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The doghouse

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Original poster

Untrained dogs around toddler

70 replies

Dontiknowit · 20/08/2020 23:03

Am taking my very active, inquisitive toddler to a family party at the weekend. There will be 3 dogs there: one old grumpy one who has previously bitten my dh on the face and scarred him, one quite young but huge siberian husky, and one small dog whose owner doesn't believe in discipline or training (eg at previous family party dog nipped someone and drew blood, owner responded by giving dog a treat).
Party host is insisting dogs are all kept on leads to keep my DC safe which I'm grateful for but I don't know anything about dogs. Do I need to keep my DC away from the dogs completely? She's only 13 months, has been walking for a while but not old enough to explain how to be safe. Can I let her stroke them? How do I keep her safe doing this and not piss off the dogs?
Sorry if this sounds like stupid questions, I've never had a dog myself so just don't know what's reasonable!

OP posts:
Quackersandcheese3 · 20/08/2020 23:12

I’d be super cautious. If I were in that situation I’d just try to keep her up or away from the dogs. Take toys etc to entertain and distract her. Is there going to be other kids there ? If the dogs aren’t on leads or are behaving badly then leave.

Sounds quite a stressful situation!

YoBeaches · 20/08/2020 23:20

Given 2 of the dogs have form for biting I wouldn't be bringing my 13 month old anywhere near them.

Felicityfi16 · 20/08/2020 23:21

This is a no brainer for me and wouldn’t take my child there personally. If one dog has already bitten your DH on the face and drew blood from another person there is no way I’d let my child there in case the dog manages to get off the lead or DC gets too close to the dog. This would make me feel very nervous about going, especially as the owners obviously don’t care as they reward this behaviour too!!

You’d feel so guilty if one of the dogs hurt your DC too. All it takes is for you to look away for 2 seconds! X

WaltzingBetty · 20/08/2020 23:25

Yes if owners are restraining their dogs, you have to restrain your toddler otherwise any safety precautions will go out of the window. Please do learn about safe dog-child interactions - it's basic child safety like teaching a child to cross the road.

Blue cross, blue dog and doggonesafe websites have good resources

LightDrizzle · 20/08/2020 23:27

If you are not 100% confident that you can keep your toddler well out of reach of the dogs at all times, and vice-versa, then don’t attend.
I’m a dog lover and former owner of dogs.
As for the idiot who doesn’t “believe” in training, I have no words.

QuantamBaby · 20/08/2020 23:34

There is no way my toddler would be in a room with 3 dogs who have previously bitten people - not a chance!

Borderstotheleftofme · 21/08/2020 00:48

Am taking my very active, inquisitive toddler to a family party at the weekend
Please don’t

one old grumpy one who has previously bitten my dh on the face and scarred him
I would have been pressing for this dog to be PTS.
Like fuck would my child ever be at the house ever again while it was alive.

one small dog whose owner doesn't believe in discipline or training (eg at previous family party dog nipped someone and drew blood, owner responded by giving dog a treat)
Ditto, would never let my child be in the same house.

Do I need to keep my DC away from the dogs completely?
Absolutely!

Can I let her stroke them?
Hmm
Are you quite mad?!
Two of them have bitten people?!

How do I keep her safe doing this and not piss off the dogs?
Keep her well away from the dogs.

CandyLeBonBon · 21/08/2020 00:50
Confused
cabbageking · 21/08/2020 04:11

If there is any risk don't take her.
If you decide to take the risk keep the child completely away from all the dogs.
She is face level and her unsteady movements make her perfect prey for any dog. I like dogs but I would not be taking her.

Original poster
Dontiknowit · 21/08/2020 07:27

Thanks all.
Thank you @WaltzingBetty for the websites, I'll definitely read up.
It's not really an option to not go so I will keep my dd away from them.
The old grumpy one bit my DH when he was very drunk and got up in the dog's face. The dog went and hid under the shed for a few days, knew it'd been naughty. It's been around my DD since she was born and has always been very good with her. I've been taking my pil lead (haha) on this so presumed DD would be alright around the dog if carefully supervised, which is what they do. The dog mostly avoids her, let's dd stroke her and wanders off if had enough, doesn't play with dd's toys, doesn't mind if DD picks up a dog toy, and sits nearby proactively if DD is crying. Am I being really stupid contining to let DD in a room with this dog?

OP posts:
TeddyIsaHe · 21/08/2020 07:36

Yes of course you are. Why risk your child’s life? A dog bite can very easily be fatal, whatever the age/temperament of a dog. Your job is to protect your daughter, not only some Russian roulette of might she get bitten?

SnuggyBuggy · 21/08/2020 07:41

I wouldn't bring such a young child to a house with dogs like that.

Alexandernevermind · 21/08/2020 07:41

The information you give in your second post completely changes thing. It's your DH you need to keep away from the dogs, by the sounds of it as he is the one that can't be trusted! Just don't drink and keep a very close watch on your DD.

daytripper28 · 21/08/2020 07:45

No no and a no from me.

I'm a dog owner of a nervous dog and the old 'grumpy' dog sounds nervous and stressed to me. Plus 3 jumpy dogs with large numbers of people enjoying the party = problems

I wouldn't be taking my 13 month old baby to this party.

Tlollj · 21/08/2020 07:46

What do you mean not going is not a option?
I wouldn’t want to be near these dogs myself let alone a baby.
Just don’t go.

daytripper28 · 21/08/2020 07:47

It is an option not to go. Of course it is!

daisypond · 21/08/2020 07:51

The only way I’d take a young child along is if the dogs are kept in a separate room away from the party. I assume the dogs are all from one family.

Stellaris22 · 21/08/2020 07:51

The being drunk should have been mentioned in your first post. The best trained dog would still react to that behaviour.

DianasLasso · 21/08/2020 07:54

In the circumstances you describe I would not go. Last minute illness is your friend.

Normalmumandwife · 21/08/2020 07:58

You can't trust ANY dog. They are animals and not humans. Yes last minute sickness comes to mind but how will you deal with it in the future?

lemorella · 21/08/2020 08:02

I wouldn't be taking my toddler. Especially if there is a history of the dog biting people on the face (why wasn't the dog destroyed?)

There are too many stories of dogs mauling children and unfortunately some dog owners don't take the correct care in ensuring their dogs behave appropriately.

Take steps to correct your child and don't attend.

vanillandhoney · 21/08/2020 08:08

I wouldn't be taking my child into a house with a dog that bites. No way, Jose.

All it takes is a split second for something to go wrong. And this is a dog that has previous for biting - you already know it's a danger and still want to take your child there 🙄

I wouldn't be going and I would be telling them exactly why.

myworkingtitle · 21/08/2020 08:12

The information in your second post changes things a bit, sounds like the grumpy dog was goaded by your drunk DH...

Iwonder08 · 21/08/2020 08:14

OP, are you crazy?! Don't take your child there. Shocking that you even consider that. I can guarantee the dogs won't be on the leads all the time given what you've described

Original poster
Dontiknowit · 21/08/2020 08:16

Yes @Alexandernevermind @Stellaris22 I realised I should have mentioned the circumstances of the bite, think I wrote the first post to make it sound a bit dramatic because I was feeling anxious about the situation.
It's an important family party (great grandparents diamond) which is why I say I need to go but I can easily ensure the dogs are in separate rooms with closed doors. They're all from different families and the one time they met previously (dd and I weren't there) it was apparently not that successful. But yes I will leave and take DD home if we can't keep the dogs separate from her.
Thanks all for your advice.

OP posts:
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