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?

Huge fuss over nothing. FFS, it's a puppy, not a mass murderer

The stand out thing on this thread is the deeply unpleasant way a lot of posters are portraying themselves. Yes the dog should have been under control and I can understand why the boy was upset- but the responses on this thread are far more vicious. Wanting to boot dogs in the face? This is a living animal and it is no more acceptable to promote violence against animals than it is to promote about violence to human beings.

One of greatest problems with this world is the view that some lives are more important than others.

And if the Op is still reading, my advice would be just to simply apologise again and tell your friend this incident has prompted you to seek training for the dog. Then seek help from a trainer - these sort of issues are quite easily resolved with training. If you do have a very exuberant dog like this - you will probably find he loves training too.

Best of luck.

I agree with cambodianfoxhound 's suggestion. Obedience training and let your friend know you are doing so.

YABVU and need to control your dog properly.

Speaking yes a 'puppy' with full set of adult teeth biting at you is such fun!

If I have to choose between protecting my child (a living creature) from harm and protecting a dog (a living creature) from harm, my child takes priority every single time. I love dogs. I don't want to see one come to any harm. It goes for my child and I will kick it in the face. Failing to train your dog is putting it in harm's way.

I love dogs. I don't want to see one come to any harm. It goes for my child and I will kick it in the face.

Gosh. You couldn’t, you know, kick it in the side? You’d go straight for the face? How lovely.

Oooooooo, the snowflake sheep are really out in force on this thread!

I'd kick it where I need to kick it to get it off my child. I was responding to a pp who was horrified at the thought of kicking a dog in the face but not apparently horrified at at a dog attacking a child. A mother dog would rightly attack me if it thought I was doing harm to her pup.

You read these threads and its almost like it gives some people the opportunity to spout fantasies of abusing and hurting animals - under the respectability of 'protecting children'. It is really quite ugly.

If the thread had been about a child hitting or biting another child, how acceptable would it be to launch into tirades about booting the offending child in the face?

And this was not a description of a 'dog attack' it was the description of a puppy nipping at a child's feet. I have no doubt it was scary and the child was upset but perspective is needed. Throughout life we will face unpleasant and scary situations - responding with extreme threats of violence is never the answer.

What nonsense that this is dog harming fantasy. We only have the op's word for the seriousness of the incident. And as much as I love dogs, I love my child much much more.

As for a child attacking another child, I would pull my child away and get away. Harder to do with a dog whose blood is up.

gussy, you don’t sound like you love dogs at all.

Ever heard of the concept of proportionate force? You don’t kick any living creature in the face as a first reaction.

Disgusting.

Hope neither you nor I is ever in the situation. Train your dog, op.

One of greatest problems with this world is the view that some lives are more important than others.

You bet some lives are more important than others. In my life, me and mine trump you and yours every bloody day and night of the week.

What exactly do people think.you are going to do when a dog goes for your child?

Reason with it?
Put your hand down near the snapping jaws or boot it away? I know which one i would do. If you are surprised and your kid is terrified you dont gave time to consider all the options you just act on instinct to protect your child.

Its maybe not fair on the dog but then the blame lies squarely on its owners shoulders for not training it nor having it under control.

OP, how would you feel if a young python was qiving you a friendly hug, a darling wee pet of some gentle soul?

You bet some lives are more important than others. In my life, me and mine trump you and yours every bloody day and night of the week.

And this attitude is exactly why the world has the problems it does. 'Me first'. So depressing.

Why does "me first" in a life and death situation mean that the world is doomed?
I also think there is too much me first and selfishness in the world but if a dog's behaviour put my child's life at risk, my child comes first.
A silly yappy dog is a silly yappy dog. But we have all seen stories where a dog turns on a child and harms it. To be frank, it is really hard to fight off a dog but you can be bloody sure that reasoning with it isn't going to work.

Well i can catagorically say that my childrens safety never mind thier lives come before some random dog trying to bite them.
Do you seriously think parents will put a dog before thier children?

This isnt about global issues regarding people dying in any circumstances and its not about environmental issues affecting animals worldwide.

This is really simple.
If a dog atracked your child who/what is more important? Answer: Your child every freaking time.

Why does "me first" in a life and death situation mean that the world is doomed?

A 7 month old small breed puppy nipping at a child's feet. Life and death. Really?

But we have all seen stories where a dog turns on a child and harms it.

We’re talking about a small-breed dog that’s not even fully grown. It’s not going to seriously injure a 9-year-old. This is not a toddler and a Rottweiler.

Everyone is protective of their children, but some perspective is needed, surely.

Cross-post with Cambodian

I was bitten by a puppy when I was a child, took an inch long chunk out of my ankle. My brother was savaged by a family friend's dog, while visiting their house. And my sister's small dog had to be put down for taking a bite out of her daughter's lip. You clearly have a lot to learn about dogs OP. It is quite mean & irresponsible to mock their fear in this way. Very unreasonable.