her to the park. It's inside a local council run museum. The park is at one end of the place, with the museum and attractions at the other. Free entry for everything.

Anyway, after spending ten minutes in the park, a family turned up with a dog in tow. The parents were sitting on the grass playing with the dog, off its lead, while their children played on the slides etc.

Well, my dd is terrified of dogs. That's the reason we specifically walk the extra length to go to this one as it's strictly no dogs allowed. DD noticed the dog right away and had a mini meltdown. I explained to the couple that my dd was frightened and that dogs weren't allowed (as detailed on the sign on the main gates you have to pass to get in the place).

They just said they'll be sure to keep the dog on the grass. It's the first nice day in ages and their kids wanted to come to the park. I said, 'well so does mine.' They said something about their dog being a puppy (a really big puppy) and it couldn't be left at home alone.

I went up to the reception/gift shop and told them there was a dog on the grounds. The member of staff left saying she'd tell the family the dog would have to leave.

So me and dd spent ten minutes walking around the gift shop before heading back down. The family were taking their time packing up their snacks and bottles etc, with their kids upset about having to go home so quickly. The parents said (very loudly!) some parents should stop letting their kids be so 'feared of everything'.

Their kids seemed really sad to be leaving so early. One of the girls was the same age as my dd which is why i feel guilty about what happened.

Was i being unreasonable?

yanbu if it says no dogs allowed they shouldnt be there with a dog

yabu to have had such nice weather though, give some to the rest of us, its rained here all day! [eink]

[eink] ? no idea what that is?

YWNBU

There were no dogs allowed, that's why you went, they should have followed the rules or gone to a park where dogs are allowed.

YANBU as it was no dogs allowed but think you need to deal with your DD's over reaction

YANBU but you probably do need to address your DD fears as she is going to come across dogs in everyday life.

I'm a dog owner.

I would push my luck by entering such a place but with him on a lead not often as I take him to dog friendly places anyway

If anyone asked me to leave for whatever reason, then I would - I'd be in the wrong and certainly wouldn't have had cause to get arsey!

You are not doing your daughter any favours by encouraging her fear of dogs. You need to work on this as you cannot shield her from dogs forever!

They shouldn't have had their dog in the park however if it said no dogs.

No dogs alowed.

Thats fairly clear!

I'm not sure why anyone would think that didn't apply to them.

You were not being unreasonable.

YANBU. No dogs mean no dogs! Some dog owners really think they are entitled and think the signs couldn't possibly relate to their lovely little dog

I'd never take my dogs somewhere they're not allowed - there's loads of places they are allowed, so it's a bit of a no-brainer for me. Like others said, might be an idea to address your DD's fear of dogs, because she's bound to encounter them throughout her life, and it's a rotten fear to have, when dogs can be such rewarding animals.

I agree, YANBU. I'd be too scared to take a dog somewhere it's wasn't allowed (I am STILL scared of being told off even as an adult ) but if I did and was asked to leave I would completely understand! I do also agree that your dd may need a little help with her phobia.

You need to stop enabling your dds fear, yes there shouldn't of been a dog in there but as it wasn't bothering you and obviously a friendly family dog complaining was a over reaction.

No beer it didn't approach us. But it was running around on the grass approx ten feet from the playing equipment. DD kept anticipating it coming over though, which stressed her out and led her to cry.

Rest assure i have been trying to deal with dd's fear of dogs. No idea where she's picked it up from. I've tried all sorts to help her. GP says it's something she'll grow out of. She has learning difficulties so has trouble understanding.

YANBU.

Bet they were the sort of people that use the "ten items or less" queue at the supermarket despite having at least 17 items. That pisses me off, especially as the checkout people always let them carry on.

If the park is dog free then they were in the wrong for taking the dog and assuming that the rules don't apply because they have a puppy. Dog owners like that give all pf us a bad name but I do think you were being a bit precious and I don't agree with indulging fears in children.

I mean it must be a pita having to arrange play around where dogs can and cannot be? What happens if someone is there with an assistance dog? You can't very well ask them to leave. Does your daughter then have to miss out?

Surely your life would be easier if you worked with dd and helped her overcome her fear.

We met a grown woman afraid of dogs today. She stepped behind some railings onto a main road, while we were waiting to cross and then started giggling. I had no clue what was wrong, but was concerned she may be drunk so went to move closer, to ask if she needed help, upon which she shrieked and stepped into the line of on coming traffic At which point she managed to mutter something about dogs/fear so we moved away, which had she been able to manage her fear enough to communicate coherently in the first place we would have done so immediately.

Living with a fear as extreme as that is not safe and surely cannot be a happy existence?

YWNBU. Your daughter has a fear of dogs. You took her to a park where no dogs were allowed. Simple.

The dog owner was BVU in her reaction to you.

Well done for not stooping to her level (though I fear I'd have got into a confrontation about it had I been in your shoes ).

Ah, sorry x posts. I see you are trying to deal with it. In which case YWNBU.

Have you tried contacting PAT to ask if they have any small dogs in your area dd might be able to meet? I'm sure they'd be happy to help.

If dogs are not allowed there, then YANBU to have been annoyed that there was one there.

I don't think you did your dd any favours by allowing her to see you complain about it though. You are basically sending the message that she has something to fear,when you should be teaching her that dogs are safe as long as you deal with them properly. Like roads.

Doinmecleanin - We've encountered Assistance Dogs before in that park, and they've all been on leads, next to their owner. It was the fact this one was running around and barking that made dd scared. We pass dogs all the time on the street. So long as they're on leads, dd passes them by moderately well. She'll maybe give a little whimper and hold my hand for dear life, but she doesn't try to run off etc unless they're off leads.

I am a dog owner and I don't think you are being unreasonable! They should respect the sign and not allow the dog in.

YANBU, one could have taken the dog for a walk whilst the other watched the child. I was recently at a play area in a park where the sign is very clear, 'no dogs allowed', a couple came in with a toddler and they had 2 dogs who were sprinting all over the play area, my DD nearly got knocked down by one of the enthusiastic springer spaniels. The other one did a poo. One Mum called over at them that dogs were not allowed in the play area and that it was disrespectful especially as the other had done a poo. I then added that the dogs had the WHOLE park to play in and that could he get his leaping dog away from my toddler. The man said that it was fine, the dog was fine and that I should get on with my day and he will get on with his business! Anyway, the other Mum got quite angry about this and verbally chased him out. The mum stayed with the toddler in the play area- why they couldn't just have done that to begin with??