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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:
WhoWants2Know · 26/01/2018 23:16

When you say "snapping at heels", do you mean biting? Or was the dog doing that "run around the new person in a giddy fashion" thing that dogs do?

It would be weird for a pup to actually be biting a person's feet. (Although shoelaces are very attractive to some dogs).

Unless the dog was actually biting, I think the tears were a bit of a big reaction.(Unless the child had had a previous bad experience)

I get that not everyone likes dogs and that kids can be scared. But I don't think reinforcing the anxiety will do a child any favours in the long term, either. My youngest is very anxious around bouncy dogs, and I've spent a great deal of effort teaching her how to behave in that situation so that it doesn't escalate and lead to a chase scenario. It just as important that parents teach kids how to behave around animals as it is for owners to control their pets.

StandardRussian66 · 26/01/2018 23:16

Your dog may be good but you are clearly still an asshole

Chanelprincess · 26/01/2018 23:17

Puppies' teeth are like little needles. The poor boy probably got a nasty shock because he hadn't come across them before. You're happy to make allowances for your cute puppy but other people might not be, so best to take extra care until he's a bit further on with his training and recall.

MissionItsPossible · 26/01/2018 23:18

Reddlion

I got chased around a car by a neighbours aggressive, hissing cat before. This cat had scratched and clawed out an eye of their family dog and had also attacked one of the family members, attacking them so aggressively they ended up in hospital (don't know if it was definitely because of the cat but I heard illness related symptoms). This cat had also previously pounced and bit my neck from behind. I don't like cats and don't like dogs either with similar scary but less violent encounters.

Greensleeves · 26/01/2018 23:18

Oh god here comes the Countryside Alliance to tell us that they've gron up with animals and we're all precious, blah blah

i regularly visit the homes of dog owners and am actually quite fond of some of their dogs (not a patch on my cats though)

I would, however, ditch as a friend any dog owner too slovenly, selfish and downright narcissistic to train their animal not to attack people.

TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge · 26/01/2018 23:18

Iusedtobecarmen I have a dog (currently laid snoring on my bed) and love dogs. However, I do not like badly behaved dogs that snap - like the one in the op. There's no excuse for being a shit dog owner. Take responsibility or go live on an island alone with your nasty dogs!

ginandnappies · 26/01/2018 23:18

When I was 7 I was nipped by the great grans yorkie. I still have a mark on my hand. So YABVU. Keep your dog under control and you will have no further issues.

Iusedtobecarmen · 26/01/2018 23:18

Bing bong
It's not my call,no.
But it would be my call not to have children or adults to my home who don't like dogs
People who come and say "Can you put you dog away?"
No.

orangewasp · 26/01/2018 23:18

YA both BU - you need to train and control your dog, however small, and the boy's mother needs to get a grip and behave in manner that will help her child rather than make him worse (don't think it's fair to comment on the child himself)

BrutusMcDogface · 26/01/2018 23:19

You aren't coming across any better, op. Kids screaming when it's on a lead? They're kids, ffs. Hmm Have some compassion.

BlondeB83 · 26/01/2018 23:19

Train your dog!

Spikeyball · 26/01/2018 23:20

My son would have been terrified by that. He is fine with dogs that are calmly minding there own business but ones that invade his space are too much for him. He also doesn't have the understanding to react in a calm way.

FurCoatFurKnickers · 26/01/2018 23:20

YABU

Your dog/puppy should not be running around snapping at anyone's heels by that age.

Whether or not you think it's "pathetic", some people are scared of dogs for various reasons. Some would kick out in panic to try and 'protect' themselves so you need to train it properly and stop it snapping at people.

Iusedtobecarmen · 26/01/2018 23:20

I don't like dogs who snap either. Owners should have them well away on a lead. Aren't we talking about a little puppy here though?

3EyedRaven · 26/01/2018 23:21

Pup chased him a bit until husband managed to pick him up
The words ‘a bit’ and ‘managed to’ are sticking out to me.
How long is a bit? How many times did husband attempt to pick up child until he managed to? Lucky the husband didn’t kick the dog out of the way to grab the son tbh.

Idontdowindows · 26/01/2018 23:21

People are entitled not to like animals but don't go to houses where there live if you are that scared. Simple.

Don't own a dog if you can't control it. That dog BIT. It's a nice euphemism, mostly used by small dog owners, this snapping, but the truth is that that dog tried to bite or bit the child.

I've owned and trained dogs all of my life. If your dog is not under control, you have no business owning one.

PickAChew · 26/01/2018 23:21

I do love dogs, btw. Well behaved ones. My parents have always had them and it doesn't take any ninja training skills to teach them to back off when they're overstepping.

Though OP lit the blue touch paper and backed off at long ago, it seems.

TheStoic · 26/01/2018 23:21

I think this is a hit and run thread.

Frillyhorseyknickers · 26/01/2018 23:22

A small breed which will never grow higher that knee height

The list of dogs smaller than knee height include large breeds such as retrievers, viszlas, pointers, weims, spaniels, English bulldogs etc. It may not be a yappy terrier but something with size and weight behind it.

As a dog lover I am appalled by the amount of people defending the OP. She has an out of control dog and does a disservice to every single one of us working hard to train our dogs to be safe around others.

TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge · 26/01/2018 23:22

A 7 month old is not 'a little puppy'. It's almost fully grown and should be out of little puppy behaviour by now

Iusedtobecarmen · 26/01/2018 23:23

windowswe are talking about a pup not a Rottweiler.
I agree about control.
However I also see massive over reaction by the bloody kid in the ops house!!!!

Sparklesocks · 26/01/2018 23:23

Amazingly how defensive some dog owners are getting in this thread.
Some people are scared of dogs, especially kids who haven’t had much interaction with animals at a young age. They’re not pathetic or overreacting by being afraid of a lively dog in close vicinity.
Try and have some empathy and remember just because your pet is the centre of your world doesn’t mean it’s everyone else’s...

FurCoatFurKnickers · 26/01/2018 23:23

@MissionItsPossible your comment reminded me of this video. Some cats are bloody psychotic!

Xeneth88 · 26/01/2018 23:25

You're pathetic to not grasp the fact that your dog biting can cause others to be scared. I'd be livid too. Sort your attitude out.

DontMakeMeShushYou · 26/01/2018 23:25

Can't stand fussy precious kids around dogs.
I know IABU but I can't help it. I love all animals and have brought up around them as have my dc.
I doubt they would fear a wolf.
People who are petrified of dogs get on my nerves. Sorry,but we share our world with them.

It's people like you who are the problem. My children have been brought up with dogs all their life too. Quite a lot of both large and small dogs. They certainly share their world with them. However, my DD was bitten by a dog that apparently (according to it's dick of an owner) didn't like children, but was out and about in a crowded area with a lot of small children without a muzzle. Yes, she's still scared of dogs that snap at her. Why wouldn't she be. She knows all too well what damage a dog can do.

Snappings just a warning presumably he did not touch the boy

If the dog was trained properly, it wouldn't need to snap a warning. Why does that dog think a 9 year old child who hasn't even entered the house pose a threat that needs to be warned off? The only possible reason is that the owner has not trained it or socialised it properly.