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.

This is such a sad thread really. Most dogs are loving, kind and not bitey at all. My dog doesn't bound up to people (although he's always interested in other dogs) and is a bit unsure of people in general although they always want to pat him. Quite rightly given all the comments about kicking dogs in the head if they come close to a toddler. Would you really kick a harmless animal in the head? How is that proportionate?

My pooch is incredibly happy bounding through the woods and fields off lead. He's a (small) hound. It would be a very unkind thing to do to him and other dogs to keep him on a lead. He has never bitten anyone or anything and though you will all naysay me, I know full well that he never would.

He has instant recall because we've worked and worked on that - and he's to my side like an arrow if I call him, even if other dogs are around.

Would you really insist on such a happy little thing being on the lead and muzzled? Really?

I love dogs, have always had a dog, but I agree we should not have the run around off lead anywhere near a playground. My eldest was terrified and owners always say aww they’ friendly, that is absolutely not the point. There are usually areas fenced off for dogs use/off lead near me, let them run in there. I actually hate those extender leads as they offer absolutely no control. If you use a regular lead and teach your dog to recall on command they are unnecessary!

The only comment I would have is that by picking you dc up you would make them a target for a dog who’s not under control. A prey driven dog will definitely jump up and nip feet, even if they are not aggressive.

Teach your dc how the deal with a dog if one approaches I.e ignore, no eye contact, no excited movements etc. Once they seem more comfortable around them perhaps then introduce how to approach a friendly dog if they have permission etc.

In answer to your original question though I totally agree, even as a dog lover. Some people do not like dogs and as owners it’s our place to have our pets under proper control.

There are a lot of entitled dog owners out there, who ironically treat their dogs like kids.

My brother has always kept his dog under control but cooks him steak on his birthday!

People 5 doors down from me run a dog walking business, one guy drops his 2-year-old dog with them overnight each time he goes out with his wife for dinner.

They should be kept under control around small kids, as small kids are not predictable so that alone can cause issues with dogs

Sweetcheeks 1980

What makes you think it will be dangerous?

Erm...it sctrached her babies legs? Read op's post. If it was me it would take all my will power not to punch it...and her

Thesearepearls - no one is talking about harmless dogs though are they, they're talking about dogs jumping at babies in pushchairs, scratching or biting people, knocking children over.
I wouldn't hesitate to kick an animal to prevent my toddler being injured.

I really hate those extender leads. I think it’s made some people really lazy about training their dogs. I also think their dangerous. Totally off topic but I see people with these, no control, walking excited dogs near roads. If an excited dog with little to no training sees something on the otherside of the road they’re under a car. Controlling a dog in a public space is as much for the safety of the dog as the people.

Vent over

I still remember the thread on here where a poster (and she was not the only one) said she would swim past a child to save her dog from drowning. So I am not surprised that some (note, some) dog owners think their dog roaming free trumps all.

Sorry about your little ones legs OP. It’s totally unacceptable.

Gilded I think it should be illegal to use them by a road. Drove past a couple with a dog 8ft in front of them. If it saw something across the road it'd be under my car. And they snap. And they get tangled. And the lock fails!

To clarify, Thesearepearls I said my dad kicked a large dog away from my infant sister as it was charging towards her guaranteed to knock her down. I don't like harming animals, ever, but I don't think that's really disproportionate. As I said he likely panicked as it was all happening so quickly and kicking the dog away was a protective reflex.

Keep your dog on a lead where there a small children about and don't let them run up to random people. If a person can't do that then they shouldn't have a dog. Oh and pick up their poo!!

The response on this thread has been hysterical IMHO

If there are animals out there biting and scratching children - it is a proportionate response to photograph the owner and the dog and make a formal complaint

It is a disproportionate response to kick an animal in the head if it goes near your toddler. Some of the responses on here have been close to cruelty to animals. There is a substantial amount of cruelty to animals, and some of the cases are heart-rending.

As I say, my dog would not willingly approach people and doesn't like being patted by strangers. But I saw him the other day with a young girl who was clearly terrified of a border collie just bundling along being himself. My dog doesn't like being petted but he sensed something (as they do) and wandered up to her being as non threatening as possible and rolled over and let her tickle his tummy. It was a lovely moment.

You're all getting over emotional about this. Dogs are mans best friend.

The dog that I kicked away from my Lab was off lead in an on lead area. We were walking along the side of a nature reserve. Big signs everywhere saying to keep dogs on leads. We were geocaching, on a lovely day, so naturally we took our boy with us for a nice walk. We did not expect this enraged dog to launch itself at us. My instinct was to defend my dog. I wondered if the owners were foreign, perhaps they didn’t read the signs and they never said a bloody word either.

