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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dogs and unwanted attention

47 replies

Chewmebush · 07/05/2013 22:43

My dd doesn't like dogs, she is terrified of them. My ds is allergic. So although when dogs in our neighbourhood often bound up to them I get the owner saying, they are harmless, love kids etc. I find myself smiling and nodding but not really meaning it AIBU?

OP posts:
thebody · 07/05/2013 22:47

Some People assume that their dogs/kids are adorable and everyone else has to love them.

It's rude to allow dogs to jump up, I would give a freezing look.

And I luffs dogs and animals in general.

MeSoFunny · 07/05/2013 22:48

Are you being unreasonable in being polite?.... Nooooooooooo..... (what am I missing?)

AdoraBell · 07/05/2013 22:48

Tell the owners that your DCs don't want dogs bothering them, so please take your dog away. I am a dog owner btw, but I don't let mine bound up To strangers.

Original poster
Chewmebush · 07/05/2013 22:59

It's the neighbours dogs and we on a new estate so not strangers but not friends yet and I don't want to get off on the wrong foot. Out of the 6 occupied homes four have dogs. We have an open spaces green on the front of the houses but don't use it as the dogs come bounding. They also at times run right up to our front door.

OP posts:
VonHerrBurton · 07/05/2013 23:00

This makes me fume. We live near a beach and woods. I don't think I've been there once without friendly dogs jumping up at me or dc with the old 'shes a friendly old thing, just saying hello' line. Cue smelly, wet, slobbery dog jumping all over us.

Its horrible. Id love to have let my ds wander over to these doggy people at age about 3, while they're minding their own business enjoying a meal or a drink, and just shout over 'ahh, hes just saying hello' whilst he climbs on their knees and shoves his snotty nose in their faces.

And we like dogs...

badguider · 07/05/2013 23:02

just say "he's VERY allergic" loudly while the dog is still quite far away but heading for your ds - should stop any discussion about subjective opinions on what is and is not 'friendly'.

In fact, i'd almost suggest using this technique even if your lo isn't allergic :)

BenjaminButton172 · 07/05/2013 23:24

Not everyone likes dogs.

This is why ALL dogs should be on leads ALL of the time.

Original poster
Chewmebush · 07/05/2013 23:25

Bad - that's a great idea thanks😀

OP posts:
CloudsAndTrees · 07/05/2013 23:29

Your neighbours are just trying to reassure you that their dogs aren't aggressive.

The dogs have as much right to run around as any child does, so no, YABU to be polite to people who are doing nothing wrong.

Original poster
Chewmebush · 07/05/2013 23:29

Ben - It's not law is it? It kind of makes me mad that I am paying a fee for a green that we are unable to use due to the dogs off leads and large amount of fouling.

OP posts:
SquinkiesRule · 07/05/2013 23:33

Of course they don't Cloud. Not everyone has any interest in dogs or finds them adorable, just like some people find children to be tiresome and annoying.
I never allowed my children to jump all over the neighbors or lick them. They should extend the same courtesy.

Original poster
Chewmebush · 07/05/2013 23:36

Clouds - im being unreasonable by being polite? I really don't get that. I don't want to be polite. I want to shout get orf my land and leave my kids aloneSmile

OP posts:
MartyrStewart · 07/05/2013 23:39

I have two big dogs. Neither are aggressive, although they are quite bouncy.

I am happy to keep my dogs on a lead when appropriate. In fact one of them is pretty much always on lead as his recall is sketchy.

In return, parents could you please keep your children under control? I can't guess how my dogs will react if they are suddenly grabbed around the neck or poked in the eye.

And keep yourself under control. For example, screaming 'Leash your dogs!' from a mile away when they are trotting to heel and have no interest in you or your children is not helpful. It just makes my dogs think there is something exciting going on.

Original poster
Chewmebush · 07/05/2013 23:43

Martyr - my kids would never approach a dog to grab or poke them if you had read my OP. I do keep my children under control but on my garden/drive my children should have priority over these dogs, no?

OP posts:
MartyrStewart · 07/05/2013 23:46

I totally agree - my comment wasn't aimed at you directly, just a comment on how it works both ways :)

Original poster
Chewmebush · 07/05/2013 23:50

Matyr - don't you think it's about respect and manners. Some people including children just don't have respect for other people and lack basic good manners? Smile

OP posts:
fluffyraggies · 08/05/2013 08:11

I don't think dogs should be allowed to be running free and fouling a communal area on an estate.

I'm guessing there are no boundary fences around the front lawns of the houses OP? Can you put one up around yours or is there a clause to say you may not? If this is the case then maybe you could ask whoever you pay for the use of the communal area to inform the other residents that they need to keep their dogs on leads and clear up after them. And maybe put up a sign.

plinkyplonks · 08/05/2013 08:15

YABU..

KittensoftPuppydog · 08/05/2013 08:21

It seems to me that there are plenty of places where dogs are not allowed/have to be leashed, none where small children are not allowed. Every day I take my dog to a park where dogs are allowed to run free which is right next to a park where they have to be leashed. Almost every day I get a dirty look from a parent because my dog is running around.
Luckily my dog is uninterested in children and does not mind being prodded around, but I do wonder why parents who object to this don't just go next door.

mrsjay · 08/05/2013 08:24

Instead of smiling and nodding ( i know its hard) just say on my son is allergic I am sure they are friendly blah blah but she doesn't like the jumping . teach your children to fold their arms and turn round and ignore the dog/s dogs usually get the message, I would never let my dog jump up on anybody people saying oh my dog is sobby lovely loves peoples really annoys me, not everybody wants a bounding slavering dog all about them,

ChewingOnLifesGristle · 08/05/2013 08:26

'Don't worry, he's friendly/won't bite..blah blah'

Just reply 'Yes but I'm not/might..' Wink

What annoys me is the assumption that we're all scared. It's not just that, it's the slobber and mud that I don't want.

mrsjay · 08/05/2013 08:31

Exactly jay dog goes paddling in a stream then rolls in fox shit dirt nobody wants that on them DD1 said the other week a little boy about 4 said oh can I pet your doggie pwease . dd said she had to let him because he was so polite and cute Grin

fluffyraggies · 08/05/2013 08:35

OP - "I am paying a fee for a green that we are unable to use due to the dogs off leads and large amount of fouling."

This would piss me right off.

LaQueen · 08/05/2013 08:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fluffyraggies · 08/05/2013 08:37

It seems to me that there are plenty of places where dogs are not allowed/have to be leashed, none where small children are not allowed.

This is because small children running loose on the whole tend to knock people over, bite, or shit on the ground.

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