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Original poster

But she's ^so^ good with children [hmm] ...

104 replies

NotQuiteCockney · 04/06/2007 20:02

Said this woman with a nice labrador in the park today. While DS2 was quaking in fear - he doesn't like licky jumpy dogs. The woman said several times how good her dog was with kids.

And then said, 'oh yeah, I've met you before, I think she [the dog] knocked your little boy down', in a very casual way.

I mean, I can totally see that this dog means well and wouldn't hurt my kid, but ffs, knocking kids over is not being good with them!

OP posts:
fransmom · 04/06/2007 22:22

not a lot i thinks

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 04/06/2007 22:29

Sorry I started this then ran off. A few points:

  • I love dogs, and have owned them. I agree that a dog that jumps and licks strange children isn't evil, just badly trained.

  • DS2 is afraid of large dogs, because he fears they will jump on him, and lick him. He is 2! Large dogs are often bigger than him. My five-year-old loves dogs, but is well-trained to ask owners before approaching new dogs.

  • This woman isn't even the worst example of clueless pet ownership I've had - there was a couple with two small new terrier puppies, one of whom was gentle, the other of whom bit, in the experimental-but-with-sharp-tiny-teeth way that small puppies had. They told me (and DS2) that the dogs were nice with kids. I didn't take the sharp-tiny-teeth-biting personally, but DS2 did - he's two!

I find most pet owners are lovely, but I wish they'd understand that yes, fine, your big dog may mean well when s/he jumps up on my two-year-old and licks him, but he doesn't like it. And a word of warning (e.g. 'he jumps and licks') is much appreciated, when I bloody well ask, on approaching 'does your dog like children?'.

OP posts:
Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 04/06/2007 22:30

Oh, and I do dramatically position myself between DS2 and any dog that is expressing an interest in him, if he's not interested, no matter what the dog's size, because it's important to me that DS2 feels safe. I think that if I make clear to him that he will be protected from any dog, if he doesn't want to meet it, he will relax and be happier with dogs.

(I do make clear to owners, while I'm doing this, that it's not that I don't trust their dog, my child is just nervous and afraid of being licked.)

OP posts:
fransmom · 04/06/2007 22:30

nqc i understand why you ran off

that would be the normal response wouldn't it?! some people just don't think. am having to teach dd that some dogs aren't friendly

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 04/06/2007 22:32

(Oh, no, I was out boozing - not fleeing the thread, I swear.)

OP posts:
fransmom · 04/06/2007 22:32

you just don't trust their dog nqc - don't fib!!! fwiw i would understand if we had a dog and you did that. would be offended if you didn't tbh

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 04/06/2007 22:33

Well, it's a bit more complicated than that - I feel I am reasonably good at reading dog behaviour, and, let's face it, enthusiastic licky dogs are often easy to spot. I find nearly all dog owners are sympathetic to DS2 being afraid, particularly as I'm not rude to the owners, or the dogs, tbh.

I let DS1 approach any dog, I just make sure he asks the owner first, if the dog is friendly.

OP posts:
northstar · 04/06/2007 22:36

Not sure if i'm hijacking here but on friday evening a pit bull ran all excited into my house. It ran around a bit, then went outside and tore up and down the path then came and sat down at my feet with it's tail wagging and a big smile on it's face.
Now I had the door open because I was watering the garden BUT it was only 8pm and the dc's are sometimes up at that time. Also, if I hadn't noticed, it could have ran upstairs to their room.
I found out where it lived and took it home, the owner gave me that "crazy over-protective mother" look when I complained about it being out unsupervised. What do you do?

northstar · 04/06/2007 22:37

Ok just re-read thread and it is a hijack so please ignore

fransmom · 04/06/2007 22:41

anyway northstar i would be the same.

whether it is friendly or not it is still a pit bull and is theref ore considered a dangerous dog [bloody iresponsible dog owners}

Stroo · 04/06/2007 22:42

I'm not sure what you mean by a hijack?

I've also taken a dog home that was wandering the street (i nearly ran it over) and the owner did exactly the same thing to me - how dare you!!! etc.

sighs

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 04/06/2007 22:43

In Canada, when I had a dog, one summer, my partner and I kept picking up strays. Mostly pitbulls, all unneutered males. All reasonably well-behaved, but a hassle to catch, take home, call the RSPCA equivalent, explain that, no, we didn't have a car, so they had to collect etc etc.

