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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that an "oh dear, sorry about that" is a piss poor apology from a dog owner......

278 replies

VeniVidiVickiQV · 28/07/2008 22:33

Whose sea-drenched dog bounded up to me and jumped up at me on the beach, and then bounded over to 3 yr old DS and jumped all over him and knocked him over?

Both of us were filthy (was a late afternoon stroll - no swimsuits etc) and although the owner asked if DS was okay (he wasnt hurt), when I replied that he wasnt hurt but he was now filthy dirty - he just said "oh, okay" and wandered off....

OP posts:
themoon66 · 28/07/2008 22:34

What sort of apology would you have liked? I'm assuming the dog owner was deeply embarrassed and just wanted to get out of there.

Hassled · 28/07/2008 22:35

I'm scared to say what I really want to say about (some) dog owners. "Piss poor" just about sums it up, though.

theSuburbanDryad · 28/07/2008 22:35

I farkin hate dogs, i do.

ravenAK · 28/07/2008 22:36

I'd be mightily pissed off.

But perhaps either he was mortally embarrassed, or he was one of the minority of dog lovers who are cheerfully oblivious to the fact that their foul animal is occasionally less than charming to others...

Hope you fried him with a Death Stare!

wrinklytum · 28/07/2008 22:38

Ooh, one of my bugbears.My mum recently had a stand up row with a silly cow woman whose prize poodles ran up to the dcs proceeded to jump all over them and she just went the classic line "Oh they won't hurt you" No ??? If youre 4 and 2 and two huge animals as big as you are come bounding over and jump all over you it is pretty terrifying,I imagine.Mum pointed this out and the woman told her to get a life!!!

Irresponsible dog owners should be consigned to room 101 IMHO.There,rant over feeling better,thanks.

Original poster
VeniVidiVickiQV · 28/07/2008 22:40

He certainly seemed unfussed. Almost as if to say "goodness, what a panicky fuss about nothing" attitude. I'd like to have seen him look mortally embarrassed, actually.

I like dogs. DS does too - loves them. He was giggling like anything and saying "gerroff doggie" but that's not the point is it?

OP posts:
solidgoldbrass · 28/07/2008 22:46

Maybe he thought that, as your DS was giggling, you weren't particularly bothered (as opposed to child shrieking in fear).

themoon66 · 28/07/2008 22:52

So what would have been an appropriate apology in your book then VVVQV?

I ask coz I never know what to say in this sort of situation and I always end up saying 'oh its ok' whilst some rotweiler slobbers all over my white jeans

I end up feeling like its my fault somehow.

hester · 28/07/2008 22:52

YANBU. dd used to love dogs - now cowers in fear as they approach, all due to a few stupid owners thinking that because they enjoy Rover jumping up and barking in their faces, a passing two year old will too.

ButterflyMcQueen · 28/07/2008 22:52

vvvvqv a bloody dog ran up to me and drenched my trousers whilst i was holding my 10 day old and frighttened my 2 yr old

they did not even comment

tossers

last year in Norfolk a dog burst my dcs ball on the beach and the owner just said 'he always does that' and did not offer to pay

no YANBU grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Bowddee · 28/07/2008 22:53

DS got jumped on by huge dog at the weekend.
Lots of scratches on his arms but nothing major.
Dog owner looked nearly as upset as me. But DS was screaming.
So no, YANBU.

Cryptoprocta · 28/07/2008 23:00

Our sweet little girl puppy slipped her collar and wandered into a shop where DH was buying th e papers. There was a police officer in there and she wee-wee'd on his boots . DH apologised and got the hell out of here.

She has a habit of jumping up on people, but that is because they let her. They cluck and call her over, so she goes bananas. I try to tell her to sit, but they say "oh, she's all right". Now she thinks everyone loves her and wants to be jumped all over. But she wouldn't bother with anyone who didn't make eye contact.

