I’m sorry but...

[FreedomFromLockdown]

So out for a walk with my young daughter who is scared of dogs. A lady with two off lead digs approaches and one runs up and jumps up at my daughter. In the end I get in between them and drag the dog away by the collar. Then the owner comes and calls the dog to her.
She said to me “I’m sorry but she is young and won’t do anything “.
AIBU to think she should’ve apologised unreservedly and to say I’m sorry but after this incident is pathetic.
My daughter is now even more scared and this wasn’t a small dog. Would appreciate the opinion of dog owners hence posting here not aibu.

I have one dog, DP has 3. Dogs should not be off lead if they approach other people or dogs and jump at them.

What an absolute idiot. I hope you and your DD are ok

People are idiots. And people like her are the reason so many call for all dogs to be leashed at all times in public. It really pisses me off

But was she friendly? It’s ok if a dog leaps all over you if they’re friendly.

(That’s sarcastic, I’m fed up with dogs running up and being met with a whiny “he’s friendly”. Mine’s scared. Piss off.)

My DD is allergic to dogs so it's a real bug bear of mine when dogs are allowed jump up on you.

Thank you, I have other animals so know there are good and bad owners, but nice to have it confirmed that she was being a twat 😀

Yes she should have apologised/was in the wrong. You’re posting into a bit of an echo chamber here though! I’ve never seen anyone admit on here that they let their dog jump up at people. It tends to be people who are quite conscientious owners who seek out a dog owners forum, whereas the kind of owner who lets their dog run up to people probably doesn’t know this forum exists/ has probably ever done any research about what their legal/social responsibilities as a dog owner are.

I can remember sitting in a cemetery on a bench when a German shepherd came bounding over barking at me ( at face level). I actually like German shepherds (we used to have 2 ) but when the owner is some distance away calling ineffectively then it’s completely unacceptable. If you can’t control them they shouldn’t be off the lead.I did tear a strip off the owner and would be the same in the OPs position.

I have a dog and adore dogs but HATE other people's dogs jumping up at me, especially in the summer when my legs are bare.

I’m a new dog owner myself and I love dogs when I know them, but a dog I don’t know bounding over to me still makes me freeze in terror sometimes. I’ve felt like that ever since I was a kid and a ‘friendly’ dog ran at me in the playground and knocked me flat on my back.

These things happen sometimes but it absolutely merits an unreserved apology, not an ‘I’m sorry but...’

An untrained dog should be on a lead. Some people seem to have no control of their young dogs

I was quite plain telling her my daughter was scared and it was not ok, she seemed very taken aback and kept repeating that he didn’t mean any harm. Didn’t leave me with the impression she would behave differently in future and she didn’t even put it on the lead which she was carrying.

the reply is - if she is young and won't do anything, then you need to walk her on a long lead so that you have control of her, until you have managed to train her properly.

I HATE dogs who jump up (and I am a dog owner)
so sick of getting muddy coat/trousers from your dog, bloody control it.

steppedog is not perfect, but his foibles don't involve other people (he runs off to the bushes to scavenge crap/rubbish to eat)

In my opinion, it is never ever OK for your dog to jump at a child

I think the lady was out of order and should have her dogs on a lead if they might jump up. She clearly doesn't know her young dog well enough to be confident of it's behaviour in public spaces. I have dogs and I am always aware that others may not like them and work hard to ensure they behave well when out.

But I do think you need to work on your child's fear of dogs as they are everywhere. You mentioned her being scared right at the start of your post, and said she was now even more scared at the end, as if her fear is entirely the fault of irresponsible dog owners. You need to take responsibility for making her feel safe when she sees a dog. Such a fear is often learned. Do you have friends with dogs that she can get to know slowly?

I agree with @Throwntothewolves about helping your child with her fear of dogs. They are everywhere and she's likely to come across many in her life.

However, that's something for you to think about and not the reason for your post. Completely agree if a dog is young and not likely to be doing as it's told it should be on a lead.

I have 4 very large dogs that look like wolves. Even though their recall is good they're never off lead because I understand people don't like being assailed by dogs - even friendly ones - and I can't guarantee mine won't want to come say hi if you look interesting. Or have any ice cream. Best to negate the situation entirely, keep them on the lead, and they have free run of my garden for off lead exercise.

I don’t know how I would get her used to dogs as the only dogs that come near her are out of control off lead dogs that always leave a bad impression. We don’t know anyone with dogs but the rest of us, my son included will pat a dog that comes up and not be bothered.
I should add she is autistic so has lots of issues, she doesn’t like people much either. She was as happy as a pig in muck during lockdown not having to deal with the unpredictable world of people outside our household.

Ah freedom that's a tough one. Perhaps look into the pet therapy groups or even a petting cafe where good tempered well behaved dogs/cats hang out in a comfortable atmosphere. I know that's not your reason for posting, just an idea is all as I can well imagine it's upsetting for both you and your little girl.