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?

[Blindstupid]

Honestly I don’t know how my children have grown up so well adjusted - they’ve had a dog bark at them, a cat meow at them, a bird tweet at them, a seagull squawk at them, a duck quack at them, a sheep baa at them, even a horse neigh at them …. and oh my goodness, geese and swans actually chased them!

Honestly OP, get some perspective!

[Signalbox]

I wouldn’t let my dog go that close to a toddler. You can never 100% predict a dog’s behaviour. If a dog approaches a toddler in a park and their owner doesn’t attempt to recall them I’d consider them a potential risk. Owners are sometimes in denial about their dog being “friendly” and often have limited control over their dog’s recall. Trust your instincts but be careful not to come across as fearful because you don’t want to pass any fears onto your child and the majority of dogs won’t pose an actual threat to your child.

[sashh]

Maybe the dog had canine ASD and can't make appropriate eye contact. Or it might have some other form or special needs, if it has poor eyesight it might need to focus.

[lynntheyresexpeople]

I hope you have savings for all the therapy your dc will need after this terrifying ordeal.

[BennyBean]

Yes i would say because no one knows what can set a dog off i wouldn't go anywhere near them

[pinkyredrose]

The dog wasn't listening to its owner, your kid wasn't listening to you either. Next time go somewhere that isn't a dog's playground.

[Confusedandshaken]

IME dogs either bark or bite. They don't bark first and bite later. A dog that is going to bite, for whatever reason (fear, panic, aggression, pain) just does it in the moment, they don't bark and eventually work up to a bite. So IMO you were in no danger there. It was undoubtedly scary but no threat to you.

[Kitchendrama1]

@pinkyredrose

The dog wasn't listening to its owner, your kid wasn't listening to you either. Next time go somewhere that isn't a dog's playground.

Wasn’t listening to me? It’s a child, it’s 2. They have moments.

[Kitchendrama1]

@Confusedandshaken

IME dogs either bark or bite. They don't bark first and bite later. A dog that is going to bite, for whatever reason (fear, panic, aggression, pain) just does it in the moment, they don't bark and eventually work up to a bite. So IMO you were in no danger there. It was undoubtedly scary but no threat to you.

Why was it still following us after I lifted the child? It was playing with other dogs in the large field. We were walking at snails pace on the other side of the field and we caught it’s attention.

[Soubriquet]

One of my dogs adores and is obsessed with children

She would bark out of frustration that the child had not stopped to shower her with love and devotion.

[CatJumperTwat]

When I was two, a pigeon cooed in my vicinity and I've never been the same again.

[thisplaceisweird]

Dogs can be reactive to lots of different triggers. This time, your child was causing it either to feel playful, or it was causing it stress or fear. It's the dog's problem and if it was at a distance and on a lead then why all the drama?

[Knowivedonewrong]

FFS!!

[thisplaceisweird]

"One time a hedgehog looked at me funny. AIBU to fear for my life?"

[Peanutbuttercupisyum]

Your child probably just caught the attention of the dog due to the “having a moment” episode. My dog might find that interesting too! I wouldn’t imagine there was any danger! Tbh, it would depend on the dog breed - a little fluffy cockerpoo excited by a squawking child is different to an easily angered pit bill whose defending its patch or whatnot!

[Weegiewtf]

I now have birdie birdie woof woof stuck in my head.

[SillyLittleBiscuit]

I understand you may have been unnerved by the first incident but how small is this field that you could tell the dog was starting at you from the other side?

I honestly don't think you had anything to worry about.

[thisplaceisweird]

easily angered pit bill please don't spread this nonsense. Pitbulls are not more easily angered than a pomeranian. All dogs have different temperaments based on their personalities, life experience and owners.

[lockdownmadnessdotcom]

@Confusedandshaken

IME dogs either bark or bite. They don't bark first and bite later. A dog that is going to bite, for whatever reason (fear, panic, aggression, pain) just does it in the moment, they don't bark and eventually work up to a bite. So IMO you were in no danger there. It was undoubtedly scary but no threat to you.

Really? I think a lot of dogs bark and the only reason they don't bite is because their owners have them on a short lead and they don't get close enough to anyone to sink their teeth into their thighs or whatever.

People should keep their dogs away from toddlers. And yes, the other way round, but toddlers don't kill or injure dogs, the opposite can and does happen.

[Againstmachine]

@CuriousaboutSamphire

My dog occasionally barks at kids 'having a moment' - their noise unsettles him so he tries to tell them to shut the fuck up!

I love this a dog who tells people to shut the fuck up in his own way, give him a hug from me.

[lockdownmadnessdotcom]

@thisplaceisweird

"One time a hedgehog looked at me funny. AIBU to fear for my life?"

Ridiculous comment - dogs do kill people. A hedgehog is no threat to anyone.

[SunnySideDownBriefly]

I think the dog was just showing interest in your child. He wanted to investigate/play. And then when he saw you again, he was interested again. I can see how you might find this a bit sinister if you don't understand dogs and their behaviour. They aren't humans and you shouldn't read them in the same way or try to match their behaviour up with human expressions. It's always best to be cautious if you don't know the dog as some dogs wag their tails with excitement/anxiety too which isn't always positive.

My dog has just started barking at random people - I hate it as she has a loud bark and she makes them jump. She wants them to play with her and, fortunately, she is a very friendly looking dog with a large waggy tail (Golden Retriever) and has, so far, managed to pick dog lovers who excuse her intrusive behaviour and go in for strokes and cuddles (which really doesn't help as it rewards her but I'm happy if my bad dog is spreading a bit of joy!). I'm working on it as I hate to think she might upset someone and it's my responsibility.

Where was the owner? If she isn't on the lead then I'm always within a few metres of my dog so there isn't a situation I wouldn't gain control of within seconds. The owner should have been there to explain and put their dog back on the lead as it's not fair on you.

[DumplingsAndStew]

I can't believe no-one else has asked this yet, so I will, just so we have the full picture.

Your child doesn't identify as a sausage do they?

[pinkyredrose]

Your child doesn't identify as a sausage do they?

[ElephantOfRisk]

It's hard to say what spooks dogs sometimes. My neighbours dog has a little outdoor space with a kennel etc that is opposite my side door where my bins are, i can be in and out with washing and putting stuff in the bins and it will jus look but not react at all, then sometimes when i'm dong nothing different it just goes off it's head barking and speaking to it just seems to make it worse.

The dog in the park obviously got spooked by something about your DS but sounds more defensive than attacking to be honest but in that circumstance I'd instinctively pick up my toddler too.