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

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

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....

I cant stand dogs but dd (2) is the polar opposite. She will go up to dogs lying on the pavement and actually lie down next to them if I dont get there in time, and will charge up to dogs shouting "puppy puppy" to stroke and cuddle them. This endears her to the owners but scares the life out of me and keeps me on my toes as she is pretty fast. Fingers crossed its a phase and we dont end up getting a dog (shudder).

My dog is well trained. Infact he does what I say - that same cannot always be said for ds! lol

gosh there's some horrible people around your neck of the woods solidgold. No wonder you dislike dogs so much. I can assure you not everyone is like that, esp re bringing dogs to someone's house and going in to no-dog areas...

If dogs are allowed on the beach, then there's a chance you will have an encounter. It doesn't seem that much harm was done, and the owner did show concern.

People get equally bothered about balls coming their way, children kicking up sand, noise etc. If you want to go to a busy beach then you will come across people and behaviour you don't approve of.

We were at a beach the other day and it was such a joy to watch a dog going into the water again and again to fetch his toy. My dog was only interested in sniffing other dogs' bottoms (she would have ignored you and your DS).

We were in the park when DS2 was about 6 months old and Ds1 was 4. A staffie ran about 200 yards to try and get in to the buggy, it was snarling and barking!! I almost died - I was screaming, baby crying and DS1 ran away. The arsehole owner sauntered over after about 5 minutes with the fantastic apology of "sorry doll!"

Some people should not own dogs.

I would love to own a dog but there are far too many irresponsible dog owners where I live who cannot be bothered to control their dogs.

Solidgold, "pets are props for the inadequate" - you are hysterical!

i'm glad you're there to inform us of these things,Annie; nobody is arguing cats are a threat to wildlife. But it IS all part of nature and will happen no matter how many pets we have.
What a stupid thing to say: if people didn;t keep them as pets........

"pet dogs are just props for the inadequate"

oh take your fucking stupid moronic comments somewhere where people care what you think...idiot.

Well said, lovesdogsandcats. She couldn't possibly be for real..

when I lived in the US all dogs had to be kept on the lead and all shit picked up as they did hand out fines. Unlike here.
Oh, and they were banned from most parks.
Never had to worry about stepping in shit or having some uncontrolled animal jump at you. Bliss.
I had 2 dogs of my own at the time.

I think any good dogowner would agree that behaviour like that staffie you described thecrackfox is absoultely awful and must have been frightening for your DC . It shouldn't have been allowed to run riot if he was obviously out of control.

I also think any good dog owner would apologise sincerely if a dog jumped up at anyone (child or adult).

But I think that in a dog-friendly area, there is a chance that a dog may sniff you. Jumping up (when not appreciated) / being aggressive, the dog should be put on the lead, but just having a sniff?

People who physically separate their DC from a dog who had a sniff are setting their DCs up for a major dog phobia in the future I reckon. Unless the parent in question is actually dog phobic herself, in which case I symphathise but perhaps I would stay in areas where you know dogs aren't being walked. (plenty of places, far less places open to dog walkers).

Like objectivity said though, space does seem to be an issue nowadays. I don't think anyones views are wrong (apart from you Solidgold, but then I think you must be nuts ) so tolerance and common sense from dog owners and any other users of a public space is what's needed.

If there is a child (other than my own) in the vicinity, both of mine go on leads.

They are very bouncy, but canine friendly fire is not nice...

You should have had a grovelling apology....

Oh, get over your PC-ness.

I mean the dogs go on leads, not the kids

lovesdogs, I did wonder!

was I being pc? How?

Not you; anniemac

People who love their dogs need to realise that not everybody shares this feeling. I do like dogs, in fact I would love one. But my DD is completely terrified of them. No reasion she just is, if she is walking along the path and sees one coming I have to grab her or she run will onto road in a blind panic. I am sick and tired of people saying 'oh he/she is harmless' that means nothing, people have let their dogs jump on her, lick her and don't control them, especially with those bloody extendable leads. On a couple of occassions I have had to lift my foot and push the dog away, this usually sends the owner into meltdown. My DD feelings are more important to me than their dogs. I have had a Lab and a German Shepherd, they were only off the lead in secluded woods or a large hilly area near to us. They were taught to walk to heel and in a heavily populated area the were walked on a sort lead and not allowed near to anybody. I also discouraged children from trying to pet them, nobody knows how a dog will react.

I think you're all mad.

Why not get your dc to NOT be terrified of dogs? Isn't that the way forward? Find a dog whose nice, docile and easy-going and REMOVE the fear, rather than being uptight and hysterical about a dog coming over to say hello in the park?

That makes more sense to me. And surely better for them in the long term? They can't spend a life never seeing a dog, can they?

My spaniel went over to say hello to some children in the park - not jumping, just walking, and the girl SCREAMED and he sat on his bottom and looked nervous and embarrassed, and I went over and held his collar.

What can you say? You say in the face of irrational fear 'don't worry, he won't hurt you. He lives with children. I'll hold him now and you can walk away.'

Off she goes, wailing away, and her grandparents both ashen.

Another dog owner came up and said 'I've never seen a child frightened of a spaniel before' and I shrugged. He said 'Usually you know, the children don't mind, it's their bloody parents you've got to watch.'

I think he might be right now.

We have a couple of Setters which are very friendly and sociable dogs. We only walk them on the large commons near us, and never take them to parks etc. However we do come across small children sometimes and there have been a few occasions whereby they've gone to sniff children before I've seen that they're there - and I have to confess I have said - 'don't worry they won't hurt you'. Not as an excuse - but to reassure both parent and child that they're not in any danger and can pet them if desired. I do always put them on the lead straight away, and of course apologise if I think they've scared or upset anyone. I have also used the "he's only a puppy" line too - again to reassure, and explain why he's not so obedient as the other dog.

Well, yes, you DO have to say that because either the child has gone white and is trembling or their parents are crying in a hysterical manner or visibly stiffening like they've never met a bloody dog before fgs.

You have to say 'it's okay, he's a puppy, he is not a four footed monster from hell who is intent on your destruction.'

Agree it sounds lame, but what else do you say?

Personally, I think birds are MUCH more dangerous. And a law unto themselves, without leashes or owners or the benefit of training classes.

They are the ones to watch.