WIBU to reassure this child that my dog is friendly

[Allelbowsandtoes]

Hi,
This happened earlier today and I've been wondering about whether I was in the wrong or not.

I was walking earlier with my dog (she's s whippet and very lazy, usually either trots along beside me or sniffs things, not boisterous or anything). We were walking in a big local green space where there's always plenty of off lead dogs.

I was on a quiet, wide path in a wooded area. I came near some little girls who were with their mum. When I was about 4-5 metres away I could see one of the girls became very nervous and her mum advised her to stand back from the path and stay calm. My dog wasn't approaching her but was going to walk near her to get by so I called her back (she came immediately, we've trained recall extensively) and put her on the lead. As I was walking past I put as much space between us as possible but said to the little girl "don't worry, she's friendly " just to reassure her. Thd mum snapped at me "just because she's friendly, doesn't mean my daughter wants to say hello to her".

Tbh I was a bit pissed off, although I didn't say anything. If my dog had been greeting someone who didn't want to interact then that would have been a fair thing to say, but she was being really good.Then again, the girl was obviously scared and maybe has had bad experiences in he past?

Oh dear, l’m yet another person to wilfully misinterpret your comment😂 Who do you think you are, get over yourself! No you’re talking bs.
News flash, dogs are allowed in public places.
Not my problem or anyone else’s that you hate dogs and that’s all it comes down to.

That would not happen on here and you know that.
But people on here actually complain about dogs looking at them, like some sort of crime has been committed.

Don’t be so ridiculous.Grow up!

Oh they absolutely do (complain I mean), I'm not disputing that. It's absolutely batshit. My post above was obviously an exaggeration intended humorously.

But what I mean is that there are some equally batshit posters out there who take personal offence at the very idea that someone might not absolutely love dogs or who takes any possible criticism of dogs or their owners as evidence that they're an animal hater.

Both types of poster need to get over themselves.

There was a thread on here a while back where an OP's partner was accused of being a "wicked stepmother in waiting" just because she didn't like the idea of sleeping in the same bed as her boyfriend's dog.

I know some people hate dogs. That is fine. I am not a fan of children.
But you get people on here then go on to say things like dog owners are simple minded etc and it gets nasty and silly.

You are just trolling now if you think stepping in dog piss in isn't disgusting.

Really hope you don’t have a garden you go barefoot in.

It’s going to blow your mind when you find out that’s where the foxes wee.

Agreed. But there is nastiness and silliness on both sides. Different people like different things, and that's fine.

(I like dogs btw, hence the username.)

I live by a lake, it’s well signed, dogs must be on leads at all times and certain sections of the parks, also out-side shopping areas
Yes there are many places where people can go where dogs must be on leads.

When people tell me their dog is friendly I say "yes but I'm not".

As I've said on here many times, if all dog owners kept their pets under control children (and adults) would not be scared of them.

Bleugh.

How interesting, thanks for sharing! Not quite sure though what it’s got to do with this actual thread.
Think you dreamt that one up, as we’ve seen on MN generally people on here, aren’t at all tolerant of dogs.

Don't you think the mother is adding to the emotions and making it worse for her daughter in the long term?

OPs dog was under control.

Feel the same about kids and loud people tbf, wish someone would keep them under control too!

It doesn't have anything to do with this thread. Just saying that there are some weird posters who won't tolerate any criticism of dogs, even if objectively valid. Not sure where you've got the idea from that people on MN "generally" aren't tolerant of dogs. I'd say most people like them of aren't fussed either way.

Or have I found Exhibit A?...

You recognised the situation, recalled your dog, put them on the lead and gave them space. That's all that's needed. Just calmly walk past, dog on lead, give them space as you go by. No need to engage.

Few weeks ago, I was in a park with my reactive to dogs, dog. On two leads, collar and a harness. I was sat on a bench looking at a water fountain, dog was leaning up against my leg and I had the leads tight in case an offlead "friendly" dog happened by. Out of nowhere an (offlead!) little girl of about 4yrs appeared from behind the bench, yelled DOG! in my dog's ear and proceeded to try and hug it. Now that is when you need to have a word with children!

Luckily, my dog is used to small children (shes a rescue and came from a family with five aged about 1yr to 8yr) so all that happened was the little girl had a big sloppy dog kiss up her face as I put my arm down between the two of them to separate them quietly and told her always be careful with dogs and ask before you play with one. Her DF suddenly appeared and dragged her off, didn't say anything to me, he looked terrified! Yes, I have a staffie.

This. I am also a multiple dog owner and am throughly sick of the, “he’s friendly” cop out from irresponsible idiots. They have ruined it for the rest of us I’m afriad.

Personally, the mother could have moved her kids right away if she was that concerned.

I was playing ball with mine this morning and some woman walked through the middle of us and then got annoyed when my dog started running up to her excitedly. My dog thought she was going to play ball, nothing I can do about that. Woman shouldn’t have walked in between us.

People need to take responsibility for their own situations. If you or your child are scared of dogs, wide berth them, don’t expect everyone else to move. Parents also need to teach their kids how to act around animals as a lot of them have no clue. I was at a fete the other week and kids were stomping the ground, screaming and pawing at dogs in the dog show. The parents of those kids would be the first in the queue for a payout if one of the dogs reacted negatively if it had got frightened.

@SchnizelVonKrumm what are you on about
These threads always turn nasty, on here people really don’t care and openly say they hate dogs.
You’ve got from this thread, people are not fussed either way? are you on so many threads, that you’re just getting mixed up! Because it’s pretty clear to me there’s some very angry people on here.
It’s really not a case of not tolerating criticism of dogs, it’s the anger and hatred towards them, that’s why people who have a dog, or have actual experience with dogs, are also commenting.
Anyway, as interesting as this is, l’m out.

Why do we just have to live with dogs though? Why? The people who don’t want dogs near them surely have a right to go about their business in peace without being hassled by dogs. Dogs aren’t members of society. They are a lifestyle choice made by their owners. Responsible owners recognise this and keep them on a short lead in public.

I don't think you were being unreasonable, just kind. But as a mum who has a daughter who would rather jump out in front of a car than pass a dog (not without cause, she was bitten before), that mother could have had a day of it reassuring her child with every dog that passed by. It gets so draining. So while I don't think you were being anything but kind, you could have been the 10th person to say the exact same thing to that child and mum was just weary! But well done on your very well behaved dog! You did absolutely nothing wrong.

Why should the woman have restricted where she wanted to walk? It’s your dog! If you want to play ball with it, do so in your garden. The women paid taxes to be able to enjoy public places in peace, without your lifestyle choice endlessly hassling her.

So your dog was walking off lead. You were approaching a little girl who appeared to be nervous about the dog, so you called the dog back and put it on the lead.

As you walked past you told the girl that the dog was friendly, at which time the mother snapped at you and said that doesn't mean she wants to say hello to it, which as far as I can tell you did not suggest that she wanted to do. I think I'm in the minority but I think you were not being unreasonable you didn't do anything wrong. Just because you said the dog was friendly didn't mean to were going to try to force an interaction.