Dog nipped child

[Twinkleandstressed]

Dog was tied up outside corner shop - I could see him from the till point. Only picking up one item. Dog is usually friendly and calm. Child darts out of shop with father and runs towards my dog wanting to pet him. My dog reacts my growling and going to bite him. He didn’t thankfully but did hurt his lip by jumping. Dad is useless and just walks on to car. I quickly go outside and go to apologise. Mum who is sitting in the car is consoling child - I ask if he is hurt. She says just a scrape on mouth. I apologise again and explain that my dog must have been startled but I feel terrible and that I cannot trust my dog.

I'd say your dog is a risk to children at the very least, and should be muzzled as a minimum.

I think that too although he was startled. I may have to muzzle him in future.

Don't leave your dog unattended again.

It's really irresponsible to leave your dog tied up outside a shop.

Eta: you don't need to muzzle the dog, just leave him at home. Most dogs hate being left outside shops, you can see it in their body language that they find it stressful.
A child - anyone - running towards them can be perceived as a threat, they have no means of escape as they're tied up so their only choice is to try to deter the threat. If their initial warnings aren't heeded they escalate. It's not the dogs fault it was put in that position.

Yes, I think so too. Although there was lots of room to manoeuvre around him but yes, it was a bad choice.

Who leaves their dog unattended outside a shop? It’s just asking for trouble.

I doubt if anyone can fully trust an unsupervised dog.
Especially in a situation where anything might happen.
Don't leave your dog to the mercy of chance events.

The parents should have apologised to you. No way should a child be allowed to run up to a dog. The dog gave a warning after it was threatened.

Really irresponsible. Dog feels threatened as owners no where to be seen and if people lunge at it, if it is a reactive dog it’s going to think it’s under threat and bite/snap etc.

what on earth were you thinking, it wasn’t an emergency and one of you could have stood and watch the dog.

You can’t let this dog interact with small children now and will need to muzzle in public.

You should be in control of your dog at all times when in public. Tying it up outside of a shop is a really bad idea. Yes, the parent should have stopped the child, but you are also in the wrong.

I feel entirely responsible - I am accepting that.

If your dog is reactive he should be muzzled.

Well you’ve had a clear warning and just have to take it seriously. Your dog was clearly spooked, loads of dogs would be in that situation. So just don’t put him in that vulnerable position again. Irresponsible parents definitely, but part of your role is to protect your dog from silly people.
He/She is still your fantastic gorgeous dog, you just need to step up a little and keep him safe.

You shouldn't have left your dog unattended but equally the parents should not have let their child approach a dog they don't know. Both at fault here

The parents are in the wrong for letting a child run up to the dog in the first place. Your dog was startled and reacted. I wouldn’t like being tied up and left to the mercy of touchers either. Who knows who approaches the poor thing.

I’d never leave my dog tied up outside, I’d be afraid someone would take him.

Parents should teach kids that they don't approach any dog without owner permission

You are 100% at fault. I would be absolutely raging if that was my child. I’d want the dog put down and you prosecuted and banned from keeping animals for life.

Yes leaving the dog unattended was a daft thing to do but equally who the fuck lets their child run up to an unknown fucking dog?
I wouldn't overreact and muzzle the dog, just don't leave unattended again.

I wouldn't write a dog off as dangerous over this incident but you do need to learn from it and ensure your dog is not put in a position where he could nip a child again

Because you weren’t in control of your child and/or hadn’t taught them not to approach a strange dog?

Really irresponsible of the dad too though. Who the fuck allows their young child to run full pelt at a strange dog?
Obviously the dog shouldn't be left alone and may be a risk but I really think the dad is more to blame than anyone else.

Dogs always used to be tied up outside shops. I saw that for many years, because dogs weren't routinely allowed everywhere. What's changed that's made that so unsafe?

The parents are to blame. Who lets their kid approach dogs they don’t know?

To protect your dog from shit parents, I’d not leave him tied up alone again.

Not your dog's fault.
Not the child's fault.
You were definitely at fault for leaving your dog unattended.
Dad was at fault for not supervising his child, but that only occurred because YOU left your dog.
You've obviously learnt an important lesson today, your dog is at risk if he's unattended and if that is often then he should be muzzled to protect him, and others, in the future.

BTW I just don't understand why anyone would tie their dog op outside a shop nowadays (I know it used to be commonplace)

There should be zero tolerance for any issues caused by dogs. If you think otherwise then you are also part of the problem. I’d rather they were all banned.