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....

The hazmat suit, 100x - in fluorescent green.

"But what did you want her to do tiredemma? Burst into tears, shoot her dog/rat thing? Promise to sew it's mouth together?

You should tell your ds to pull himself together. It's only a dog or possibly a rat. He doesn't need to be terrified, he must just move away and tell the dog to get down. And you need to call out 'CALL YOUR DOG OFF.'"

I wouldnt mind hearing the words 'sorry' from her mouth.

As for telling me to tell my DS to pull himself together

There is no need to get all shitty with me, im only relaying my experience. Im not taking a stand against dog owners if thats whats offending you.

They cried because they were scared of the woman's dogs and the fact that she marched up to me, right in my face screaming like a mad woman because I called to her to call her dogs away from my food. We were in the woody bit of the park on our own and they felt scared. Wouldn't you and your kids feel threatened by that?

I find that taking a few extra beers along and good payment for any picnic doggy faux pas.

And we didn't have a row - she screamed at me, I stood thinking I wish I could tell you to fuck off you stupid mad idiot but I have self-control and my children are with me.

I wasn't being shitty, honestly. Sorry. I wasn't meaning to be anyway.

But take a line with ds to help him to not be frightened. That does seem totally reasonable to me.

She probably saw him jump up and didn't know there was nipping. Perhaps her wave was a sorry?

How does a considerate owner stop a dog from sniffing?

I'm talking about a dog walking at heel with lead. How do you stop them sniffing anyone who happens to passing by on the path?

Well, I don't think we'd be frightened by a couple of dogs on our picnic blanket. We MIGHT be frightened by being alone in a wood though. I WOULD be frightened of a mad lady screaming in my face about her problems, yes.

agree, it's the dog owners. Isn't that what this thread is about?

Actually, I don't take my dog in the park during the summer in the day.

I think he would run up to picnics, and people lying on the ground. I know he would. I take him v. early in the morning, but generally go out in the countryside more.

VVV, what a can of canine worms you've opened!

Starlight, it was me who said a dog sniffing someone in a park where they are allowed to be off the lead is not, in my opinion, unreasonable. Jumping up / acting intimidating in a public park is unreasonable. I stand by that. You can't stop a dog from having a sniff. It's in an area it's allowed to be in and is not being aggressive. I have to say, if you don't like it, I think you should be in a dog-free area, of which there are PLENTY!!

Whoever mentioned allergies? How is a dog owner to know that a child in a park where dogs are allowed to be has allergies?

I think ahundredtimes idea of wearing a placard would be helpful...

I think picnickers tease dogs by leaving food at ground level

I wasn't frightened by the dogs on my picnic blanket, I was pissed off they were sniffing and licking the drinks and food in the cool bag that was open. 100x I'm sorry I didn't react the way you would, will try harder.

Excellent Kbear, I think you'll feel the benefit if you do, in everything actually.

Keep your dog on a lead. It is in fact a requirement in parks round here but no one seems to.

100x, it was you wasn't it... the mad woman in the woods...

AND actually could all these blasted picnickers PLEASE tidy up after themselves and not leave all their rubbish and bits of food on the ground for the dogs to eat? They get fat, and isn't good for them. Thank you.

lol.

KBEAR I DON'T NEED THESE KIND OF PROBLEMS ABOUT PICNICS, NOT WHEN I'VE GOT ENOUGH ON MY PLATE.

Yes.

No, actually. I'm one of the ones that says 'oh god, sorry, he won't hurt you, sorry.'

I'm with you Kbear, it is totally unacceptable to allow a dog to run riot in public places. I don't have a dog, but would be mortified if it licked someone elses food! That is disgusting. Also Tiredemma you should have reported that dog owner for letting her mutt nip your DC bum. FGS that is awful. I have always tried to tell my DS that you should always be wary of dogs, never just go up to one and assume it wants to be stroked or patted. However, how do I tell my DS that some owners just let their dogs run anywhere and if they want to run up and nip/lick/slather all over my DS then we have to put up with it!

Could all dog owners clear up their dog shit and not leave it for my kids to fall in when they are playing cricket - thank you