AIBU - Dogs Off Lead

[PrincessOfChina]

So, in the park this PM. Small terrier type dog off lead with lady and two children. We're walking past (DS in pram and DD on scooter) and the dog leaves it's owner and circles DD on her scooter. I tell her to stay still and assume the owner will remove the dog so we can continue. She slowly ambles over by which time the dog is jumping up at DD (the dog is her height when upright).

Was I unreasonable to yell "Get your dog away from my daughter right now"? She seemed to think I was being unreasonable as the dog "didn't bite her did it?".

How should I react in future? I didn't move to hastily to grab DD as I didn't want to aggrevate the dog which wasn't showing signs of biting imminently.

I have a dog and it is only on Mumsnet that I have come across the idea that dogs should be on a lead at all time and it is just stupid. I worry about my dog running up to people but I have seen that he does this because he is encouraged, people like to say hello to him and stroke him and he loves it too. I keep a close eye and call him away if there is any sign that there is a problem but the world would be a much sadder place if all dogs were on leads the whole time and there were no moments of connection and love between dogs and people.

Maybe sadder for you Frucking, but happier for people who don't want other people's dogs anywhere near them.

For many dogs leads cause heightened aggression and reactivity. I'm not for a minute defending people who let their dog approach strangers without controlling it. But even if you brought that rule in tomorrow, I think it's wise to teach your children how to be safe around the inevitable stray/escaped/broken lead situation.

People shouldn't abduct children. But I still teach mine not to go with strangers. Honestly I think dogs are a part of life everyone should teach their children about. It isn't a perfect world.

Bollocks all dogs should be on a lead because of some irresponsible owners. That's like saying all kids should be on leads because some parents are irresponsible. Or all men cos some are sex pests. Ridiculous opinion.

Again I'll say dog ownership needs to be more difficult. It would really really help.

Bollocks all dogs should be on a lead because of some irresponsible owners. That's like saying all kids should be on leads because some parents are irresponsible

It's not even slightly like saying kids should be on a lead

Kinda is....I don't care how many you've bred and how well they can ask for kumquats anymore than you care how quickly mine heels and downs...

Disclaimer: do not know what a kumquat is.

It is. Some parents are irresponsible, their kids go bothering others due to the parents lack of supervision. Exactly the same thing, it's punishing the majority because of the minority.

Though I'm sure there aren't a huge number of people who are actively afraid of a child viciously biting their face off.

A kumquat is nothing, nothing I tell you if not organic and served with home made hummus.

Kumquats go with hummus....I had to add hummus to my dictionary to stop it correcting to humidifer. What does that say about me? Other than that Ive detracted from the serious business. As you were.

To be fair I'm often in fear of a child biting my face off. When I was 6 me neighbour had this child, mostly friendly but temperamental. I came out of the house one morning on my way t'pit and it FLEW at me. It was lucky my dad had his steel toe cap boots on or I wouldn't be so damn pretty.

Loose kids always wanted to maul my terriers, who didn't want mauling by tarquinella thinking they were toys who wanted picking up and cuddling.
5day well if large numbers clearly think that way they're being irrational aren't they? Considering that statistically a child is more at risk of being sexually abused by a trusted adult than attacked by a dog in public, and yet nobody is demanding no known adults go near their dc. Unless someone is in the minority that has been attacked by a dog in public, when I can sympathise and understand they have good reason to think irrationally, then an irrational fear is just that, and not a basis for rules for the majority.
Lots of women suffer dv, yet aren't going round demanding everyone keeps their husbands away in public incase they suddenly attack them at the park.

Far too many unleashed children try to mail my dog and the ineffectual parents take offence when I point out that he night just growl if you dont remove your highly irritating offspring. He won't but I might..

Maul not mail...nobody has ever tried to mail my dog.

I don't really know why the 'in public' bit matters Lurk...if you've had a bad experience with dogs anywhere at all, you don't suddenly lose the subsequent fear while in public because the statistics say it's not very likely.

Mailing your dog is arguably better than mauling your dog Join

My dogs are ankle height and I keep them on a lead when there are other people about, especially little ones. They can get barky and excitable and I won't have them frightening small children (or even large children, or adults!) They look super cute and fluffy but can be snappy, and its unfair to think that just because I like them, that other people will too. YWNBU.

I'm a bit perplexed by people using the analogy of irresponsible parents / sex pests. Surely the difference is that dogs are not human and that is why they, rather than [insert adjective of choice] people should be under control in public?

I wouldn't want to live in a world where the rights of dogs override those of people.

Stripey you're completely missing my point.

Yes, dogs should be under control in public. But with the best will in the world that will never happen 100%. I want my kids to know how to stay safe around them. I extend that to dogs they may meet at friends' homes etc. It's just common sense.

In your eyes dogs should never approach your child so why should you teach your child to be safe around them. But the fact that cars should always stop at a red light doesn't mean I don't teach my children to look before they use a pedestrian crossing. Because you can't control the world, as a parent you need to take a degree of responsibility to reduce risks.

I honestly can't understand why you'd be so bloody-minded to think that because a dog owner shouldn't let their dog approach your children, you won't teach your children how to stay safe. It's a bizarre perspective.

Dogs are a huge part of some people's lives and they bring them joy, companionship and, in some cases, essential support for leading good lives. Dogs have a need to exercise free from the lead and it can be really gratifying to see your dog's happy face pelting down a field.

Having said that, other people have complex needs as well and we all have to live together. Surely the answer is to be reasonable. Teach your dog recall and call him away from other people unless they volunteer to pet him; if your dog won't recall keep him on lead and seek out private land or very isolated spots.

At one time I had four dogs, all with very good recall, all trained not to pester other people. However, they played with each other fairly roughly and made a lot of noise - again I repeat, away from people. I was used to this and the dogs were having a ball, anyone used to dogs would smile because they would see the dogs were having a ball. However people who were not used to dogs would become quite worried - I noticed quite a few parents hugging children a long way away from us and giving us worried glances. So the dogs only went off the lead in pairs. I don't want to be needlessly upsetting others who are also out to enjoy the countryside.

Mermaid, my last post was more directed to lurked than you. Don't worry, My children do know about dogs and also know not to approach dogs when out and about. However, beyond that I'm not sure there is much to teach them? If an aggressive dog comes after them (which fortunately has never happened) there's probably not much that a 10 year old can do.

If dogs were on leads at all times in public the number of dog attacks on people would be massively reduced.

stripey demanding all dogs be kept on leads is equally selfish to a dog owner who thinks their right to let their dog approach others trumps everyone elses rights. Because it's not just the dogs rights you are putting secondary to your own desires, it's the owners too.
If I considered my rights to be more important than everyone elses, my dogs would be approaching people, in playgrounds off lead etc because we like dogs. Not being selfish I consider other people's rights not to have loose dogs hassling or approaching them to be equally important, and therefore wouldn't dream of letting any dog go up to others or into a play ground etc. I'm considering your rights. You aren't considering mine.