Page 10 | 'Don't worry, he's friendly'

PraiseBee · 2021-07-04T06:50:37+00:00

Too flippin friendly. Yet again, another dog running up to my four year old DC with a chunk of a branch in its mouth, firmly ignoring it's owners recall whilst they yell at me 'don't worry, Fluffyballs is friendly'. My DC loves dogs but hates dogs rushing up to him and is obviously scared. Large dogs are the same height as him and can easily knock him over. Imagine as an adult being rushed up to by a horse with a bit of tree trunk in its mouth trying to lick your face. I think most adults would be perturbed by this. It seems to be happening more often. Are dogs getting less well trained? I think the thing that makes my blood boil over is that the dog owners seem to think their dog is the most amazing thing ever so of course me and my DC want to bowled over by Fluffyballs. No we really don't and no, I give a shit what your dog is called. AIBU to be so annoyed by this happening every time we go to a children's park?!

PigsEnigma · 04/07/2021 12:20

I hate idiots with dogs. I have two big dogs and a DS who's terrified of dogs. Why? Because other people's sodding dogs keep bowling him over letting them run up to him. My dogs are always on lead. One is reactive as its been attacked in the past and the other is terrified of the world and we're getting her used to being a dog and not a shed ornament that she was previously. We do not want any extra attention from flipping CoochiePoo. Since lockdown things have got so much worse.

Ijustknowitstimetogo · 04/07/2021 12:22

I think it's because most dogs find most adults boring - they run up to other dogs because it's instinct and small children because of the way the move all fast and unpredictable is exciting.

Oh I think you’re right. Most of my memories of dogs running up were from when I was a younger. They do seem to see children as small animals.

DontLookEthel · 04/07/2021 12:23

My dog is always on a lead if there might be children about as they make him very anxious.
Although I avoid the obvious places I have to be constantly on the look out for very young kids unexpectedly running up to dog intent on stroking him.
As they move quickly there's no time for polite explanations and I've sometimes had to physically shield the dog and shout "NO, LEAVE HIM ALONE", resulting in upset child and annoyed parents.

rantymcrantface66 · 04/07/2021 12:23

My retired neighbour was knocked to the ground by dogs last week. They'd met in the park and raced off together ignoring their owners calls to come back then charged right in to my neighbours legs taking them from under her and she landed hard and was winded and is still limping now. 2 chihuahuas wouldn't have caused that so large dog owners do need to be even more on it. All dogs should be under control however and that means being able to be recalled before an incident is allowed to happen. As I said before friendly dogs out of control are a problem too. Out of control doesnt just mean going round biting people.

Stinkysteamy · 04/07/2021 12:27

"In my opinion non dog owners don't want dogs off lead full stop in parks."

I'm fine with off lead dogs under control. I live rurally and we see lots of dogs on paths that are not on leads but the owner is watching them and not letting them run right up to people. It's always worse on the more popular paths where you meet the badly trained dogs, sunday dog walkers and people who think everyone loves their furbaby.

Twofurrycats · 04/07/2021 12:35

I'm currently dog sitting for a friend. He's a very friendly dog but his training has been somewhat lax. So he's on a lead unless we're on my own land because his recall is rubbish. If I had him for longer I'd probably be able to sort it out but I know when he goes home it will be back to ineffectual faffing with him.

pigsDOfly · 04/07/2021 12:36

I'm not sure this problem is any worse than it's always been if I'm honest.

In the 10 years I've had my dog, having other dogs with no recall and clueless owners running up to us and leaping all over one or both of us has always been a regular occurrence when we're out and about.

I don't care whether the dog is 'friendly' or a vicious brute I don't want its filthy paws all over me and neither does my dog.

@FlaminEckVera Those dogs are clearly not under the owner's control if they're out on their own and that's an offence; if the dog caused a road accident, for instance, the owner would be liable. They don't necessarily have to be on a lead but they should be under the owner's control at all times.

Report it to your local dog warden. If the council doesn't have a dog warden. whoever answers the phone at the council offices should be able to put you onto the right department.

burritofan · 04/07/2021 12:42

We went to a no-dogs park recently on holiday and it was bliss: no worrying about poo, no having your picnic nicked, no seeing them piss on patches of grass a crawling baby might go for, no having to be constantly fucking alert.

Oceanbliss · 04/07/2021 12:45

@vivainsomnia There are far too many people who have been killed by dogs, mauled to death. Babies, toddlers, adults, elderly. It is not ok. I don’t care how much you love your dog. Your dog is an animal not a substitute baby, friend, person and does not have more importance then a person.

