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?

That poor old giant dog... it says that they walk him 2 miles 4 times a day. He's going to have a heart attack pretty soon. Giant dogs shouldn't be walked that much

ffs your "jokes" dont always come accross as very amusing

winestein, isn't he gorgeous though? My neighbours used to have a harlequin great dane - he looked like a massive dalmatian - he was such a softie.

cant believe people are still talking about this

Did you REALLY think I was suggesting you owned a vast great dane?! You've already said what breed you have.

You need to get your head out of your arse.

Im not the one whos been looking for a fight on this thread. Some people have picked through what ive said with a fine toothcomb to find the slightest indescrepancies (?sp) to fault me on. Some have even gone so far as to count up my total posts on the matter, i even had to prove my legitimacy last night because i was told i was a liar and that i was no way a nurse, and that all of my posts were false.
Why dont any of you back us up who are being attacked in this way. One person only did this and said that some of you were being bitchy.
I started this thread because it is something i feel very strongly about, very unfair to mock me for that imo

That dog is gorgeous though

I have 2 dogs, both are let off the lead on the fields behind our house. If there are any children about they go straight back on the lead. They respond to a whistle and know when I say 'come' I mean it

But I do agree that fears can be passed on and if possible it would be a good idea to teach children about all types of animal.
It's more of a problem though when a child has no fear at all and does not know anything about animals. I have a few times before had children run full pelt over to the dogs (they were on a lead) and grab them. On one occasion I did ask the young boy to ask his mum before touching them but the mum carried on walking ignoring everything I said
My kids know not to touch any dog at all before asking me and the owner, especially those tied up. Dogs (even very friendly ones) can act very differently when tied up.

He is lovely, yes. Can you imagine his bark?

Haychee I think that much of what you have said is common sense and that you have tried to make your point in the face of mindless and personal attacks from several posters who seem intent on misunderstanding you and taking what you have said aout of context.

Lots of bitches talking about dogs.

Thankyou zookeeper i had noticed your help and support on this thread!
Im glad i am not alone, they did take everything id said out of context didnt they? i was beginning to doubt myself at times. Maybe i was a liar, maybe i wasnt a nurse, maybe i didnt own a dog at all!

Onlt just managed to read whole thread. I'm afraid i don't think 'they' put any of the things you said out of context. Marina, for example, is one of the most well respected, tolerant and moderate posters on this site, and when she posted statistics on dog attacks she was accused of 'going out of her way' to find ways to criticize dogs.
I grew up with dogs. I do not like it when dogs i do not know approach my child. Dogs are animals which means they are unpredictable, and as you have rather unfortunately demonstrated, dog owners are largely blind to the fact that their dog is the same as any other dog - unpredictable and potentially frightening for a child.
As for women calling women 'bitches' well words fail me. Obviously dogs are more important than sisterhood.

but this thread is a bitchfest

sisterhood my arse

haychee - but you arent a registered nurse anymore, you yourself admiited that.

See?

fecking PMSL at haychees comment 'thankyou playmummy another excellent response.'

Yawn, why post in 'am I being unreasonsable, if they only response you want are those who agree with you.'

littlelupin - oooh, im in love, samson, what a gorgeous dog Stuff his food bill though

I think what you see as a bitchfest I see as a number of parents who are exasperated with recurrent incidences of uncontrolled dogs bounding up to their children with dog owners smiling 'oh don't worry he won't hurt you' without a clue about how it must feel to see a strange dog about a foot bigger than you speeding towards you with slobber flying. Dogs do and can attack, any dog can, though some are more likely to. Dog owners always think their dog is different/ better behaved/ more intelligent/ can juggle/speak four language etc and fail to remember in their sentimentality that dogs are undpredictable and should be handled as such. Perhaps parents are also slightly sick of their children stepping in dog shit on beaches or in parks, but agree that is another thread.

I dearly loved the dogs I had growing up. I don't think they would have hurt anyone. But I wouldn't have put them or a child into a situation where that was ever possible. That is the duty of the dog owner. Not the parent.

AWEN
By one month - for heavens sake is that point really anything to do with how we sometimes transfer our fears to our children????? It has absolutely nothing to do with it or does it?

Sisterhood my arse? Care to elaborate?

Zookeeper - tisnt a bitchfest. She has repeatedly contradicted herself, ignored peoples views who do not agree with her etc etc etc. I dont agree with here. She asked 'am i being unreasonable' I think she is. I also dont think she is entirley honest on these threads. Also if I wanted to bitch, trust me, you would certainly know.

AWEN
By one month - for heavens sake is that point really anything to do with how we sometimes transfer our fears to our children????? It has absolutely nothing to do with it or does it? - ok this is your latest post.

Right you transfer your fears of people snatching children out of their beds to your children. Pretty frightening IMO. But you critisise parents protected their frightened children when it comes to your dogs. Dogs attacks are FAR FAR more common than a child being snatched out of their bed.

You are being unreasonable. You are iunreasonable in response to your OP and also to the fact that you only want affirmations.

One child who hadnt been correctly educated bit my dog hard on the scruff of the neck one day, just because he felt like it. Did my dog show its teeth or anything at all aggressive or threatening - no she did not. She yelped and ran away and hid behind my legs. My dogs have been lept upon when sleeping, they have been dressed up they have even had to put up with childrn trying to ride them as a horse. Not once did they show any signs of disapproval - maybe a deep sigh that is all.

Answer to op. I do think that dogs should be on a lead around folk who dont know them.

You may think you know the nature of your own dog but sometimes they do surprise you.

I always ask my ds not to approach any animals as 'they may not be friendly'.

I was brought up with German Shepherds as my dad was a dog trainer in the Army. When I was just 3 years, I had crawled into the pen of his guard dog who had just had puppies!

My Dad was absolutely horrified and gingerly got me out quickly.

In fact his dog had been quite happy for me to be there but my Dad thought the mother would tear me apart.

Positive and negative things can happen around dogs but this goes to show that a highly trained army dog trainer did not anticipate this outcome and nor should he of!