How do you defend your toddlers from dogs not on leads?

[Flatearthersphere]

I have 3 children 3 and under, we often go to the park, on walks to different places, our local reservoir with a play area, picnics etc etc..
Anywsy all these areas say dogs should be on leads but they aren't I would say about 50 percent of the time, not exaggerating but just seems the norm round here.

Anyway I am guessing most people could pick up their toddler if a dog came bounding up to them but I have 3, usually 2 in the pushchair and one walking. I thought this would be OK but I was in a situation a few days ago which scared me.

I had 2 in the pushchair, an elderly woman had a big collie which bounded up to us, on one of those extendable leads and she just let it run up to us, I shouted "please pull your dog away" and picked up my eldest but she just said "don't be silly he's being friendly" and I said "I Dont care pull it away" but she refused and it jumped up into my pushchair and scratched all my sons legs even though I was trying to push it away because I was holding a child.

This isn't the first time I've been in this situation, even me and my husband have struggled when we've been holding hands with all 3 and there was a big pit bull cross or something which knocked one of our toddlers clean off his feet.

Genuinely, how do other people deal with these situations? I feel like I can't ever take the children out on my own and like we have to keep them in the pushchair all the time even if there is 2 of us. I'm finding I am avoiding going out now and it's getting depressing.

If you can't control your dog (ie. not letting them run up to strangers) then you shouldn't be letting them off lead in public places.

That is true whether they are dangerous or not.

Regardless of how the OP should react, if you are a dog owner and you let your dog run up to people off lead then you are in the wrong. Especially when young children are involved.

Fear not steam train - my dog doesn't have any interest in children or people she only cares for fox pooh so you won't get that opportunity.

You can buy compressed air in pet shops that lets off a sound that scares them

People who don't control their dogs really piss me off. My DS when aged about 18 months was knocked flat and winded by a pair of dogs in the park. They were only small dogs but ran up to him full pelt and both jumped up at him at the same time. The stupid owner did the "just being friendly" line but as a result DS is now very nervous of dogs

A couple of weeks ago a couple let their dog jumped on me. Their dog was covered in mud so of course I then ended up covered in mud. They just laughed. I did not see the funny side.

That's right punish everyone.

When legislation comes in which affects everyone in a group to which you belong (in this case dog owners) then be angry at the members of the group who have caused the legislation to be needed. Not the people the legislation is there to protect.

I'm a dog owner and people who let their dogs run up to anyone because "they're friendly" or "they love children" should not be allowed dogs.

I don't think a lot of dog owners realise how intimidating it is when you have children and see a dog barrelling towards you. And "he's friendly" hasn't always been borne out in the past.

When I got a dog I worked my arse off to ensure my dog's recall is perfect and that he knows not to run up to children - or anyone - unless they ask him to.

My dd was recently knocked over by a dog that ran up behind her and jumper up on her. Her arm was badly scratched and she was scared! The owner didnt even come and check she was okay this may be a good thing as my shit may have been lost

Dd is 5 so not even a toddler!

It's the attitude that the whole population including small children should learn dog psychology and how to handle dogs that annoys me. Your dog, your responsibility.

I do think that watching how a parent reacts to an injury or situation has an impact on how the child responds, so yes if a child is knocked over by a dog and the parent starts yelling at the dog/owner vs saying "silly dog got too excited, oh dear" or similar that it can have an impact.
However, it seriously cannot have more of an impact that the actual shock or pain caused by these repeated meetings with 'friendly' aka untrained uncontrolled dogs, that knock them over, scratch them etc.
And how can OP teach her toddler/baby to turn away and fold their arms? Like they are going to remember to do that, or at that size for it to have any effect... Plus you know, the poor kids are strapped into pushchairs where they can't move/escape from the dog.

My advice is to try to encourage your walking child to stay behind the pushchair and for you to move forward to greet/block the dog. Yell to the owner your daughter/son has allergies, and try to control the dog yourself. If you block and the dog only wants to greet the children it will hopefully get the idea and sod off, if not then you play block and move until the owner can call it back or come and get it.
For those that say anything about anything, point out that signs say all dogs must be on leads which is why you bring your allergic child here to enjoy nature as you had hoped you wouldn't be put in this situation. Make a big gesture of rinsing your hands with a water bottle if you've had to touch the dog, allergens and all that.

I wouldn't recommend kicking or hitting, purely because it might be met with a bite from the dog or the owner assaulting you. But I do think a bit of lemon or vinegar water. Or even as a PP said one of those aerosol pet corrector sprays. A walking stick is a good back up too, can use it to aid blocking and if the dog does injure your child or acts at all aggressive I wouldn't hesitate to use it to hit the dog, then the dog will only react and bite the stick.

