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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be fed up with irresponsible dog owners

55 replies

TheClaifeCrier · 10/02/2019 17:27

More of a rant really.

I live in a national park. I have two kids and no dogs. We spend a lot of time hiking etc. Both my kids have developed a fear of dogs because over the years numerous dog owners have allowed their massive dogs to run up to the kids, which is pretty scary when the dog is bigger than you.

Anyway, we've worked on their fear, reassured them that the dogs are just being friendly etc, spent time with dogs of friends and family. Both are generally now fine, if a little nervous.

Today when out for a walk by a lake a dog came up and jumped at my three year old daughter, putting its paws on her head. Luckily for her she was wearing a hat so didn't get scratched.

The owners were sat on a nearby bench and were pretty slow to react. I picked up my daughter who was screaming and it continued to jump up at her whilst I held her. It was only once I walked away that the owners got it under control.

We later saw them shouting for their other dog who was running madly around the woods, totally ignoring them.

AIBU to think that if you can't control your dog it should be on a lead in a public place? We were lucky my daughter wasn't scratched or pushed over into the freezing cold lake.

She has since been talking about it and said she doesn't want to go back to the lake because of the scary dog. All our work into calming her fears and once again we have to start at the beginning because of an irresponsible owner. I'm so fed up with it. The national park is very popular with dog owners so there is no escaping it.

OP posts:

CleverWittyUsername · 10/02/2019 18:36

Definitely not BU! I still have scars from where a neighbour's dog jumped up at me in the street when I was little, it was randomly off it's lead just tearing around while the owner did nothing. It clawed at my chest as that was the highest it could jump, luckily I was tall so avoided my face being affected. Glad your daughter is ok.

Ihaveabloodyheadache · 10/02/2019 18:37

@Karigan195

Kind of thing mine would do! He'd be all over picnics if I let him.
I do get fed up with people letting their dog run round my horses feet though when out hacking, he won't kick unless provoked but why don't these people have common sense? He's heavy and has shoes on - he could really injure a dog by accidentally standing on it!
And don't even mention those fucking extendible leads. Want banning. Dangerous things when combined with an idiot.

iSiTbEdTiMeYeT1 · 10/02/2019 18:39

People can be blind when it comes to their dogs. I have had more than one owner yell at me because my dog had a ball and I should know there dog will chase it... From the other side of the park. Or I should know there dog is excited by buggys so of course it will try and get In it with my baby. I should expect it. People are morons and sadly there's no reasoning with them.

ThursdayLastWeek · 10/02/2019 18:40

Totally agree.
I have a dog who is exceptionally good natured but because of this we were lazy with training him when young. Now he’s still good natured but with terrible recall!

So when we’re out and about and there are people or other dogs around, he goes on the lead. Simple.

He got bitten quite badly recently by a young dog who was 'friendly' and running along a road with his owners on bycyles. My dog was on a lead. My god, I nearly lost my voice roaring at that idiot owner.

ThursdayLastWeek · 10/02/2019 18:42

And that was just me getting cross because my dog was hurt - I’d probably go apoplectic if someone else’s dog knocked my child over.

It really is the height of entitlement and it does my nut in.

Underhisi · 10/02/2019 18:43

lilpeach I think you would be unhappy if an animal the size of you jumped up and put it's paws on your head.

Mishappening · 10/02/2019 18:45

Bloody dogs. I am sick of them taking over public spaces and we are all supposed to not mind them making a nuisance of themselves. Where is the logic in that?

NatureGal · 10/02/2019 18:46

YANBU OP. I also say that as a dog owner of two Spaniels and three young children. It makes me very angry that some dog owners simply do not understand how irresponsible it is to.let their dogs run around frightening children and adults or other dogs. I come across a few on our walks whose dogs jump at my kids and dogs. My kids are not nervous, thankfully but one of dogs is terrified and very protective of the kids. They are walked off lead where appropriate, their recall is solid and are put on lead if people are around. Some dog owners ignorance of others is astounding as is some owners ignorance of their responsibilities like cleaning up mess too.

Ellieboolou27 · 10/02/2019 18:48

As a dog owner, groomer and dog walker I totally agree with you. The dogs I let off lead in public places have instant recall. I’ve lost count of the number of owners who insist their dogs come when called, in fact very few do which is why I lead walk them.

The owner / walker should be in control and if there is any doubt a lead remains on. I love dogs but it really is so common that a large number of dog owners do not have fully trained dogs even in they think they have

Hazlenutpie · 10/02/2019 18:55

I have a dog, who is well behaved and fully under control. Last week I saw a little boy being chased by a Jack Russell, so not a big dog. The dog was snapping at the little boy, who was screaming. The parents of the child told the owners, politely, that their dog should be on a lead. The owners of the dog immediately became abusive.

On our small road, a woman walks a massive dog off the lead. I've asked her not to but she can't understand why she should put the dog on a lead. .

