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?

An out of control puppy is an out of control puppy.
I would normally just shout firmly at the puppy to go away. This usually does the trick with an out of control puppy trying to assert itself in the pecking order of "the pack" above a child.
However, there have been too many stories of dogs (big or little, young or old) attacking children. The op appears to think that kids who are uncomfortable around dogs and who cry are "pathetic ". I get to decide whether an out of control animal is safe for my child.

And my sister's small dog had to be put down for taking a bite out of her daughter's lip.

How did her face get close enough to the dog for that to happen?

Quite frankly, I would not want my 9yr old to be nipped at his heel, however small the nip is.
Creates a fear of dogs.
OP, apologise for your dog frightening guest.
Simply good manners.
The get training of said dog.

Victim blaming, husky?

No. Possibly parent-blaming, though.

Husky..she bent down to pick something up, and the dog leapt straight at her face. It was a rescue dog, playful, cute and very small. Just like the dog that took a piece out of my ankle. So yes, small breed dogs can very much cause injury to a 9 year old child!

Maybe it's too much for a dog to have a child around.

Some people are scared of dogs. We are not all the same people - I’m scared of escalators and my friend finds that hilarious but she’ll cross the road if there’s a dog near by.
Get over yourself.

The parents are being over dramatic though.

My friends 'little puppy' bite me on the leg a few months back. Luckily I had jeans on so he didn't break the skin, but I had a huge bruise and it bloody hurt! She's another who thinks it's nothing. She had actually gone out of the room, which the dog got more excited over. She came back to find the dog in the garden- and that's where he stayed until I left! And I am a dog lover- and have had several large breeds over the years. I find 'small breeds' you have to be more careful of (IME).

And I love dogs like mad!

Well, they're welcome not to come back to your house then, aren't they?

Op, I agree with you, I would be highly embarrassed if any of my dcs behaved like that because of a tiny animal. Luckily, my dcs aren't a precious.

Ffs not wanting to be bitten by an out of control dog is not being 'precious'.

Couldn't agree more Willow. Incredibly shallow & ignorant

I love dogs more than anything in this world. However, the safety and welfare of a child always trumps a dog's or dog owners' feelings. YABVVVVU and owe them a massive apology, a promise of proper training for the dog and a bunch of flowers/chocolates/wine to sort this out.

I hate dogs , I am frightened of them and I don't want them yapping at me or touching me or jumping at me.
I wouldn't cry hysterically now but I would have done if I was 9. Yabvvvu to expect people to find your puppy nibbling at them cute and harmless.