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The doghouse

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Original poster

Dog wouldn't let go of 2yo

39 replies

Cakeandslippers · 03/04/2021 09:07

Hello, just looking for some advice as I was a bit shaken up yesterday. I was in the park with my 2yo, my baby, DH and a friend. There were lots of dogs as usual and we were just walking along not really near any of them when one ran up to my 2yo, jumped up at her and got a mouthful of her hair in its mouth and wouldn't let go. She was amazing and stood really still and just said 'ouch' a few times but didn't panic. Then it's a bit if a blur as I was a few steps from her but my dh, I think, managed to pull the dog off her with some difficulty as was still pulling her hair. Her face was covered in dog spit and muck but thankfully the dog didn't bite her, I was scared it had as it was very rough.

The owner appeared and did apologise, he looked shaken up tbh and said she was young and excitable and they were 'working on it'. I did say that wasn't enough, if the dog can't be trusted it needs to be on a lead and it just wasn't acceptable.

Just looking for advice from dog owners on how to deal with this kind of thing. This is the third incident in that park (and the scariest), another dog jumped up at her and knocked her over and once a dog got in the pram with my younger baby. We try and avoid the dogs mostly as tbh I'm quite frightened when they run up to us but there are so many it's quite hard. What can I do if this happens again, I don't want to hurt the dogs but I need to know how I can get them off my children for the next time (it's bound to happen isn't it). Can I push the dog away or will that make it more likely to bite? What's the safest way to get the dog away?

Thanks!

OP posts:

Weatherwarnings · 03/04/2021 09:14

Bloody hell Op. I’m a massive animal lover but if a dog bit a child and wouldn’t let go I think you’d be justified in hurting it to make it let go! Although I’m not sure what best way to make it let go I would be.
Of course you can push it!

wetotter · 03/04/2021 09:16

Take a picture of the dog and report to the parks police or other management and your local dog warden (councils still have them)

And state that this dog was out of control and what happened. If they knew about what is going on they can intervene earlier

I once saw someine trying and failing to recall a young dog who then ran up to 'play' with a child who was clearly terrified, and then ran after me and scratched me.

Owner 'he won't hurt anyone'
Me ' never say that again, he's just hurt that boy by scaring him and hurt me by scratching. Get him on a lead, I've seen him being dangerous'
Owner - jaw dropped, didnt like being told that it was anything other than high spririts

If officers coals have a record that a dog has been dangerous they can intervene - and they might do so straight away when it involves such a young child. One park near me has very assiduous officials who will look out for dogs who have been reported as out of control, and will let owners know they're watching them. Another is nowhere near that interested, unfortunately

OverByYer · 03/04/2021 09:18

Wtf? I’m a dog owner and have to say all of these incidents are completely unacceptable. When my dog was younger she was over friendly so whenever she was off lead and I saw people in particular small children she would go back on lead until we were safely passed. You are well within your rights to pull the dog off by collar. Or push away with legs / put yourself between child and dog. Owners like this make me

Notavegan · 03/04/2021 09:18

Blimey. It would have been the police for me too.

Spudlet · 03/04/2021 09:18

Blimey, I live in a rural area where there are dogs everywhere and I’ve never experienced anything like that. Well done to your DD for staying calm, that was the exact right thing for her to do.

What I have had is dogs running at the pushchair - not often, but just occasionally. In those instances I always swing around so the chair was facing the other way and I was between the dog and DS. I think that’s your best bet - get yourself between the dog and the children.

With the incident you had, I’d suggest making a report to the dog warden - your local authority should have one (In assuming you’re in the uk btw). Or even the police on the non-urgent number. Give a description of the dog and owner. It will at least give the authorities some background if further incidents are reported. I love dogs, I have a dog, but clearly what happened to you is unacceptable.

If you can arrange some time with gentle, calm, well behaved dogs for your children I would also do this - you don’t want them to become afraid as fearful reactions like running or screaming only excite dogs even more. Not easy at the moment I appreciate, but once lockdown lifts it may be easier. A friend of mine has PAT dogs who go into schools to listen to children read - I’m thinking that level of good behaviour!

