Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To shout at this dog-owner?

308 replies

AnotherNC · 09/01/2016 10:44

Surely if your dog jumps up at strangers it should be on a lead?!

Walking in park, 4-month-old baby in baby-carrier (with his feet dangling in furry bootees) a Westie started jumping up at me, scrabbling at my leg and making grabs at baby's foot when he jumped! I yelled at dog to 'get down then shouted at owner to 'get your dog under control' (she responded with a cheery sorry!)

Did I overreact? I wouldn't care so much had I not had baby strapped to me. I get it that baby's bootees might look like toys but I don't want a dog tugging on them or getting mud/slobber everywhere. And I don't want dogs running round my feet particularly when ground is slippery.

Why can't people keep dogs on leads?? It's not the first time random dogs have jumped up in the park.

OP posts:
ArmchairTraveller · 09/01/2016 12:52

'Also the OP was not discussing a dog attack, but a dog jumping up.'

For some of us, that's an invasive and unpleasant experience. In the same way as being harrassed on a Saturday night by some over-friendly male.

ShitFacedTinyTim · 09/01/2016 12:52

soupdragon - both are small, living beings meant to be under the control of a reasonable adult, and both would feel pain and distress if kicked in the face. Fairly direct comparison. You're welcome.

swashbucklecheer · 09/01/2016 12:52

I haven't heard anything on the news about a child being mauled to death at soft play. I'm not talking that risk with an out of control dog. I say again for those with difficulty understanding if you don't want me to kick your dog off me then keep it under control and it's a complete nonissue

kali110 · 09/01/2016 12:54

*ArmchairTraveller

' Ah, the usual hysteria overreactions on both sides of the fence.'

grin Yup.
I remember on a similar thread, years back, Tethersend and I proposed a Korean restaurant as a side business for Battersea's dog home, and then extending it as a franchise around the country. That way, shelters could ensure finances matched demand.*

How hilarious Hmm

chapthedoor · 09/01/2016 12:54

Also if someone kicked my dog I'd lamp them one

kali110 · 09/01/2016 12:56

chapthedoor yes and i've noticed which posters crop up with their usual bullshit

SoupDragon · 09/01/2016 12:57

soupdragon - both are small, living beings meant to be under the control of a reasonable adult, and both would feel pain and distress if kicked in the face. Fairly direct comparison.

One is a human, one is an animal. Not even remotely the same.

You're welcome.

Oh, how witty! The usual last retort of people who have nothing to say.

ShowOfHands · 09/01/2016 12:57

The analogy doesn't work because children are humans. They're the same as us. Subject to the same universal standards of society. Dogs are animals.

Dog ownership can and should be discussed in relation to dog ownership. No comparison with children necessary.

ArmchairTraveller · 09/01/2016 12:57

'Also if someone kicked my dog I'd lamp them one'

Then you have a conviction for assault, and your dog may join in the attack to help you and be destroyed. Legislation is the way to defuse the aggressive responses to dog-owner indifference. That way, everyone has to take responsibility for their actions.

AnthonyBlanche · 09/01/2016 12:58

There's a simple solution for all dog owners worried that others may be cruel to their dogs by using force to deter them. KEEP YOUR DOG ON A LEAD AT ALL TIMES IN ALL PUBLIC PLACES

Alisvolatpropiis · 09/01/2016 12:59

Hello

I don't think being aware of how to keeps oneself safe is such a massive hardship?

As an aside, I don't get the "would you kick a child who xyz"...children are not dogs?! I have both and know the difference quite well!

whois · 09/01/2016 12:59

There's no way I'm going to kick a dog, mainly because I feel like it will take that as being attached and attack me.

But how are you meant to stop dogs jumping up at you?? Dog owners - care to provide some useful advice to people who don't want muddy dog paws on their jeans?

SoupDragon · 09/01/2016 12:59

would you also be fine if someone kicked your spaniel in the face?

Actually, yes I would. If he had been in the position of scaring someone so that they felt that was necessary. However, as I know he is a jumper and has bad recall when out and about he is never off lead. I also feel him in when people approach and warn them that he is a jumper. Because I am a responsible dog owner and not a dog centric twat.

ArmchairTraveller · 09/01/2016 13:00

Stranger Danger lessons for dogs.
Don't approach a stranger, don't touch them or talk to them.
Come back straight away when mummy or daddy call you.

