about children being allowed to run at dogs they don't know?

[Ellybellyboo]

I was out walking my dog earlier. We were waiting for traffic lights to change to cross a busy road. Dog is on his lead, sitting down at my feet. I had wound the lead around my hand so it was very short.

While we were waiting a mum with a young boy (not really sure how old he was, but was wearing local primary school uniform, so at least 4/5) were walking along the road, when suddenly the boy runs ahead and just flings his arms around my dog's neck.

Dog is very friendly and loves children, but it did make him jump. Dog kind of stands up and looks around, resulting in a bit of a bump of heads and the boy ended up on his bottom.

I immediately apologised, explained that it was an accidental bump of heads. The mum was furious, said that her son was only playing, that he absolutely loved dogs and just wanted to stroke him. I said that my dog was fine with it (at this point my dog was calmly sitting while her son stroked him) but not all dogs would be. She just ranted that my dog should be wearing a muzzle, that it should be expected that children would want to stroke him and that he shouldn't be out if he was going to attack.

Dog didn't attack anyone, it was a total accident. I appreciate it gave her a fright, but we've drummed into our kids that they should never stroke or touch dogs (let along fling themselves round their necks) they don't know without asking the owner.

Frightened the life out of me too.

[FairfaxAikman]

Parents are the first to shout at you if their kid is terrified of dogs (even if the dog is nowhere near them) but many don't realise it can work the other way - my dog will ignore all other humans and dogs but is terrified of kids running up to her.
I've been told I shouldn't have her out, but the war I see it, I wouldn't tolerate a stranger jumping on my back, so why should my dog (or any dog)

[Janey50]

The woman sounds like a complete loon! Ffs,saying your dog should be wearing a muzzle because it bumped heads with the boy,who had made him jump? Totally unreasonable and ignorant. Maybe SHE needs to learn to teach her child it is NEVER acceptable to even approach a strange dog,let alone fling your arms around it's neck?! I thought this was something that all parents instilled in their children. Obviously not!

[Creatureofthenight]

YANBU, that woman was being ignorant.

[44PumpLane]

The woman is an idiot and one day her child may pay the price for her idiocy, as well as a poor dog.

I remember being stood outside Woolworths years ago with our Border Terrier when a small child appeared and threw herself at our dog and shoved her face in my little pooches face and hugged her. Nettle (my dog) was startled but ultimately thrilled as she was such a people lover- the mother thought it was the sweetest thing ever and I had to tell her how terribly wrong it could have gone if my dog hadn't been such a chilled out little thing- she just didn't see the harm in it.

Our current family dog is a very nervous rescue dog, she wants to ignore everyone but the people she trusts and walks on by- if a child was to launch at her she would probably snap at them- but I'd hate someone jumping all over me so I get it! We don't take her to crowded areas and are hyper vigilant. When people ask to pet her we tell them she's super grumpy and are very enthusiastic about telling them what a good job they have done for asking first.

Just as you would not fail to teach road safety to your child you should teach dog safety too!