children that are firghtened of dogs and how i find some parents are encouraging their fear

[haychee]

I have 2 medium to large dogs and i get so cross when i come accross children that just lose the plot if the dogs go near them. I can understand that they are frightened and i call the dogs away from the child instantly. But what makes me cross is the parents responses, "that dog should be on a lead" or i just get looks that could kill you dead. My arguement is, that if the child is that frightened then why would you take him or her to a place where dogs are everywhere in a dog walking area. Why do parents encourage their childrens fear by making these comments? what good does it do for the child? I actually saw one mother once who picked her child up every time the dog was anywhere close (like 4-5meters away). The child got increasingly anxious and the mother ended up having a go at me. I know and fully appreciate that some dogs are dangerous but mine arent and i think that when parents react like this infront of their children the message they are displaying is that its ok to be this frightened of dogs.

My daughter was once frightened of thunder so i purposely sat up with her watching a storm and saying things like "wow, that one was very loud" and " cor, look at that lightening isnt it beautiful". Because of this time i spent with her and the way we watched it together has dulled her fear - infact she gets quite excited if there is a storm brewing now.
Any one else feel the same or can understand where im coming from? or maybe your one of these types of parents that react like this? I would like to discuss the issue if anyone has any comments?

Haychee, I took the boys straight home and collapsed sobbing. Told DH and he wanted to go looking for the culprit. Did not occur to me to report the incident. I just never want to go through anything like that again.

meandmyflyingmachine
Im not even going to answer your question. Your on the attack, im not interested in a fight.
My point is pure and simple, there are some irresponsible owners and there are some who are moderately responsible and there are some who are extremely responsible - me included in this category. I take offence to being told when in the park to put my dog on a lead when its not bothering anybody. Especially when it is a designated dogs off leads area and there are lots of other dogs around also off leads. In my local area there are parks where dogs must stay on leads, so why do parents insist on going to a place where they know there will be dogs off leads and their child is worried about this? Its baffling.

"They only chase if at all the kids that scream and run because they think its a game. I always call them back and control them i dont allow it to continue. I am responsible. They dont make a beeline for any child that happens to be running around its the squealing and running (usually in fear) that initiates the game."

you must be the most irresponsible dog owner! most kids in parks are running and squealing. how dare you take a dog to a park knowing that this will start them chasing kids.

I wish our park did just have one designated area for dogs. Then we could avoid it and the dogs and the inevitable dog shite that gets left behind them.

The thing that makes me think about some owners in the 'Oh he's friendly, he won't hurt you' brigade is that fear isn't the only thing that makes me react negatively. I just don't like dogs. Slobbery smelly and unpredictable. Have one by all means if you like 'em, but no need to share the joy around thanks.

IF SOMEONE ASKS YOU TO PUT THE DOG ON A LEAD IT IS CLEARLY BOTHERING THEM

Eh?

What's wrong with the question?

Dog crap is unpleasant and known to pose a risk to health. Dog owners are expected to clear it up. You can do that if they are on a lead. I was asking how you made sure you got it all if they are running away from you.

I'm not looking for a fight at all.

littlelupin

I really dont think im being selfish, when there is a park down the road where dogs must stay on leads and the one i go to which does not enforce dogs on leads. I do not allow my dogs to frighten people or kids. But still i come accross parents that encourage their childrens fear by not only taking them to this park rather than the other and go out of their way to make their feelings known. My dogs dont chase every child in the park. I feel that if these parents want to go to a dog friendly park then they should educate their children how to approach and react to a dog if approached by one.

As a dog owner - Windsor a springador - who I know is incredibly loving and lovely I would never let him near to another child whether or not they are displaying any fear of him unless their parents indicate it's OK - I get down to the child's level and make Winnie sit while the child strokes him.

If the child is nervous he's on the lead and in my control as soon as you can say "Bonio"

I don't allow my dog loving and normally fearless DD ( unless were talking seriously yuk creepy - crawlies ) anywhere near an unknown dog until I've checked with the owner it's OK to do so.... equally she knows never to approach a strange dog as not all are as lovely as ours.

