To ask dog owners to keep there dogs away from my my children?

[SparklyPeachMama]

I don't dislike dogs what I dislike is dog owners who think there dogs are more important than my children. You dog might be friendly but I'm not willing to test your theory on my babies.
Your dog should never be closer to me/my family than it is you? If your dogs recall isn't good it shouldn't be off lead when other people are around!

I don't think people are saying dogs are valued over children... if you asked me to pick between my child and my dog it's not even a choice... but if you asked me to pick between my dog and your child... of course I care about my dog more, you're child, or someone else's dog means nothing to me.

As long as there are dog owners who don't train their dogs appropriately and prefer to excuse their behaviour, there will be dog bashing threads.

It would be nice if parents didn't treat my sibling's dog as free entertainment. Latest incident: Minding our own business having lunch in a country pub, dog curled up quietly by the wall next to the table. Some plonker wandered over with his toddler and without bothering to greet or even make eye contact with any of the humans at the table, encouraged their child to "say hello" to the dog. Not only is that extremely rude, but some dogs, while perfectly well behaved if left alone, will snarl or nip if touched by people they don't know, which is fair enough, as I would too!! Luckily my sibling's dog was to knackered by the walk to care, as he's a bit of a barker usually.

Well that would be a prime example of both being in the wrong, but the dog owner being worse. If your dog snarls and bites when touched by a stranger in public it should be muzzled and kept away from the public.
That's like someone brushing past me in a bar and me punching them because I don't like to be touched... is that what you mean by like you too 😉

But why shouldn't someone love their animal more than someone else's children?

I certainly wouldn't let any animal harm a child but I have no interest in children and every interest in my animal's welfare.

If you let your child provoke my dog despite me saying NO to the 2 of you, then the resulting bite isn't my responsibility as the dog owner.

It's yours 100% as the parent.

You can report-obviously- and the police will assess the dog. They will find a calm, well mannered dog, not a danger to the general public. I'd explain that the dog was harassed despite me trying to walk away and asking the parent to stop their childs behaviour.

I'd keep my dog and your child would carry the scars of your ignorance.

YABU because frankly what is the bloody point of you posting this here.
I agree with you completely as a dog owner and mother. My dog is always called back and put on lead for kids.
But a passive aggressive thread achieves nothing, teach your kids dog safety and bring this up to owners when it occurs (which if it's like around our, is all the time as there has been an explosion of shitty owners post covid)

He DOESNT snarl or bite. Where did I say that?
I said some dogs do that. Sibling's dog is perfectly safe, but the parent was bloody stupid to encourage their child to touch it without checking first.
Also we had positioned the dog so that it wouldn't be accidentally touched, next to a wall by the table. The only way to touch it was deliberately.
If someone came up to me in a pub and without introducing themselves started to deliberately stroke me, I bloody well would give them a piece of my mind. So would anyone. I wouldn't blame a dog for reacting the same way. And I reiterate he barks (yaps) he's never bitten or snarled at anyone.

This gets brought up a lot - recall. I would honestly say in 95/100 times if a dog wants to run off, sees something (cat, squirrel) or wants to play it will not come back to the owner when called. I see it all the time.

I am constantly amazed at people who make excuses for their dog but have to call them at least ten times to even get their attention.

Yes I own a dog who is kept on a lead. Most dog have not been trained and/or have poor recall.

If your dog doesn’t find the first time immediately in every situation when called it doesn’t have recall and isnt in control.

It’s funny you say that. I was doing a click and collect from M&S yesterday and there were four dogs in the store! Just inside the door or looking at clothes. A shop worked asked them to go outside and it was met with “but it’s really cold”. Ummm don’t take your dog out then if it’s too cold! Entitled people who don’t think they are ever wrong.

Which you know wouldn't be necessary if all dog owners were responsible (and I love dogs)

I keep my dogs on their leads unless we’re in a secure field (the type you rent for an hour etc.) - I honestly think this is common sense! I have a Doberman so I know people can be a bit scared of her from her size, I just incorporate training into the lead walks to make sure they’re enriched.

I think off lead dogs running over to other (on lead) dogs and people are just selfish.

To add mine are whistle trained and have amazing recall but I don’t think they should be free to invade other people’s space!

I'm the same. Especially if they're big dogs.

Off topic but it wierds me put when people call their dogs their children. It's massively different.

