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

[outofthefryingpan]

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?

Oi, I use and the skinny dug are proper ‘ard. No wimps or pussies allowed
Dug even barks in a Essex accent. Wuuuff you want sum

Like I said. I'm solid innit Lighten up folks

Knob head. Meh, don't usually get deleted but don't care if this one does as if you do think that parents comforting their kids is them pandering, or being scared of dogs is something to laugh at, whatever.
Look up empathy in the dictionary.

Empathy? That’s out near ongar innit, empathy forest

A 7 month old pup should not be snapping at anyone. What does it do when it's loose in public?!
I'm a dog lover and owner and I would hate this - nevermind a 9yo child! YABVU

OP seems to have done a runner. Probably out for a bite (no pun intended)

Oooh I'd like a bite now (not from a dog).

Everything shuts here by 11.30pm :(

You are an irresponsible dog owner. Yabvu

You think a child crying because your "pup" was biting him is pathetic?

Grow up and train your dog better.

And op, was it REALLY 5 seconds (doubt it) or are you minimizing?

Pup ran outside and started snapping at ankles of the 9yo boy. Pup chased him a bit until husband managed to pick him up Sounds like a lot longer than 5 seconds to me.

There's nothing to suggest that the child was (or was not) scared of dogs before the OP's dog went for him. I love dogs but I'd be scared in that situation too. A dog, however small, can easily do serious damage when snapping - a bite or "snap" that punctures an artery or in the genital area, or in the wrong nerves of the hand, or on the face if the child tripped over could all have lifelong consequences. It's entirely rational to be fearful of a dog that snaps.

YABU. Have you done any training with your dog? Any half decent puppy pre school should teach you about biting and how to get them out of the habit. It’s not normal puppy biting at seven months.

Owners have a strict liability when it comes to their dog’s behaviour so opinion really is irrelevant. Your dog was out of control and not on a lead. As owner you’re liable for any damage it causes.
Not in the UK.

I am in hysterics over how precious one poster is over a dog. I've never heard of someone say they wouldn't be friends with someone who didn't like dogs. And getting all defensive about people being scared and not falling over themselves to fawn the precious dog. Sounds like a grip is needed.

Op, it was an unexpected incident, it happened and it was unfortunate. Luckily no-one was physically hurt.

However, your attitude is VERY unreasonable.

It sounds as though you apologised because your friend was upset but you don’t appear to really grasp the situation.

And until you do, don’t be surprised if your friend cools contact with you.

Just because a dog is small doesn’t mean you don’t have to train it.

You are being so very unreasonable! This happened to my DC in a park. Because the dog was tiny and 'cute' everyone around us laughed at DC running in circles screaming trying to get away from it :( DC was in hysterics and years later only therapy had helped cure a bad fear of dogs.

Goodness me, yes YABVU! I love dogs but am not in a position to have one til my kids are older due to work so my DD (8) is joy as familiar off then and a bit timid. She would have reacted eavtky the same way as this boy.
My reaction to the incident may not have been so severe as the Dads but you really can’t call a child ‘pathetic’ for this

• not as familiar of them- wriggly baby on my knee!

YABU
It probably wasnt just the dog snapping at his heels but also the fact he wasnt expecting it. Its your dog and you love it. You know what it will and wont do. He doesnt. And nor does he love it. He wasnt even introduced.
I had exactly the same happen to me at his age and reacted in exactly the same way. I still tend to assume little dogs are snappy and rather vicious unless I know that particular dog is ok. And even then I would be upset if it charged at me and snapped at my heels.

Im not surprised he and his family were upset. I think an apology is in order.

Blinking heck OP!

I have Rotties and GSD, but if someone's puppy was chasing my nine year old around and snapping at him I'd be less than happy.

Just because you don't see an issue does not for a moment means there isn't one.

Apologise to friend and child.

Sorry I've not read the full thread but I think with digs, I would always ask an owner before I or my children approached one, so equally dog owners should ask parents or people if it's ok for their dog to approach them. I appreciate it was an isolated incident, but rather than dismiss it you need to take responsibility and keep it secure until it's better trained.

The 9 yo was entitled to be upset. If he’s not been taught how to handle being around animals and how they behave. The mother was totally pathetic and should have just picked the dog up. How the fuck can she not have intervened with a probably calf height dog. Why was her child not under control enough not to be making matters worse.What would the equally pathetic father want you to do about the dog. The parents should be teaching the child not to run away from dogs. Kids need to learn how to interact with animals they might meet on a daily basis. My LB had a huge dog jump up at him in s local park. Not great but I told the dog off and held his collar (he want aggressive). My lb then had a fear of dogs. Realising this was not a safe or good way to go through life. Sort the help of passing dog owners everytime we were out so myLB now loves dogs (soon to get one ourselves). People get so bloody hysterical these days.

You are not being unreasonable.

It was an accident and nobody died. This mental illness people have where they have to be a victim is just getting worse and worse.

Everyone complaining on this thread sounds pathetic.

The puppy needed to be under control, it ran out of the house. Was your child under control when it was jumped on by a dog in a park Dipity. There is no difference whatsoever between what happened to the 9 year old and your LO. Your LO developed a fear of dogs - does that make you pathetic also? You have no idea what the child's Mum is doing to rectify the situation.

My DS had a similar experience (admittedly with 2 large dogs) when a exceedingly thoughtless ex friend decided that it would be a good idea for my DS to get used to dogs by putting him in the garden with them and her DS on a play date. Until then he had liked dogs and after that it took about 3 years of gentle introduction again to get him to be ok with them. YABU and thoughtless.