to be annoyed at dog owner's attitude?

[TaleofTwoCities]

I was in the playing field today on the way over to the playground with ds 4 and dd2. I was watching ds who had gone ahead on his scooter and when I looked around at dd who was a few feet behind me she was being nearly knocked over by a young labrador type dog who was trying to lick her.

Now I don't mind dogs (despite being more of a cat person ) but I was annoyed at the attitude of the owner who arrived on the scene shortly afterwards. Instead of reprimanding the dog (who had clearly rushed at my dd, rather than me) he said 'oh isn't she used to dogs?' I said 'well not ones that nearly knock her over no'. He then proceeded to try and get her to stroke the dog and make friends with it.

Honestly, I would be worried if my dog were making a beeline for toddlers, however friendly intentioned. Just lucky for us that dd is fairly laid back and unlikely to develop a dog phobia. By the time the man had finished talking to us, I looked round and ds had disappeared! Luckily he was in the playground....it's a lesson to me anyway, to be more alert to dogs when I'm in dog walking territory!

I would agree with Expat if certain public places were made dog parks (as in the US).

But, you cannot expect that today as there would be nowhere for dogs.

FWIW, I've just been out for an hour and a half in open fields and didn't see anyone who wasn't a dog walker. We drive to ensure we are out of any possible kids / cyclists (they actually are FAR more annoying that any child!!!!

My dog will now only be walked on a lead for the rest of the day.

But I will say, tis blardy cold out there today!

EXPAT i think you just want owners to run along side their dogs so you can laugh at them trying to keep up

No way, LEM, I leave the laughing to the dogs because yes, I sincerely believe they can laugh. I've seen them. Horses, too.

I do know quite a few people who run alongside their dogs.

FIL is a diabetic now on injectibles, but when he was first diagnosed he was about 3 stone overweight and not the exercise type.

So he got his first brace of dogs (he's now on a second set) in order to force himself to exercise.

It worked!

haribosmummy it wasn't me that said anything about cats. It was Milly. You must be reading the thread in the wrong direction!!! How are you btw? My DH has taken DS away for the weekend to give me a rest as I am utterly exhausted. Bliss!!

I totally agree with you about cats.We have a massive problem with a tom cat that i think waits by the door until we leaveit open and comes in and sprays everywhere.If it can't get in it just sprays up against the lounge window and the smell filters in anyway.Vile!!!

I don't really see what cat owners can do though.I think it's cruel to have them as house pets.

I will be teaching my 2 year old not to aproach strange dogs once he's old enough to understand.

I will do my best to teach him not to run,but having been on the receiving end of a barking alsatian jumping on my back,with no one else in sight,it is extremely difficult to ignore your instincts, keep calm, and walk slowly rather than run.

Lol at going through the 'motions' of picking up dog poo

Oops Sorry, Trixymalixy, I obviously have baby brain (or in my case, no brain at all!!!!)

I'm exhausted too at the mo... DS was up at 2am last night - hungry and then wanted to play . Sadly, DH has gone out on his own.... But DS is (finally!) napping!!!

I do worry about DS (now 10 months) with dogs. He is so used to Ddog - They were playing yesterday and DS put his hand in Ddog's mouth ... Of course, I know Ddog will be fine (plus I was right there) but I do worry about how (and when!) I try to deal with the fact that not all dogs are like Ddog!!

lol at the thought of a brace of dogs!!! hung up to cure!

LEM, that would have broken my heart .

Obviously you can't keep a dog of that age who has not been brought up with children, especially a nervous one, but it must have been horrible. I bet your DP doesn't mean it about not ever getting another one...the right puppy at the right time, and he'll have to let you get one. Mine were adorable as pups. (In fact, still are, although Boydog has just come in all damp and smelling of rain, and is trying to climb in my lap for a cuddle...)

I would love fines to be enforced, and maybe even a return to licences. It would make things easier for those of us who take dog ownership seriously.

