To think this dog should not have been brought to school?

[sb6699]

Took ds and dd1 to school this morning. Standing right in between the two gates was a mum with a pit bull terrier so everyone had to squeeze past it.

Some of the smaller children were obviously very nervous of the dog but she still didn't move.

Given the breed of the dog AIBU to think that this mum should have left the dog at home or at very least dropped off her dcs outside the gates (our school rules stipulate that if you have a dog you should be no closer than 50 yards to the gates anyway!).

I agree with everyone who thinks dogs should not be allowed at school.

I adore my (adorable! ) chocolate labrador. My dog is wonderful with my son, but that's not say that I have the right to inflict the dog on anyone else's child and I certainly don't want my son subjected to anyone else's dog without my prior agreement.

SO, YANBU in my opinion.

hertsnessex - Glad to hear your little puppy is doing well!! I bet he's a big fella now!! Doof would be scared of him now!!!

(Doof is currently being chased around the kitchen by Harry, who thinks it's hilarious!!)

Mum with pit bull/pit bull type is a selfish idiot. How DARE she stand there ignoring children who were obviously scared? Honestly, I know there are plenty of decent dog owners but there is a minority who are as thick as pig shit.

And I do wish even people with 'normal' dogs wouldn't tie them up right outside the school gates. We have to walk past another (girls') school on our way to ds's primary. There's a very short length of railing opposite their gate, to stop children running straight out into the road - and there is one dog that is ALWAYS tied up there. No getting past it without walking in the road.

Dog appears to be lovely but it is impossible to tell ds 'don't touch strange dogs' when some idiot leaves their dog there every day and it is clearly a nice, friendly dog. The only message he's getting is 'strange dogs tied up are friendly and want to be patted' which is not helpful.

Hiya Haribosmummy! Pleased to hear Doof & Harry are well. Oscar wasnt well today and Mutley spent an hour with a tired and miserable child drapped over him in front of the tv!!! (he is 53kgs now and has another r of growing yet....aaaaahhh!!) Love to you all, especaily the fab Doof & gorgeous Harry!

I really do agree with Hertsnessex - Breed is only one factor.

I had a labrador as a child (30+ years ago) and, TBH, he'd be put down now - totally inconsistent and unpredictable with strangers and other dogs.

My labrador now is as soft as putty, but I recently saw a woman nearly faint with fear when her toddler (3YO maybe) came rushing up to him.. SHE didn't know my dog wasn't dangerous. I called to her that the dog was OK, and she was relieved, but I can see her point.

My DS spends so much time with our dog (and they are best of friends) that I do worry about having to make him understand at some point that not ALL dogs can be trusted the way his can.

Agree Haribosmummy.

My boys have had to learn respect for the dog and he has had to respect them and realise that he is wayyyyyyyy down in the pecking order.

Mutley is fab with the boys, but like any dog, he is an ANIMAL, with ANIMAL INSTINCTS.

You can enver trust a dog 100% and only you know your own dog well enough to know what he will wont take (Riding him like a horse seems to be a firm fav in our house - dog thinks its great, boys think its great, i wont let it happen as you just never know).

Worst most snappy & vicious dog i have ever seen was a Jack Russell - but that was ONE dog , not the WHOLE breed.

Are Pit Bulls really banned? My mum's next door neighbour has one. It's a hateful thing that has mauled mum's cat. DD is forbidden from going anywhere near the house (do not trust that dog).

OP I think you answered your own question

The trouble is, many owners (and I'm afraid the 'oh, little cuddly-wuddly-mr-Jenkins-wouldn't-touch-a-fly' are top of the brigade) just don't realise that dogs need to know their place in the pack.

I've been lucky with Ddog - he knew, instantly, that DS was higher than him in the family hierarchy, but even then, I've highlighted that by new measures (Ddog only EVER eats from his dish now, whereas he used to get treats all the time and he only ever travels in the boot of the car, not alongside DS)

I trust my dog implicitly. Absolutely. But I'd still never leave my son with the dog alone, because the dog is capable of causing harm by accident. And, I'd never be so confident as to predict how my dog would react in a different environment.

That's why I'm so against dogs being tied up. my previous labrador could be lovely to 99/100 kids, and then go for the 100th...

"pit bull"

"staffordshire bull terrier"

