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

[NotQuiteCockney]

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!

I agree, Connie that an adults overreaction and shrieking behaviour will do no good and is likely to create a fear in children where there wasn't one before.

However, happy dogs can still overwhelm. My Mum has a cocker spaniel and he is adorable. But he is very exuberant and loves people. He doesn't jump up at children but he has knocked my toddler over a few times with his excitement. I don't think it's enough to cause a fear but he is definitely wary of him.

Adult fears do absolutely get passed on. I know an adult woman who is afraid of cats, and her children feel the same way.

I mean, ok, there are some mean cats out there, and I don't expect visitors to love my cats, or even like them. But fear is a bit of a surprising reaction.

It's sensible for everyone to be a little wary of a strange dog - you don't know the dog, it's history, how it reacts in situations - and kids can love dogs all they like as long as they are raised to respect them.

Owners, however, have a responsibility to train their dogs adequately to be well behaved, not jump up or put unwanted attention on people.

It's not a case of dog people vs non dog people, or dog haters, or dog lovers or whatever.

It's just sensible for anyone, young or old, to have respect for any animal, as they are not human and don't follow the same rules. Also, any pet owner should take their training responsibilities very seriously, for any pet or dog, big or small.

If both parties have a mutual respect and understanding, if children are taught to understand that a dog might react unpredictably, if dogs are taught to leave people alone, then there is no reason why we all can't play in the park together.

It's the duty of the parents to educate the children and the owners to educate the dogs. It can be one big happy family but sadly I feel a lot of dog owners lack the knowledge/inclination to train their dogs properly.

I've looked hard, but I really haven't seen any rabid anti-dog sentiment on this thread. There've been far less reasonable threads on this topic!

I'm a dog owner, and my dog does not like small children unless she knows them. She was teased alot by children as a pup, and finds their unpredictability unsettling. We've worked really hard with her and she has improved, but the basic mistrust won't shift.

I put her on the lead whenever children are around. Some mothers encourage their children to stroke her, and I have to ask them not to. She's a barker rather than a biter, but it's not nice for the children.

I love dogs, but I think some of you on this thread are blinded by your love for your pets. (I understand why. I feel very protective towards mine).