To feel hurt that my lovely dog licking someone caused such distress.

[sweetgrape]

He's just a big affectionate softy, the only trouble is he thinks everyone loves him. We went for our walk this morning in the park and sat down on a bench for a rest. We'd only been sat down a minute or so and this woman sits down next to me. We were just chatting about the weather when all of a sudden she jumped up shrieking, "ahhh the dog just licked my leg"
Now I know not everyone loves dogs but i thought it was a bit of an over reaction. I did apologise but I felt kind of sorry for my dog, who seemed to have a bit of a hurt look on his face. Wabu to have felt sorry for my dog or should I have felt more sorry for the woman?

You should have posted this in The Doghouse OP. There are people with perspective in there.

"How would you like it if I came up and licked you?" Really? Like that is remotely comparative.

This thread epitomises why I question the time I waste spend on MN sometimes.

They told me that MN was full of dog haters and the overly precious who think a dodgy dog is lurking on every corner. I didn't believe them.

I do now.

You should have posted this in The Doghouse OP. There are people with perspective in there

You mean fellow dog owners who don't care if dogs lick them/jump up at them/extend them other forms of doggie friendship?

It's hilarious how precious people can be, bring it on, beats the shopping channel!

You're right Costa I'm staying for now, I wouldn't be able to look my doggy in the eye if I failed him now, he said he never realised his little lick would cause such a fuss.

Precious = I don't agree with you

I'm one of these mad people who kisses my dog on the lips and I'm riddled with diseases I haven't caught the plague yet. My old dog used to like licking people's toes! Now that's really disgusting - not that she did it to strangers in parks but if anyone had had their feet out she probably would have tried.

I think she was being a bit precious. She must like dogs otherwise she wouldn't have sat next to you and no, being slobbered over isn't pleasant but a little lick on the ankle doesn't merit shrieking. If she thinks dogs are that disgusting then she shouldn't go anywhere near them. I wouldn't be offended on the dog's behalf, I'd have probably found it funny although my dog can pull a very good "poor me, I'm sad and hurt" face which tugs at the heartstrings so I can understand your reaction as well.

FWIW, I'd have been thrilled if your dog licked me. I love it when dogs take a liking to me.

And again babybarrister I'm sure you take care not to sit your son on a bench next to a dog

I bet he wishes he'd had a good old slobber now, made it worth our while

Well yes he thinks he may as well have been hung for a sheep so to speak. It was just a dainty little lick he said.

I like dogs and don't mind a lick on the leg or hand (don't like the face) etc, but sweetgrape keeps escalating what happened. According to her op, she didn't actually see the lick as the first she knew of it was the woman jumping up with a shriek so how has it suddenly become a tiny lick on the ankle, when big dogs usually give great big licks with their equally big tongues? She said the dog licked her leg, so it was probably a huge lick from ankle to knee which if unexpected would give anyone a jolt.

Very unfair to say the woman was ridiculous or in the wrong for sitting there or projecting a fear of dogs on her. She accepted the apology (else op would have said otherwise) and end of story. Yet now op is bashing this poor woman on here for some reason.

I think it's a little precious to not accept that other people may not agree with you. Yes you love your dog, other people don't. Dogs I know are trained not to lick people, yours isn't. Just because others don't like it does not make them "precious/stupid/ridiculous".

I should have said "correspondingly big tongues" instead of "equally big tongues"

Two hundred and sixty five posts on one friendly dog and one lick of an ankle.

Barmy.

I think the op has accepted that grinch, several times, but thanks for your valuable contribution, it has added to the thread immeasurably

I know carrots but hugely entertaining at the same time it's really brightened my day!

OP, YANBU. I can't believe your dog licking her ankle makes it badly behaved and capable of biting. If she was that freaked out don't sit beside a dog.

But then I'm a weirdo who gets kisses from my dog, shares a bed with him and have been known to let him lick my ice cream

Even police dogs will lick, and actually it was the ankle because he was lying down. If he'd have licked right up to the knee he would have had to stand up. Far to chilled out to go to that trouble. Please don't assume you know what happened when you wasn't there.

Oh wow you're a charmer.

You mean fellow dog owners who don't care if dogs lick them/jump up at them/extend them other forms of doggie friendship?

No, actually. People who are largely responsible dog owners who pick up their poo, train their dogs (or ask for advice on how to train their dogs) to be under control and generally good "citizens". People who realise not everyone else likes dogs. However they most likely would also realise that a dog licking somebody's ankle, once, does not constitute an out of control dog who is a threat to the general public. They probably would say there is no need for the op to humanise the dog by saying he looked hurt - although the op has already said this was lighthearted. However best not to get all hysterical over it, and move on. Since it was just a lick to an ankle. Ffs.

Is your dog big or not? If he is big, when lying down his head will have reach of at least ankle to knee without having to get up. This forensic detective stuff over a dog lick is quite fun

I would have jumped up and shrieked. I cant help it. I jump at surprises, such as somebody touching (or licking!!) me when I dont expect it or can see their hand, or protruding tongue, as it were!

I once had a very big dog jump up at me and literally try to snog me, I had slobber all over my face and lips. I was not in a position where I could go and wash my face, or spit, mostly because the dogs owners were all "awww, so cute, he really likes you". So I felt it would be rude to retch at their floor and run to the kitchen sink for a wash.

Having said that, the following day I came down with the nastiest stomach bug I have ever experienced. I put it down to the dog, or the Michelin star fish restaurant where I ate a starter containing ALL sea-foods imaginable in a clear soup.

Ah, this thread is making me miss my old cocker and her lovely slobbering kisses. The cats lick my face but their tongues are rough.

Oh get a grip OP. Your dog is not the be all and end all to other people.

I'm allergic to dogs and I really don't like them. I would not have appreciated being licked by one, no matter how friendly. I also wouldn't worry about hurting a bloody dogs feelings.

God some people and their dogs really annoy me. I wish some dog owners would get that there are people who are not as crazy about their smelly slobbery pets as they are.