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.

The problem is that so many people have decided that dogs are dangerous beasts and that even being off lead is a threat to them.

Only on mumsnet. I have never seen this much vitriol about off lead dogs in real life, thank god. The majority of posters on here are laughable in their knowledge of dogs. They don’t want to know and have made their minds up. The patronising shit being spewed - dog owners should be aware of this, that and the other - do you really think that most dog owners are so clueless? Yes obviously, some are. But to label all of us that are bloody hard working, responsible dog owners is really getting on my nerves.

I am now in my third year of dog training with my lab. We are about to go for our Kennel Club Good Citizen Obedience Gold standard. I did them all with my old dog too. And he was a gun dog so super obedient. I appreciate that you don’t care how obedient my dog is but rest assured, he is, I will have him on the lead if I am ever daft enough to walk him through a park full of children because he will just want to play with everyone he meets and if you kicked him because you thought he was too close, I would bloody well kick you back. Not that he would be, because he’d be on the lead. Luckily I live out in the sticks where we can have lovely long walks without meeting anyone else.

I can whistle him and sit him up at any distance and he will sit and wait for my next command. He will recall perfectly, any time, he’s brilliant at it - because I have put the effort into training him - and he really doesn’t deserve to have to be short leashed and muzzled out in public. If that becomes the law then so be it, obviously I would comply because I am a responsible owner. You’d still have the problem of all the irresponsible owners not giving a shit so good luck with that.

Would a dog attack spray help?

I don't know. Making yourself big and threatening has worked with wild dogs... (My mother once swung a pram whilst advancing and screaming at them in a deep voice.)

But idk whether that would work with a dog that was intent on attacking you.

Climb a tree?

Call the police or the local council with an animal welfare concern? Or maybe a safety concern (if he has a long leash... What if a child got to close)?

I know you can get shock collars for dogs.

They have just been banned because they are cruel, so no you can't by a dog style cattle prod. I don't actually know why you want to. 99% of dogs are friendly family pets. An excited dog bounding over to say hello does not need kicking, punching or electrocution. Just ignore it, step in front of child if you think they'll get knocked over.

Also dog owners - teach yours dog recall otherwise some pycho might electrocute it.

Just ignore it, step in front of child if you think they'll get knocked over
That just isn't an option if you or you child have been bitten by a dog and now you are terrified of them.

This thread is full of people egging one another one to even greater acts of lunacy/animal cruelty

Take your electric cattle prods with you as an essential accompaniment for a walk in the park if you like. Don't be surprised if someone decides you need sectioning.

Yes, Thesearepearls there are an awful lot of silly things being said on here, suspect ninety percent of them written by wind up merchants that have never had a dog run anywhere near them in an aggressive manner.

Obviously if a child has been caused fear in any way or worse been bitten, that's a whole different matter, but the vast majority of off lead dogs who approach people are just not very well trained, and whilst dogs do attack, very few dogs that are running loose around your local park are rabid slavering beasts looking to rip out the throat of the nearest child.

A bit of sensible calm behaviour on the part of the parent will see the dog off. There's really no need for kicking, threats to shoot or cattle prods.

Untrained dogs are very annoying, I find them annoying, I speak as the owner of a very well trained dog that never goes far from me when off lead and will recall immediately when called.

But perhaps leave the cattle prods at home, unless you live in a particularly rough part of the country that's over run by drug dealer and petty criminals giving their trained attack dogs a quick run round in your local park.

@SweetCheeks1980 did you miss the part when the OP stated she's in areas where dogs are to be kept in a lead??

Also, so what if child is jumping or screaming have your dog under control and not close enough to be interested in the child.

It's owners like you that give us all a bad name!

Luckily most dog owners can read and follow simple requests to keep dogs on leads.

@Flatearthersphere it's tough but I'd try and grab the dogs collar too, that way you keep it away from all three. However, you 100% should not have yo do that!