At the end of the day we as dog owners have to take the decision to behave responsibly and teach our dogs commands which you know they'll react to - my dog can roam off lead but as soon as I say come here - that's it the little bugger gets to my side - and mine motto is - no matter how lovely you know your dog to be they are still essentially Wolves !!

Haychee - you say 'my dogs dont chase every child they see. They only chase if at all the kids that scream and run because they think its a game'.

Am I missing somthing? Your dogs should be on a lead if you're the responsible dog owner you say you are and they chase children who are clearly terrified. no matter that you do this once they have done it - in my book thats too late! You can't blame the children for being frightened of 2 great big dogs (almost certainly larger than them) running at them!!!!

Only read the OP but agree ime children who have a problem with dogs have parents who have a problem with dogs. I feel sorry for them.

Would it not add to the fear even more if there were parks one never went to because of the dogs?

Haychee - Do you clear up their poo?

Haychee, my head has only just recovered from me repeatedly banging it against a brick wall last week, have some consideration! Do you really not think that it is a tad unreasonable to allow your 'medium to large dogs' to approach young children and then complain when their parents are annoyed? You know that your dogs are gentle and well behaved but how are others supposed to know that and why the hell should they take their children to another park so that dogs can roam around unrestrained?

Ok
I hate to see people leave dog mess on the ground. I for one certainly do not leave it for a child to step in! If i see someone doing this i will offer them a bag to clean it up, when this has happened the owners have been thankful as they had run out of bags or something. My area is very good for the provision of bins etc so is not really a problem here.
I take my dog ownership very seriously and am upset when im attacked by a parent simply for having them off the lead. If they dont like dogs off leads there are local provisions for this and they can go to another park where dogs must stay on leads at all times.
Im sure the local authorities can fine people for leaving their dogs mess on the ground.

Anyway, fear of possibly dangerous animals is inbuilt in children. It's survival instinct.

Oh, and I think you are mad to let your children climb all over them, you can never be sure that a previously gentle dog won't suddenly snap. Far more likely than being snatched by a peeeedo.

Haychee, it boggles the mind that you cannot see all our points of view.

Actually, no, I am getting used to it.

Why should someone be forced to take their child (possibly traumatised by a dog, how do you know) to another park because a selfish dog owner does not feel that she should have to put her dog on a lead?!

Thank you

Haychee

Good god yes!!!!

I have 2 dogs a black lab (rescue so scared shless of everyone) and a jack russell and I'm really fed up with parents terrifying their children about them. Good parents educate their child 'oh yes, there's a dog, isn't he lovely?' instead of the dirty looks myself and dh get. I am fed up with parents letting thier children run up to my dogs and patting them, stroking them as whilst I know they are perfectly safe, how do they? I was never allowed to touch anyone elses dogs without the owners permission and letting the dog sniff my hand first (doggie etiquet SP?)
In confined areas I will pick up my Jack Russell as he is still little, if there ae children away but in large spaces can;t the parents steer their children away??

I don;t particularly like spiders but I certainly don;t get hysterical over them and in fact encourage ds to touch them and put them outside. He knows they eat flies and have a very good purpose. We talk about storms as being beautiful etc....

Sorry, have only read op as very long thread

Naughtymummy- She is 4 . She is fine with pictures etc , its just them in the flesh.
Unfortunatley there is nowhere round here that sells dogs , except breeders ,and I think she may well faint if I took her there.
The best of it is she tells everybody she likes small dogs!? As it is i think she must mean the cuddly toy variety

I'm sorry, but i have to say it's the other way round for me. I have 2 yorkie bitches, and they are scared from all kids crowding round them to have a pat. I want to scream LEAVE MY DOGS ALONE!!

So now we've had dogs likened to thunder, broccoli and spiders...none of which (to the best of my knowledge) bound about in parks, leap up at small children, crap everywhere, oh...and can possibly rip your face off.

If they did, then I would think they should be on leads too.