OverByYer · 03/04/2021 09:21

My local park has wardens who will issue on the spot fines for dogs off lead

PugInTheHouse · 03/04/2021 09:24

I agree with OverByYer, we have a small very excitable puppy, he wants to jump up and lick everyone he meets so we either ensure we have his attention or have him on the lead when we are near dogs and small children (or anyone really) as whilst he wouldn't aggresively hurt anyone his attention may be unwanted.

My nephew was jumped at by 3 large dogs, he was feeding the ducks and they stole all the bread out of his hands, the owner didn't say sorry but just said I can't control them. Erm, well they should be on a bloody lead then. My nephew has been terrified ever since.

As a dog owner you get to know the places where owners let untrained dogs off the lead as they feel they have a right to for some reason and I personally avoid those places. It terrifies me that my little dog will get hurt to be honest and there are constant horror stories on our local FB page about it.

cansu · 03/04/2021 09:26

I have an older son with severe learning difficulties. He is very frightened of dogs. There are quite a few places we have problems with dogs off lead even where park rules say they should be on a lead. I also have had many owners miles behind their dog and when they do eventually catch up be completely unconcerned that my son is terrified and we are trying to push dog away while calming him.

StormBaby · 03/04/2021 09:28

The law changed a few years ago and owners can now be fined if they even feel threatened by a dog. There doesn’t have to be an injury. I heard of an owner of a chihuahua who ended up with a minor criminal record because the dog snapped at and chased a jogger. If you can find out who the owner is, I’d be calling 101.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 03/04/2021 09:49

I am sick to death of reading stories about unruly dogs. I've been jumped on by many a large dog, so has my DD. I've been slobbered on, snapped at and had muddy paws all over my clothes when I've just been minding my own business out walking.

The feckless owners are usually way behind and just yell 'sorry, they're only playing, they won't hurt you' when they eventually catch up with their stupid dog.

I had another dog jump up at me when I was feeding the ducks - it was trying to steal the food. I ignored it and put the food away. Five minutes later I have the owner screaming and shouting at me not to feed her dog as it will make it sick. I pointed out I wasn't feeding her dog, the dog was trying to steal the food!

All this happened before the ridiculous uptake of puppies over lockdown, so god help us when all these new dogs are out and about. I can't imagine many will have had access to puppy training for months.

RandomMess · 03/04/2021 09:53

I am just horrified that your DC have had 3 incidents with dogs!! That's utterly horrendous.

Sansaplans · 03/04/2021 09:53

@JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn

The feckless owners are usually way behind and just yell 'sorry, they're only playing, they won't hurt you' when they eventually catch up with their stupid dog.

Yes same here- always "oh they're just saying hello/playing". I'm also sick of dogs being everywhere and often off leads, and dog shit being everywhere- paths, playparks, my garden. Not the dogs faults but their feckless owners.

OP that sounds scary, well done to your DD for remaining so calm. I'd ask for their details and report, they will likely make something up but might make them think twice.

AyyX · 03/04/2021 09:55

Oh my god. People need to keep their dogs on a leash!!!! That is so unacceptable! You daughter is so brave, bless her.
“Third incident”
Maybe you should report it as it’s not the first or second time.

Original poster

Cakeandslippers · 03/04/2021 10:02

Thanks everyone, this is helpful. Sounds ridiculous but I struggle to know what's acceptable with regard to dogs as I am so wary of them I don't even like it when they come and sniff me but the owners are always saying it's fine and from there any attention terrifies me! Obviously I know what happened yesterday wasn't acceptable but it's still helpful to hear that others agree!

We didn't hang around too long after as my daughter was so good I didn't want to draw attention to what had happened as I've always been really desperate to avoid her inheriting my fear - I can manage the park now but for years I would freeze if a dog came anywhere near me.

I didn't realise you could report them unless they actually injured you so that's really helpful to know!

I don't really want to avoid that park for several reasons so maybe I'll contact the council to see if they are aware, another incident was a different dog stole a scotch egg from my pram basket.... sounds funny and I did have to laugh as it was a lovely looking labrador who didn't seem menacing at all and he'd escaped off his lead (it snapped I think?), the owner was lovely and was frantically chasing the dog.

I've never really known anything like the dogs in that park, it's certainly not like that in other parks round here!

OP posts:

Original poster

Cakeandslippers · 03/04/2021 10:03

On a practical level, is there a safe way to get dogs away from you/ your kids? Pushing, grabbing the collar?

