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.

Compulsory muzzling is one of the most ridiculous things I have heard. Clearly had zero idea of animal psychology or animal management. This would create far far greater problems than it solves.

You put a muzzle on a dogs mouth and you remove its ability to defend itself. This has psychological implications and can actually create behavioural problems in otherwise stable and safe animals.

Ugh, dog owners who let their dogs run riot are the worst. We were once out for a picnic and a dog belonging to some random strangers started chasing another dog and ended up running right through our food. We were mad and they seemed so surprised. As if we would eat something that a dog had trodden on 🤮

Why on earth would you let your dog do something that you wouldn't let your kids do?! And then expect people to watch with adoration. We are not all fans of dogs!!

The other thing that bothers me - "Don't worry he won't hurt you" - well how do you know he won't? Plus, hurt or not, I have absolutely no desire to have a furry creature yapping round my ankles and licking me - so disgusting.

Dog hater here - rant over

Legislation must be the only way to go - I would love to see more dog-free areas or at least places where dogs must be kept on a lead. (and not those stupid mile long extendable ones)

And larger fines for leaving dog turds around!

@Allnames good advice

I really think dogs make people very cocky, like they are invincible and can do and say what they like.

People with several dogs walking round like lord or lady of the manor are on a ridiculous power trips.

They seem to LIKE scorning people who are intimidated by their animals.

Rude, arrogant and totally missing the point. You may think having a big dog puts you above the law but it really doesn't!

I sympathise OP dogs off lead can be a real nuisance (or worse). I say this as a dog lover & dog owner.
Our old dog was a very nervous rescue dog who much preferred a short walk (plod) on a lead. He was absolutely terrified when a dog walker let her 5 dogs off the lead & they all charged towards him. So much so that he slipped his leash & ran the mile home.
New puppy is the opposite keen to meet everyone (canine or human) she is firmly on a short lead when in public places.
I always challenge owners who shout "he/she wont bite" we thought that with one of our previous dogs until he did!

I have experience from both sides, when my DS2 were small he really wasn't nice to dogs at all! I will always remember when a friendly labrador stole the stick my DS was playing with, oh my god the rage from DS, luckily the dog ran away (with the stick)

Anyhow I do remember then being annoyed with dog owners saying that their dogs were just friendly and used to answer that my boy is not so please keep away!

Now I am a dog owner (would never have thought) and I am very mindful of kids and wow never realised how many kids are terrified of dogs. If our local park is busy with picnics and kids playing, my dog is on the lead.

However I must agree with the poster who said she is annoyed with parents and kids who just screeches and runs away in fear when my dog is minding his own business ON the lead and the kid isn't even close! that is not helpful for anyone, kid or dog

"Teach children to fold their arms and turn their back on the dog. This works with exuberant, over friendly jumping up dogs"

GREAT advice for the child who got scratched while sitting in a pushchair

You shouldn't have to. It's the dog owner who should be controlling their dog. I have had dogs growing up and still walk my mums and I don't let him near children because he would want to run up to them and probably jump all over them. I've had so many dogs walk up to my mums dog and nearly attack him.

I think you were in the right to say something to her. It's not fair on the dogs either because the owners are putting them in a dangerous situations.

We had a medium sized dog run up and start jumping, barking, teeth and all, owner not looking bothered as it approached. Shouted that if they didn't control their dog it was getting kicked. Never seen a quicker reaction to remove a dog.

However, I would NEVER kick a dog unless it was actually trying to maul someone, would much rather kick the owner. But they didn't know that.

The place to let your dog run around unleashed is in your own back garden or on private land where the public has no right of access, with the landowner's permission.

If I were making the rules, it would be illegal for a dog-owner to let their dog off the lead in any place where the public has access.

mama they must be breeding

I don't want advice on how to behave when your twat of a dog is charging at me, jumping up, trying to stick it's nose in my crotch or anything else.
I want it nowhere near me in the first place.

Legislation must be the only way to go - I would love to see more dog-free areas or at least places where dogs must be kept on a lead

It's a bit like smoking for me. I have no problem with smoking existing, per se, I just don't want it anywhere near me. So it would be nice if owning a dog was a bit like smoking, you can do it, but in designated places where other people can easily avoid passive dogging.

How do I defend my dog from toddlers? :)

I would always put her on a lead (if she isn't already) around a buggy and she doesn't rush up to young children, but if they approach her, she is happy for them to pat her (and give her a biscuit). Every time a parent or child has asked if it's ok to stroke her first.

passive dogging

Passive dogging!

The law is already that dogs must be under control. Report them if they're not. But FFS don't ban all dogs in public. Why should well behaved dogs and responsible owners suffer because of the idiots who don't care? TBH the people who ignore laws about dogs under control, on lead in some places, picking up dog poo etc would probably ignore the ban too.

owning a dog who sadly passed away young really brought selfish dog owners to my attention and made scared of dogs.

one time I had a treat for my dog in my pocket and a huge rottweiler came up to me - excited jumping up trying to get the treat...the owner stood having a chat close by I was terrified. My children were with me etc.

Theres no one quite as dappy and stupid as a dog owner who cannot understand some people are frightened of dogs.

We are always told when dogs attack it could be because person was eye balling dogs at their level..just like children! Its always the friendly family dog that would never hurt a fly that turns.

Even on a walk a collie bounded up to my little dog and suddenly turned and bit!

They are unpredictable. keep them under control there are after all millons out there who will love your dogs!

Unless you have had a particularly bad encounter with a dog, a morbid fear of dogs is irrational. A certain wariness is normal.

I am inclined to dislike and avoid people who are not animal lovers though. Or say they don't like children. They should be forced to live in a gated community until they can prove they are fit to go out into everyday life.

And they shouldn't be allowed within a certain radius of a public park. There might be dogs AND children. Far too much for them.

I've never defended my children against dogs. Why would you pick them up? I taught my children to not panic when a dog approaches them and to stay calm.
I've also taught my dog to do the same when an uncontrolled child approaches him.

I don't think it's fair to let your dog lick me. We have a local dog walker in the woods opposite who takes 7+ dogs out and one bit my daughter's bottom (she is grown up) when she was jogging in the bottom through her jogging bottoms and through her knickers - that pair now has holes in. That is not acceptable.

Yes we don't want your dog to lick us even and put spit down on us. May be if we say - keep your dog back or I will shoot it dead with the gun in my pocket they might keep them back!

xenia if you go around threatening to shoot things with a gun you have hidden in your pocket while living in the UK you would soon have bigger issues to worry about than a bouncy dog!