AnthonyBlanche · 09/01/2016 13:02

kali and chap your views are definitely in the minority which is a good sign as it means the day when all dogs have to be kept on leads in public places is getting closer Smile

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 09/01/2016 13:02

My DD (13.6) was terrified of dogs when she was little (she's fine now)

She would scream (though I did my upmost best not to let her, it isn't good for anyone. The dogs react, the owner, myself and most importantly, DD couldn't hear me if she was in full blown scream mode)

My DS (16) has always been very relaxed with dogs, (in fact he's a magnet).
He told her to "look at it's tail, not it's eyes" (so she wasn't staring it out)
I used to tell her to hold her breath as we walked by (to give her something to concentrate on and stop her thinking about screaming)

Never never lift a child up. It re-inforces that there is something to fear and the dog sees their intended 'target' out of reach.

My DD was scared of slobber, not the risk of being bitten (that never entered her head)
So the lovely thoughtful dog owners (and yes most of them were fine) saying "Oh, he'll just lick you to death ha ha" were actually re-inforcing it.

Eventually, we gave up going to parks, beaches, woods (beaches should be ok in Non Dog Season until some c*nt with two big (Rotties) let them charge about loose on the beach one Saturday ( I think August) years ago.

So that we didn't encounter dogs loose, we avoided these places. I said to my DD that just because she didn't like them, didn't mean they had to stay on lead.

On the roads were different, she'd run into the road to avoid one Sad.

I have never ever even considered kicking a dog. (The owner maybe) . I knew from some advice site to stick my finger up the dogs bottom (or was that the owners? ) if they caught her.

I used to walk through the park on the way home and met lots of dog owners to chat to. Then if DD saw one I could say "Oh thats Reggie, I was talking to his owner" , so they weren't a feral hound, they were someones dog.

She grew out of it. Now she has no idea why she was so nervous.

whois · 09/01/2016 13:03

That is heartless

NoKali what is heartless is a human adult putting a poor dog through months and years of pain and suffering to to treat debilitating diseases, for their own personal pleasure of having the dog alive. It's sick when you think about that. End an ill dogs suffering, or make them suffer so you aren't alone...?

ShitFacedTinyTim · 09/01/2016 13:04

soupdragon- I have plenty to say. So let me summarise it yet again, for your benefit. Dogs are not the same as a child. But it doesn't make it ok for you to kick my dog in the face. It would hurt and distress a dog which didn't know any better because its owner is an idiot. My own dog is very well trained, and has excellent recall. All owners should do this. Still isn't ok to kick their dog if they haven't.

I like Mumsnet. I think MNers are a bunch of witty, clever, companionable sweary, forthright, empathic and helpful people and I love getting to hear people's thoughts on anything and everything. So I am saddened at the implication of cruelty and aggression from women who I normally admire, when it is the owner's fault not the dog's.

YY to tests, and licenses and manadtory dog training, and maybe it would be good if parents also taught their children the correct way to behave around animals and not to kick them in the face?

Hellochicken · 09/01/2016 13:04

Can we agree all dogs who aren't/can't be trained not to jump up on strangers and won't come back when called by owner.
Those dogs should always be on a lead in public.

Is there anyone who disagrees? Because in RL some dog owners seem to think I should enjoy being jumped on, like it is affection from their dog. They seem surprised when I say the above.

dogvcatcat · 09/01/2016 13:05

Oh God, this again.

Alisvolatpropiis · 09/01/2016 13:06

whois I completely agree with you. I have much loved dogs but I wouldn't put them through months/years of painful vetinary treatments which just prolong their pain. I take a dim view of owners who do so, in all honesty.

whois · 09/01/2016 13:06

Still haven't seen any advice from dog owners about what to do if a dog approaches you and is about to jump up.

How should someone stop that? The only advice so far has been to kick it. There must be a better way. Anyone?

chapthedoor · 09/01/2016 13:06

AnthonyBlanche my views are in the minority which is good ? I don't think you read my post Confused

AnthonyBlanche · 09/01/2016 13:07

Don't you think it would have been better for your daughter 70 if all those dogs had been on leads? Sounds like she had a pretty restricted childhood if you avoided all the places you list. A shame really as her life could have been so much better if only so many dog owners weren't selfish twats.

whattodowiththepoo · 09/01/2016 13:09

To the person that said they will kick a dog if it gets close, I hope you are prepared for me to defend my dog.

Swipe left for the next trending thread