OP posts:

Original poster

Cakeandslippers · 03/04/2021 10:06

Yes, if there is a next time I'll definitely be asking for details so I can report them, thank you all.

I can't wait for things to open up so we can go somewhere without dogs!!!

OP posts:

Soontobe60 · 03/04/2021 10:06

I am a dog lover and have had several. If we were in the park they would be on a lead, always.
I went to a park last weekend with my grandson and was pretty annoyed at the number of dogs not on a lead. There were lots of children on scooters and bikes with dogs all over the place! I believe it should be compulsory for dogs to be on the lead in a park.

TheMotherlode · 03/04/2021 10:07

That’s awful OP, you’d be completely justified in hurting the dog in that situation to get them off.

I think a lot of this stems from so many people now feeling like their dogs are their children and treating them as such, rather than as animals. They have this idea that their dog is just like a boisterous toddler. It’s completely irresponsible.

TheMotherlode · 03/04/2021 10:21

On a practical level, is there a safe way to get dogs away from you/ your kids? Pushing, grabbing the collar?

If they are actually attacking then I think get hold of the collar and twist. And that will hopefully shock them enough to release their jaws.

HappyThursdays · 03/04/2021 10:38

My goodness that is terrible. Well done you and dh for not panicking and your daughter for not reacting.

It's absolutely disgraceful behaviour to let a young and excitable dog off lead in a park with small children running around. I would call the dog warden and report that you've had several incidents in that park. If it's happening to you, it may also be happening to others and the council may need to consider whether dogs should be allowed in there if there are so many irresponsible owners and a lot of children about.

BJHair · 03/04/2021 10:45

I find that the best thing to do is to carry on walking & Ignore the dog & don’t look at it
When you stop and stand still your showing an interest to the dog plus your just prolonging any problem if you can put your daughter behind the pram handle and you that protects her a bit as she isn’t out in the open .
( although in your daughters case I can appreciate that walking away with a dog tied to your hair just isn’t going to work 😂

But in general ignoring a dog and walking on your way works .

When a dog bites another dog the best way to get him off is to grab the dogs back legs and raise then both high in the air at the same time .

The dog will pretty much automatically let go of what’s in its mouth to try and get whatever is holding it’s legs - so you might become it’s next victim 😂 but then it gives you a chance to grab the collar or lead without being bit and also because the dog legs go of whatever is in his mouth naturally their is less likely to be any tearing of skin - - can you tell I’ve been through this shit 😂

This works if a dog is biting a human as well
Although it sounds a crazy thing to do it’s always worked for me

RandomMess · 03/04/2021 10:47

The other vulnerable place on a dog is the inside of its back leg so the groin area, a sharp tap/kick there would get them to release if twisting the collar didn't work.

Thankfully my dog is only interested in food and goes and very politely begs but it's so embarrassing!

BJHair · 03/04/2021 10:49

If the park has a local FB page post on that and ask if anyone knows who the dog owner is .
Most dog owners know each other in the same park and will probably know who the dumb hair obsessed dog is and it’s owners .
For other dogs you could also walk with a small water spray or stick or some dog treats 😂 and kill it with kindness

ginghamstarfish · 03/04/2021 10:59

You were lucky it wasn't her face the dog grabbed. Reading about the poor elderly woman mauled to death in her own garden, not the first to be killed by dogs recently, and all the other dog related incidents lately makes me think it's all getting out of control. IMHO they should ALL be on leads when out in public, anywhere, at all times. I'm disabled, a bit wobbly on my crutches, and there have long been many places I can't go due to loose dogs running and jumping up at me. Apparently they have more rights to use public spaces, beaches, parks and so on than I do, or than small children do. Dog licences need to be introduced, with large enough fees to pay for dog wardens and policing public areas, cleaning up shit etc. It won't happen though, sadly.
Cue the 'but I know how to control MY dog' brigade .... clearly most owners seem to think that.

HamFisted · 03/04/2021 11:08

Not relevant in this situation as it was only hair, but I was always told that if I see a largeish dog properly attacking and can't get it off, to straddle its back, lock my arms together around its upper neck and yank up and back as hard as possible. With enough force it should break its neck. Never used it, hopefully never will, but might be worth knowing one day. Dog ownership really should require a license.

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