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The doghouse

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Original poster

Advice please wise dog owners of Mumsnet

25 replies

BatSegundo · 01/10/2020 18:41

DS who is 12 has just started walking to secondary school and part of the journey is through a park. In his second week a dog jumped up at him and knocked him over. He was rather freaked out and had some scratches on his legs shoulders and chest. The owner was saying that it was just being friendly and didn't apologize. I reassured him as best I could when he told me about it, but then it happened again yesterday and he's starting to worry about it. Didn't get knocked over this time, but mud all over his uniform again which he has to wear all day.

I'm obviously annoyed but not really sure what to do about it! He was terrified by dogs when younger (from similar incidents when he was a toddler) and I've worked really hard with him over the years to help him feel ok. He knows how to do 'x factor' (cross arms and turn away) but that hasn't helped with this. I think this is probably friendly behaviour but obviously unwelcome. Is there anything else he could do differently?

Not sure what kind of dog this is other than 'big, white and fluffy' DS is over 5 foot and the dog is apparently bigger than him when on two legs...

OP posts:

pilates · 01/10/2020 18:47

Would he be brave enough to shout no in his loudest voice?
Or can he go a different route?

Original poster

BatSegundo · 01/10/2020 18:56

No to a different route unfortunately, we live near a railway and the path where he's met the dog both times is near the tunnel to go under the railway.

He probably would be if you all tell me that's the right thing to do! I'm not a dog owner and am nervous of making what appears to be an annoying but basically friendly dog annoyed/aggressive.

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puppygalore · 01/10/2020 19:00

That's awful! The owner shouldn't be allowing his/her dog to behave like that, especially around a child. We've just got our first dog and I'd be mortified, she is young and wants to leap at everyone so I keep her on a short leash. As that dog owner should be doing if they know that's their dogs 'friendly' greeting. I used to be terrified of all dogs as a kid, due to a 'friendly' dog that once leaped up at me knocking me down and a claw scratched my chest very deeply. I had a scar for years and basically couldn't be around dogs until I was a lot older. So I really feel sorry for your son. I don't know what the solution is if the owner is ignorant like that, but I hope your son is ok.

Sunnydaysstillhere · 01/10/2020 19:01

Contact the councils ddog warden. Maybe they can send someone around school times. By your accounts the bloody thing should be on a lead. The owner can be fined if it is out of control in a public place.

puppygalore · 01/10/2020 19:02

The only thing that springs to mind is, though he shouldn't have to, can he time his walk at a slightly earlier or later time to avoid meeting at that spot? Or if not would he be confident enough to say to the owner, 'can you keep your dog away' or anything like that?

Sunnydaysstillhere · 01/10/2020 19:05

Our council has a current 'on lead' policy due to Covid..

Original poster

BatSegundo · 01/10/2020 19:06

Thanks @puppygalore I'm really proud of how he's handled it so far. He told me that the owner was 'old' (so anywhere North of 35 ) and doesn't seem to have any control of the dog. It really should be on a lead but sadly not all owners are responsible.

OP posts:

Cuddling57 · 01/10/2020 19:12

This isn't on.
Firstly keep an eye out for the dog and try to avoid the dog totally - walk a slightly different way. If dog is left of grass go all the way to the right of the grass.
Secondly try some videos on YouTube and practise. He needs to turn his whole body around - body language as a no is key. I can't remember if a stranger should say no to the dog but I would be - maybe research that bit.
Thirdly there is no harm in him asking the owner very nicely to not let the dog near him, tell them he is allergic/scared/doesn't want to get dirty as he will get in trouble at school etc.
Can you go with him one morning?

Original poster

BatSegundo · 01/10/2020 19:12

Thanks @Sunnydaysstillhere I didn't know dog wardens still existed, but I will give them a try. It's been early morning both times (probably too early for the dog warden, but he did say he'd seen it on the way home a few times but from far off on the other side of the park so that might work.

Anyone got any suggestions as to what sort of dog it might be so I sound less vague if I get to talk to the dog warden?

OP posts:

BananaLlamaConCalma · 01/10/2020 19:13

This person shouldn't be a dog owner. The dog is out of control in a public area. Technically you could charge for the washing of clothes.

You just need to watch out for the owner taking offence at being told by a child. Could you walk with him one day?

Clymene · 01/10/2020 19:14

Yes, contact the dog warden. Big white fluffy dogs aren't very common so if the warden can be there at the same time as your DS, chances are he'll come across the dog. And tbh, our warden is pretty linked in with all the dog people around here and we know most of the badly controlled dogs/ crappy owners

In the meantime, he can shout at the owner to get the dog away before he comes near (if he is confident - it's not easy), turn his body away if the dog does come up and cross his arms across his chest. Make like a tree basically.