OP posts:
Pruuni · 04/06/2007 22:43

I like dogs, some of them. Have owned 2.
DS doesn't and we don't know why.
Many dog owners simply do not understand that people worry around dogs, whether they like them or not. I worry when I'm with ds because I am his protection.
I think if you are very used to your dog, you don't see them as anything other than members of the family. I do wish more dog owners would understand that they are perhaps the only people who see their dogs that way, and that to a random stranger they are a potential threat so people are not going to be relaxed and chatty and welcoming of licks and woofs and a bit of harmless jumping up.

GreebosWhiskers · 04/06/2007 22:44

I posted on the 'infamous' thread a few weeks ago (mostly in the non-dog-lover camp - I do like dogs but hate irresponsible dog owners). I'm not going to change sides but I can see where a lot of the dog-lovers are coming from too as we came out of Tesco on Saturday & there was a heeyoooge dog tied up outside (not sure what breed but it was brown/black & looked like a giant teddy bear). It was totally minding its own business, in a wee world of its own & a woman was practically having a hairy fit 'cos her 2 dc's were walking past it. She was pure white & shaking & telling them to stay back 'cos it might bite. The kids weren't too bothered but she made such a carry on that even dh (who is definitely not a dog-lover) was giving her funny looks.

ChasingSquirrels · 04/06/2007 22:46

doesn't take much to see why kids would be worried about dogs, just get down to their level and look at a dog - its bloody obvious. I agree that it is a shame that more people don't realise, after all what harm does it do to just put the dog on the lead while you go past people if it is at all likely to approach them (in any way)?

elastamum · 04/06/2007 22:47

I am a dog person and IMO all dogs (including ours) should be on leads in parks full of kids. I walk mine off the lead way out in the country where we rarely meet anyone - particularly without their own dog in tow. Interestingly if you are walking alone in the middle of nowwhere with a dog I would probably say hello, if you were on your own without one I might think you were a wierdo

Stroo · 04/06/2007 22:48

Pruuni - you talk alot of sense. I guess my big smelly collie / greyhound is just a puppy to me and always will be.

The smelly ends don't come into it and i know it does to others.

Members of the family don't have to be quite so "he's about to rip my throat out?" though.

northstar · 04/06/2007 22:49

Greebos, that's why I did'nt want to go hysterical and all! I was p**d off that a pit bull had ran into my house but didn't want to exaggerate the problem iyswim? I do like dogs, and would take the opinion (maybe naively) that a dangerous dog wouldn't be 1.tied to a post somewhere very public or
2. running around in a residential area with loads of small children.
Hope I'm always right?

Pruuni · 04/06/2007 22:54

Stroo I can only speak from my experience here.
My BIL/SIL have a lovely dog, a lab, soft as shite.
I don't go to stay there because we can't get away from the dog, and when he's around he is the topic of conversation. His claws clack on the floor (akin to chinese water torture!) and he rarely sits still. He heaves himself onto the chair and tries to sit on your knee. All my clothes end up covered in dog-hair and tbh he smells a bit. I have seriously never been able to have a conversation with them that he hasn't somehow interrupted.

Pruuni · 04/06/2007 22:55

Sorry dh was talking about ISAs
That last post not clear
I meant as possible reasons why people don't like staying in houses with dogs

Stroo · 04/06/2007 22:58

I guess that's us and our dog too!

Each to their own eh?

He's just another kid to us.

Stroo · 04/06/2007 22:59

Still - there are worse things to be into eh?

trendaverter · 05/06/2007 09:08

I adore dogs, I have a cocker spaniel, he's still only a pup and very enthusiastic about meeting people but generally doesn't jump up unless 'asked' (you know, someone gets enthusiastic back at him!). I like to think I am a pretty responsible owner.

However I got sick of being given 'evils' when I let him off the lead when he was being as good as gold and ignoring everyone - until recently when out walking a big lab came screaming up to me and jumped up, muddy paws etc, and the owner just doesn't even pull him off me. I can begin to understand why people get protective/scared. I love dogs but I was frightened - big dog and I had no idea about its temperament.

I don't think there are any bad dogs, just bad owners and inadequate training, and sadly it seems that you are guilty unless proven innocent...but I can understand it. It only takes 1 bad experience.

Having said that I am thankful I live in the UK, when I was in Aus it was virtually impossible to find anywhere to let your dog off the lead because of all the complaints, at least here he can have a good run.

theslownorris · 05/06/2007 09:24

Not quite on the same level,but when I've been out on my horse & asked people to hold their dog I get a similar response. Fine,but because of inconsiderate owners the horse is scared and is just as likley to kick the dog's head in .
Maybe I should just gallop up to them and say "Oh it's alright,she's good with people!"

ConnieDescending · 05/06/2007 09:32

Another dog hating thread - lovely.

I still can't understand why a child would be frightened of a dog - especially one thats wagging its tail and licky.

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