This thread is on a parenting forum where parents can support each other, share experiences, bounce ideas off of each other.

This thread has been started by a parent sharing their experiences of irresponsible dog owners putting their children at risk. Other parents can come here and share their experiences too.

But you seem to be intent on derailing this conversation in defence of dog owners and their dogs. Attacking parents for sharing their experiences, concerns and support for one another.

Why don’t you start a forum on reddit specifically aimed at dog owners supporting one another instead of being deliberately provocative on a parenting forum.

Because every time I’ve been out where there are dogs playing, being exercised on or off leash I have never seen a single child running up to pat a dog or jump on a dog or be rough with a dog or bite a dog or maul it to death. I have seen on a daily basis dogs running at, jumping on, intruding in a person or group of peoples relaxation, exercise, sport, play, picnic with their owners allowing it.

I have read on the news of unprovoked dog attacks such as sleeping baby or child killed by dog, elderly couple minding their own business on a beach being mauled to death.

These are very serious examples of irresponsible pet ownership. Trivialising this very important topic is to condone it.

Playgrounds are purposely built for children. They are not built for our pets. All people have a right to feel safe. Children should never be made to feel unsafe in a playground or space specifically designed for them. They shouldn’t be prevented from entering that space specifically made for them because they are too afraid to go in there because of an unrestrained dog.

This is a parenting forum. If you don’t like parents or their children bugger off.

Giraffe888 · 04/07/2021 12:51

I agree completely. My 2 year old DS is petrified of dogs seeing as everyday when we go out walking at least one dog charges at him with the owner casually strolling behind saying ‘it’s friendly’

whynotwhatknot · 04/07/2021 12:51

I hate this too and i like dogs-my sil has two dogs they dont like other dogs she has them on leads around others

shes lost count of time othe dogs have come bounding up with the owners shouting over dont worry hes friendly-and she has to yank her dogs away saying well mine arent can you put them ona lead please

shes had no end of arguments saying your dogs should be friendly aswell its not right and loads of other crap-all these owners have no recall for their dogs and off lead-just take some reposnsibility fffs

rantymcrantface66 · 04/07/2021 12:52

Because every time I’ve been out where there are dogs playing, being exercised on or off leash I have never seen a single child running up to pat a dog or jump on a dog

I promise it does happen very regularly. It's probably not something you notice if you don't have a stranger reactive dog and more so as in my case a very cute one who still looks like a puppy, and who appears calm and relaxed. (because she is until someone directly approaches her). Children ignore you when they ask to stroke and their parents don't take it seriously either because she's tiny

Everything else you say though I agree with. It's my responsibility to keep her safe and the dc safe too and it's easy enough to do if you are vigilant and careful about where and when to let off lead. It is far less easy to have any control over an off lead dog

sergeilavrov · 04/07/2021 12:52

I’m a dog owner (of an anxious dog who would prefer to be carried to potty and then back ), and I don’t want dogs off lead at parks. Go to a dedicated, gated dog park if you want that experience. Dogs aren’t allowed to be off lead in the country I live in, and my children have never had these issues, aren’t scared of dogs as I was at their age - and dog bites are very rare.

Ultimately if there are exceptions like ‘if their recall is good’ - everyone will exaggerate their dog’s recall. These things can’t be caught until something goes wrong, and that’s too big a risk.

DontWiltMySpinachPlease · 04/07/2021 12:52

Such a good point and so rarely mentioned on this forum.

cuparfull · 04/07/2021 13:01

Dogs are unpredictable animals, all dogs.
You can never be absolutely certain an unleashed dog will not cause harm.
All dogs walking in public outdoor space should be on a leash.
And this is from a police handler/trainer.

Dog owners are deemed to be responsible for their dogs actions....this is why dogs are licensed and owners can be held accountable.
Don't stand any nonsense from irresponsible dog owners.

A child trumps a dog anytime. Yes a child should be taught respect and not to approach a dog but equally NO dog should be allowed to run up to anyone without permission. Such a dog is not under control.

pigsDOfly · 04/07/2021 13:07

Because every time I've been out where there are dogs playing, exercised on or off leash I have never seen a single child running up to pat a dog or jump on a dog

It does happen.

My dog is a pretty, fluffy one and children are really drawn to her. It's happened on more than one occasion that a child has run up to her and slung their arms around her neck.

Fortunately, she's very calm and gentle and her only reaction has been to pull her head back and look at me in a slightly alarmed manner.

Freckers · 04/07/2021 13:08

@AdoptedBumpkin

This is a pet hate of mine (no pun intended!)

