Dog barked at my child

[Kitchendrama1]

We were at the park and two year old was having a moment so sat down on the pavement. Dog came over and barked at him. Dog went away. It felt ok and I was looking out.

We started to do a lap of the oval and big again started to stare and bark from us at a distance and wasn’t looking at the other dog he was playing with, or his owner. Dog was getting closer (but also stopped). I grabbed kid and went.

Was the kid in danger?

[quote Whywonttheyhelpme]@CuriousaboutSamphire agreed. My dog also barks at tantrums because he hates the noise. If someone is genuinely upset he will snuggle up to them quietly and try to make them feel better. Barking = talking, Growling = get your child out of there now.

Clearly this dog was more intelligent than its owner though, who should have either had it on a lead or called their dog away as soon as it started to approach.[/quote]
Sitting on the floor Nd he wasn’t vocal.. we also were walking around with the push chair (he was pushing),

Dog owner, it depends on the tone of the bark and the rest of the body language. Combined with staring i'd say your instincts were probably right. The dog was probably a bit concerned about the crying ("watch out everyone, something wrong here").

If the dog had miaowed I'd have been concerned

@LaetitiaASD

I'd relax and look on the bright side - yet another irresponsible dog owner who can't be bothered to keep their dog under control may well have put your toddler off dogs for life, reducing the future pressure on you to get a puppy you don't want.

love this

Some dogs are very barky, it doesn't mean they are very bitey. The one time I got bitten by a dog was by a poodle - is was on a lead and didn't bark at all.

@AntiSocialDistancer

I'm uncomfortable so few people know that a dog staring at someone or another dog is not ok. Most people dont have a fecking clue about actual aggressive dog behaviour.

@AntiSocialDistancer

Whats the difference between a dog staring (and therefore aggressive...in your opinion) and a dog just looking your direction? do all dogs that look at me what to attack me?

@ferretface

Dog owner, it depends on the tone of the bark and the rest of the body language. Combined with staring i'd say your instincts were probably right. The dog was probably a bit concerned about the crying ("watch out everyone, something wrong here").

There was no crying. He was sitting down on the path. Other time we were walking on the outside of a large path.

What type of dog was it?

My mates dog used to howl when they heard a tantrum, had a pause, looked at the tantrumer and start howling again if they hadn't stopped.

My dog barks and stares and jumps about when he thinks something exciting is about to happen, like a walk. It's a happy friendly shout. Head down, staring , growling means trouble. I keep him on a lead when we are in parks, because much as he likes to play with other people they aren't going to want to play with him. It's basic manners.

You did the right thing, it's always better to be cautious if you are uncertain.

Placemarking for the batshittery

FYI, dogs are like us when it comes to staring. Sometimes it can be a sign of aggression. Sometimes it's because they're interested in something. Sometimes it's because they're worried and trying to figure something out. Sometimes it's because they think there might be food. Etc etc.a

Hope you and your DC are taking the first cautious steps in your journey to recovery.

If it never came within 2m of the child, it's OK. A dog who wanted to threaten would be closer, growling warnings etc.

When their owner can’t get their attention and also they’ve stopped engaging with other dogs, start to come towards the child, don’t respond to owner

Always best to be cautious around dogs. I’m not familiar with loads of dogs, but have felt threatened before, and I’m always aware when around dogs.

Who knows how this dog felt - maybe happy, or maybe you were right to feel worried.

You know you will get all the owners of “friendly, lovely, excited” dogs on here, who will laugh at you. Loads of dog owners think everyone is interested in their dog, wanting to be licked by it, after it’s shoved it’s nose and mouth on another dog’s urine (on wall) or bum. And most owners take great offence when they are told you’re not interested in their dog - keep your dog away from my children. In the park here, where dogs aren’t allowed, keep your dog away.

Trust your instincts OP.

And I said loads of dogs, most owners, not all of you. But to the twatty owners - pick up your dog shit, and keep your annoying dog away from me!

it really depends. Dog barking and then running away means hes either alarmed about something but a bit nervous, or maybe hes just a talkative dog.
I dont like when dogs bark AT me. I find it intimidating, but some dogs just bark. They bark to tell you to play with them. To tell you little timmy has fallen down the well. That they dont like that bike youre riding.
If the dog was going to attack then it wouldnt bark like that first, youd really know the difference I can assure you, but that doesnt mean its pleasant to have unleashed dogs coming to bark at you because you just dont know the dog in question.

Sometimes if a dog makes you feel intimidated like that, if you tell him firmly to SIT or GO AWAY or NO, then he will.

I come across dogs in my work all the time. The number of owners who underestimate the aggressive nature of their dog is unbelievable. Dogs do not behave the same with strangers as they do with members of their pack (their owners and family and familiar dogs and people).
There is no way you can 100 perc predict how your dog is going to interact with a child at a distance from you when not under your control.

I have a little Jack Russell that has never bitten anyone in her ten years of life, but would still put her on the lead near a small child - at that age they are at her head height and you never know whether the child might grab the dog, or the dog might get some funny idea in its head and go up and scare them, or indeed bite. Even simply making sure that your dog does not scare anyone unfamiliar with dogs is a basic duty as the owner.

Eh?? Sounds like not just the dog that is barking!!

And as for "didn't come within 2 metres of the dog so fine" - well, my little Jack Russell is currently sitting by me with stitches in her windpipe where a Golden Retriever bit her in the throat a couple of days ago. It was at least two metres away when it lunged at her.

Well dogs bark so not sure that means anything. But I too would have been nervous if they weren't on a lead and barking around a toddler.

My dog often barks at shrieking children, he's just trying to get them to be quiet. And sometimes it works.

[quote JesusInTheCabbageVan]Placemarking for the batshittery

FYI, dogs are like us when it comes to staring. Sometimes it can be a sign of aggression. Sometimes it's because they're interested in something. Sometimes it's because they're worried and trying to figure something out. Sometimes it's because they think there might be food. Etc etc.a

Hope you and your DC are taking the first cautious steps in your journey to recovery.

I don’t like dogs and I would have felt intimidated and wary of it barking at me and my child like that.
Some people are in denial that a dog could snap. I won’t take my chances, thanks.

@LateDecemberBackInLowB12

I still remember the time a cat meowed at my dc.

YANBU at all.

🤣

@TeloMere

My dog often barks at shrieking children, he's just trying to get them to be quiet. And sometimes it works.

Can I borrow him for my lot?