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?

fiofio

Actually, laughing aside, I have been reading this thread thinking that a lot of you should get a grip.

But thinking about it, if a cow came running towards me no amount of the farmer assuring me that he was friendly etc etc would comfort me.

Maybe you lot have a point

but the farmer should have it on a lead zookeeper

muzzling cows and sheep is the way forward

lol

and mooper scoopers

good way to think about it zookeeper - i would rather be in a field with a cow than a dog.

Just depends how you feel about them doesn't it?

All dogs should be shot. end of story.

allgone are you joking?

Im glad im not the only one who feels the same as me. If the dog is well trained and recalls when asked immediately, there is no problem with letting it off the lead in a large open space such as a playing field. Again, if the dog does not jump up and lick and harrass people this also seems to me acceptable. Its the damn owners who do not keep watch of their dogs and or do not train them sufficiently that have given the rest of us such a bad name. Unfortunaltely for some of you the option of going to parks etc where dogs must remain on leads is not an option and where it is available some owners do not adhere to the rules. This is totally unacceptable. But it is also unacceptable to be told to put your dog on a lead when its not doing anything to upset anyone.

allgonebellup

I love my dog.

I find that quite offensive.

I have often questioned the ethics of pet keeping, but I wouldn't want to shoot any animals.

ok maybe not shot.

just not let out in public.

Dogs:
stink
bark
jump up
slobber
bite
attack
occasionally maul and kill

hate the damn things. can you tell?
and owners who proudly simper "oh dont worry, he's just being friendly."
No its not. get the bloody dog OFF my child.

We came through the bracken to be confronted by 2 dogs jumping up and barking at all of us. As far as my 3 were concerned they were being attacked however much we tried to calm them down. The dogs wouldn't go way until they were called away. One child was white with fear.

I've read all the Hairy Mclarey books, talked the whole issue through so as far as I'm concerned I've done my bit. I've helped them overcome fears with flies and motorbikes. The difference between flies and dogs is flies generally leave you alone dogs don't them gamble up, sniff you etc.

I have to say I think teaching young children that it's ok to pat strange dogs is irresponsible. Even the nicest dog can turn, you just never know and young children don't have enough self control to always be relied on behaving sensibly round animals.

I guess I may sound a little ranty it was just a bad week to bring the subject up after this Sundays debacle.

oh how sad allgonebelly up. I can accept the fact that not everybody loves dogs but dont tar them all with the same brush. Ive had dogs for years and years and if any of them had ever shown any signs of aggression (biting, etc) i would have something done about it - there is no way i would allow a dog that behaved in this way to live in my house with my children. I also do not allow jumping up. I dont go for the slobbery types either, so im with you on that - but not all are bad.

Bet they still bark though dont they??

Now off to clean the dog poo off my pushchair!!!!!!!

I like dogs in parks because they make my children so happy! My dd in particular was clearly a dog in a previous life.

yes they do bark at the doorbell or if there is someone about outside the house but that is all. Quite a good burgular deterrant! When my kids have ever been concerned about burgulars or monsters or anything like that the dogs have been very helpful for putting their worries aside, there is no way any monster or burgular would get in our house without the dogs barking and alarming us to their presense.

I agree all children should be taught that any dog is capable of biting and not to do the obvious things like pat a strange dog, go near it whilst it's eating etc etc.

It's such a shame thy're so afraid though.

Would it be worth finding somone who has a ridiculously placid old dog to let the children spend some time with? Thjey migtht be better prepared then to cope with "bad" dogs?

im sure there are penaties for those dog owners who dont clean up after their dogs. If it is really a problem in your areas why dont you complain to the authorities?

We don't take ds to parks where dogs are allowed, end of. Not because dogs themselves are so awful, but because we live in Berlin and Berlin is full of dog owners who think their dogs are way more important than anyone else, including children. Despite it being a city, there are plenty of dog-friendly spaces (woods, dog walking areas etc.) within easy reach by public transport, but the majority of owners still routinely let their dogs off the lead in family parks and even in the street. The response when any fear of great big bounding sniffing barking dogs is shown is routinely extremely aggressive. That and the dog poo literally everywhere has really put me off dogs, I'm afraid (although I was always more of a cat person to begin with ). Fortunately we have the utterly fab botanic gardens very near by, plus a big no-dogs-allowed nature park.

i agree zookeeper. It is a real shame there is alot of love in dogs. Its the bad owners that have let us down im afraid!

Oh, and I was subject to a tirade of abuse recently because I politely asked a dog owner who let his dog off the lead to sniff around ds on the train (yes, the train) to call his dog to him or put it on a lead.

Message withdrawn

and sorry meant to say penalties for leaving dog mess on the ground