to have kicked off at another mother for confirming her child's fear of dogs!

[MrJugsMummy]

Just taken my DS and our 1 year old springer spaniel for a walk in our local park. He was running off his lead as he always does and a toddler walked around the corner without her mother. Our spaniel is quite a caring dog and loves children and often tends to mother them somewhat (he worried himself senseless when my DS was ill last week slept on the sofa next to him and woke every time he so much as sniffed!) so he went up to the child the child screamed I called Brian away and said to the little girl "it's fine he won't hurt you he just wants to say hi", the kids mother then decided to make an appearance and pick up the child and had a go at me saying that I shouldn't let my dog off of his lead! She then turned to the child and said "Did he bite you?" to watch the child now upping the screaming and crying actually said "No" she then turned to me and said my dog was a menace and shouldn't be allowed near children!

I snapped at this point and said "My dog was concerned about the fact your child was seemingly by itself in a park, he simply went up to her to check she was ok, he didn't even jump up at her let alone bite her" she then started saying again that he shouldn't be off his lead!
I really got riled up then and shouted "My 5 year old son is here right next to me, I would have no qualms about leaving him alone in a room with my dog as he is well trained and good tempered and adores him, if I had any doubts about his behaviour I would not have him as a family pet and if I had any concerns about his behaviour around children do you seriously I would let him off his lead in a park after school with loads of children around!" I then stormed off and muttered that she was a stupid bitch!

I get so annoyed at parents who do this if your child doesn't like dogs don't take them to places where dogs are, I get that all children are scared of things but why confirm the fear?! If my DS ever shows fear about something I either reassure him that nothing will hurt him or tell him how to avoid being hurt.

Grr rant over

I let my dog exercise off lead when walking through our local park. As do many other local dog owners. It is permitted to do so but the sign says dogs must be put on leads if requested (presumably by park keepers or another member of public).
If l see my dog going towards any children (or anyone really ) unless l know from previous experience they are 'ok' with my dog , then l immediately call him to heel and keep him away from them unless they indicate otherwise until we have passed a safe distance.
Tbf l think the OP did call her dog as soon a little girl appeared and reacted how she did.

What annoys me in our park is the breeds of dogs that people feel the need to have running around the park which are capable of tearing a small child apart. We have a pitbull the biggest staffie l have ever seen , two French mastiffs , two rottweilers and a Rhodesian ridgeback , to name a few that maraud our park offlead when children are around. I often think why cant you just have a little spaniel or something. Yes l know , l know any dog can bite etc but the serious attacks are usually these types of dogs.

No, a parent with a dog fearful child shouldn't take a child to a Dog Park

It wasn't a dog park though was it?

She said it was her local park where controlled dogs are allowed offlead.

Weegie x post , how awful for you and your son. As l say l know any dog can cause terrible damage and your story proves this but when l see these 'beasts' with their massive heads etc on our local park l come out in a cold sweat myself (especially the french mastiff things) never mind the DCs and l often think you might as well let a tiger loose for the damage they are capable of.
Lovely story about Dougle and the old man btw.

Which as I said in my area, IS a Dog Park and could be the same in OPs area (am I talking Farsi again? )

As a dog owner, you are way out of line.

If your dog is running up to others he is not in control whether he is being friendly or not.

Put him on a lead or train him properly.

Bahhhumbug, the two softest dogs I have ever known were Rottweillers. My own Rottie adored children and wouldn't harm them in a second. My sisters SBT x something bigger is scared of children (and cats).

Conversely my Colonels JRTs would tear your throat out as soon as look at you, and my mates Springer is male aggressive. Oh and my Vet friend is quite scared of Labradors, because that's the breed that she's has most trouble with.

Deed not breed.

You were unreasonable.
Dog should have been on a lead, not the child.
I get nervy when I see a dog that is not on a lead when I am with my toddler and on my own sometimes too
Even a friendly playful puppy can hurt a child, knocking them flying, scratching their face etc.

Even if it is a park, its still a public space and people should be able to useit/walk through it without does running up to say hello/possibly jump up or like them etc.

Should say even if it is a dog park...

Hit and run OP.

How ridiculous.

Or else she has hidden the thread as no one is appreciating Brian's special powers.

Which as I said in my area, IS a Dog Park and could be the same in OPs area (am I talking Farsi again?

Im just going by what the OP said and from that it was a local park not a dog park.

In my area the set up is a specific area of the park dogs are allowed offlead, but the OP didn't say thats how it is so have to assume its how she says ie just a regular park.

YAB completely U but you know that already. Even if a parent is wrong to reinforce a child's fear of dogs that doesn't give you the right to have a go at them.

Amber, OPs second (and last) post said that dogs were allowed off leads. In regular parks dogs should be on leads. That's why I took it to be a 'dog' park, not just 'a' park.

But we'll never know.

The OP said that 'dogs under control were allowed off lead' - hers wasn't.

Did you name him after Brian from hull of yoni fame?

I have owned many dogs and I do not for one second believe your dog has the brain power to worry about a child on it's own in the park.

My mum's labrador hates it when our kids get too 'far' (100m) and rounds them up.

Brian as in the dog from Family Guy?

Or else she has hidden the thread as no one is appreciating Brian's special powers

Didnt a Brian give a good Yoni Massage as well?

I did laugh at the dog being worried about a lone child how exactly did Brian the dog communicate his concern to the OP?

Y are being SO U

I get so annoyed at parents who do this if your child doesn't like dogs don't take them to places where dogs are

You must be fucking kidding.

People can dislike or be fearful of whatever they want. Its for you to control your dog and not let him approach strangers. If you can't do that perhaps you shouldn't take him where other people are.

Brian Blessed? I love him myself :)