To ask a favour in a large group chat?

[FunnyOrca]

My husband and I are both unsure around dogs. I have spent time with friends’ well trained dogs to get a bit better and now am not bothered by a dog unless it approaches/jumps/barks.

BIL has a “partially trained” (untrained) dog. BIL has children, so I know the dog must be safe. But the jumping up behaviour and barking put me on edge. My baby will meet this dog and I’m kind of keen for it not to be the first dog! Mine and my husband’s fears come from early childhood experiences with untrained dogs.

I am part of two very large local group chats. One is work (200 ish people) that usually deals with parking updates, asking for lifts, “I have a spare ticket for X”, lost property etc. the other is a local parenting group (300/400 ish people) where they usually give away gear, discuss buggy access, recommendations for healthcare/haircuts/birthday parties etc.

WIBU to ask in one of these if someone could let me and my daughter join them on a few walks? Unfortunately, I couldn’t offer to take the dog for someone as I am too inexperienced with dogs.

My other thought was to put up a post near a local dog walking spot that we often walk too.

If I saw that on a parenting group I would think that was really normal and if I could assist I would.

I think this is fine and it's a good idea. I also became more comfortable around dogs by spending time with well behaved dogs.

Yeah but the thing is, most dog owners think their dog is 'fine' and 'well trained'...'won't jump up' - until it does.

How can you be sure the dogs will be as well trained as they claim?

I think it's fine to ask.

But you might be fewer responses asking a large group than a small one, because in large groups everyone thinks someone else will do it.

I also think it’s fine to ask. But this line stuck out ’BIL has children so I know the dog must be safe

Unfortunately , kids are injured or even killed by their own family dogs ever year. Even if the dog is used to kids, a crying baby might be new and scary for it.

I’m not dismissing your plan, but equally, don’t dismiss your fears.

(I say this as someone who has an idiot BIL with a large and untrained dog - my children don’t go to his house!)

If I saw that on a chat, I would absolutely reply to you and offer a meeting with my very steady dog