Dogs on buses near babies

[FireLamp]

Just to be clear, this isn't a goady thread about dogs and I don't hate dogs. Interested in others opinions as I have to take the bus daily!

I think owners should keep them away from prams and only take them on buses if there's plenty of space! AIBU?

Today, coming back from a long walk at a local beauty spot, someone plonked their husky-type dog right next to DS in his pram (pram was in the area with fold-up seats, 2 other prams opposite). As dog was on eye level with 10-month DS I asked him to move the dog. He assured me dog 'won't hurt him' but I said I'd rather not take the risk thanks, especially as DS will try to grab anything furry and interesting. He reluctantly moved dog into the aisle, where it meandered around on the end of a long lead, sniffing people and getting in everyone's way.

I've had similar with someone's dog licking my ankle on the bus, owner didn't seem to think it mattered

Did I overreact or AIBR to think dogs should be kept on a short lead on buses, sitting next to their owner, away from babies/small children?

surf so you agree, you aren't really talking about logical risk to a child, just a load of hyperbole because you want to justify your ignorant views?

All I am saying is I that I trust what is conducted in this country. Not some Uni in a different country and certainly nothing from a newspaper.

Think we're going around in circles a tad, but then you're a GF and they enjoy that.

Ps it was you that started the sausage dog hysterics.

FFS, I pointed out the research. The same research is used as a benchmark in the UK.

My stance is really simple - dogs have been known to bite so it is responsible and sensible to not rule out the possibility of it happening again. What's hysterical about that?

No, I'm not scared of dogs. Yes, I've had dogs around since I was small. Greyhounds, a roti and westies. None of them ever bit anyone but I would never be so blinkered to rule it out entirely.

We disagree but I am basing my position on fact not subjective opinion.

surf maybe you should do some research about dog attacks in the uk ( no site is ever in agreement with the top 10 dogs responsible for bites ).
Why would we be bothered about research done in a random state in the us that was done in 2008!!
Think it's you who should do the research, i have actually looked up the breeds responsible for the most attacks a lot of times.
In 2015 pitbull type dogs were top of the list with most bites according to the police.

don't feed the troll

Haha it was done in 2008?

Maybe sausage dogs aren't killers anymore

There is some utter rubbish on this thread..

Dogs sitting higher up than you ie dog on sofa you on floor, in NO WAY tells the dog they have a higher status, dogs do not seek to dominate us, seating position going out the door first, who eats first etc means NOTHING to a dog beyond their selfish desire to have their needs met.

Dogs are not pack animals, do not require a 'dominant' leader etc are not tame wolves and are not domesticated wild animals (unlike say cows or sheep, dogs have evolved and adapted to live with us and are a highly successful species because of this, whereas wolves/coyotes/etc have NOT and thus, are not)..

Muzzling dogs - I would be happy to muzzle dogs for public transport, what i would NOT be happy with is the very real possibility that this would be the start of a slippery slope and would be expanded to eventually include all public places.

Muzzling isnt cruel if you teach your dog to associate wearing a muzzle with good stuff and condition it first and use an appropriate muzzle (a basket muzzle NEVER EVER a fabric muzzle that works by holding the mouth shut, those are only for a few minutes use during vet procedures).

However, muzzling makes it harder to reward your dog using food (possible but hard) or toys (impossible), stops your dog being able to play, stops your dog being able to give normal facial body language (and other dogs cant read it because the muzzle is in the way).

And muzzles often create a false sense of security which leads to the dog being put into situations it cannot cope with and so behaviour problems (if there are any) tend to get worse.

Dogs can also bite without any warning - note that this is not 'without reason'.. there is always a reason... but it is possible and not uncommon that a dog is punished for showing signs of discomfort or fear, ie, bollock the dog for lip curling, growling etc... so the dog then learns to go straight for the bite.

I must admit that I didn't realise dogs other than guide dogs are allowed on buses. Are cats in baskets allowed too?

Yes, I've taken cats, rabbits and hamsters on buses.

mummyanything as long as it's in carrier has been fine on any bus i've been on. People who can't/don't want to drivehave to take their pets to the vets somehow!

waitrose yes i know i shouldn't feed, i juSt could not help it! repeatedly telling me to look at that bloody study, it's an article in the guardian and it's almost 10 years old.
Come on.

Widdlin the most informed post on the thread.
L David Mech came up with pack theory in the 70s based on unrelated captive wolves. He himself debunked it in a scientific paper almost a decade ago, so it's frustrating that it continues to be perpetuated.

So glad the majority on here, owners and non-owners alike, know that dogs can be loving, but can suddenly react and hurt people.

The man on the bus moved so he's with the majority.

That same majority also teach DCs not to tease or touch a dog that they don't know, but are happy to have well supervised contact with family pets.

I go back to my point that babies and children can't scar / kill a dog, but in theory a dog can do the reverse (and sadly this has happened).

The dog can move and sit under a seat with adults around and they're highly intelligent so can be trained not to lick.
Babies can't be moved to sit under a seat and, as has been pointed out, pram folding takes a lot more time and effort than moving a dog.

I can see that owners can be besotted with dogs. I am with my cat, but when visitors come around that aren't happy to have her jump up for a stroke I'll send her out if the room. My friends with dogs know that I like dogs, so they'll come up to me to say hello and generally sit on, or by, me loving the attention. I see them call dogs back when around new people. I think that's responsible.