YANBU - what's worse than the 'bounding up' is that dog owners then proceed to insist the child strokes the dog. My SIL insists that all my kids do that to her yampy dog when we go "she'll settle down once you stroke her". NO FFS - I don't want to, they don't want to. Why should my kids appease the dog and not the other way around?

sorry for being so rude last night
I was in a bad mood and it was totally uncalled for

Yes freckle, it was really upsetting - i still can't believe he did it. Im not sure he can believe himself really. It just went against everything we believe in when it comes to getting a dog. It was a spur of the moment thing - never a good idea. I felt sorry for the dog as i figure he is only going to end up as a guard dog - DP said "ah but you can get him right" - but i didnt want to get him right, i have dealt with many dogs in my time and the dangerous ones are always the nervy ones. Thing is, now he wants an american bulldog - i sooo don't so will try and push him in the direction of a rottie when WHEN the time is right for us. I am going back to work in september, so maybe the summer to settle the pup (im only going part time) but its a very big if, im not sure if i have the heart for it.

If you can't stop your dog from leaping on people then yes it should be on a lead ALL of the time. If that's too much trouble then get a goldfish.

We should all start running up to dog owners, knocking them down, dribbling on them and then saying with a smile "I'm only being friendly"

Joking aside and to those who think their dogs can do what they like, if your dog leaps at me you will be carrying it to the vet.

I only mention it as an incentive to think twice before letting them off the lead. Their next target may not be a helpless child, it might be me.

Nice

And, just for the record, what if a running child bashed into you? Would it get a kicking too?

What a lovely example you must set your children.

FairyNuff what your SIL is doing IS stupid. It is the opposite of what you and your kids should be doing. If a dog is the type to make a fuss and yap and snap when new people come to the house they should be ignored not petted. I make a point of ignoring my dogs when I come in. I wait a good five minutes and until I am sorted out before I greet them.

I have just got a new puppy and this is all part of teaching him who is the boss in my house (Me BTW ). Your SIL getting your kids to stroke her yappy dog is just rewarding him for his bad behaviour.

On the topic generally, I do find it sad that people dont like dogs. Dogs are lovely but they are also smelly, dirty and a PITA a lot of the time. I wouldnt impose my pets on other people but I do wish that there was less fear about dogs. Sadly I dont think this is going to happen now. There are just too many great big, out of control, badly fed, badly trained dogs out there.

Its sad and a shame

haribosmummy, hi!! hope Ds and Ddog are doing well!

onagar - think you have some dog anger issues there!! Loving the '...you will be carrying it to the vet.....' doubtful in my dogs case.

i often have children coming up to stroke/play with my dog, and their parents let them stroke the dog without asking me - which seems wierd TBH as even my boys know to ask the owner first.

Did once have a mum get annoyed as her DD had come up to stroke my dog and she got covered in slobber (on her coat)......well, he had just been running for 2 miles and is a bullmastiff - so slobber is kinda obligatory and her DD yet again didnt ask if the dog was ok (she was around 6yo).

Mutt will come back when called and doesnt run over to other kids or dogs, and yes, i do have him off the lead over the fields and sometimes through the park (not actual play-park) if there are no littles around.

i respect that some ppl are scared of dogs etc, but i am allowed to let me dog run over a field and will continue to do so.

Hi Hertsnessex!!

Yes, DS and Ddog are great.. And we have DD on the way

You did make me thinking about trying to carry your dog anywhere!!!

Glad to hear you guys are all good!

Thanks everyone, interesting to hear different points of view on this, despite it being an already over-debated topic (sorry about that). I think Haribosmummy is right, it is about compromise. The particular playing field we were in is child oriented as it has playground, skate park and ball park but it's also a huge recreation ground next to a housing estate so an obvious venue for dog owners and ample space to take dogs off the leads away from the play areas.

At least now I'm going to be more aware of dogs and try to familiarise my kids with how to act around them and not be scared. It's not something we've encountered before so hasn't been something I've thought about that much. Anyway, discussion closed by the sounds of it.