Would you be offended by this?

[Bettyandtheboy]

DD1 is an animal lover and loves to point out dogs in the park when we see one. She is a cautious little bean but as she is only 2, I always remind her that 'we don't touch dogs we don't know though, do we?'

Sometimes this is overheard by the dog owner and the past few times, some have been a bit snippy and commented on how friendly their dog is and that I shouldn't be worried.

Now, normally I would pass it off as someone being over sensitive but it has happened a few times now so if thought I'd ask lovely MN!

Would you be offended if you overheard a mum remind a toddler not to touch your dog?

Not remotely, I'd be pleased and think to myself how sensible you were being.

I'm always ridiculously appreciative (people probably think I'm bonkers ) when either children ask if they can meet my dogs or parents ask on their behalf.

Definitely the right thing to do, makes for much happier and safer interactions between children and strange dogs.

I would be thrilled that you are teaching your child dog safety. Whilst my dog is the softest thing ever and appears to be a child magnet as she is so cute, others might not be - always better safe than sorry!

I'd think you're being responsible. Dogs, even predictable ones, can be unpredictable and snap at unlikely things at random times. Like today my dog was put under severe stress and although normally very friendly with people I wouldn't have trusted her around children while she was calming down.

Keep going as you are.

Maybe you could say, " we don't touch dogs without asking first".

They might be taking it that you're saying we don't touch them because we don't like them or they smell or something negative.

I always offer to let curious children stroke my dog, he's very chill. Quite happy to stand there and be patted.

I would be pleased your toddler isn't trying to grab my dog!!
If a child approaches us and doesn't ask I move away and tell them they must ask first and they also have to check with their grownup.

No that's exactly what you do. And as they get a bit older, mind is nearly 3, she now says 'please can I stroke your dog' and sometimes they say 'of course' and other times they say 'he's a bit grumpy' which is great.

Precious people. It's not as if you are calling them ferocious beasts...

Christ no it's common sense. My Dad has a pack 5, four are brilliant with DC and one hates everyone pretty much.

Even muzzzled he's still had DC going straight up to him without asking. It has taught my DD to always ask when she doesn't know the dog.

Absolutely right thing to teach her.

When small children ask to stroke my dog, I always say yes, and generally ask the adult with them if they're okay with it. And I will often say to the child, while they stroke, that they are sensible and right to ask before they stroke and should always do that.

A child ran up to my dog once and just threw her arms around the dog. Fortunately, my dog loves people, and although it took her by surprise she was fine with it. It could have so easily resulted in the child being badly hurt, if my dog had been the type that was easily upset or startled

You're absolutely doing the right thing. When I had foster dogs, I was actually really impressed as most children asked me if they could stroke the dog beforehand and were so lovely and polite.

It's great parenting and any dog owner who's sniffy about it is a fool

You're doing exactly the right thing. Our rescue crossbreed was very frightened of people when we first had her (especially anyone bending over her) and I wouldn't have wanted to risk a child coming up and petting her. She has never even threatened to bite but it's not a risk I wanted to take. (She is much more relaxed now).

No, I wouldn't be offended at all. I'd be thinking 'finally someone with some sense!' I wouldn't undermine you teaching your DD to be cautious around dogs she doesn't know. Should we meet regularly and we got to a small talk chat stage I might mention that my dog is friendly with children and your DD is welcome to stroke/pet for a little while.

I always said to DS 'we don't pat dogs we haven't been formally introduced to, hello Mr dog...'. you can usually get a feel for the dog by talking to the owner.

I met one very odd scary man with a big scary dog who was insistent that his growling muscly mutt with boggly eyes, straining at the leash was perfectly friendly with kids. Oh yeah, to eat them maybe.

Years ago my DParents adopted a retired Guide Dog (they knew the woman who was the dog's 'partner'/owner, so when she retired, there was no debate where she was heading )

But even when she was working , in full harness and needing all her wits and concentration in a busy city centre, people still patted her or tried to feed her

If the owner asked them not to , they were often offended "I only want to clap (pat) the dog"

It was like she was public property not a skilled valuable worker who her owner depended on 100% to keep her safe.

Though , if she was 'off duty' her owner or my DParents were delighted to chat to people as was the dog to recieve praise (and trears, she was a Yellow Lab, stomach on legs basically).

Just not when you're trying to cross a busy road!