WilfSell · 28/07/2008 23:03

'because they let her'? You're the dominant dog in your pack, Crypto: you're the one who should be in charge of her, not random stupid strangers. She's not going to learn if you don't put your foot down, sorry.

NotQuiteCockney · 28/07/2008 23:06

My DS2 is terrified of dogs, thanks to a few 'nice' 'friendly' dogs who've jumped up, knocked him over, and licked him. I'm not funny about dogs, and DS1 loves dogs. But DS2 freaks out all the time about dogs, and it makes me so and .

Most dog owners are great, and understanding. But there are a few that just don't get it - a dog that jumps up and licks (with strangers) may be well-intentioned, but it is badly-behaved and badly-trained.

Bowddee · 28/07/2008 23:17

Cryptoprocta, does this mean my 4yr old DS has to accept that dogs will jump on him because some people like dogs jumping on them? Have I got to try and teach him not to look at dogs?
Sorry, but after Saturday's experience your post has left me a little . I don't care WHO lets dogs jump all over them, YOU must control your dog, don't make it MY responsibility. My child is frightened of dogs. Even more so now.
Am going to shut up now as I am starting to fume, not at you, I know it sounds like it, but that's not how I mean it, when I say 'YOU' I'm referring to all dog owners.... oh, I'll go now and put some more Sudacrem on on poor DS's cuts.

Blandmum · 28/07/2008 23:22

My SIL was having a walk, dog ran up to her and bit her. Dog not provoked at all. SIL was brused by the bite. Owner refused to put the dog on a leash.

Dog then went for another passer by.

Owner still refused to control dog.

Later in the afternoon owner made threatening phone call to SIL!

theSuburbanDryad · 28/07/2008 23:22

How did the owner get SIL's number MB??

Blandmum · 28/07/2008 23:25

SIL was on holiday with her sister. Dog owner knew SIL's sister and where she lived. Small village stuff

windygalestoday · 28/07/2008 23:25

I hate dog owners who do that too - i have a lovely puppy called buddy i dont allow him to jump up i am firm and he knows the boundary -so much so that one adult who was petrified of dogs will now hold his lead and pet him (only buddy tho shes still scared of other dogs) and a little boy who used to cry if he went near a dog will now pat buddy and often gives him things to eat- it doesnt take agression to discipline a dog buddy has never been smacked its the voice that he recognises- yet other dog owners think bcos i have a dog i wont mind there dog jumping all over me - well actually yes i do and its v frustrating and rude imo.

MsHighwater · 28/07/2008 23:25

Martianbishop, I hope your SIL then made a "reporting" call to the police!

theSuburbanDryad · 28/07/2008 23:25

Aha - how horrible!!

themoon66 · 28/07/2008 23:25

crypto... I understand why you think people are happy to let your dog jump all over them. I'm one of those people who says 'oh its okay' just to avoid confrontation. Inwardly I fume coz my tights are ripped or my trousers all marked

See my earlier post.

I would still like to know what an appopriate apology would be from the dog owner VVVQV.

bluenosesaint · 28/07/2008 23:26

YANBU!

A very piss poor apology indeed!

The dog should have been under control and if it cannot be controlled it should not have been off the lead!!

I cannot stand dogs that jump up, its awful and not cute or endearing in the slightest ...

on your behalf

umberella · 28/07/2008 23:28

at a meeting yesterday a verry over exuberant labrador slobbered all over dd (7mo) at every opportunity - she thought it was hilarious. I would have been pissed off if she ws upset, but not otherwise tbh.

wigparty · 28/07/2008 23:29

Hi again VVV (posted earlier about your possible heat rash ).

As the owner of an exuberant but very friendly dog, I'd be mortified if that happened.

But...is this not now officially the 'season' on beaches. Hence, there are relatively few areas on the beach dogs are allowed to go, as opposed to far more dog-free areas.

Was there an option for you to go to a dog free area and thereby avoid the dogs?

Agree owner should have apologised though.