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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think crying over a puppy snapping at your heels is a bit pathetic?

466 replies

outofthefryingpan · 26/01/2018 22:32

We have a 7 month old pup. A small breed which will never grow higher that knee height. A friend came round unexpectedly with her 9 yo boy and because husband thought it was our daughter he let the pup down to greet her when he opened the door.

Pup ran outside and started snapping at ankles of the 9yo boy. Pup chased him a bit until husband managed to pick him up. Boy crying hysterically in floods of tears. Mother (friend) then storms off in a huff and apparently then arrives home herself in tears. Friend’s husband then demands we “do something about that dog”.
I’ve apologised profusely but they’re still all really upset about it. AIBU to think they’re being a bit pathetic about it? They’re good friends and I really value our relationship as I’ve always thought of them as really sensible people. Can’t believe the drama over this 5 second incident! I could understand it if it was a big dog but honestly- it’s tiny!

I suppose if you’re not used to dogs you don’t know how to deal with them but am I really BU to think it’s a daft drama over nothing?

OP posts:
DonnyAndVladSittingInATree · 27/01/2018 00:26

I reassure my dc too if they are scared

Your wimpy DC.

BulletFox · 27/01/2018 00:26

In a way it's a daft drama about nothing, but you can't minimise the 9 year old being frightened.

The parents are probably being protective.

It'll blow over.

fleshmarketclose · 27/01/2018 00:27

Your husband was to blame and so it was perfectly reasonable for your friend's husband to ask what you would be doing to address the dog's behaviour IMO.
You have an adolescent dog (small breed at 7 months is an adolescent) and you haven't addressed the nipping so that should be your priority instead of complaining about a frightened child.
We have a small dog and I remember how painful it was when he was mouthing and nipping so there is no wonder a small child (who probably didn't know that he wasn't going to be badly bitten) cried.
Your dog needs to learn bite inhibition, enlist the services of a trainer before someone reports your dog to the police.

Greensleeves · 27/01/2018 00:27

Why tell me that? Confused

Sweet dreams.

LipstickHandbagCoffee · 27/01/2018 00:28

No.perspective is personal and unique to the individual.reaction was not OTT
So subjectively for the child it was clearly scary,hence tears and panic but the doggy-woggy apologists will minimise this to the extent it becomes the kids problem

CeeBeeBee · 27/01/2018 00:29

No, I haven't seen OP post since the thread started.

I'm generally not keen on dogs but I'm not scared of them. I think some dog owners are pathetic and precious, when they insult a child for being scared of them. I dislike them rather than the dog.

It happened to my brother when we were walking back from school. The horrible woman called him a "stupid boy" when my brother gasped because the dog had barked at him.

Cocofluff · 27/01/2018 00:31

I have a dog small breed a puppy and I also have children. Pup is NOT allowed to snap at anyone, ever especially children. "Playful" puppy snapping cuts human skin and isn't fun. It's also probably scared the poor child it snapped at. It's not ok. You should apologise to your friend and her child, get the puppy some training and keep puppy out of reach of guests until it is trained to be safe.

LipstickHandbagCoffee · 27/01/2018 00:32

^^yes coco. Spot on

DreamyMcDreamy · 27/01/2018 00:32

Yeah I'm proper solid.I laugh in the face of silly parents and poncey kids who screech at my skinny little dog on a lead

Ookay, slowly catching up on some of the thread and it's clear it's just a twat on the wind up.
"Proper solid,me! A bit woo,a bit waaaay! Geeeeezer!" Silly parents,comforting their children,little Fido is in his rights to go snapping at the feet of them.
Biscuit

HuskyMcClusky · 27/01/2018 00:33

Of course fear is subjective. It can still be disproportionate.

And yes, it’s quite literally the kid’s problem. It’s not his FAULT, but it is his problem. Because he’s going to encounter dogs throughout his life, and being hysterically frightened is not going to be nice for him.

His parents would be doing him a favour by helping him get over it, because unfortunately there are always going to be imperfectly-trained dogs around.

Iusedtobecarmen · 27/01/2018 00:34

Dreamy
It was a JOKE in reaction to other comments.
Yes I talk like that in real life. Like I'm Arthur Daley or summary.
JesusHmm

Iusedtobecarmen · 27/01/2018 00:34

Summat*

Iusedtobecarmen · 27/01/2018 00:35

Husky is the only one talking any real sense here

UgandanKnuckles · 27/01/2018 00:35

@Husky

That sounds far too sensible and rational.

CeeBeeBee · 27/01/2018 00:36

Certainly too sensible for AIBU! Grin

mantlepiece · 27/01/2018 00:36

The reason the children are scared is probably because they have had a previous bad experience with a dog.

Ask your friends, most people will give one if not more tales of dogs jumping up at them or biting. It doesn't mean that all those people will go on to have a lifelong fear, but some will!

I have always had a family dog and love dogs I have got to know, but I can't walk our dog because it attracts other dogs off lead. I have been bitten three times in the past and an unknown dog charging towards me causes me to quake.

Some dog owners are truly selfish, I don't think it will ever change.

Lockheart · 27/01/2018 00:37

They were BU to make such a fuss.

You are BVU for not training and socialising your puppy properly; take it to classes.

The posters on here threatening violence to an animal and swearing at the OP are BVU in the extreme.

DreamyMcDreamy · 27/01/2018 00:38

Sorry, just seen my quote wasn't the OP. Shows that only utter arseholes agree with OP though.
who incidentally seems to have bitch plopped and run

MiddleClassProblem · 27/01/2018 00:38

I have that bit of Cha Cha Slide running through my head.

“REVERSE, REVERSE”

Everybody clap your hands...

LipstickHandbagCoffee · 27/01/2018 00:40

No, iused its you who is the poster talking real sense,saying it as it is.imnnit
reaching out compassionately to everyone with your honeyed words
Your turn of phrase,your kind words,your boss dug

Iusedtobecarmen · 27/01/2018 00:43

Like I said. I'm solid innit

Lighten up folks.

LipstickHandbagCoffee · 27/01/2018 00:44

Yea,innit.you and the skinny dug are boss

Lalliella · 27/01/2018 00:44

You let your dog snap a child’s ankles? Really? And now you’re victim blaming. YABVVVU. Get your dog under control or next time someone will get it put down, and it’ll be your fault.

DreamyMcDreamy · 27/01/2018 00:47

But my house. Then again,anyone slightly.precious wpuld not be invited in full stop.

Yeah I'm proper solid. What should I do?walk her somewhere else?.somewhere I won't offend delicate little flowers?
(no hint of joking there regardless of your Jesus Hmm comment so comes across as how you think.

Oh yes at same reaction to kids!How about if I boot an annoying kid out of the way for upsetting my quite timid dog?
If your quiet timid dog goes yapping and snarling at feet of strangers, not that timid really, is it.

Adults are the worstMaking a fuss.I've had adults scoop their child up when my skinny dog walks past. "It's ok darling"
Arsehole parents comforting their kids. Hmm
You're either absolutely clueless, or on the wind up.

Greensleeves · 27/01/2018 00:48

You don't happen to own Vixen Tor do you carmen?