Why are so many people not reading my OP? My child got injured and then infected scratches. You want me to react calmly and are worried about a dog being injured?

Yes, that is particularly annoying if dogs should be on leads. If you know who the dogs belong to then report the owners to the dog warden who should follow it up.

Or perhaps just let the dog warden know that there are an awful lot of dog owners flouting the on lead rule in that park and ask if something can be done about it. I assume there is a system of fines in place; not much point stating what the fines are if nobody enforces it and surely that's the dog warden's job.

Who and where are these 'dog wardens?'

OP - sympathies, dogs coming up to children uninvited can be a real problem, and it's not easy when you've got your hands on a pram.

Interesting folded arms idea... but a child has to be quite confident to turn his or her back on a dog who shows interest in them. Especially if they are anxious children.

Why can't dogs be taught not to bother strangers, like (some) children are taught not to approach unknown dogs?

Don't get me started on the crotch sniffers.

I was pondering this the other day clearly bored but I do wonder if the dog license should be bought back in at a reasonable price. The money generated could then pay for more dog wardens who 'should' be given more powers like on spot fines fines or can refer upwards for more serious issues. I was thinking that a lot of issues occur because no one 'polices' bad dog behaviour.

Sorry that should say 'I was thinking that a lot of issues occur because no one 'polices' bad dog owner behaviour'

OP You need to make your mind up

At first the dog who scratched your child was on a lead. Then later posts refer to dogs not being on leads. Then we have the affecting tale of your Dad being attacked multiple times by dogs, and your friend getting involved in a dogfight to the extent that he had to hit one over the head with a brick.

All I can say is that your family and friends must have been very unlucky with your encounters with dogs. Incredibly unlucky. Almost unbelievably unlucky

I'm actually not buying any of this now. I don't believe any of it actually happened.

I sometimes think dogs gravitate towards people who are wary of them. Or maybe I'm just being paranoid.

Oh piss off pearls, when discussing other dogs off leads I have been discussing the matter when others derailed my thread and the fact that many dogs in the areas I have discussed are not on leads. I did not say a friend did anything, I know of a man. And yes my dad in his 20 year job as a postman has had to do that once. Its not uncommon. You're so weird! I hope MNHQ have a look at your posts because either you're a dog obsessed troll or you have some issues and I don't think this is a healthy way for you to deal them. I think you need another outlet that isn't AIBU.

The fact that you only leave about 10 minutes between each of your rants shows that you are a bit obsessed with my thread and it's a bit cringe. Have you got anything going on?

I've already reported your thread. You can explain the inconsistencies in your story to MN.

I sincerely hope that you get help with your issues and that you no longer harbour any wish to harm dogs.

I so wish you could share in enjoyment with dogs. If you could open your mind to it, you could have a world of fun.

It's time for me to exit the thread - if indeed it keeps going - Go well OP.

Such a strange person no inconsistencies, just your inability to follow a thread.

Saying your going to carry a cattle prod and electrocute dogs that approach you is like me saying in going to carry a knife and stab any man that approaches me, because he might be a rapists.

It's madness. Most dogs are not dangerous. If your so scared of them you can't cross your arms and turn your back to ignore them then you need help. A dog approaching you just wants to say hello it doesn't want to rip your throat out. And being afraid of a friendly dog doesn't justify you being violent towards the dog.

Disco2018, comparing an animal to a human is silly. Humans make conscious decisions, dogs do not. Cattle prods and shock collars are both currently legal for use on animals and they do not permanently harm them in any way at all, unlike a knife.

If a dog owner wants to keep their animal safe they should train them properly, keep them on a leash and not let them approach strangers without permission.

If a strange dog approached us their is no way I am going to turn my back, I am going to protect my children above an animals non existent right to jump on us, which is my right.

Walkingdeadfangirl So you're going to be walking around with a cattle prod are you in order to stop a strange dog coming near you? Well that makes perfect sense and isn't an over reaction at all and not in the least silly at all.