to think that picking a child up when a dog walks past is only going to reinforce that child's fear of dogs?

[wannaBe]

On way home from school this morning a woman and her child were coming towards me. As soon as the child saw the dog she started to wimper, she didn't scream, or become histerical, she opened her mouth and said she didn't want to pass the dog. Her mother picked her up, and proceeded to carry her, by now perfectly happy, until we passed, at which point she put her down again.

Now, I realize that some children are afraid of dogs for whatever reason. But the reality is that dogs are a part of life, and pandering too that fear to the enxtent that the child doesn't have to walk past the dog is surely not going to help? And is only going to reinforce the child's belief that all dogs are scary and to be feared.

If it was a bounding, snrrling, barking boisteress dog I could perhaps understand it, but it wasn't.

Hahaha stroppyknickers - no need to run and hide.... we will just set our dogs on you

paolosgirl - I don't let her bound up (tbh she si a lazy dog, so a fat waddle is as far as ashe gets)

but the way I see it, i have chosen to have my dog. Not everyone in the world wants to meet her (even if she wants to meet them ). If they do, they are welcome to approach, she really is very friendly.

Someone getting hysterical about a guide dog would be silly - if that someone is a child, the parent should reassure them.

But otherwise, I wish dog owners would keep the darn things under control. How do I teach ds not to approach strange dogs without asking the owner when there's a stupid woman who ties her damn animal up right outside a school we pass every morning (very narrow pavement, would have to walk in the road if we wanted to avoid it)?

Can anyone tell me why it is such a bad thing to be scared of dogs anyway?

It's not a completely irrational fear.

I sometimes think that dog owners take it personally for some reason. They feel they have to convince you to like their dog and bang on and on about it. It's quite tedious.

Urgh, not scooping is just DISGUSTING! All my jeans back pockets are stuffed with nappy bags or poop bags.
Not picking up is VILE.
If i see someone not scooping - I always offer them a bag, or offer to call the police if they decline as they are breaking the law.

silverfrog
That is my biggest problem at the moment, our puppy is so überfriendly that she runs bounding up to anyone coming towards her. Granted, she doesn't yet weigh more than 2kg but she could still frighten a child, I suppose.

As someone said - dogs are a part of life.

Teaching children how to behave around dogs is as vital as training dogs IMO and IME.

bertie - I will need a head start . Sorry for not loving your/anyone's dog. Feel free to bring the kids round to be scared of our cat/guinea pigs.

TTTT, I think the reason we take it so personally is they do become a "part" of the family - so how they behave is a reflection of you.

Which is why my dogs have to be the most well behaved in the park. If only I could instill the same disciplin on my DD.... sigh

there is a difference in my opinion between a child who is scared of dogs for a reason (bad experience, sensing parental unease)and a child (or adult) with a phobia. Phobias are often irrational and unexplained, aren't they. I know someone who has a phobia of buttons,she has no idea why but it is very real and debilitating, and my nan is terrified of cotton wool, even the thought of it sends her all cold and clammy and she feels sick!

I am scared of shells and feathers. Just thought I would veer off in response to Lou's thread.

I think its reasonable if you're teaching young children to be warey of strange dogs to include guide dogs in that as they might then think that all dogs of that breed are "safe".

If the kid is too young to differentiate between a guide dog and a less well trained dog of the same size/breed then its reasonable for parents to teach their kids the same boundaries for all stange dogs?

Does that make sense?

Lou's post, obv.

Silver, it sounds as if you are one of the considerate dog owners out there - and there are many. Sadly, as with the ones that don't scoop, it's the small minority who give others a bad name.

Agree with others who say it's not about fear, it's about caution - and rightly so.

stroppy, you are hilarious!! I cant stop laughing at your posts....

Yes but buttons and cotton wool don't have big bitey teeth!

I think the big bitey teeth are a good enough reason to be scared of dogs personally, whether you have actually felt them sink into you or not!

Bertie I think you're right that's probably why it is. It just seems so counterproductive when you're cowering in a corner with a massive alsation drooling over you and the owner saying "yes doris is so affectionate"...

We have a large german shepherd (snarling alsation as someone called them earlier) and my dd loves him. She is however, scared of small dogs and cats so I pick her up if we are passing them on the road. No biggie really.

I hate irresponsible dog owners, they wreck it for the rest of us. My dog is never allowed to bound up to anyone, never off lead when children are around in parks etc and I always make him sit and then I stand in front of him if people and children look nervous on a narrow path. It's just what you have to do!

I am racking my brains for a phobia i have, but i cant think of one. does that make me normal or not????!!!

banana that was me. i only used alsation, as they are always used as the picture to tell you to "keep out - guard dog". I know not all alsations are snarly.

are you phobic about not being normal? I don't mean I think you're not normal, just suggesting ideas.

I know two people with real phobias

One is completely unable to cope with pins or needles. Has none in the house and couldn't go to her own daughter's wedding dress fitting because of it

The other is completely petrified of dogs (I dont know if it comes from a previous attack or not). She freezes and can barely breath if one gets close to her. It always annoys me when dog owners laugh it off or delay pulling their dog off when she is in such distress or tell her "its fine". She's not "fine" - she's hyperventilating.

probably. And i know i am very far from normal, whatever that means

Oh bertie boo, i know. I thought it was quite funny.

The only dog I have ever been entirely happy with was a friend's dog which was very old and arthritic and moved at about 1 mph. Was very comfortable around that dog.

It's silly as I know in theory that many dogs I have met are nice - my aunt has two sheepdogs and I can tell in theory they are nice, but in practice they are a bit boisterous and I just don't like them.

Cats on the other hand

eeeewwwww cats. totally pointless.