HertsnEssex - I am on your side - you don't need to say 'how sad for you' in that patronising defensive way! You and Hribosmummy both sound like very responsible and sensible dog owners and believe me I do not want to demonise any one breed. I have nothing against mastiffs, or staffies, or even pit bulls per se, (though do I give them all a wide berth in the park? Yes!) I just think it's a tragic shame that certain breeds appeal to the brain-dead knuckle-dragging type of owner who actually wants a dog who intimidates people and other dogs. In those hands, a dog who has been bred to be a 'brave warrior' for want of a better description, can be a lethal weapon. It's no good blaming the breed - when handled badly they will all revert to type. Collies herd and nip, lurchers steal, greyhounds chase, etc etc. And yes, I did know about beagles and rabbits, btw, but that is hardly a big problem in the scheme of things is it? It doesn't make front page news and it doesn't encourage irresponsible aggressive people to buy them! But my point is, what is the motivation for choosing a 'type' in the first place? Personally I could never be attracted to a dog that I know makes other people/dogs feel intimidated, even if those feelings are largely misplaced. I accept entirely that if you fall in love with a breed for a whole bunch of positive reasons then as a good owner you will be prepared to work through some of the potential negative aspects (at least you will if you are a half -decent, sensible owner). But as soon as a breed becomes a fashion/status symbol you are in trouble, because people will buy them without engaging their brains and without understanding the huge commitment and the implications. And you are in BIG trouble if that breed happens to be one that has a history of fighting/guarding/or bringing down huge animals. We all love lions and wolves and we respect what they are capable of and how their instincts work, but that isn't a reason enough to think we should live with one! I often hear people say 'don't tar with the same brush' and blame the deed not the breed' I agree - to a point. But statistics are statistics, and you cannot ignore the fact that certain breeds do have a tendency/physical ability to attack, and do serious damage. I am with you on the labs (espec.black ones) and the Jack Russells, btw, not as cute cuddly and reliable as many people think. But the bottom line is, that when death and serious injury occur there are almost always just a small handful of breeds or types implicated. Many smaller dogs, though snappy and unpredictable, just do not have the power/size to do serious harm. therefore, whilst one breed may or may not be more likely than another to attack, it IS, sadly, more likely to be owned by the 'wrong' type of owner, and it when it does attack it is more likely to end in dire tragedy.

I previously and throughout my childhood had SBT's. I trusted them with my children and NEVER had any issue with them. When it came time to look again I decided on a BM for the traits of the dog, his loyalty, guarding and good nature, and yes, his size would put most ppl off, works well for me really, which house r u giong to burgle.....one with a lap dog or one with a bloody great 10+stone dog?.......I am on my own with the kids alot and this is what i wanted, a great family dog with bulk!

53Kg and still growing!!! Now that's a dog with BULK

Doof hit 35 Kgs once and was SERIOUSLY overweight. he's probably around 28Kgs now.

But, I've been surprised recently... I carry DS in a backpack carrier now and one day, as I was loading him into it, another dog came bounding up.. Doof went BALLISTIC. He didn't need to (other dog just wanted to play) but I do feel he'd protect Harry to the end of the earth if he felt he had to.

I don't think you can ever really predict dogs. I would always say mine was a complete wuss, but it's like he feels a duty to protect my son - like he knows just how important he is to me...

The two of them def. have a special bond and they understand each other so well it's uncanny (but that's still not to say I'd allow the dog near other kids or my son near other (unknown) dogs!)

Totally Agree HaribosMummy.

Breed standard states they max at 59kg, but his dad was alot bigger, so expecting a big one by next yr (will let u know!)

Alf and Mutt have a great bond, and Alf is like me when i was a child and likes the input with training and walking, long may it continue.

I KNOW mutt would defned us and this house (or even the car if hes in it with me!) but BM's are very good judges of character and he is the biggest softie with friends, kids and other ppl he knows (postman could burgle us in a second i reckon!), will stnad back with others and judge my reaction first. He wont 'go' for anyone, but will stand in between me and them.

The key is that i KNOW my dog and the breed, i KNOW what he can/cant do and we work together on positive behaviour reinforcments (normally chicken legs! or venison tongues!) and he knows where he is in the pack.

I will never trust a dog 100%, and am generally wary of what situation he is in and how he is behaving.

If everyone was to really be proactive with how they choose a breed/dog and what they are prepared to put in then attacks would (IMHO) drop by 75% instantly.

Do you get venison tongues from the butchers? Are they expensive? I'm after something new to use for treats for the doggies.

Yes, and fresh marrow bones, kidneys, liver, etc etc! For most I just put money in the charity boxes. I let him know and he tells me what he has in/coming in. I get our meat there anywa and often pop in with some beer/wine for him!

Haribosmummy, just uploaded a cpl of new pics of boys and mutt!

Oh, they are Lovely!!! Mutt is HUGE!!!

Doof has liver and kidneys are treats, and whatever the butcher has going spare (we have a lovely organic butcher just down the road, who lets us have left overs at cost which works out really well!)

Herts, that is one gorgeous dog!

was the dog barking / snarling / looking on edge?

Just sat there quietly?

Not ACTUALLY doing anything to make people on edge? Just sitting, breathing...

Yeah, must be deadly then.... quick, pick the kids up and ban the dog from the gate

I took my mums dogs on the walk to collect DS the other day (she was with me) and if you were there, you'd have seen them sitting there patiently (as I expect this other dog was).

Hardly a reason to ban them from the public walk way, surely!

Thanks Haribos & Wot, he is rather cute - and even though he knows he shouldnt get on the sofas, any excuse for a cudde and he is there!! LOL

Pampered Doof by any chance Haribos.......ORGANIC meat!!! LOL

We live in the country and my sons went to a prep school where the local hunt used to meet once each season, the hounds used to frollic about with the children before they set off and although I'm not in favour of hunting the gentle presence of the hounds was a really good thing for the children. I now work for a charity that runs a care home and the PAT dogs that visit are really appreciated I think it would be very sad to stop dogs going to schools.

You know DOof - he was always a pampered pooch!!! He is currently sleeping on the bed with me (Harry is in his cot)

But, Doof is still the huge wuss he always was!!