It's people like this that gives all dog owners a bad name and that makes me very angry. It's probably the same idiots that don't clear up their dog's shit.

Some people are completely and utterly inconsiderate morons but I don't know what you do.

Tara336 · 10/02/2019 19:02

Im a dog owner and I do put him on the lead if I see children, he’s small and friendly but loves kids too much! Most parents are good and ask if their child can pet him but I do always warn he may try to lick them etc. On other hand I get fed up of other dog owners who let their dog charge at you thinking you won’t mind! I do mind as my dog gets scared and I don5 want to be knocked flying

CalmDownPacino · 10/02/2019 19:08

I love dogs. I love my dog more than most people. I'm happy to admit that.

However, I will never have another dog because other selfish people ruin dog ownership. It seems that nobody bothers to control or train their dogs anymore. It used to be normal to keep your dog on a lead unless he had stood recall - not anymore! OP, you are not unreasonable and I would threaten to report the owners if it happened again.

CalmDownPacino · 10/02/2019 19:09

*solid recall, not stood

Original poster

TheClaifeCrier · 10/02/2019 19:11

Thanks all. I just needed to vent a little.

I do understand that there are plenty of responsible owners out there. We saw lots of dogs out on the walk, off lead, with several apparently enjoying jumping into the freezing cold lake and none of them bothered us. I totally get that dogs need to be off lead for exercise, I just want them to leave my kids alone!

OP posts:

MrMakersFartyParty · 10/02/2019 19:13

I agree with you op.
Now let's wait for the weirdos who say "well children are worse than dogs because...." yawn!
Also, one of my children is allergic to dogs. I just love dogs running up to him! Couldn't give less of a frig if it's being friendly, doesn't make the rash and sneezing and crying any better.

CalmDownPacino · 10/02/2019 19:16

Now let's wait for the weirdos who say "well children are worse than dogs because...." yawn

Well, in fairness you can't put a kid on a lead and their recall is unreliable at best

PinkGin24 · 10/02/2019 19:17

@goodwinter I CLEARLY stated jumping up is not acceptable

However, going near/upto a person, the dog is doing nothing wrong.

Lwmommy · 10/02/2019 19:17

YANBU at all.if my child randomly ran up to dogs in the park, jumped on them, scratched at them and shouted loudly at them people would think me a very poor mother.

Why should it be considered at all acceptable for any dogs, let alone a lab or german shepherd sized dog thats generally bigger than the average 4 year old to pounce on a child?

Its not fun, its scary and it causes fear.

Can any of the dog owners on her who think it is acceptable just try imagining this scenario:

An animal you dont know that is as tall as you but broader, with 4 legs and a mouthful of sharp teeth runs at you full pelt and leaps at you.

Is that fun?
Does that feel like the dog "just wants to be friends"?

werideatdawn · 10/02/2019 19:17

Yanbu. Dog owner here and I would be mortified if my dog jumped up and harassed members of the public. She's on a lead around dogs and people we don't know because I understand not everyone wants to be greeted by an excited labrador.. I don't know why it's so hard for others to understand.

MrMakersFartyParty · 10/02/2019 19:18

@PinkGin24 allergies?

MrMakersFartyParty · 10/02/2019 19:19

@CalmDownPacino heyyy we have reins for our toddlers!

Knowivedonewrong · 10/02/2019 19:19

I have two dogs, one a very friendly Lab.
They don't come across children often and when they do they are both put on leads.
They are not allowed to approach other people who don't have dogs either.

Unfortunately there are twatty dog owners around who don't give a shiny shite about other people.

permanentlyoverwhlemed · 10/02/2019 19:22

YANBU !!! I have a dog, when we are anywhere where there are children he is kept on a lead, I know he isn't dangerous but it's as much for his well being as the children's as I would never want to put him in a position where he might knock a child over/ scare them - he's a golden retriever so fairly big. Owners who allow their dogs to run at anyone let alone children are selfish and irresponsible. I have had other dogs run at my son and I always tell people to get hold of their dogs and for some reason they always look bemused because we have a dog - but ours is not allowed to jump at my son so why would theirs be. It annoys me because some of us are responsible - our dogs are on leads, we clean up after them. Etc and people like this make everyone thing all dog owners are the same !!!

PoppyFleur · 10/02/2019 19:22

YANBU The entitlement of some dog owners is breathtaking and they do blemish the reputation of responsible dog owners. I am sick to death of the dog mess during winter, the school run is one long obstacle course of avoiding the many piles of dog poo. It's disgraceful that some dog owners see cleaning up after their own dogs as a job that's beneath them.

Katterinaballerina · 10/02/2019 19:26

at the sandwich-thief horse.

Dogs don’t need to be on lead to be under control but jumping up at children does not = under control. I am always stunned by how many people’s children have had dogs jumping up at them and the dogs’ owners don’t do anything. I would be mortified if my dog did that to someone’s child.*

*At the moment the only way to get my dog’s attention would be to dress as a squirrel

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