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.

Please, please, please google things before taking advice off here!! Spraying some dogs with water will make them snap at it and lunge forward. And shouting at a dog (or towards it or it’s owner) can make it become defensive and aggressive. The fact is that if a dog is out of control and causes fear of or actual harm the owners have broken the law and the dog could ultimately be put to sleep if that’s what a court deems appropriate action.
www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/factsheets-downloads/dog%20law%20-%20england%20and%20wales%201.pdf
I have a dog and a baby. The dog is extremely protective over the baby so (in dog behaviour) warns off any passing dogs quite successfully, as she’s a breed with negative press owners also tend to keep their dogs close to them in the first place. I can 100% trust my dog but she has good manners and my baby is freaked out by dogs jumping up etc because it’s erratic and not what she’s used to, I don’t believe she will grow up afraid of dogs because I keep a respectful line in which I don’t allow other dogs to cross with her. I suggest you print this article and hand it out. OTT? Perhaps. But it’s their dogs life they could be saving.

Sound like Sweetcheeks let’s their dogs run wild. I have a small breed puppy and she was attacked for no reason walking past a large dog that the elderly owners had zero control of. Next time that could be a small child next time. Both dogs were on the lead on this occasion but I am constantly having to pick the pup up because of dogs off lead.

I agree with you. Dog owners should not allow there dogs to be going up to complete strangers especially when it's not welcomed and you have clearly said so. This woman is an utter ass. She has no idea for your reasons and requardless should have not let the dog approach you in the first place, and certainly pulled the dog away once you made it clear you did not want it in yours or your child's personal space.
However finds are issued to people that do not have their dogs under control in public places especially where there are signs which state they should. This was intentionally not accidental and a lack of respect for complete strangers. I have 3 dogs. All of big breeds. I never allow my dogs to approach strangers or children. If they come up to the dogs wanting to give them a stroke in ok with that. And most people ask before they even do that.

I love dogs. I have two of my own and do a lot of voluntary work for an independent dog rescue centre.

It is completely unacceptable to let your dog run up to someone who clearly does not want to "meet" the dog. Children are especially vulnerable due to their size and lack of strength.

If you cannot recall your dog and it is not sufficiently trained to respond to commands to come back, then it should not be off the lead in public anywhere other than a designated dog area. End of.

Like so many things, it's not the dog that's at fault - it's the owner, for failing to take responsibility, for failing to train the dog and for failing to accept that their right to exercise their dog does not trump the rights of other people to safely walk, run, sit and use public parks and trails.

Next time that could be a small child

Well not really. Just because a dog shows aggression to another dog it doesn't mean it's a danger to a child. A lot of dogs have been poorly socialised with other dogs and have poor doggy manners.

I, sadly, have an unfriendly, fear aggressive dog. He is always on lead and i always have him tight into me when we pass people. I never let him off so he can never approach adults or children. Most kids will ask if they can pat him and I'll have to say no. It's not rocket science. Equally, though, kids need to be taught not to run up to dogs shouting, screaming and waving their hands. Far from my dog finding this exciting, he would be terrified and react badly.

I have a dog a staffy and I love her I am an animal lover but as a mother it the ops situation I would have shouted at the woman and if she had refused to pull the dog away I would have told her get it or I'll kick the bloody thing and yes I would have.....i don't care 4 opinions on my actions my kids are my world and family dogs have killed family children does 4 he's being friendly.... ICGAF I would have taken pictures aswel for social media 2 warn others x

@Ginger1982 same here. But people still insist on touching her. They are warned multiple times! We should Just keep our animals and children to ourselves. Isn't hard is it.

4. Shoot the dogs

NO ONE suggested "shooting dogs"

Option 4 is legal if the dog is loose on farmland and worrying livestock (actualy if I was a farmer I would even charge you for the ammo)

Do you reckon if people keep saying silly things in this thread we could get it to 500 comments? At least, that's how it feels like reading some of these

IMO anyone that is arrogant/stupid enough to let their dogs get out of control (and yes includes on a retractable lead) shouldn't have one at all. Some dogs don't like other dogs, let alone dogs not liking children or vice versa.

I would block the dog with my body then give the owner a piece of my mind. I have done with my parents dog who is quite nervous of other dogs. He will never bother them, but gets scared when they run up to him. No one - child, adult or another dog - should be made to feel uncomfortable, let alone physically injured in public by irresponsible dog owners. If you can't control it, don't take it out.

