AIBU bloody “dog people”

[mumof2exhausted]

Ok so I know there are some decent, responsible dog people out there but AIBU to say that there are some absolute arseholes who genuinely don’t seem to understand that not everyone loves dogs?? My 4 year old was recently bitten by a random dog so understandably is little nervous around them. A huge dog has just ran after him in the park (double the size of him) and he was petrified. Dog obviously thought he was playing game of chase. I don’t blame the dogs, I blame the owners. They didn’t call him off immediately just laughed and shouted “oh he’s just being friendly”. This happens all the time. Another big dog jumped up and pushed over my 2 year old couple of weeks ago. And no sorry or anything. Again a “he’s just being friendly ha ha” and off they walked without so much as a backwards glance to check my crying 2 year old was ok. I don’t have a dog but if I did and this happened I would be mortified and would apologise immediately and dog would go straight on a lead. Nearly lost my shit today with the owners but honestly don’t think they would have even cared.

slane totally agree. My DS who has allergies is very sporty although his eczema gets worse when out around the grass as does his rhinitis. However he wants to do it, so a rugby filth session on a Sunday doesn’t bother me.

And kids/people who are scared and/or phobic about dogs should be helped and supported because like it or not there are loads of dogs out there. NO. No no no, we should not be helped and supported into liking dogs. I am very happy not liking dogs. Dog people should be helped and supported into keeping their dogs to themselves, on a leash in public, pay for a dog warden in each town through dog licensing, and stop thinking they are entitled to a pet. Address the ethical issues of breeding animals into existence for your own selfish reasons, stop taking puppies from their mothers. Selfish and arrogant - why would a dog want to be with a human; it would choose its own species if it didn't have some overlord acting all entitled over it.

There is a difference between germs and dog shit.

I am happy my children are wary of dogs - dogs can and do bite, and the possible fun traits (I see none - yapping and bouncing and barking and slobbering and picking up shit (if you can be bothered)) are not worth the risk of my child getting their face mauled.

So please. STOP telling people who don't like dogs that we must overcome our dislike of them, or forget that these beasts have sharp teeth.

Most people are far more likely to be allergic to a cat than a dog ( and even then a proper cat allergy is low % s of people ) It is very very unlikely that contact with a dog will result in something serious.( Obviously I am not taking about a dangerous dog / biting etc here ) If you think it is, or could be tested then get an epi pen or similar. A severe dislike , or being scared , or a phobia , - well that's different.

Agree about the social aspects, Slane, have experienced people like that.

Will add, I find many people use their dog as a crutch, can't form proper human relationships and give up. I knew a nice man who was having no luck finding a woman to settle down with - he gave up aged 40, got a dog and has resigned himself to being a bachelor. Same joke as the old cat lady. I find this sad. I don't think he is properly happy, but he busies himself with his dog, and pretends he is sorted. I think he needs to address his issues.

Well, my filthy beasts and I are going to bed.

If you don't hear from me tomorrow then those beastly teeth must have been really sharp.

The infections I see in dog bites can be nasty though. A recent case in another hospital had a dog lick a babies scalp!!!!? The cuts on the scalp from monitoring during birth got infected causing meningitis.

My dog is really lovely and great with people and children, however I've spent hours training him in recalling so when he sees people he comes back to me, if we are anywhere busy he's on a lead. I actually really hate it when people let their dogs run wild gives us all a bad name, hope your little one doing ok after the bite incident xxx

My DD has no allergies and is very healthy despite not being licked by dogs, my love of anti bac wipes and us being a shoes off house to avoid traces of dog shit being brought in.

I am seriously considering just telling people she is allergic to dogs though and is scared of having a reaction. I wonder whether they would be more sympathetic and feel it less of an affront on their pet?

Of course there are lovely dog owners! And you’re one! That’s really kind and appreciated.
I do actually adore dogs and always had them growing up so I do see both sides.

And to add about the detrimental social element, my kids go to a social thing, it's officially two hours long. Once the session is over, most like to stay on to the playpark to socialise with their friends. One girl couldn't, because they had to get back to walk/feed the dog. She was always gutted to be the one to have to go. Dog has now died, and she can stay on with the rest of the kids, and she is happy. They also couldn't come on the weekends away that were organised, because of the dog. Now they do. Parents have not replaced the dog and don't intend to.

Alba
Overlord?!
You haven't met my dog.
She is the overlord here and has lots of doggy friends. She loves being with her human family and has a lovely life.
She doesn't have to be on a leash all the time in public. No need. She can run by the river or in the woods without bothering anyone.
Chardonnay I hope those sharp teeth don't maul you in your sleep!

@aaronburr I suspect any responsible dog owner will not give two hoots if you say your DD is allergic - I also suspect most responsible dog owners would react well if you just said your DD does not like dogs so please could you not bring him / her / them round. Honestly , there are some bad dog owners , but most nice ones are not like that. I would not countenance taking my dogs round to a house where someone did not like dogs. - It's sheer politeness and courtesy and common sense.

Jesus wept, is this still dragging on?

Thanks Isla. Just as inane the second time.

Why inane?

Take a look at your posts Aaron then you'll see inane (Or totally batshit)

There are bad dog owners, there are bad parents, there are some nasty children.

Case closed.

Why inane? You said

Maybe it's time the dog haters realised the world doesn't revolve around them

Not wanting my phobic child to encounter out of control dogs is hardly akin to thinking the world revolves around me. That's why it's inane.

Nothing I've said is batshit. I just wish people would keep their dogs on lead in public and to understand that not everybody is a dog lover. What on earth is batshit about that?

