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?

right am off to see my sisters puppy.

why do they go to weekly classes? is that normal? is that really swear-on-your-childrens'-lives true?

you know that without a balloon attached to their collars saying 'i go to classes every week, i'm lovely, me' then no one can tell whether your dog's naughty or nice until they're close enough to rip your throat out?

Peanutbear, a lead doens't stop them from biting does it?

My dogs love children and are frequently climbed upon jumped on bitten pulled dressed up etc etc.

they love children so much that if one screams and runs away they chase it?

So was my mums dog used to be mauled by the kids, but he still went for my niece, on that one occassion.

Aitch it is obviously tumbletots for dogs

make your mind up, hayhee, you're either in a viscous cycle or not.

But haychee, you said you allow them to join in with children's games "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."

That's approaching.

FFS

Do you allow your dogs to join in unsolicited with children's games or not? You allow your dogs to get into a vicious (I presume you meant vicious) circle of screaming, running and chasing.

Why?

If you do that, then I'm afraid you are a deeply anti-social person and as someone else has said, exactly the sort of dog-owner who gives responsible ones a bad name.

viscous lol!

dont go near then they cant come that lose on a lead can they

I swear on anything my dog has been to puppy walking ,obediance classes, field training classes, and she is a trained gun dog
I am also thinking of fostering the blind association puppys for there first year

who wants a disobediant slobbering dog not me I want one who walks with the children and me enjoys our company and who children can stroke so maybe the fear is a little disapatted

I have said there is something god in the fear I wouldnt let my childen go up to a strange do nor would I like a dog to jump up and push them over but to throw all dog owners in the same boat is unfair

"Those of you that hate dogs and do not trust them or their owners, then take your kids to places where dogs are either not allowed at all or to a place that does not allow dogs off leads."

Why the FECK should we?

get your priorities straight

1. children
2. Animals

They are JUST DOGS. kids deserve a space to run around freely, without being chased or stepping in crap.

I had v peculiar experience recently - walking on playing fields with ds (2.2) and dog (who, out of interest, is not allowed to rush up to see people, particularly with children, but is not kept on the lead either, although very well controlled) when passed near another walker with her small terrier, which was some distance from her, near my ds and dog. She shouted over to me 'keep your child away from my dog' - I was too shocked to reply with anything sensible - if her dog was not safe, she should have had it under better supervision (as was my dog and ds). Anyone else had experiences like this?

my spelling is rubbish today sorry I have weetabix glued in my keyboard

no, not on a lead. that's right peanut. but haychee's dogs aren't on leads, that't the point.

That is shocking as i said I expect dog owners to have their dogs under control I have encountered dogs in the park on leadsthat when DS asks if he can touch them the owner says no better not- fair enough i expect ds to respect that and he does

peanutbear - just wanted to say I can see how you are doing your best to put the responsible dog-owner's point of view, and I really appreciate that, even if it's being a bit swamped by the effect of the OP's attitude

(I tell my children to look carefully at the owner - not the dog - before they decide whether to be wary of the dog!)

Agree children should be free to roam win fields and parks and woods without fear of being molested by great hairy slavering hounds, or treading in their disgusting crap.

Do you mean your dog is bitten by children? If so I think that is rather awful tbh. Dogs are unpredictable and can turn at any moment, it is not their fault, they do not have the power of reason, we do and we shouldn't put children in a situation where they are in danger. I am also a bit confused that you are cross with concerned parents and scared kids, surely you wouldn't want to frighten a child, why don't you call your dog back and apologise?

peanutbear I have NO problem with dogs who have actually done obedience classes and benefitted from them (either haychees hasn't, or they are too viscous to benefit and should thusly not be out and about)

I think dog training should be compulsory, and that it SHOULD be possible for a dog to fail and thusly be unfit to live with a family.

I also like to see them on leads in public places.

that aside, I don't mind dogs. But some people are taking the piss.

sorry just re-read your post and it seems that you meant your children are bitten by the dog in play...still a bit risky imho

i do like dogs, i should say, and i don't want dd to be frightened of them. nor do i want her to be too cocky with them, though, so i was quite glad when one barked at her the other day and frightened the bejesus out of her. it was a controlled situation, both parties were on leads, lol.

and re leads, i take issue with

a. those daft extendable leads

b. people (esp kids) being pulled along by dogs that they are clearly unable to control.

i don't hate dogs, i dislike dog owners who let their dogs off leads, trained or untrained, a dog should be on a lead.

it is naive to think that because a dog has been trained it will always behave like scooby doo around children. children are unpredictable, and so are dogs.

I suppose i tend to assume that guide dogs ARE generally fine around kids

really, thats the level of training I'd like to see...