Dogs at the park AIBU

[Shadow1986]

I’m not a dog owner so genuinely don’t know about this. But this weekend at the park, we were in the playing field playing football and at the pond looking at ducks when two husky type dogs came bounding over (off the lead) - I lifted up my 18 month old just in case, and my other older children were a bit freaked. They didn’t do anything just sniffed around etc.

I watched the owner follow them around the park for another half hour/45 mins and then he had to basically pounce on them to get them back on the lead. Which makes me question if he had the dogs under control or not!

What are the rules about dogs off leads at the park?

I saw lots of lovely dogs off the lead playing catch etc...but these big dogs were just roaming. If this occurs again would it be ok to ask the owner politely to put them on the lead around the kids, or would it be down to me to stay in the playpark only?

[MushyPeasAndPie]

I just wish everyone in public spaces was considerate of others e.g. we all kept to our own small space and didn't impact others negatively. The problem is some people don't.

I do understand why people are wary of dogs and especially small children who are at the same level (height) as some big dogs as I have had big dogs running up to me and I don't like it myself.

What we really need are park wardens who can spot whose being unreasonable and to make sure everyone is happy

[AboutAGallonofDietCoke]

Here here mushy

[BumpowderSneezeonAndSnot]

Under control dogs are fine off lead. I have a reactive dog who is always on lead on our walk we often see a man with a German shepherd and border collie who both walk to heel off lead impeccable even when my dog is going nuts they keep walking past

Then there are the two owners whose dogs are the total opposite. One has a husky and a boxer who they have no control over at all - and they're 2 breeds notorious for having crap recall- another is a woman who has a Maltese thing and never uses a lead and the dog always ignores her.

So yeah under control dogs do as you please but any hint of recall issues. Put a lead on.

[SugarPlumLairy]

I'm a dog owner. Can't stand when other dogs bother my kid, hassle my dog, steal ball etc. Have had kiddos football bitten and taken, dogs ball taken and the other dog owner just says oh sorry that's how dogs are.
No. No that's how YOUR dog is cos you're a crap inner mine won't bother you, your kids/dogs/possessions because we took a little effort to train her.
I've had owners genuinely offended when I've asked them to retrieve/return my dogs ball. But why should our walk be ruined because others are inconsiderate,
I f you can't control your dog keep it on the lead. I totally get where you are coming from OP

[treeofhearts]

Even then, I think large powerful dogs should always be on leads- why get one unless you have private land to exercise it?

That cracks me up. Near where I Iive we have a particularly feckless couple who own 5 pugs and 3 Rottweilers. They are allowed our several times a day to wander the street and nearby cycle track and play park completely unchecked. However it is the bastard little pug by the name of Albert you have to watch out for. Vicious little fucker. Strangers from out of the area freak right out over the soft as shit rotties and coo over the pugs who are twice as likely to go for their throats. He is way more likely to savage a child than any husky I've ever met. Everyone who lives around here knows if you have a run in with him you stand very still and holler for one of the Rottweilers who will come over and rescue you and if you sound distressed enough, give him some good old fashioned discipline. Size is no insurance of safety.

[retirednow]

Tree, has anyone reported this to your local council or the police.

[Valerrie]

What a disgusting generalization, Kimmy.

As a sled dog owner, they are extremely difficult to recall train and have a fierce independent streak as well as a very high prey drive. The most perfectly trained husky /malamute in the world could see a cat and be off, with no regard for anyone around it.

Any out of control dogs shouldn't be off the lead in a public place, but those with renowned problems with prey and recall should take extra care.

I'll never forget the day I naively let my first (and I thought very well trained gold KC level) Malamute off the lead at a deserted forest/field part of a country park. She spotted a squirrel and shot off, cleared a 5ft fence into a children's play area and flung herself into the middle of a children's picnic blanket covered with food. The children were young babies who mostly all fell over backwards while my dog speed inhaled their picnic while being swung at by (rightly so) angry and terrified mothers.

I was absolutely mortified. I still am. I can't believe I was so stupid. I apologized profusely, went off and bought them all a new picnic, tidied up and when they'd calmed down, the adults were very understanding and gave my (cowbag of a) dog lots of fusses. Probably because I was in floods of tears! The babies weren't bothered at all

Utterly my fault, no excuse. The owner sounds very naive if they are young huskies. Imagine they saw someone's pet cat.

