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.

I agree dogs should be on lead and under control, however I second what Sweetcheeks said that you are going to teach your kids to be scared of dogs!

Better to teach them to turn around like MissMouse said. Teach them to take control of the situation themselves, and not run away (which if they do the dog will think they're playing!)

I can't stand it when i am walking my dog on a lead and a child coming our way screams because she is 'scared' when my dog hasn't done anything

My dog doesn't like kids. It's a shame most parents don't keep their kids on a lead and stop them running up to him. Parents think it's hilarious - but he's a big alsation and went he snarls his teeth and starts barking them have the audacity to claim he is in the wrong.

I don't think dog owners should let their dog run and jump up at people. My dog is well trained enough that he will just ignore people and walk at my side. I don't see the need to put him on a lead.

And the OP's children aren't scares of dogs - yet!
But they will be if she carries on reacting like that.

Thank god the majority agree, actually I always introduce friendly dogs to my children so they learn to not be scared, but why should they endure a scary encounter? Why isn't the dog on a lead? It should be up to the parent whether to let a dog come up to their child, not a dog owner. Baffling that anyone can defend that. Loving the advice so far thank you all.

I had 3 under 2 and have never even considered this issue.

I agree with another poster, don’t overreact (not saying you are but you do sound quite tense about dogs approaching your kids).

If a dog is bounding towards them then yes, get in between them. I’ve literally never had this happen though so, whilst it has happened to you, I’d imagine it’s unusual. Most dogs just wander about and sniff at things and people don’t they?

Dog owners also need to remember how big a dog is if you are a small child.

It's natural to be afraid of dogs that are not restrained, come bounding up, and a similar size to you. If you are in a pushchair and can't get away it's natural to scream.

It's an instinct on the part of the child.

Don't call them drama llamas. Very rude.

Yes I was once having a picnic with my ds when a large dog ran straight towards us. We were on the ground and there was nothing I could do to move us in time so I just climbed on top of ds. I was about 7 months pregnant. The dog destroyed our little picnic and rammed into me a few times while my child screamed, then finally went back to its owner who just shouted "sorry love". Well it's not ok. It's really not ok.

Ds2 is scared of dogs. When he was a toddler in buggy a staffie puppy (so still big strong but very mouthy) jumped up all over us and I had that horrid split second choice to pick up dd as she was walking (about 3) and arms and legs all exposed whereas he was in buggy so I stood in front of him. I had bruises and scratches. Dd got over it fairly quickly.

If owners are arsey I reply yes but don't want it touching us thanks and just kept walking. Sometimes instruct dog to go away.

I have lied when big dogs have come bounding over and hapless but kindly looking owners have called them back half heartedly and looked on lovingly and said we have severe allergies in family.

Carry a water pistol to spray at the unruly dogs

My dog would LOVE that! Not advisable as a deterrent I’d say as I can think of many a dog who loves a hose and a water pistol.

I am a dog owner and even I don't agree with comments like the "dogs very rarely attack" bullshit. If a dog comes up to your child you're well within your right to tell the owner those are YOUR children not theirs & they don't decide whether or not it's okay for them to go near your kids. I think you acted quite calmly to be honest, if it were my kids and I was given the "don't be silly he's just being friendly" crap I'd have given her a mouthful. All it takes is ONCE for a dog to attack, no matter how friendly you think your dog is. If that happens again I wouldn't be so nice.

*Just be like "oh what a big doggy, or what a clumsy doggy up you get..."
Perfect response when the dog has your child's head in its mouth!

I'd carry a taser, if they were legal. Dogs should be kept under control at all times, especially where children are present. I love dogs, but not jumping all over our kids.

I'm definitely not going to make the children scared why do people keep saying that I just asked the woman to pull the dog away. I really don't see why one of my boys is currently covered in scratches, that's not acceptable.

"don't be silly he's being friendly"

This enrages me! I have two responses to this:

1. Really? Well we really, really aren't....
2. (In the case of a woman whose dog ran up and stuck its nose in my crotch) - So is my husband. Is it okay if he comes and does the same to you? (She removed the dog!)

But often the dogs jump up cos the child is running and screaming and the parent is flapping and shouting.

Tremendous fun for a dog!

And BTW for those who have said that dogs rarely attack, my dad is a postman and he's been attacked soooo many times, one time he nearly died as one dog ripped open a varicose vein on his leg and because he's on blood thinners they had to call an ambulance as it wouldn't stop bleeding. And I know they attack on their territory, but several of the attacks have been in the street, I'm guessing he's obviously more susceptible because he is walking all day.

In the case of a woman whose dog ran up and stuck its nose in my crotch) - So is my husband. Is it okay if he comes and does the same to you? (She removed the dog!)

brilliant, how did you think of that on the spot?

I scoop up the toddler but in your situation I would step in front of the children and grab the dogs collar before it got to them.

I'm a dog owner,always have been. Took my son for a walk with our dog and saw a dog walker with about six dogs headed our way. Two of the dogs came bounding up to up (one a large young boxer) told my son(only 5 at the time) to fold arms and turn back to it but it kept jumping up going crazy trying to play and scratched my sons face! Dog walker shouted sorry and kept calling dog and got it away. I said don't worry accidents happen(but was a bit annoyed) carried on with our walk and instead of sticking it on a lead just kept walking away and the dog came back and tried to do same thing! Ended up carrying my 5 year old as he was so scared. Very annoying as now he's nervous around strange dogs whereas he was confident before. Sorry for long post but people who aren't bothered what dogs are doing really annoy me now!

I think it's fine for children to be scared of strange dogs. Wise even.

If a strange person ran up to you and started to interact with you even though you didn't want such attention wouldn't you be wary?

Same with dogs.

After reading through the posts I'm so glad my children have grown up with animals!
I couldn't imagine being this worried about dogs, or picking up my child cos there's a dog.
They're just dogs!

I agree @mosaic.

OK so good advice about the folding arms and back to the dog thing, maybe water pistol but maybe not (will see what others say).

Its the pram I mainly struggle with I think as the ones in there I can't really defend I suppose.

SweetCheeks1980 I'm guessing you're a dog owner. How would you like it if a random toddler came up and started prodding or poking your dog?

I think the rules should be the same for both. I wouldn't let my toddler just go and start 'playing' with a strange dog without the owner's permission and I don't think dogs should come up and 'play' with my toddler without my permission.

@sweetcheeks you are in the minority really, I think it's normal to have a plan if things go tits up. I have a fire escape plan but fires are rare.

You've had some great advice on here, turning away arms folded, holding dog by the collar and also not reacting negatively as that will lead to the child being scared by dogs in general. But I'm with you OP, people shouldn't assume you want their dog to come up to your child and vice versa, that it's okay to let their child come up to your dog. I've been on both sides of it. People need to recognise that even the friendliest dog can be unpredictable around children because children are unpredictable too and might move suddenly in ways the dog isn't used to or isn't expecting. Shame on that old lady, OP.

Carry some chocolate on you if you need to distract them, dogs think they love it but they actually don't.