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?

As I said ( and I'm a dog owner) I know how lovely mine are - but essentially they are all still Wolves !

I think mice should be on leads, one bit dd on the way home from preschool today (yes, really!)

I am scared of dogs and have tried very hard not to transmit my fear to my DS. I've written here before about my PILs who are brilliant dog owners. They have two very lively collies, one of whom REALLY doesn't like children, and they fully realise that dogs are animals and however 'friendly' they might seem, they can turn.

I was very worried about these dogs but DH, who grew up with loads of animals, reassured me. So DS is allowed to gently stroke the non-child-hating collie, under supervision. We also live in a neighbourhood where there are lots of little dogs - woman next door has two pugs - and DS likes stroking those. So far, no fear.

I know that most dog-owners are considerate. However, I do worry when I see gangs of teenagers with completely untrained Staffordshire bull terriers in the park. I fully expect that one day of of those sodding terriers is going to undo all my good work!

Of course there is always the possibility that a dog can turn nasty, but honestly how likely is this? Its the irresponsible owners that have given us responsible ones a bad name. If a child is that frightened or traumatised by dogs or dog experience then it should not be taken to a park where dogs are abundant and off leads.

I wouldn't dream of allowing my children to run up to a strange dog and start stroking it. Quite apart from all the hygiene considerations, you never know what a dog is going to do. Regardless of what the owner says.

Im sure a child that is frightened to this extent would not choose to go this type of park anyway.

I think it is far, far more likely for a dog to turn nasty than for a child to be abducted and killed by a stranger.

"If a child is that frightened or traumatised by dogs or dog experience then it should not be taken to a park where dogs are abundant and off leads."

So, basically, children who are frightened of dogs should not go to parks. Are you honestly for real or do you just like winding people up, haychee ?

No, your misreading the message. Shes equating a childs fear of spiders and fear of dogs not that there are the same risks.

"Of course there is always the possibility that a dog can turn nasty, but honestly how likely is this?"

ffs woman are you mad or just stupid

Ah yes. I am indeed educating my children as to the possible risks of an encounter with a dog.

Much as you educate yours as to the potential risks of stranger abduction.

I'm frightened of dogs and find it quite an embarrassing fear so have tried my best not to instill it on my dc but they are still wary.

When I was about 8 months pregnant I was walking down a path (not a pavement so nowhere to cross to or get off it) when a woman with 2 small dogs off the lead let them run up to my kids. They were obviously frightened and then they jumped up at them - 1 at each. DD1 was scratched on the chest and DD2 fell over into a bunch of nettles.

The owner walked past and said they were only babies and didn't know any better not to jump up. I was so livid I said my children were only babies too.

So I had to carry 2 hysterically sobbing children home and know that they will remember this incident vividly. If the dog owner had been responsible then I would have encouraged them not to be scared and carry on walking. So yes I think dog owners are as much to blame as parents

moo
In my town there are several parks, some where dogs must be kept on leads and some where they dont. If you lived here which park would you take you dc to?

I've not read anything other than the OP.

muy response -

i love dogs, adore them, my DD1 is terrified of them.

I've tried, hard to not let her be scared. My brother has a dog, my childmi=nder for DD2 has a dog. I pet them, play with them in fron of her, talk to her about how kind X's dog is, how he likes to kiss, his nose is wet and tickles. We have dog books, I bought dog DVds, DVds with dogs in thema nd about them. Everything I can thing of and all done in a gentle way, so it;'s always me petting the dog, never forced her near one etc

The outcome is that she loves them, from afar. If one comes near her she is utterly terrified.

So if your dog ran up to her in apark and she was terrified I'd be upset that he wasn't being conftroled in some way.
A park is a public place and therefore open to children and dogs. We both have to be responsible for our own.

You shouldn't have to get to the point where the child is terrified and then the dog is called away., Most children and many a adult don't enjoy a dog running up to them, esp these days with so many horrific incidents involving dogs and humans hitting the headlines.

Your dogs may not be dangerous, they may be wonderful dogs, but a stranger and esp a child out in apark, doesn't know that. So have a heart and stop taking the fact that some kids /adults don't like / are scared of dogs, so personally.

Look, we all know by now that haychee is ALWAYS right and does not need to listen to us. So please, MNers, come and talk to someone who genuinely needs our support.

I don't live there, though. I live in a town with two parks, both of which allow dogs. One seems to be considered a "dog walking park" - more so than the other - and as a consequence there is dog crap all over it (despite plenty of poop scoop bins). So I suppose I do make a choice - I take my children to the park with less dog poo.

Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act applies tp all dogs, and makes it a criminal offence to allow a dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place. This includes instances where there is fear that an injury might occur. Owners found guilty under either section of the Act could have their dogs destroyed, face the possibility of up to six months in prison and/or receive a fine not exceeding level 5 (at present up to £5000). The magistrate could also put a control order on the dog (e.g. so that it has to be muzzled and on lead when in a public place).

So, on the basis that a 3 year old who is frightened by a dog and thinks that it's going to bite them, you'd be better off keeping your dog on a lead, for you own sake

I think its sad when children are scared of dogs and I do think some parents encourage that fear, sorry

littlelupin
In my twon there are several parks. Some where dogs must be kept on leads and some where they dont. Needless to say they dog friendly one is full of dogs off leads. Which park would you take your dc to?

my dogs are always on the lead when people are around aswell
hth

haychee - what kind of dogs are they anyway - medium to large could mean lots of different things