Here's the rules - call the police re any out of control or dangerous dog. www.gov.uk/control-dog-public - put the number into your phone. & then you can do it in short order.

Otherwise - if the dog is not dangerous or out of control , apply an amount of a sensible approach. As said I have had a young child trying to poke a stick in my dog's eye , also have had a band of young children screeching and shouting at my dogs, so working them up ( not - re dogs in a bad way - they thought it was "play") - luckily a very nice teacher came over and said calm down whilst I got dogs on leads. In both cases we moved away. (both put on leads despite being somewhere they were legitimately allowed to be off lead ) If your child has a phobia about dogs - then you need to decide whether you address that. I have arachnophobia. Seriously seriously. Now , I understand there are more dogs around than spiders ( well actually probably not ) but at the point something becomes a phobia , it does sort of become your problem than other people's. Given I am unlikely to go to Australia or other lands beloved of spiders - I shall not do the London Zoo ( or similar course ) . Were I to have a phobia about cats or buses - I probably would go on a course

I do realise this is now an argument which has been had many times before so I should not have joined in

If you or your child has a phobia of dogs then you need to address it.

I used to have a phobia of dogs as a child, I was introduced to my friend's dog who was a GSD and then other dogs. As a teenager I decided to go walking dogs at the local animal rescue.

I'm no longer afraid of dogs although I don't like strange dogs running at me. My phobia was never anyone else's issue - it was mine.

aaronburr you really are coming across as being batshit. So far we have all dog owners are shits, constant references to dog shit, dogs are dirty, disgusting, slobbering, uncontrollable....

Dog owners are selfish, ignorant, socially inept, entitled - plus we all live in a smelly home with faeces stuck to our carpets and furnishings.

Again.... Do you think your dd's irrational fear of dogs has anything to do with the messages her mother gives out?

You say you only want people to keep their dogs under control around your dd and not to let them bound up to her. If you read through the replies you will find that the majority, if not all, dog owners have agreed that dogs should be kept on lead in public areas. It has also been stated, many times, that dog owners also don't like other people's dogs bounding up to them.

Why are you so angry?

Some ridiculous extremes on here.
There is nothing Wong with dogs per se. A dog is usually as good as its owner.
It's ridiculous to blame a dog for what it's owner allows it to do.
Having a dog can be hugely beneficial for you.
What many owners are guilty of is not respecting the dog for the species it is. They humanise them. They often treat them like a substitute child.
A dog may be part of your family but it's NOT human.You may love your dog but It's not the same as the love you feel for a child. You should never place your dog above people.
Stop comparing dogs to children they are different.
We haven't had a dog for many years now but when we did we loved it. However, although it was 'part' of our family it was always a dog not a relative!
He wasn't allowed on the couch or the bed. He was fed in one place, not allowed near the table when we ate.
He was trained never to approach anyone without permission. He came immediately when called or would stay put when told.
I hear people say their dog won't do this or that...which is rubbish, it's your lack of training ability.
People love well trained dogs. They are not so keen on out of control dogs.
If you can't commit o proper training, don't have a dog!

Wrong....not Wong!

If you read through the replies you will find that the majority, if not all, dog owners have agreed that dogs should be kept on lead in public areas.

Then the many, many owners who do not keep their dogs on leads in public areas obviously are not posting on this thread.

I'm not making it up. It's an extremely common occurrence to encounter dogs off lead and not to heel, not being recalled by their owners when they approach is. It frightens DD and it makes going out very difficult. That's why I'm angry.

DD isn't aware of the strength of my feelings about this. She does not read my posts on here. I have posted several times about all the things I do to try and help her. But clearly you want to think it's my fault.

Aaron. I meet up with various dog owners every day. There is the odd dog who gets on everyone else's tits because it has sketchy recall or is allowed to bound up to other dogs or people. The majority are well trained and don't bother with others.

Maybe the dogs you are posting about are dogs that stick in your mind because they have caused you a problem? I very much doubt you would have noticed the many other dogs who have passed you by with no mishap.

Very much in the same vein that I would notice a child who was noisy as opposed to a child who was quiet.

Those who make the most noise/disturbance will draw attention whereas those who don't go unnoticed.

There are places which like it or not - dogs are allowed off lead but usually caveated with "under control " ( I speak of e.g. parks here - not just random fields) Familiarise yourself with this / these places. If your child is so anxious, then don't go. There are places where dogs are not allowed to be off lead. Go there . Not every public area is a place where a dog is required to be on a lead.

Seriously if your child is phobic or very anxious around all dogs you should think about how you address that. Or the places you go to with her. In no way am I saying an out of control or dangerous dog is OK , but dogs are a part of our society in some way - it is not realistic for your child to think they will grow up in a world without dogs , that said, she should be able to grow up with pretty much well behaved dogs. Again - I have no truck with dangerous dogs or their owners.

Familiarise yourself with this / these places. If your child is so anxious, then don't go. There are places where dogs are not allowed to be off lead. Go there .

Oh my god. There are dogs off lead every day OUTSIDE MY OWN HOUSE. How the hell am I supposed to even walk DD to school if I cannot leave my house? I do not live anywhere odd, I live in a built up area of a city. There are 2 particular twats I see every morning with their dogs off lead and despite my pleas to have their dog on a lead when they're so close to a school they refuse to be reasonable.

I have spoken to the local council who have told me that it is legal for dogs to be off lead as long as they are "under control". Personally I do not believe I dog that approaches DD to be under control but the owners seem to disagree and insist that they are.

Please tell me what to do. Please tell me how to avoid off lead dogs on the school run.