Very sad - child screaming and running when out with my dog.

[YNK]

I have a very soft staffie x and there is a patch of grassland next to a pavement and postbox where we go for a run about.

Two little girls were walking on to the postbox when one started to scream and flap her arms and grapple with the other. My dog loves kids and ran in her direction at which point she started running and screaming even louder so Rita picked up pace. I called to her and she stopped.

Every time I called Rita she stopped running but this little girl became hysterical. I had to put Rita's lead on because the little girl didn't seem able to control herself and Rita thought it was a game.

I called the little girl over to see if she was ok (Rita was on the lead at that point) but she screamed louder when I started to walk towards her. The two girls ran off like lightning screaming their heads off.

At no point did Rita touch the children and she stopped everytime I called her but I'm so upset seeing this child so distressed. This has really shaken me up.

[YNK]

I'm really sorry If I have offended anyone with children with specific problems that Im iignorant about - I'm always willing to learnn though!) My family have their share of genetic disabilities, mostly mobility related.
My walk with my dogs (as long as it lasts) is a great source of joy to me but I would nevwr want a child to be distressed!

[YNK]

Pag I have taken this from what was a horrrible experience that I will always move away from anyone that feels afraid of me no matter how confused I may be about their fear.
I must admit I have a phobia about a particular situation which I would not be helped by being persued so I can relate to this. I guess I was caught off guard by the suddenless of the situation.
I run my dog/s twice day there and my dogs have never before been attracted by anyone on the pavement

[Cheddars]

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. If only the op had read this thread before it all happened.

[MamaMaiasaura]

mop where have I said a dog should be on a lead at all times?? Please highlight. I have said they should be on a leash around children (by this I mean other children, not family of dog).

And she didn't just cal dog back. 3 x did she leave it "wanting to play" and having to call for dog to stop and then recalled onto lead.

[Pagwatch]

Mopswerve

I agree with much of what you say but would you please refrain from trying to reassure scared children that your dog is harmless. Absoloutely never ever helpful. And in the case of children like mine it woukd massively increase his distress. It is not a nice thing to do however well intentioned. It is stupid.
A child who is screaming and running away from a dog should be left to retreat.

[Mopswerver]

MamaMaisaura I know you didn't suggest the dog be put down but some previous posters have suggested that!

[Mopswerver]

Her behaviour was correct imo. Your only point appears to be that you think all dogs should be on leads at all times but this is not necessary for most dogs in most situations. If you read the op carefully I wonder what you think she ought to have done differently? She recalled the dog (who hadn't done anything) put on its lead, asked if the child was OK? Nice dog, good owner.

[MamaMaiasaura]

mop calm down! I've never suggested it be pts! It isn't dog I had issue with but the op behaviour

[merrymouse]

If dogs should always be kept on a lead when a child might be nearby, you would never be able to let a dog be outside without a lead. I think a little give and take is required.

[LaMeuf]

The OP may not have been breaking the law but that does not mean that she was behaving correctly. Dogs should always be kept on a lead when there are children nearby. Even if you think your dog is well-behaved, children are by their nature unpredictable, as OP found out the other day.

[Mopswerver]

She only had to call the dog three times in order to get to it and put it on the lead. The dog didn't do anything so why the need to put it down? She was in a field where she was fully entitled to be. She tried to reassure the child. What the hell else was she supposed to do? There isn't a law as yet (thank God) that states that all dogs should be on leads at all times. Give her a break ffs.

[lynniep]

I'm sorry you got such a shock. I do understand her reaction though. My DS1 is terrified of dogs (he's 5) I dont know why, but he will try and climb up me when one comes near him (even his grandmas westie - makes no difference what kind of dog. Some kids ARE frightened. If a dog had been running towards DS1 he would have been screaming too!

[MamaMaiasaura]

mop "the child was screaming like out of a hammer movie" and the dog was called back 3 x so not straight away. And then trying to approach a screaming flailing child was the right thing to do?! I sincerely hope you wouldn't do that now as it really wouldn't help the child.

[Mopswerver]

I have been out so have missed this. Some of these hysterical reactions only add fuel to my argument. The dog should be put down? Ridiculous. A lovely friendly sounding dog? Get a grip. Op you sound like a lovely sensible owner who did exactly the right thing by calling her back and putting the lead on as soon as you realised the child was distressed. I too would have tried to reassure the child and persuade her to come and say Hello to the dog to try to show her that not all dogs are nasty, but apparently that was an outrageous thing for you to try to do .

