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

She hadn't even shouted at you when you started shouting at her.

You should be thankful you weren't dealing with me. It's exactly this type of situation that caused my daughter's fear of dogs - thankfully, getting better although it hasn't been easy.

Your dog should be on a lead. End of. You are so unreasonable !!

It's a complicated situation - while Brian was off the lead being park ranger for children being alone, the Toddler was of reins being a future park warden and checking for dogs off lead.

Am LOLing, OP, at your passive aggressive suggestion t the parent that her toddler was not allowed to be off reins or hand holding while your dog was free range.

I've never had a dog. I would love to, but I work long hours and it wouldn't be fair. One day I want to get a collie. :) However, in the meantime I am a bit of an ignoramus about all things canine, including behaviour. Sometimes when I am out running in the park, people's dogs come bounding up to me and leap up. I have to admit, it scares me - they often seem really excited and they can sometimes look like they are going to bite. And I'm five foot four and in my thirties!! If I was a tiny toddler, I think I would scream and cry for my Mum too! Even a spaniel is huge when you are only wee.

If your dog is inquisitive, even harmlessly inquisitive, around children then it might be best to keep it on a lead in parks where there are kiddies. In other spaces - I'm not sure. I am never sure how reasonable it is for me to be annoyed at owners of dogs in woods that leap at me - my rational side says that a great owner should always be able to call a dog back and control it, but I know that it's probably not that simple.

OP hasn't been back to this thread for over 15 hours now.

She's had her kicking, and you've scared her away from MN, so how about we let the thread die.

She only joined on Monday, and the piling in has shown MN in a pretty horrible light (especially if you consider the actual reason she joined MN).

Well done all, I hope you are proud of yourselves. Just remember your part in this when the next round of "You are all bullying bitches" threads come up.

Where exactly have I posted "in a bad light" Russians? Could you point out one of my posts that is as obnoxious, rude, bullying, braying or simply 'sheep following' as some of the others on this thread.

I would be very interested to see it.

I would also be very interested in any one of my posts that could be considered a 'bad horrible dog fanatic' post.

Please show me where they are.

Oh you are funny Russians, excellent

For toddler, a dogs panting, tongue lolling, toothy face is right next to their face. I don't think it's difficult to accept that this is scary, for someone who is not used to dogs.

I don't think it is right to confirm fears, but neither parents or children make a rational decision to be afraid. However you did make a rational decision to let your dog approach a child. Not good judgement. And you were inexcusably rude.

Well done all, I hope you are proud of yourselves. Just remember your part in this when the next round of "You are all bullying bitches" threads come up.

What actually happened is that lots of people happened to disagree and said so.

No pitchforks were involved.

I am not worried about the OP: I am sure that if she is upset by the thread, Brian is offering some choice words of wisdom, or showing his concern by bounding up to her and woofing repeatedly.

Um, MissBattleaxe- the OP asked if she was being unreasonable. She has been told she is (by the vast majority).

Bullying?! Really?

I think MissBattleaxe was quoting somebody else phantom.

Oh hang on, I've just re-read- think I got my wires crossed

Sorry!

phantom- I think you've got the wrong end of the stick- I agree with you! The bit in bold is a quote from someone else, which I am disagreeing with.

We've all done it phantom!

Don't worry phantom!

Clearly I need more coffee before I enter into threads like this

OP asked AIBU?

Yes, YABU and come across as a bit of a loon.

CBA to read the whole thread but the use of the phrase 'kicked off' with evident pride in the title speaks volumes.
Yes OP YABU - you should not allow your dog to approach anyone in public, no matter how friendly or intuitive you believe your dog to be.

Hmm ok - there are some seriously opinionated people on here aren't there!! In response to the OP - I opened this thread ready to agree - as I am an absolute dog lover, and not yet a parent (first one on the way) and I must confess I do get very frustrated with parents who reinforce fear of any animals in their children. We actually have an issue in our family whereby one family member is so scared of dogs, she won't be on the same property as my older dog. As in - he can be shut in the car/another part of the building with multiple closed doors between her and him, and she still won't come round. Makes things like family Christmas' very tricky. She now has two kids and both are developing an equal fear as she point blank refuses to introduce them to any dog, and won't walk where they might meet a dog, crossed road if one comes the other way, etc. I can understand she has a phobia, but surely this reaction is going to cause her kids problems as they get older and want to go to friends houses etc?
I also am surprised by the general anti dog predjudice on this thread! How ridiculous to suggest no dog should ever be off lead, or that all dogs should be muzzled at all times etc etc. What would be far more useful would be reintroducing dog licenses and having some form of canine 'good citizen' test before allowing people to a) own a dog and then b) an additional level before being allowed off lead. I have two dogs, the older one, I do keep on a lead in the park as he's very friendly but also very big and in his dotage has developed somewhat selective hearing and I can't 100% guarantee he will instantly return to my side when I call. The younger one is naturally very obedient as sticks to me like glue, he has absolutely zero interest in children, other dogs, whatever. All he wants is his tennis ball and as I control that, I am 100% the focus of his attention. So he is often off lead and will continue to be so, even when I have a baby/toddler/small child. No, I won't ever leave them alone together - but that doesn't mean I should have to keep my obedient, well behaved dog on lead at all times!
However - all that having been said, in this case (if its real) the OP was being unreasonable. If her dog had been on a lead or at heel and the other mother had allowed child to run over to dog then had same reaction, maybe not. But no dog that runs up to any other dog or human is truely under control IMHO.