Strangers who might be scared of dogs don't know if your dog is friendly.

Also, it's a pointless thing to shout as you wouldn't shout the opposite if that was the case.

"Run, run, he's a savage and hasn't been fed in three days!"

Doodle2021 · 04/07/2021 13:22

Unfortunately my partner has had to have surgery as a direct result of someones dog not being under control on a lead.

We have a dog reactive dog. We have had him 2 weeks we are walking him in a place where dogs are not allowed to be off lead (you can be fined a lot of money as its a nature reserve)
My partner gets back to the car park with dog on lead and out of no where a bouncy large dog comes bounding over. My OH shouts to the owner to recall his dog. He makes some feeble come back darling. By this point a dog fight had started. My OH managed to pull off our dog but in doing so got bitten badly on the hand by one of the dogs (we arent sure which)
The owner came bounding over with omg sorry he never does that usually.
He wouldnt have if he was on a fucking lead.

My OH has had to have surgery to repair his hand properly.

Irresponsible dog owners thinking that signs that say dogs should not be off lead thinking it doesnt apply to them.

If your dog doesnt recall then he shouldnt be off a lead. If your dog is off lead then they should not be rushing up to animals children or adults without strict instruction from you once you have checked it is ok.

Doodle2021 · 04/07/2021 13:23

Sorry the first line should say off a lead

TastyTicklemore · 04/07/2021 13:35

Everyone and his dog has a dog these days and my guess would be only about 25% of them actually wanted a DOG. The rest wanted a magic cure for whatever ails them. It's unfair on the dog and it's unfair on everyone else, because if the owners are not interested in the dog as a living, breathing creature with needs and behaviours and wants of its own, then they are unlikely to cater to them and end up with a dog trying to fit into a world in which it doesn't quite belong.

There ARE lots of good dog owners but the majority of people may not see them to know they exist - they tend to be the ones driving a dog off to a quiet wood or field where they can be walked safely, in peace and without disturbing anyone and where the dog can have an appropriate outlet for all his/her dog behaviour.

shallIswim · 04/07/2021 13:49

Too many people have taken on too many dogs with too little thought and too little time to put into training.

I'm going to parrot the cliche that I'm a dog owner who has one with very near perfect recall. The prospect of a juicy fresh cow pat is literally the only thing that prevents 💯 successful recall. We do exist, but I'm not going to pretend we're an overwhelming majority. If I see a small child ahead I whistle my dog back and he comes. Often the parent willl want their child to say hello to my dog and and I tend to oblige, while warning My hairy hound may be wet or muddy. I can even make him sit and perform simple tricks to cheer up a tantrum-ing toddler. Did this the other day and the mum was soooo grateful!

BorderlineHappy · 04/07/2021 13:50

I would love a dog but I don't have the patience for all the training.

FlaminEckVera · 04/07/2021 14:03

@pigsDOfly

@FlaminEckVera Those dogs are clearly not under the owner's control if they're out on their own and that's an offence; if the dog caused a road accident, for instance, the owner would be liable. They don't necessarily have to be on a lead but they should be under the owner's control at all times.

Report it to your local dog warden. If the council doesn't have a dog warden. whoever answers the phone at the council offices should be able to put you onto the right department.

I think I should really, but am worried the dog owner will find out it's me, and I hate confrontation. The dogs have bothered/ affected/ upset quite a few people close to where they live, (but not me as yet,) so I am baffled as to why someone else hasn't reported them.

If it continues over the next few weeks, I will see if here's an option to report anonymously.

FlaminEckVera · 04/07/2021 14:04

@pigsDOfly

@FlaminEckVera Those dogs are clearly not under the owner's control if they're out on their own and that's an offence; if the dog caused a road accident, for instance, the owner would be liable. They don't necessarily have to be on a lead but they should be under the owner's control at all times.

Report it to your local dog warden. If the council doesn't have a dog warden. whoever answers the phone at the council offices should be able to put you onto the right department.

I think I should really, but am worried the dog owner will find out it's me, and I hate confrontation. The dogs have bothered/ affected/ upset quite a few people close to where they live, (but not me as yet,) so I am baffled as to why someone else hasn't reported them.

If it continues over the next few weeks, I will see if here's an option to report anonymously.

FlaminEckVera · 04/07/2021 14:05

[quote Oceanbliss]**@vivainsomnia There are far too many people who have been killed by dogs, mauled to death. Babies, toddlers, adults, elderly. It is not ok. I don’t care how much you love your dog. Your dog is an animal not a substitute baby, friend, person and does not have more importance then a person.