[suburbandream]

Wow, this thread has really got out of hand since I first saw it this afternoon. I can see both sides, as a new dog owner and also as a parent of an AS child who used to have a serious phobia. YNK, no harm was done this time and you put your dog on the lead which was the right thing to do. However, if a child is seriously scared, they are not going to be able to think rationally and they certainly won't want to come over and see that your dog is actually very nice, especially if they don't have an adult with them. So in future if it happens, my advice would be just to remove yourself and the dog from the situation asap.

[MamaMaiasaura]

I do feel op that you are changing from op somewhat. No where in it does it say the girl was attacking her friend, of t had people may have suggested maybe her and her friend or sister we're having a fight. Glad you have a good natured dog, bit at end of day as soon as you were aware of children, distressed or not, you should have popped a lead on her. And for her to given a loos curdling scream Shebat have been terrified and it was clear you should have removed her perceived threat.

Re bins -dog poo bins are secure clearly marked. I assist you pick up after your dog and know this and difference between that an a litter bin

[LaMeuf]

You seem to be backtracking a bit there OP. You said earlier that you were worried that this little girl would 'lie' about your dog hurting her. Why on earth would you be worried about that? Only now after coming in for a bit of criticism are you saying that you were worried for the little girl. Most people i know would have been devastated if their dog had frightened a little girl to that extent, but they wouldn't assume that the scared little girl would make up lies in order to have the dog put down.

Please please keep your dog on a lead when children are around.
Please don't assume that everyone will love your dog as much as you do.

[YNK]

Of course I'm not saying this child should not have been out.
I was caught by surprise because I have never seen anyone have such an extreme reaction to a dog to the extent I was worried for their safety.( Not her safety from my dog i hasten to add!)
I was also worried for her friend who seemed to be distressed by her pulling at her as she was being quite violent.

[3duracellbunnies]

I don't think your dog should be pts, but realistically what helps my dd, and will help this dc is having managed times with a dog known to the family, on a lead and in a friendly but docile mood. What sets her back is when dogs come running towards her that she doesn't know all excited and wanting to play (or worse growling and barking in her face when she hadn't even spotted it before to react). You didn't know, your dog was trying to be friendly, but next time you'll put her on the lead and walk away.

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Have I got this right OP. Your dog was under impeccable control at all times. But children with SN should not be allowed out as they might attract dogs with their hand flapping and screaming. And they certainly shouldn't be allowed out with friends of the same age who can't control them and might be hurt by them?

[merrymouse]

DS went through a phase of being frightened of dogs. I think it followed an incident when he was playing on an empty beach and was suddenly 'pounced' on by a friendly sheepdog who happened to be taller than him when in full pounce mode. For about a year he was frightened of all dogs, even clearly harmless dogs like elderly spaniels. He has got over it now.

You don't have a duty to correct other people's dog phobias. You do have a duty to keep your dog under control (For what its worth it sounds as though you were). Never mind children, in the parks I visit dog owners have to keep their dogs away from ground nesting birds, deer and other livestock. I think if somebody is clearly frightened by your dog, the most sensible thing to do is put your dog on its lead/hold its collar to show you are in control until you have passed. You don't need to explain how gentle your dog is, just physically show you are in charge.

[LynetteScavo]

If the child was so afraid of your dog, she was hurting her friend, you should have left with your dog, asap.

"Every time I called Rita she stopped running"

If you are ever in a similar situation, call your dog, make sure she returns to you and put her on a lead.

A child seeing you can control your dog will be the best thing you can do to convince them there are safe dogs and owners out there.

[YNK]

I despair, I really do! What kind of world do you live in AS?

As I have already said repeatedly I am distressed by and for this child and hope she can get over whatever makes her have such an aversion to dogs!

[AgentSmith]

YKN

Rita stopped immediately each time she was told and I hoped this would stop the girl screaming. I did not have to call her off as she was never near the girl.

is what it says above.

You had to call the dog repeatedly, is what you've said.

Should have been on a lead. If you can't control the dog (which you obviously can't) then put it on a lead or have it put down.

Certainly it's wrong for you to be blaming the child.

[YNK]

Again AS I have clarified that point! My dog behaved well and obeyed my commands. Why can't you accept it?