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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dear dog lovers/owners...

344 replies

INeedABiggerBoat · 25/05/2014 19:35

A few tips for 'dog lovers':

  • Don't leave your young children to pet a dog while you p* off to the loo or go to buy a pint, without checking with the dog's owners first. Dogs may not find your children as adorable as you do. Some dogs also bite children/when scared and I'm betting you won't be blaming yourself if that happens.
  • It is not okay to feed a dog without its owners' permission - especially when you give the dog a small bone that could choke it/splinter in its throat. Unless you're happy for us to pass on the vet bill to you.

And one for dog owners:

  • Whistling for your unleashed dog to follow you while you merrily cycle off home does not constitute 'having control' of your dog.

Any other tips to add, MN-ers?

OP posts:
Alisvolatpropiis · 26/05/2014 09:52

Which is why I suggested split parks. So dogs can be exceeded adequately and people can enjoy the park...in separate spaces.

KeepingUpAnon · 26/05/2014 09:53

What have you told your 4 year old about dogs Frumpet?

I've heard so many people on here say 'please don't make your dc afraid of dogs'...but I don't want my dc to think all dogs are friendly...no more than I want them to think they can approach any adult and all adults are friendly.

Instilling a healthy amount of caution into dc about dogs is sensible. I've always told mine that you always approach the owner and ask if you can pet them because not all dogs are friendly and some may bite you.

It hasn't made my dc afraid, just cautious.

SirChenjin · 26/05/2014 09:54

How on earth is he going to learn that dogs are friendly, won't bite him, aren't even bothered by him with you acting in this way?

No, not all dogs are 'friendly' or won't bite, or aren't bothered by him - and even if they are 'friendly' perhaps he doesn't want an animal leaping at him, sniffing around him and barking? I know I don't.

I don't need to keep my children beside me in parks, whereas your dog has no right or reason to be in a play park off lead.

Alisvolatpropiis · 26/05/2014 10:03

*exercised not exceeded Hmm

mousmous · 26/05/2014 10:08

why on earth should I keep my dc at my side at all times?
they do not fall under the 'keep dogs under close control or leashed at all times' law.
my dc are humans not dogs.

Whoknowswhocares · 26/05/2014 10:11

Conversely, why on earth should I leash my dog in an area where it is legal for her to be off leash when she will recall instantly and is trained not to approach you, your kids or another dog without my express permission?

SirChenjin · 26/05/2014 10:20

Conversely to your conversely post whoknows not all dogs (in fact, as you can see from this thread it's the minority of dogs) have instant recall or are trained not to approach humans or other dogs.

JohnCusacksWife · 26/05/2014 10:25

I have no problem keeping my dog leashed near or in a childrens play park because that's "people" space. However if it's a country/woodland type park or a shared use country path then I don't think it's unreasonable to let him off the lead as long as he's under control and causing no nuisance. If he's out of control that's a completely different matter and no dog should be off the lead in those circs. But just because SOME people don't like dogs doesn't mean ALL dogs should be restrained on a lead 100% of the time.

WaywardOn3 · 26/05/2014 10:28

So why should the ones who have good recall be forced to be leashed at all times just because some people haven't bothered training their dog or own a breed notoriously incapable of recall yet still let it off ?

My dogs don't go far when off the lead, recall quickly, down stay and sit stay quickly. They don't approach people or dogs unless I'm told they are welcome to

SirChenjin · 26/05/2014 10:29

No, I don't think all dogs should be leashed all of the time - but I do think that all dogs should be trained to walk to heel at all times and to ignore people and other dogs. That doesn't happen though, does it? In fact, far from it - as the experiences on this thread show.

curiousgeorgie · 26/05/2014 10:31

To expect dogs to be on a leash at all times is just cruel.

My dog lives for runs off the lead. And he doesn't bother anyone.

(He is a lunatic, but not while running Wink running trumps lunacy!)

Alisvolatpropiis · 26/05/2014 10:32

Erm, my dog is trained not to approach people. In appropriate situations she will be allowed to approach another dog but that is based on checking with the owner.

One of my points upthread for dog owners was - assume nobody but you likes your dog.

SirChenjin · 26/05/2014 10:36

assume nobody but you likes your dog

I completely agree. I wish all dog owners would realise this though, and get it into their heads that people don't necessarily appreciate a dog jumping up, sniffing around, barking and 'being friendly'.

(And yes, I fully understand that children are boring etc etc but this thread is about dogs)

KeepingUpAnon · 26/05/2014 10:40

So why should the ones who have good recall be forced to be leashed at all times just because some people haven't bothered training their dog or own a breed notoriously incapable of recall yet still let it off

Because laws have to cater to the lowest common denominator unfortunately.

You just as well say 'Well I always drive safely and appropriately for the road type and activity - why should there be speed limits for all just because some people don't realise they can't go at 50mph down a residential street?'. Because appropriate, legal restraints have to be put in place for the huge majority of people who wouldn't act appropriately in a given situation.