It’s such a shame that the majority of dog owners are nice, normal, responsible people and yet we all get tarred with the same brush because someone has had a bad experience once. I must have met thousands of dogs in my lifetime. I can’t remember being attacked by one, I must just be lucky. Had several words with other dog owners though to control their dogs around mine. My boy is entire but submissive and other dogs see it as an invitation to bully him. They’re like people, they’re all different. You wouldn’t have a row with a complete stranger and then assume that every other stranger was just as bad!

At the weekend, our neighbour had to half-strangle a dog that had attacked and badly injured a cat whilst on a lead. It was the woman’s son’s dog and she couldn’t control it.

While I was in a shop last week a dog (which I didn’t even know was there) sniffed and slobbered on my feet. Got the usual ‘Oh, he won’t hurt you.” Why are dogs now apparently acceptable in shops?

This evening, a passing dog (admittedly on a lead) tried to have a go at our cat in our own front garden.

Some dog owners are so up themselves and entitled. Not everyone likes dogs. They don’t want them running at them, jumping up, barking, sniffing, slobbering and shitting in front of their gates or indeed anywhere without it being cleaned up.

Thesearepearls try again love and read it properly. Large unknown dog charging towards toddler. Not little friendly dog 'going near' child. The dog would have definitely bowled her over because of the sheer size and speed it was traveling. Are you seriously suggesting the correct response was to just let it happen then take pictures? My dad didn't know that this huge dog might not have mauled my sister after knocking her down. This was in the days before everyone had camera phones in their pockets by the way. The only one being hysterical here is you, no one is suggesting kicking random dogs around for no reason.

Well you say that old thing - but who are we to know whether you enjoy kicking dogs or not? Cruelty to animals is a thing - plenty of people do it. I cannot frankly imagine a situation where a dog needed to be kicked. It's not a regular situation to be sure.

I am a dog owner.

I also get frustrated and sometimes annoyed at the inconsiderate dog owners out there. I was walking at a reservoir with children and not with our dogs. The area has lots of signs stating keep dogs on leads, do not allow into the water, one sign even says don't allow your dogs to bother people or wildlife (there are nesting birds).

Anyway a dog came bounding up, children were playing football. Dog ran up grab the ball and ran off to edge of water. Later along came youngish woman, partner and child. Dog didn't listen to them so poorly trained, obviously they cannot read or don't care about signs and others. Limp 'oh sorry' and off they go... the ball was in the water, the children scattered out the way and the game was spoilt (momentarily) whilst someone's out of control dog was a pain in the behind

Thesearepearls are you on the

I'm clearly describing a situation that happened 25+ years ago and seemed like an appropriate response to real danger. I've never kicked a dog in my life. In fact I'm one of those people that avoids animal harm at all costs (but won't say the word for it now because everyone gets annoyed and will derail the thread ). But if any of my children are in real danger from any animal I'll do whatever is needed to protect them.

Gilded cage I can't teach them they are bloody 2 and under. How can I teach them how to stand etc? To react rationally?
So fed up of this advice now.
No just have your hairball on a lead in a park when it says "all dogs to be kept on leads" or if it comes up me and scratches my Child ill definitely hit it with something.

Just got in from work, not on the wine, but I am faced with a thread where solutions that have been suggested as follows:-

1. Muzzle all dogs
2. Keep all dogs on the lead at all times
3. Kick the dogs
4. Shoot the dogs

Options 3 and 4 are not legal. Both options seem to me to be bonkers but this thread is normalising them. Options 1 and 2 are just unkind in a different way. The harm is less I suppose, but both options are harmful to dogs.

Animal cruelty is a thing. Let's not normalise it in any way. .

I don't know when people started hating dogs so much.

We're supposed to be a nation of dog lovers, but apparently not reading this thread.

A few idiots ruin it for the majority. 90% of dogs are friendly, well behaved and nothing to be afraid of.

Yes do that. I know i would. Hope kids are ok x

It always amazes me that people can control their dogs around livestock where their dogs are at risk of being summarily shot, but seemingly can't where there are small children around.

It's weird.

As a parent my job is to protect my kids, if a dog is going to scratch my child and harm it I will harm the dog to stop it. In society fortunately children come before dogs.

I DO ALWAYS have my dog on a lead. I would never let my dog off the lead in public places!!!!!

I don’t blame you or your dc but you’re singling me out and I agree with you!! If you’re nervous with dogs then you need to think about how you act when they approach...not because I think dogs should be running around but because people refuse to restrain their pets

Are you certain that the dog will harm your child? Really certain? Really? I doubt that.

Or are you kicking the dog because MN has just told you that it's okay to kick dogs just to make sure? That Yorkshire Terrier who's just run up to your tot accidentally because it's young and boisterous but essentially harmless. Is it okay to kick it?

Where are you drawing the line? A big St Bernard accidentally comes too close to your tot. Are you going to kick it in the head?