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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:
Seniorcitizen1 · 26/01/2018 22:43

starting

Darkstar4855 · 26/01/2018 22:43

I was petrified of dogs as a child. I think people who like dogs and have never experienced this don’t understand how frightening they can be. It might seem irrational to you but it’s very horrible and upsetting to be chased by a snarling dog, even a small one.

Their child was frightened and crying because you failed to control your dog. Yes it was an accident but YABU to think they are “a bit pathetic” for being seriously upset about it.

mikesh909 · 26/01/2018 22:43

So by snapping you mean biting? Your dog was trying to bite a child's ankles and you think he was pathetic for being scared? You are one of THOSE dog people that give the considerate ones a bad name. I'll be surprised if your clearly non dog loving friends will be back any time soon.

midnightmisssuki · 26/01/2018 22:43

a young child gets nipped by a puppy sharp teeth and you think he's pathetic? You are a terrible dog owner. Absolutely awful. Is this your first dog?

singingdetective · 26/01/2018 22:44

FWIW though I do think the child's parents have completely over reacted and will definitely not do anything to reassure the child if they do have any kind of fear of dogs.

10thingsIhateAboutTheDailyMail · 26/01/2018 22:44

Tiny dogs are much more vicious!

I have been bitten by a dachshund and a terrier, as a child. In both cases the owners thought their cute little dogs adorable

ChasedByBees · 26/01/2018 22:44

Yes YAB so completely U. And pretty awful in the way you speak about friends and their children.

DiplomaticDecorum · 26/01/2018 22:44

You've been letting it snap for about 5months and haven't done anything about it because it's a small breed? It always is the small breeds that are allowed to snap in my experience. Get your dog under control and stop blaming others.

LashingsOfHamAndGingerBeer · 26/01/2018 22:44

YABVU. I am a grown up and not used to dogs and would find this unnerving as would my 11yo. Your puppy should be better controlled if he is not yet able to behave.

DiplomaticDecorum · 26/01/2018 22:45

And don't pick the bloody dog up.

DonnyAndVladSittingInATree · 26/01/2018 22:46

Why is a 7 month old dog biting ankles? I could understand a 7 week old puppy but by 7 months you’ve had him long enough to train him out of it. Why does he not know how to greet visitors?

DeStijl · 26/01/2018 22:46

You don't seem responsible enough to have a dog. It's up to you to correct the behaviour. It so annoys me to see people commit to getting a dog and then fail to put the work in. The child wasn't pathetic at all.

Twinkie84 · 26/01/2018 22:46

I'm a person who is downright petrified of dogs and so know how that little boy was feeling!! It's certainly not his fault that he is scared and people like you make it 10 times harder to deal with! Please keep your dog under control!
This all stemmed from being almost bitten as a child by an out of control dog!

BlueMirror · 26/01/2018 22:46

I like dogs and I wouldn't be impressed with one taking me unawares and biting at my ankles.
The minority of people who think the child was in the wrong to be upset need to take a look at themselves. Everyone doesn't love your dog as much as you and letting your dog jump at and nip people isn't funny or cute or whatever regardless of its age.
The boy may have been fine with the dog had he had a better introduction. He's now likely to be wary of them due to his experience.

Mulberry72 · 26/01/2018 22:47

YABVVVVVU!

StandardRussian66 · 26/01/2018 22:47

You are one of those dickhead owners.
I would’ve kicked it in the face and it would’ve been your fault.

givemesteel · 26/01/2018 22:48

When you say "snapping" at heels what exactly do you mean, did your dog bite this kid? Or snap his jaws as if he was going to bite him?

I like dogs and I'm no means scared of them but I'd find what you describe very unpleasant.

Kids and adults who have a dog phobia don't differentiate between the size of dogs, my autistic sibling is terrified of all dogs and what you describe would be a horrific experience for them.

Yabvu, you seriously need to train that dog so it knows that "snapping" is unacceptable.

SteamyBeignets · 26/01/2018 22:48

YANBU. Boy crying understandable. Mom crying? Fucking pathetic. They come to your house which is your pup's house too now, and they tell you to sort your pup out? Tell them dont bother coming over. Ever again.

hettie · 26/01/2018 22:48

I would have tapped your "puppy" on the nose if it had nipped my kid. Then I would have told you to learn how to train your dog. I recommend 'don't shoot the dog' if you'd like to learn.

ManchesterGin · 26/01/2018 22:48

My kids would all probably cry. I'd be angry. I think YABU in this situation.

AgentProvocateur · 26/01/2018 22:49

FFS, control your dog. If you’re not responsible enough to keep it under control, you shouldn’t have one.

80sMum · 26/01/2018 22:50

Good God, OP! I'm amazed that you have the gall to ask the question! The answer is of course an unequivocal YES, YABVU!

HermionesRightHook · 26/01/2018 22:50

The parents should have been reacting less histrionically to help the 9 year old deal with the scary situation.

But seriously, you have a 7 month old dog that is still nipping? That's really not cool - for you or the dog. Small breeds in particular need to be trained not to nip, it's not on for them to be chasing visitors at that age. YABU.

firawla · 26/01/2018 22:50

Yabvu your dog should be taken off you if you think it’s no big deal for it to bite a child. Seriously wtf. Most people would be so apologetic not call the child pathetic over this

BexConnor · 26/01/2018 22:51

I feel in the middle with this one. I don't quite understand why the mother couldn't have stepped in to stop the puppy chasing the boy all around, unless she's frightened of dogs as well? On the other hand, snapping at children is unacceptable dog behaviour - I realise your pup probably thought he was playing but at this age it's really important to correct them and teach them what you expect them to do.

Can you invite them round to meet the dog again in a more controlled setting so the child won't be frightened of it in the future?

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