'Making' people train their dogs to recall and not approach others is not enforceable. Making it a requirement to have all dogs leashed in public places is.

LtEveDallas · 26/05/2014 10:40

Dear dog owners.

Take responsibility for your mistakes, teach recall over and above any other 'trick' and use whatever method is needed to do so. Pick up or cover your poo so that non dog owners don't tar us all with the same brush. Give your dog as many different socialisation scenarios before 16 weeks (dogs, kids, traffic, supermarket trollies, bikes, cats, other small furries). Spay them, don't breed them, look after them. Enjoy your pet.

Dear Dog Lovers:

Please make sure your children ask before petting and get them to approach quietly and gently not at full pelt. A growling dog doesn't always mean it's unfriendly, but it may be scared of you. Please don't feed strange dogs, they may have stomach or kidney problems that could mean death if they eat the wrong thing.

Dear Dog Haters:

Don't complain about an off lead dog that isn't the slightest bit interested in you just because it's off lead. Don't tar all dog owners with the same (shitty) brush. Don't walk in a signposted 'Dog Park' and then swear about dogs being there. Don't trespass on MOD land that is used for dog training and complain about dog mess - it's supposed to be there. Don't see a fox poo and demand a dog owner picks it up. Don't swoop your child into your arms when you see a perfect controlled Rottweiller in your vicinity. Remember 'deed not breed' - ANY dog can be a killer, ANY dog can be a softie, ANY Dog.

LittleBearPad · 26/05/2014 10:42

Dog owners. If you're going to own a dog it is your responsibility to train it to behave. It is not fair on the dog or other people if it doesn't know how to behave.

And dogs licking scared toddlers/babies isn't funny.

KeepingUpAnon · 26/05/2014 10:44

Don't swoop your child into your arms when you see a perfect controlled Rottweiller in your vicinity. Remember 'deed not breed' - ANY dog can be a killer, ANY dog can be a softie, ANY Dog

Seriously, this sort of attitude really gets me. Deed not breed my arse. YES you get good and bad in every breed...but the fact is that an unleashed rottweiller is, to me (and I would imagine 99% of parents in general) a MUCH higher risk than an unleashed yorkie.

And whilst I won't 'swoop them up', yes I WILL keep my child away from your huge and potentially lethal unleashed dog, that I have no idea of the temperament of.

KeepingUpAnon · 26/05/2014 10:49

And just to be clear...I am not a dog hater, at all, we are actually dog owners and have a 3 year old Hungarian Vizsla.

hels71 · 26/05/2014 10:50

Dear dog owners
If a woodland walk says "dogs must be kept on leads" then that means all dogs.
When your dog, that is larger than my two year old, comes rushing up to her and nearly knocks her over (I just managed to pick her up in time) then don't think I am going to be placated by "he won't hurt you." How would you feel if an animal larger than you rushed up to you........especially in an area where said animal is meant to be on a lead...
Other dog owners....the episode above is why I have a child who is terrified of dogs and who freaks out if there is even one off a lead in the distance. Don't assume we are all crap parents who haven't tried to teach our children how to behave around dogs.

LtEveDallas · 26/05/2014 10:51

I said a perfectly controlled Rotweiller. A perfectly controlled Rottweiller is no more dangerous than a perfectly controlled Yorkshire Terrier.

balloondoggy · 26/05/2014 10:51

Dear Dog Owners, don't just pick up your dog's poo from the street, also pick it up in the fields, woods and verges. You are giving other dog owners bad names. My children and I walk in those fields and woods and there are houses behind those verges! Pick up everywhere not just where YOU deem it necessary.

Dear Dog Owners, if you do pick up, carry your poopy bag with you till you find a bin. Do not hang it on the nearest branch or bush. It is horrible to walk in the countryside and see poo bags replacing flowers! If you pick up, why on Earth would you not dispose of it properly?!

Dear Dog Owners, if you use an extendable lead, please keep it locked when you walk along the footpath so the dog doesn't pull and leave a trip wire across the path.

Dear Dog Owners, if you use an extendable lead and have a friendly dog who likes to jump and greet other dogs, please lock the lead as I don't want my dog to be garrotted by your dog's lead!

everlong · 26/05/2014 10:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Staywithme · 26/05/2014 10:53

And as usual another dog thread turns into a slanging match. Sad

SirChenjin · 26/05/2014 10:54

The thing is, you cannot claim for certain (as in 100% as opposed to 99%) that your dog is perfectly controlled - no dog owner can - and I would much rather be faced with a yorkie who is having a one off bad day than a rottweiler.

SirChenjin · 26/05/2014 10:55

Everlong - I said play park. No dog has a right or a reason to be off lead in a play park. Country park, yes, but not play park.