[treeofhearts]

Oh millions of bloody times. They come out, see that the dogs are well looked after and bugger off again. Once or twice they've caught the dogs out and about and taken them home but nothing gets done. The owners are perfectly nice but there is just nothing between their ears but air. No matter how many times people take the dogs back or speak to them about it they just go "Oh its fine, they won't wander off, no really they're fine." It's like talking to a brick wall. The dogs have more sense and thankfully no roads they can run into.

The bigger dogs keep Albert in check and most of us know just to shout for one or all of them if he comes at us but I worry for people who don't live around here and don't know them as they just see a cute little pug and are liable to lose fingers if they try to pet him and then they get another fright when these massive beasts come leaping out of nowhere, snarling at Albert.

[Whoknowswhocares]

Why do people
take the dogs back though....,,,if the loose dogs got collected by the dog warden they'd get hit in the wallet every time they were allowed out alone.
Then the idiots would likely see a benefit to controlling their dogs. Or give them up.
Which would be win/win for all concerned including the poor dogs

[Collaborate]

People who keep huskies are utter twats

Some of the gentlest dogs I know are huskies and malamutes. what an utterly ignorant and offensive comment to make.

[Crumbs1]

it’s about responsible dog ownership and responsible parenting. People need to learn consideration of others - and that includes children.
Dogs shouldn’t be in designated play areas because of risk of fouling and being drawn to running little ones.
Children shouldn’t be allowed to approach strange dogs unless parents have checked it’s OK with the owner. The UK has lots of space for both, luckily. Some local parks in city centre are dog free and that is fair enough. Who wants their children rolling down hills into dog faeces? Other parks are wilder, have larger spaces where dogs can run off lead safely.
Our own is a big dog. A very strong athletic dog but because of his spots children are drawn to him. He’s gentle, isn’t allowed to jump up or lick etc but is frightened of small happy dogs and small children. Why people think their badly controlled terrier yapping and nipping my dog is acceptable heaven only knows. Why parents encourage small children to run up to him shouting “Its Pongo, Its Pongo” heaven only knows. He doesn’t like it and cowers behind us rather than getting grumpy but the daft half wits of parents can’t possibly know that.
He does most of his runs off lead. He needs to so as to remain healthy. He would be much more inclined to poor behaviour with insufficient exercise - just like children.

[treeofhearts]

Who knows. I don't bother. They know where they live and they don't cause me any hassle, I just cuddle them and carry on and frankly I'd rather not try to get hold of the little twat Albert. Dog warden won't come out to them anymore. I think a combination of one biter and the fact that they are literally 5 minutes from home and everyone knows them, I think he just has better things to do tbh but I only know that as another neighbour mentioned it.

[usedtogotomars]

I pay council tax too, and my dog can go where she likes if she isn’t dangerous (which she isn’t.) I don’t particularly like other people’s children, but they have a right to allow the odious beasts out I suppose!

[wombatron]

@usedtogotomars 😂

Mine are off lead at the park. They are small and very friendly and will come when called. If you have something yummy in your hand they sometimes develop selective hearing to my calls. OP these threads always create a bit of a stir, I don’t think dogs should be off lead if they are out of control... but I equally think that parents could do more to teach their children how to behave around dogs. Two huskies running at speed to a small child would be frightening I agree with you.

One little girl ran towards mine. Then stopped and booted. When she realises they were chasing she ran faster... they thought she was playing to chased after her (small jack Russel sized). I literally had to scream stop so I could catch up with my two and leash them. Had she not run towards and engaged them this wouldn’t have happened and my dogs would have ignored her. But I got tutted at for failing to prevent this.

I also don’t like it when parents encourage their children to come up to my dogs without seeing if they like being petted. I wouldn’t approach their children so why are my dogs public property? Generally speaking I think both dog owners and parents need to be responsible where children are concerned. The onus should not just be on “keep your dog on a lead”. It should also be on teaching appropriate behaviour

[Hidingalion]

YANBU. Dogs don't have the same rights as people. Wet dog, coming up to me, and getting my clothes wet? No way. Coming close to my child and scaring them? Absolutely unacceptable. The onus is 100% on the dog owner to keep their dog at a safe distance from others.

To a child who is one metre tall, a dog is very scary.

Having a dog is a privilege not a right.

[BattleCuntGalactica]

Personally if a dog doesn't have perfect recall, they shouldn't be offlead, full stop. Dog owners should be completely focused on their dog and where it is at all times.