These threads always seem to focus on the individual cases and not the bigger policy issues. It's not about demonising dogs or children, but asking what the implications are of having ever-increasing numbers of dogs in spaces that are not designed for them? Do we need to bring dog numbers down, or change the environment?

Just as important, public spaces are not always safe or accessible for women and children, and we need to work on that. Dogs have an impact on that, both positively (dog walking may make spaces safer for women at either end of the day) and negatively (children less safe to roam freely).

Policy solutions cannot assume that 100% good dog ownership, or parenting, is achievable.

Incidentally, I also think we have too many cats (and I bloody love cats). But the consequences are largely suffered by the cats themselves.

Similar thing with DS - he’s still terrified years later.

My DC have never approached dogs, we’ve had plenty approach us with the owners calling - don’t worry they are friendly. He used to hide behind me (taller than me now though!).

Nonsense. My little niece is terrified of dogs and not because we've told people to keep them away from and she's heard. It's because she's had dogs bigger than her bounding up and jumping on her. In one case, the dog knocked her over hard and she was hurt.
It's scary when you're little, especially if it keeps happening.
The idea that this is somehow the parents fault is ridiculous.
Anyone incapable or unwilling to train their dog to minimum behaviour standards when out in public, isn't responsible enough to have a dog.

I'm sure there are indeed plenty of dog owners who think their dog is more important than a strangers children. But of course you should politely tell them to keep their distance with the dog if it bothers you or your kids.

Same, I also have loads of fields locally to choose from so I can vary her exercise. We also do weekly enrichment classes and workshops.

My pet peeve is other dogs owners bringing their dog over to 'say hello'..fine if they want 'Bella' sat on by a 47kg dog, don't complain when she does that, pins them to the floor. My dog doesn't need to say hello. She has her doggy pals to play with.

Absolutely- and I have dogs.
No one should let their dog run up to people/other dogs/especially kids. One dog I have is extremely friendly and thinks everyone would love to have a kiss. He's on the lead unless we are alone. My other dog is not that interested in people and is very polite with other dogs and has 100% recall. She is off the lead.

My dc also ended up with a fear of dogs for years due to an untrained one chasing them around and jumping at them when they were very small.

None of my kids have ever gone running up to dogs and jumped on them, jumped up at them or started licking them, but sure it's the unruly kids who are the problem 🙄. I've always taught my children to ask before petting an animal but If someone's dog will react negatively to a child trying to stroke them then that just emphasises why they should be on a lead doesnt it.

A child trying to stroke a dog is very different to a child grabbing it or surprising it

Teaching kids to respect animals is important - I always taught mine as well that if a dog approached they were to stand behind me or the buggy and let me deal with it. As teenagers they are confident to deal with a rogue dog themselves (although I wouldn’t fancy their chances against the unmuzzled and off lead xl bully we saw last week)

Unfortunately some kids have no respect for animals - I hate seeing kids throwing things at pigeons/ducks or chasing them.

If your dog doesn’t come the first time immediately in every situation when called it doesn’t have recall and isn’t in control.

So when you are out anywhere with your child, and you see a dog on a lead, exactly this. Hold your child’s hand and do not let go until the dog has passed. If you are in a pub or cafe and there are dogs present, be 100% certain that your child will come back immediately when called. If they don’t, they are not under control.

My dog doesn’t react negatively to children running up and jumping all over her. She fucking loves it, infact. Loves nothing better than playing with my children and is gentle.

But she’s a huge retriever who weighs 90lb at not even a year old. She’s too exciteable and too friendly but she could take a small toddler out with her tail.

My children are used to her size - we don’t see her as a big dog anymore as we are used to her size, but a child who over excites her can easily become overwhelmed.

I also work hard to train her when out as I don’t want her to be over excited to see everyone, she’s a strong dog and my back would be done in holding her back.

She’s always on lead unless in a private dog field. But still, people persist in letting their children run over to her. Other dog owners too, when they can see I am standing aside with her, training her to focus on me as they walk by, they still insist on trying to get her to play with thier dogs.

My post was to ascertain the reaction of a random selection of people who I don't know. I haven't gone into incidents because I wanted a general opinion.
My children are taught stranger danger. This applies to people and animals!
At the moment I move away and or pick my child up however it's becoming an increasing problem and I feel that I'm carrying my child for 90% of a walk in the woods because I'm surrounded by dog owners whos dogs are off lead bounding over to my children. I can pick the 1 yo up I have to hope that it doesn't choose to attack my 7 & 12 yo who to be clear are oblivious to the fact the dog even exists.