to not want your dog to "kiss" my dc face

[m0therofdragons]

Sorry for grumpy old lady rant but we spent a few hours in our local country park and had a picnic - me and my 3 young dds.
While sitting and eating 6 dogs came over at the same time circling us after scraps of food (don't think they were too impressed by all dc eating blueberries). Anyway, there were 3 owners walking over slowly while I shielded dc. When the owners eventually made it over my two youngest (2yo twins) were scared and crying. They didn't apologise and just commented how friendly their dogs are and how they Love to lick and kiss people but would never bite. Now I find it naive that people would be so confident their dog won't bite but that aside... I do not want my children's faces licked by a tongue that moments ago had probably been licking its own bottom or eating poo. Dog owners seem to think I would find this cute. I love dogs but I do not find it cute!

YANBU OP, my DC are very well 'trained' with regards to dogs; ask the owners before petting, soft gentle voices and movements, no kisses and stand still and wait for the owner when random dogs bound up. Sadly, this didn't stop an unruly (and fortunately small) dog from jumping on my 3 year old DDs back yesterday and 'humping her', scratching all her back and knocking her to the ground. Apparently it was because DD had the audacity to be carrying a stick.

It's sad, because we must have seen at least 6 other dogs on our walk, all off their leads but under control. It only takes one. I think I'd be less upset if the owner had rushed over, instead of continuing to faff around in the boot of her car and wittering on about how 'friendly' the dog was. It was only when I got nearer, with a sobbing DD in my arms and her dog jumping up and scratching my legs that she thought to enquire if DD was ok. No apology, it was DD's fault for not giving the dog the stick

Boney - what was your link for? It doesn't link to dog parks - it does link to places you can take your dog, but they are just the sort of places that people might be having picnics too. And some of them say 'on leads'

Well I know loads of dog friendly places. They're great for running too ...

When I got back friend delightedly told me "She's been really good, hardly cried, and Scruffy has given her a good wash"

Yeuch!

I thought it would be parks just for dogs mistle where people without dogs could avoid if they wanted.

You can go through that link to somewhere else at the top that lists dog parks. Anyway, I'm finishing up work now (school crossing patrol) and won't have access to wifi.

'I thought it would be parks just for dogs mistle where people without dogs could avoid if they wanted.'

Yes, with a high fence around, and gated so that they stay in the zone even if they are poor at recall. Like toddler playparks.

YY Goblin.

I am a bit worried about the combination of being on school crossing patrol and Mnetting at the same time.

They're not crossing constantly for the while shift! I do have a few seconds off here and there to check emails, MN, etc.

Maybe Boney's finished for the morning, most English schools are on holiday ATM.

Ok Boney. I don't know why you called me an insipid moron, what did I say to deserve that comment?

International school so different holidays.

Maryz - I have never come across one in the UK, although I haven't been looking out for them in particular. I have come across lots of parks where you're allowed to walk your dogs - but there is no segregation.

hotcrosshunny I don't quite get the sentiment in your post. I appreciate your 4 year old must be quite worried about dogs now and it can't be easy to talk rationally to him, but for his sake that is exactly what you need to tell him. It has nothing to do with who is to blame, I am entirely with you in blaming the dog owner for not controlling their dog, but at the end of the day some dogs are out of control and until that changes the most important thing is to teach your child to be safe around them.

I just had a look at Boney's link and I couldn't find anything about dedicated dog parks either. And am also not sure why Boney is being so rude. There are no dog parks in my area.

Nothing makes me feel quite as nauseous when I see people letting dogs lick their face - it's so incredibly unhygienic and disgusting! Gross!!!

I like the idea of a dog playground though, with room to run and socialise away from those of us that don't want to be a part of it.
You could set up training sessions with a crash doll picnic scenario.
'leave...Leavee...Oh FFS let go of the toddler with the icecream'

YANBU. This is why I would never have a dog. That and having to pick up their poo. Yuk.

I do think you have to tell your DC how to react if dogs appear. DS1 had a friend who would squeal loudly and run about flapping his arms. His Mum had told him all dogs are dirty and dangerous.

I just tell my two to stop, keep still and ignore them. Let them have a sniff if they want, and hopefully they will move on.

Goblin - the trouble is, that would mean that the many parks that are currently used will increasingly become 'dog free' or 'on lead only' - so you will be restricted to (what my dog would consider to be a really boring ) single area where you might find that dogs started to act as packs and pick on 'incomers' etc - my dog would hate this unless it was a 'pointy hounds and terriers only' area.

My DS has AS, but isn't a flapper. His mate is though, especially when panicked or upset, and he is afraid of dogs. Also unlike DS.
A dog should ignore it if well-trained; and shouldn't be approaching strangers.

Dogs should be on leads where there are play parks and people eating picnics! A pack of dogs should not be circling anybody. If you want your dogs to go free, big open fields. I am sure ter are some in every area!

Mistlethrush, that's a problem for the dog owners to sort out, like the dog on dog scraps that occur. Why should a dog playground be boring? You could put interesting things in for them to explore off lead.