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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dangerous dogs

96 replies

Ghanagirl · 29/03/2017 23:13

AIBU to ask how you can help protect your self from being bitten by aggressive dogs.
I have to visit clients at home and frequently come in to contact with various pets, some docile others really aggressive and owner's of latter often seem unconcerned that their snarling dog can be intimidating to a person that has to visit their home by law (I work for NHS) I've never been bitten but know colleagues who have so I'm now nervous around dogs in particular...

OP posts:
Mrskeats · 29/03/2017 23:15

I have a dog myself but also go to people's houses
There's one dog in particular that worries me and the family have small children

Meekonsandwich · 29/03/2017 23:16

Tell them you're not coming in unless they put the dog in another room or in the garden. It's what my friend does as she has an intimidating large dog and lots of people are nervous about her.

MrsTwix · 29/03/2017 23:18

I think it's reasonable to ask for the dog to be in another room, or the garden if appropriate.

Maybe if you could spend some time with nice dogs it might help your confidence a bit?

iago · 29/03/2017 23:18

Can't you ask the client to put the dog on a lead/put it in another room? Do not NHS have Risk Assessments for this type of work? You shouldn't be put in this potentially dangerous situation.

MrsTwix · 29/03/2017 23:19

Also if you are visiting people as part of your job there should be a risk assessment in place for dangerous dogs and all the other things. Ask your manager?

MrsTwix · 29/03/2017 23:22

As an example.

DJBaggySmalls · 29/03/2017 23:25

Ask them to put the dog away. You are a stranger visiting the animals territory, there's not much you can do to guarantee the dog will accept you. Its up to the owner, and if its behaving aggressively they haven't done their job.
Be very cautious about acting on any advice you are given. If you dont know how to read their body language or handle them, you can misread the situation and do the wrong thing.There's a world of difference between a defensive dog and an aggressive one, for example.
But generally, dont make direct eye contact. Stay calm, stay as still as you can. Move and act calmly, dont make loud noises or erratic movements. Stand sideways on to the dog, dont bend over it or offer your hand. Dont act like a threat, dont try to dominate it.

LoupGarou · 29/03/2017 23:26

This really annoys me, people should either train their dogs properly, or should put them outside or in another room while you visit. It isn't fair to expect you to go about your job whilst a dog snarls at you.

We have a personal protection trained doberman, she lies quietly on the floor on the other side of the room (big open plan living space) whilst we have guests to make sure she doesn't scare anyone as she's pretty big for her breed. If I need her she's at my side before I even need to call her, but there's no need for her to scare people unnecessarily.

Original poster
Ghanagirl · 29/03/2017 23:36

LoupGarou
Why do you need a "personal protection trained Doberman"?
If I'm visiting a child it's really intimidating to have a dog that's big and potentially aggressive in the room even if it's lying quietly.
Why would you need her to be at your side?

OP posts:
armpitz · 29/03/2017 23:38

Tbf it is their house.

An obviously aggressive dog should be removed but a dog that you just don't happen to like the appearance of shouldn't be.

LoupGarou · 29/03/2017 23:41

Ghanagirl because of things in my past there are some people who pose a very real threat to me and would love to hurt me in any way they can. It was a recommendation from the police in the country we lived in at the time to get her, and the situation isn't likely to improve. She has prevented me being hurt before, she goes wherever I go.

LoupGarou · 29/03/2017 23:42

Meant to add the last time I needed her at my side was when we had an intruder in our house.

Original poster
Ghanagirl · 29/03/2017 23:44

armpitz Ive no choice re visiting clients at home but I'm still human and as I've had colleagues attacked by dogs it does make me nervous at times

OP posts:
LoupGarou · 29/03/2017 23:44

Oh yes, also meant to add that the police, HCP's etc where we live now (US) all know our situation.

Original poster
Ghanagirl · 29/03/2017 23:47

LoupGarou so a health care worker who has a duty to visit infants at home is a threat🤔

OP posts:
armpitz · 29/03/2017 23:47

I understand that Ghana and like I say I think an aggressive dog should be shut away. Insisting a dog is removed because it's, well, a dog, isn't really something it would be reasonable to insist upon.

I used to do home visits and for me it was smoking that made me Envy not jealous but it's their home so really what can you do!?

LoupGarou · 29/03/2017 23:48

Ghanagirl

What on earth are you on about?!

Original poster
Ghanagirl · 29/03/2017 23:48

Okay LoupGarou USA very different from here thankfully...

OP posts:
LoupGarou · 29/03/2017 23:50

Confused Can you clarify what you mean? If you mean do I set my dog on the nurse when she comes to visit, well no obviously not. Are you not used to people having service animals?

user1476185294 · 30/03/2017 00:49

I would think having the family dog around would often be a comfort for the child you are visiting. As child if someone coming meant I had to be separated from my best friend and sole source of comfort (family dog) I would have dreaded the visits and being even more anxious. But maybe I'm projecting from having a difficult childhood.

MidniteScribbler · 30/03/2017 02:15

I understand that Ghana and like I say I think an aggressive dog should be shut away. Insisting a dog is removed because it's, well, a dog, isn't really something it would be reasonable to insist upon.

The problem is that not everyone has trained their dogs. I know that mine are well trained, under control and won't attack, but any worker coming to my house doesn't know that, and part of their job is protecting themselves and not putting themselves in a position where you risk getting injured. I'm a dog judge, and so I'm examining dogs constantly, and the first rule is that if you think the dog is exhibiting signs of discomfort, fear, or aggression, they are sent out. You protect yourself first, always.

If a requirement to secure your pets before health workers visit was required, it wouldn't be that big of a deal to people, because it would be routine to lock your pet away before they come. The thing is, that most sensible owners know this and take steps to secure their pets, whereas the one that thinks that little Mitzi Puffball wouldn't hurt a fly are the ones that are deluded if they think that they don't have the potential to hurt a visitor.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 30/03/2017 02:20

You're well within your rights to refuse to enter the property. If you don't feel safe.
Safe guarding is a 2 way street

UnconventionalWarfare · 30/03/2017 02:25

You are entitled to a safe work environment the dog is in some way secured or you do not enter despite what you may be told by others you are allowed to make that choice even as a nhs employee.

Original poster
Ghanagirl · 30/03/2017 07:34

LoupGarou
Not suggesting you'd set your dog on me as I have no idea what you're like but as I said colleagues of mine have been bitten.
Plus if the dog doesn't like the fact that I'm touching the child/ baby it might become aggressive.
I don't feel I should be at risk whilst providing care for another person

OP posts:
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