But yes, you shouldn't have to do any of this or have to post about it. It's ridiculous that people allow their dogs to run around totally uncontrolled or let them off at all in areas that state they must be on a lead. And I love dogs! I prefer them to people (including children) in general.

When you own a giant breed (Great Dane) it is absolutely not an option to be slack with training. A breed like that lolloping up uninvited would always end badly. And jumping up? Unthinkable! Even some other dog owners are intimidated by the giant breeds.

Training training training. And then you take them out with utmost care, fully prepared to either keep them on the lead or recall to heel very often. Along with visibly putting the lead back on to provide reassurance. Or walk in wilderness where no else goes!

I imagine everyone would nod along to this. It's because of their size ect. Of course.

However, when you think about it, the principals all remain no matter what the size of the dog:

Irritating and uninvited interaction with someone else's pet.
Getting licked.
Getting muddy.
Getting knocked.
Worry about the above.
Clothes damaged/food stolen.
Actually knocked off balance.
Getting scratched.
Getting bitten.
And fright. Frightening people.

None of the above is acceptable and none of the above is dependent upon the size of the dog. NO dogs should be running up to people and that's that.

My miniature dachshund got the same training as my big Dane and our walks together never affected anyone badly. (looked funny though :))

Allnames - ''It's people like Laiste and Nebulous who irresponsible dog owners also unleash and are answerable for where such types strain for punishment of anything K9 related such is their hatred of everything.''

Sorry, what?

What exactly is 'people like Laiste' allnames?

So you don't understand that?

It means if laws are made which affect you as a dog owner you have to suck it up.

It's people like Laiste and Nebulous who irresponsible dog owners also unleash and are answerable for where such types strain for punishment of anything K9 related such is their hatred of everything.

I'm still waiting for a translation of this

I am a dog owner and I think a lot of owners with 'friendly' dogs do need to be more mindful of their dogs actions. I think there is a tendency to be blase just because they are confident that their dog won't bite.

I don't have kids, but I have a similar problem in respect of my own dogs. One of them has some fear aggression issues and is on lead because of this. Pretty much every walk though I have other 'friendly' dogs bounding up into my dogs face - and owners saying 'don't worry he is friendly'. Yes but my dog isn't - not only might your dog get bitten but it compromises all of the hard work we are putting in to help our dog become more confident.

If you have a dog that is going to get up in anyone's face (be it a child or another dog) and you are unable to recall it then you really need to have it on a lead in busy public areas.

I can see how children can become afraid of dogs if they have 'friendly' strange dogs bounding up to them and getting in their face. We have to remember children are at eye level to a lot of dogs so very different to a dog approaching an adult in the same way.

This courtesy needs to be reciprocated though. Parents should not allow children to approach or try to touch dogs without an owners consent. For their own safety and to respect the animals personal space in the same way.

I have no problem with dogs being off lead, if they are the type that will just get on with their own business and not be annoying to others.

Any dog that is likely to bite - be it through fear or aggression should be muzzled when taken out. Sorry but if you think there's any possibility this may happen it's YOUR responsibility to make sure it doesn't.

Dog owners are responsible for their dogs behaviour, it is not up to the general public, or small children to moderate their behaviour around dogs. If your dog is not trained not to jump up at people, it should not be off the lead. Even smaller dogs can be intimidating for young kids, and can create a life long fear of dogs that is difficult to overcome.

They can also be dangerous for other dogs who are on leads. I was walking my puppy years ago, on a lead, two staff type dogs came barrelling over, were apparently friendly until one turned and became very aggressive, I had to hold my puppy up above my head and the dog was jumping at me trying to get it, the owner was too far away to intervene quickly, I had to kick the dog repeatedly and was bloody terrified, ended up scratched and bleeding myself.

Interesting post about compulsory muzzling! Not something I would ever support but it would be hilarious to see pugs and similar small dogs with their little faces muzzled. Like doggy Hannibal Lecters! If such a law was ever enacted there would be money to be made for the person who can design effective and kind muzzles for flat faced dogs.

I hate it when dog owners do this, and I say that as someone who owns a dog and loves her beyond belief. Even if people disregard the dogs on leads signs which in itself is completely wrong, the moment any member of the public asks you to put your dog on a lead, keep your distance etc, you do it, no questions asked. Someone's dog could be the friendliest little ball of fluff in the world but if they head for someone who is terrified of dogs it makes zero difference. Personally I don't think parks like the one you've described are suitable for dogs especially during the warmer months when more people are about. We always walk ours in the woods or in country parks where there's a pathway so we can see who may be coming. I'm so sorry this happened to you OP, totally not acceptable.