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?

My DD is frightened of dogs. I have done nothing to make her like this. DS was but is getting better. DH has certainly done nothing to encourage this since he has grown up with dogs and I always try to be calm. I do think the size issue and also that the dogs can be unpredictable (I mean barking, tail wagging, jumping up kind of thing) is what has scared her.

I do think parents transmit their fears to children. I love dogs as do ds and dd I have taught ds (3) to ask owners first and only to stroke the back not to touch dogs' faces. However I hate birds particularly geese and peacocks.I was alarmed to find at 18m ds was totally phobic I have since made efforts to take him to feed the ducks etc. I think parents should try to help children overcome their fear of dogs it is a pity and inconvience if childrn grow up afraid of (mainly) freindly animals.

Obviously dog owners need to be responsible too. In my experience most dog owners are. I think that it's fine for dogs to be off the lead in parks as long as they are under the owners control.BTW we don't have a dog

no resposible person should take any kind of pet into a childrens play area ever I would have told her too

my dd is frightened of dogs, and i get cross when dog owners have their dogs off the lead and then say to her 'oh, there's no need to be scared'

sorry, but my response to the owner is 'bog off and get your damn dog on a lead'

i think persistent trolls should be kept on a lead.

dogs should be kept on a lead in public places. its a no brainer really.

would you be scared of a bear? Ie something bigger than you, with large teeth? Yes you would, unless you are an eegit. No amount of the bear's owner standing there saying "oh, its FINE, he's only a cub." would really make much difference. Even if he'd been to bear obedience classes you'd still be a little worried when he tried to jump up on you.

So. Its perfectly reasonable for a kid to be scared of a dog, especially off a lead. Have a bit more respect for others and keep them on the lead.

oh and thunder isn't dangerous. Kids ARE mainmed and killed by those "medium to large dogs"

No they dont run up, they trot. Not bounding and in your face, nor do they ever jump up or lick faces or even hands. They are just sniffing around in the bushes and on the floor - probobly looking for a crumb that may have been dropped. They dont even take much notice of people or children walking or in buggies. But when a child screams or runs they think its a game and we end up in a viscous circle of screaming and running and chasing.
I obviously dont let them into the fenced off play areas - im mean in the field attached to the park. Im absolutely in favour of making sure a child asks before patting a dog, but its the encouragement of the fear that irritates me.

I DO TRANSMIT MY FEARS TO MY DC YES

my dp is a vet and i have seen many a terrible outcome

Yes, Lauriefairycake - so I'm an idiot because I don't have amazing mind reading powers to know which camp of dog ownership you fall into?

Marvellous.

FUCKING TRAIN YOUR DOGS PROPERLY!! The should never ever ever chase small children in 'games'

All dogs are unpredictable and should always been seen as that way. I love dogs, always have done, my mum has a golden retriever, you would think he was the softest dog ever, and for a long time trusted him totally, even round the kids, my ds(2) My 2 nieces (3) and (18mths) but on Christmas day last year, whilst the family were round, out of the blue and seemingly for no reason, he jumped up at my niece and although he didn't break skin, he bared his teeth at her and growled. We were all in total shock, and it happened so quick even those of us sat right next to him couldn't have stopped it happening. So now I am very wary, even more so when out and about with strange dogs. If a dog I trusted could do what he did what chance do I have of knowing what a strange dog could do.

child screams and runs at dog on lead... ownber restrains dog... child learns that dogs are under control of humans... loses fear...

Because dogs are big bloody scary hairy smelly things with sharp teeth and it's hardly surprisng that kids are scared of them.

"when a child screams or runs they think its a game and we end up in a viscous circle of screaming and running and chasing. "

okay so your dogs aren't really very good around kids, are they?

invest in some dog obedience classes at the least. They shouldn't be reacting like this to a kid screaming.

so what anyway?

who cars if kids are frightened of dogs and parents pander to it?

they tend to grow out of it

haychee, what would you rather parents of frightened children do? say 'here you go doggie, have my childs arm as a chew toy'?

Are parks not the places for children to scream and run about then Haychee?

my dog is fully trained to she is a working dog she is trained she comes from a line of field training champions (dog snob) she doesnt run up to children and has never knocked one over
I know dogs are unpredictable but lots more children come up to her to play with her than she ever goes to them and some adults have even encouraged their children to feed her chocolate even when on a lead
If we bought back dog licenses where you had to train your dog maybe you would cut down on the anti social ones

They think that it's a game because that is what children do in parks. Play games. They run around and shout. They should be able to do this without some ruddy pooch trying to join in or chase them.

haychee, if your dogs don't come back when you call them, they are not under control and you are an irresponsible dog owner.

End of.

Get them trained or get them on a leaf, you silly cow.

It's interesting the attitude we have in parks. Kids are encouraged to be fenced in - play areas with gates - while dogs are encouraged to roam free. Something wrong there!

on a lead I mean!

lol at pooch.

I don't want other people's filthy slobbery slavering smelly shit-machines anywhere near my children. Dogs are revolting. It's just plain bad manners to let them approach strangers. In fact if a dog jumped up at me/my kids or attempted to lick one of us, I would have NO qualms whatsoever about planting my boot in its ribs.