Help how do I protect my children from this vicious monster

If they give you the "dog just being friendly" line then bring an umbrella to beat the dog and say "sorry I'm just being unfriendly". If its a big dog and definitely if the dog assults your child, call the police and report the incident to the council/park warden.

SweetCheeks1980. See that word ‘rarely’. Falls way short of ‘never’ which is the only guarantee a parent will accept. I love dogs but they MUST be kept under close control especially around children. Those who fail to do this are just getting the rest of us a bad name. Please try to see your dog through the eyes of those who do not value your pet as you do.
I suggest saying ‘Control your dog or the dog warden will’

Steam

Possibly you missed this down thread

"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!"

This might have been intended to be amusing - I dunno

There have been multiple posters endorsing kicking dogs. This thread might have started about children being scared of dogs. It's turned into a thread about justifying cruelty to animals IMHO.

If anyone kicks my dog, there will be severe repercussions. I am not in the mood to tolerate snowflake parents who think that kicking dogs or any other form of abuse to animals is legitimate. It isn't and I have the wherewithal to back my online comments up. If anyone kicks not just my dog but any dog that I witness, I'll be frothing

Unfortunately the law doesn't permit your dog to jump over toddlers and scare them or their parents. Parents are allowed to protect their child( waiting to see if a dog is friendly whilst on my child would never happen) and if you were to attack said parent you'd end up prosecuted as well as your dog.

I am not a dog hater. I would never be deliberately cruel to an animal. But if it's my children or a dog then the dog it is.

My children both walk around ignoring and/or smiling at dogs on leads on a daily basis. But if one is off the lead, or barking or getting in her face, my daughter is terrified due to the story I told before. This is the same child who would lie down between my friend's two Basset Hounds. Because an unknown, uncontrolled, loud dog IS scary. And if your child was running up to mine shouting and not stopping when they were asked and could potentially harm mine then that would be unacceptable. So why is it different for a dog?

For the record - I have never kicked a living thing. It's just not me. Actually I don't think I've ever kicked anything. Possibly because I've never played football

If the dog-kickers on the thread are justifying their actions on the basis of legality - there are also laws against cruelty to animals.

So if a dog is worrying livestock - farmers get to kill dogs and that is fair enough and legally permissible. If a dog bounds up to a toddler in an excess of enthusiasm do you think it is legally permissible to kick the dog? I don't think it is.

If anyone on this thread feels emboldened to kick my dog (who would never willingly go near a toddler). I am happy to say that I would be prepared to take the animal-abusers to court. Your move.

OK I stand corrected my apologies.

If a dog starts coming too near me and my kids without permission I start shouting and screaming at them/the owner, waving them away with my arms. If they dont go away then yes I do kick them away.

Dogs are dangerous animals and if some human is stupid enough to allow them off a leash then they are being irresponsible. Some humans are idiots and shouldn't be allowed to own animals.

FFS it's not illegal to have a dog off lead.
No the dogs shouldn't run up to you.
Shouting and screaming won't help the situation.
Kicking a dog could see you getting bitten. A dog that isn't normally dangerous could snap in fear.

You;re an animal abuser

Pure and simple

You kick dogs.

We could go into all the socio-economic things that turn people into animal abusers. Like the post down-thread where some blasted person had their dog put down rather than pick up its poo.

But fair and square - I'm calling you out. You're an animal abuser.

@Thesearepearls this thread did not start about children being scared of dogs

PMSL

Any dog that makes somebody worried it may injure them is deemed dangerously out of control. My child has been bitten by an out of control dog. If it was to happen again and your dog ran up to my child off a lead and lead him or me to think he was going to be injured I would use the stick I now carry however I had to and yes kick if necessary. I would also ensure photos were taken to ensure you were prosecuted.

Keep your dog on a lead,ensure he doesn't leap on my child or invade his space or do anything that makes him think he will get injured and all will be fine. If not I'm afraid you are guilty of animal abuse aren't caring for your dog properly and are putting it in danger.

Yeah right

Any dog that makes somebody worried it may injure them is deemed dangerously out of control

Is that the snowflake parents' charter? Nope, just look at the decisions in the courts.

I can assure you that dog-kicking is not legal. And I will assure you of that fact should you choose to kick my dog.