[MadRainbow]

Shadow I didn't mean to imply that you haven't taught your children - I have a 4 year old myself and I know how hard it can be to get them to listen especially if they're scared. I've been lucky, my DD has been raised around guide dog puppies and has had the knowledge drilled into her since she was 7 months old; saying that my in laws now have a shepherd pup to train and DD still struggles when pup gets extra bouncy. This is why I said YWNBU if in a shared space.

On the dog size issue I find smaller dogs harder to control, picking them up is generally a reward so you Don't want to do this if they're being a little shit naughty, they're a lot harder to catch and more often than not they've been babied by their owners and have a bolshy attitude.

From my experience the best case scenario is to strike up a conversation with said dog owner (if you can) that way you can gauge a little more about their dog's behaviour and it can help to alleviate any tension if you've said please put your dogs on a lead, my children are nervous of them. It can also be a way to put you and your children at ease if they can see the dog being handled correctly.

[FutureDays]

We have a rescue husky who is very good at sticking close to you if off the lead but a nightmare to put back on the lead because she thinks it's a game (as we found out when the metal clasp broke whilst at the beach) so we never let her off but she goes on a long horse lunge lead if we are somewhere such as the beach or the moors.

Not sure why people who have huskues are deemed twats

[midnightmisssuki]

Hi OP. Sorry your child was afraid - i can see both sides of your argument, i am a dog owner myself - i have two. When we go to the park, we have a good recall - dogs must be trained but its also in a nature of (most) dogs to go around sniffing, things and humans alike. Most dogs are good natured, but yes, some can be dangerous, especially if a child is unaware and starts to run. Big dogs are inherently look scarier because of their size, but ive met small dogs who have done some serious damage on bigger dogs - they are all animals at the end of the day. Maybe your child is picking up on your anxiety a little - if i were you, i would try and explain (as best you can to a young child) that they should never run from a dog etc.

There are areas in our park where dogs are not allowed to go in - are there areas like these in your parks? Ultimately, i am not aware of any rules that say all dogs must be kept on a lead, certainly not in my area anyway.

[Kitsharrington]

Do the wants of you and your children trump everyone else's right to access the park? No. It's not the dog owner's problem if your child is afraid of dogs, that's your problem.

YABU.

[Angrybird123]

My 8yo mildly ASD DS is absolutely shit scared of dogs off leads. It's totally irrational, there's no one incident I can recall that caused it but he is. If a dog
Is sitting down and on a lead he will sometimes very nervously and bravely ask if he can pat it but any dog no.matter how small, placid or far away from him, off a lead, has him trying to climb up me. Of course we talk about it and try to teach him and show him but it hasn't worked thus far. I appreciate that some of the places we go are dog friendly and manage it by keeping him close to me - usually the owners will call their dog over when they can see DS's concern but i do get bloody annoyed with dogs off leads in kids playparks with signs up. As others have said - a bit of co-operation and polite consideration can sort out a lot of these issues but too often there's a bloody minded 'i can do what I like' attitude that means these situations occur.

[KatieHaslam22]

Unfortunately I have a large dog similar to a husky and she loves children! I always let her off when walking down our street because the kids love her (except one but she just keeps her distance and my dog accepts this, she is much too busy being stroked by the other children anyway) I think while your right to be cautious as not all large dogs are like mine. But I think you are being a little bit dramatic, the dogs showed no signs of aggression and weren’t interested in you. If they had been sniffing and jumping at you and your family then I can see the problem but it doesn’t sound like they were bothering you at all. I think this might be your own personal fears of this type of dog around your children (probably due to their bad reputation in the media) that is making you feel uncomfortable. Would you have been the same if they were spainiels? No? Because they are smaller? But according to statistics they are more likely to bite than a husky. Don’t judge a book by its cover

[KatieHaslam22]

Btw my dog is also trained so if I told her to come back for any reason then she would without hesitation and I don’t let her run up to people we don’t know

[Bramble71]

I'm terrified of dogs. I have to admit. I get anxious if dogs come anywhere near me, and that's my problem, but if a dog bothers me, jumps up at me etc, and the owner doesn't call them back, I get very annoyed. Fair enough dogs need to be off the lead, but owners shouldn't let them bother other people.

I don't think the OP would BU to ask the owner to put the dog back on the lead if it bothers her and her family.

[FucksBizz]

It's not the dog owner's problem if your child is afraid of dogs, that's your problem.

Yep. You cannot ask someone to put their dogs on a lead because you your children are nervous. It is your issue not theirs and you all have equal right to the space.