Chocolateandamaretto · 01/10/2020 19:14

Can he go a bit earlier? He absolutely shouldn’t have to but to avoid this becoming a habit and him something that the dog anticipates. The owner clearly has no control! Otherwise he can shout “NO!” Or “OFF!” At the dog? Ask the owner if they have a command? (Unlikely as they’d probably be shouting it!!)

Panicmode1 · 01/10/2020 19:15

I'm sorry, your poor son. As the owner of an over friendly, large ,white fluffy dog (golden retriever) she is always in lead or called to heel when passing people because she can be a bit exuberant and I don't want her knocking anyone over or getting them muddy.

I assume he doesnt feel confident enough to ask the owner to catch the dog (if he sees it coming at him)? It sounds as though the owner is one of the 'just being friendly brigades which is v annoying. If the dog approaches again, I would get your son to either turn his back as it approaches, so the dog cannot 'push' him over, or my gun dog trainer would stand still and put his knee up and gently push back against the dog. I would also get him to say 'Down or 'off in as deep and commanding voice as he can. Failing all that, try calling the dog warden if you still have one and see if they can be out and about at the same time as this dog.

Suzi888 · 01/10/2020 19:20

Could you go with him one day or a family member.
Getting covered in muddy footprints is not acceptable and I’d be very annoyed. Turning his back won’t work, the dog will just jump up and muddy his back. The owner need to be spoken to, because it’s not sinking in that your child doesn’t want to get covered in mud.
Doesn’t matter how friendly the dog is and I have an overly friendly Lab, I’d be mortified if he did this (and he’s done some very naughty things!)

Original poster

BatSegundo · 01/10/2020 19:42

Thanks all of you. He did say that the owner was calling the dog, so I think she is trying but obviously to no effect.

Going earlier is a no unfortunately as he meets a friend the other side of the tunnel and it's then a long walk to school (I also think he'd kill me if I suggested getting up earlier, 6.45 is already horrifying enough for him!)

YouTube is a good idea @Cuddling57 and will definitely appeal to him.

To those who suggested walking with him I think I will try a few times. It's awkward due to work and a younger sibling but I can try and sort something with DP. If it jumps up at me I'll be in trouble though - I'm disabled and will definitely go over and may not get off as lightly as DS. I certainly won't have any issue speaking to the owner, however!

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Stellaris22 · 01/10/2020 19:49

This is horrible and I feel sorry for your son.

I've been in the park with my dog before when my daughter walked past with the rest of her class on a field trip. Put my dog on a lead so she didn't run over, friend said I should have let her run over (the children were 6 at the time), I couldn't believe the idea was suggested.

If you can speak to the local dog warden that would help, dog shouldn't be doing this.

TheMandalorian · 01/10/2020 19:57

Sorry not a dog person but if a dog goes to jump up at him I think it is advised to walk forward with arms crossed. It unbalances the dog. However, I would contact the local dogwarden. Can your son cycle to school for a bit to avoid the route? Hope its resolved quickly.

ruthieness · 01/10/2020 20:10

A bit controversial and just an idea rather than a suggestion but maybe your son could film the dog and owner - for identity purposes and also it will show the owner that they need to get better control or keep the dog on a lead or there might be consequences?

Smallsteps88 · 01/10/2020 20:13

I’d report the dog.

Tell your son to have his phone camera switched on and ready to record when he gets to that part of the journey and to film whatever happens with the dog then report to either dog warden or the police.

Sitdowncupoftea · 01/10/2020 23:10

Personally I'd report the dog to the dog warden. All dog owners have a responsibility to have their dogs under control. Its not acceptable behaviour.

Yokohamajojo · 02/10/2020 10:27

I would go with him if possible a couple of mornings and have a stern word with the owner! yes he can be reported as his dog is not under control (dog owner myself and I would be mortified if my dog jumped on anyone, especially a child in school uniform)

MJMG2015 · 02/10/2020 10:40

My first thought for 'big white dog' was a
Samoyed

But if you Google 'big white dog' you'll get loads of images for DS to choose from.

I think, given you are disabled, I think you should ask DP to go with him, not you. The last thing you need is to be knocked over!

ArcherDog · 02/10/2020 12:47

If you are in the UK and your son suffered any sort of injury from the dog, scratches/bruises etc then it’s an aggravated offence under section 3 of the Dangerous Dog Act.

Just an option. Take photos of any injuries. Report to police.

TokyoSushi · 02/10/2020 12:51

Gosh that's terrible, I'd be absolutely mortified if my dog knocked anybody over once, but the same person, twice is inexcusable.

I'd also be tempted to report to the dog warden, the dog should clearly be on a lead if the owner can't control it.

Original poster

BatSegundo · 02/10/2020 14:20

Thanks all, much appreciated. He got a lift in today as friends' mum was working from home and took pity on them as it's chucking it down. DPs going to move work around and walk that bit with him a few times next week and hope they bump into the owner or can take a photo of the fluffy menace!

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