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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

should I report dog

89 replies

Flute56 · 30/11/2019 10:45

I recently stayed with some people who have a rotweiller dog. I was concerned and asked if the dog was dangerous. They said no it has the personality of a labrador. However because they have a large property they have the dog as a guard dog. At first the dog was ok but then suddenly the dog went for me and I was very scared. Should I have reported the dog? What if the dog went after a child? It is all very well to say the dog as the personality of a labrador but if it a guard dog what is the use of that if there is an intruder? Because these people were so nice and upset at what happened which thankfully nothing serious happened I was reluctant to take matters further. However they said what I should have done was put my arms up and shouted down to the dog. This means that the dog has a tendency to be fierce because otherwise they would not have said that is the command when the dog gets over excited or comes at you so if the dog is as gentle as they first made out then why is the dog for guard purposes and why would the dog be trained to follow such a command and stop coming at you? They must know the dog can be unpredictable so they have trained it to follow the shouting down command but they said oh no our dog is fine and gentle. I almost said if the dog is so gentle it would be no good if there was an intruder because the dog would just roll over and expect the person to stroke it

OP posts:
Wildorchidz · 30/11/2019 10:46

Who are these people?

maddy68 · 30/11/2019 10:46

When you say it went for you. What do you mean? Did it bite you or just growl and bark ?

Hoppinggreen · 30/11/2019 10:48

As long as it’s either on their property or properly under control if they take it out then I don’t see the problem
Did you get bitten? If not then it didn’t actually attack you did it?

PrayingandHoping · 30/11/2019 10:50

Some days people have Rotties just because the sight of one makes it a guard dog as people think twice rather than it would act like one.

What exactly did the dog do?

SerenDippitty · 30/11/2019 10:51

A large dog can be an effective deterrent even if he is actually a big softie. Most intruders won’t take the risk. And the fact that they have trained him to follow the shouting down command doesn’t mean he is dangerous. They are just being responsible owners.

Booboostwo · 30/11/2019 10:53

How exactly did the dog go for you? Was it trying to bite you? Did it bite through your clothes?

My lovely GSD enthusiastically jumped all over my friend the other day. He never jumps up on people but he loves her so much he couldn't contain himself. Of course he should contain himself and I stopped him, but my friend, rightly, laughed about it.

messolini9 · 30/11/2019 11:07

However they said what I should have done was put my arms up and shouted down to the dog.

Might have been somewhat more useful for them to have told you this BEFORE the dog 'went for' you ... but they are talking crap anyway. Most dogs don't accept instructions from people they don't know, & putting your arms up at an oncoming dog & shouting is absolutely the wrong thing to do - the dog will read it as an invitation to ramp up the energy/play/attack ...

The best stance to take when confronted by an unwanted incoming dog is to stand tall, chin high, arms crossed, body turned very slightly away, head turned completely away.

"Personality of a labrador" is more bullshit from these people. Yes, they are known for being playful & affectionate, but there is no rule to say a lab can't also be an aggressive git.

Should you report the dog - hard to say, as you haven't specified what the dog is meant to have done. You don't mention any injury - or even contact - so ..?
Who are these people you stayed with anyway?
Why did they not have hold of the dog when they introduced you?

questioningwhy · 30/11/2019 11:11

well sounds to me that you should report it just in case they might be nice people but that goes out the widow if it became a court case of you suing them for damage plus you could have been seriouly hurt

Anarchyinateacup · 30/11/2019 11:15

Describe how the dog went for you?

My dog can get over excited and jump up/lunge and a firm no is required. I can imagine to someone not used to dogs it can feel like he is going to attack when really he is just wanting a good pat and to say hello.

The fact the owners have trained him with a command to back off makes me think he probably gets over excited around visitors so they seem responsible and you cant really report a dog for not actually doing anything.

SpamChaudFroid · 30/11/2019 11:16

What injuries (if any) did the dog inflict upon you?

messolini9 · 30/11/2019 11:19

well sounds to me that you should report it
To whom?
On what grounds?
With what objective?

Winterdaysarehere · 30/11/2019 11:22

They were irresponsible obviously. I have a Rottweiler who hates guests.
She is put in the utility room...
Yanbu to want to report but just don't visit is best.
Nobody would care imo...

Original poster
Flute56 · 30/11/2019 11:25

ok well I was walking in the property grounds and the dog ran up to me and jumped up at me and got its mouth around my wrists and then my ankles. It is a big dog and so I did not want to be pushed over so I just stood very still holding on to a fence and the dog backed off. Then I went inside and told them and they chained the dog up each time I went outside. The chain is a long 3 foot chain so the dog could roam around but not roam around everywhere and I was far enough away for the dog not to go as far as me because the chain would not allow

OP posts:
egontoste · 30/11/2019 11:29

Yes well. My dh was out for a walk one day, minding his own business and was attacked and bitten by a labrador. Totally unprovoked.

I don't trust any large dog.

spongebunnyfatpants · 30/11/2019 11:30

He was protecting his property which is what he has been trained to do.
Unfortunately you were a stranger on your own in his garden. He did was he was meant to do, it's not his fault.
The owners should have warned you.

Ohpleasefuckofflove · 30/11/2019 11:31

How old is the dog?

YouJustDoYou · 30/11/2019 11:32

So you recently stayed with some people, went for a walk around their garden, the dog "got it's mouth around your wrists and ankles"? What do you mean, as in it drew blood?

stophuggingme · 30/11/2019 11:34

Do people not know that a dangerous dog is a dangerous dog whether it’s on private property or in the street thanks to changes in legislation.

Legally you have every right to report it and I’m sorry but it’s absolute bollocks to say it was doing what it was trained to do. The owners are irresponsible. The moral aspects are perhaps less clear and more emotive.

And I say this as a dog owner myself.

stophuggingme · 30/11/2019 11:36

If the dog actually bit you that is or injured you but if it made you fear an attack that is imminent is also covered

PrayingandHoping · 30/11/2019 11:36

If it put it's mouth on you and bit you then yes you should report it. It must have at least left marks on you it if it put it mouth on your arms and legs? Take photos

Keepmewarm · 30/11/2019 11:41

Got it’s mouth around your wrists and ankles?
Bit you?

You are being quite odd op, it’s impossible to suggest what to do. The only proper clear detail that you have given is the breed of dog.

cherryblossomgin · 30/11/2019 12:05

Was it play aggression or was he trying to attack you?

Honestly if he wanted to take you down holding on to a fence wouldn't have stopped him. There is a big difference between a play bite and a real bite. Did the dog clamp down or pretend to get your leg? Were his hackles up and was he barking/growling repeatedly to warn you?

Reading the update I am wondering if the dog was just wanting to play, maybe if he does the same actions to his owners they chase him so he sees it as a game. The walking away may suggest that he realised that you weren't wanting to play and got bored.

MrsGrahamx · 30/11/2019 12:18

Sounds like the dog was trying to play. Very annoying if you're not a dog person but definitely not a reason to report it.

TheoriginalLEM · 30/11/2019 12:21

I want to know why you are on their property?

Original poster
Flute56 · 30/11/2019 12:28

because they invited me to stay

OP posts: