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The doghouse

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Original poster

Ditzy mum friend with Akita/GS

37 replies

PenguinWings · 24/07/2021 22:37

I'm not sure whether I'm being unnecessarily worried.
My 8 year old DS has a best friend.
The best friends' mum has an akita/GS cross.
They live in a small house with no garden and although the dog does get walked twice a day it's not for very long. During the first year of the dog's life they haven't really had visitors because the dog is "too naughty'. The mum has told me a few times how much of a handful the dog is, how the dog is "so much an akita" and how she hopes that the dog will calm down when she's not a teenage dog.
We usually have the friend to play at our house just because I'm someone who says "yes" when the kids ask to have a friend to tea.

So as you might guess, the mum has kindly offered to look after my DS for odd days in the school holidays.
I'm not sure that I trust the dog to be safe. DS is likely to give the dog a wide berth as far as he can. He is likely to get excited if they are playing. I know that she means well but I feel nervous about it.
I don't really know about dogs and I've been googling. Am I overreacting?
Thank you

OP posts:
nimbuscloud · 24/07/2021 22:39

No you’re not.

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 24/07/2021 22:39

nope

zoeydollie · 24/07/2021 22:40

Just tell her your ds isn’t very confident around dogs so her child can come to you.
I wouldn’t send my kids anywhere there was a dog I wasn’t 100% sure about. Especially such a big one.

Karwomannghia · 24/07/2021 22:43

I would either want to meet the dog first to suss it out, she might just be excitable. Or If in doubt just say your ds is scared of dogs and you’d rather friend came to you.

3luckystars · 24/07/2021 22:44

Absolutely no way and do not doubt your decision.

Powertothepetal · 24/07/2021 22:44

I would not allow my children to go anywhere with a dog unless it was family and even then I don’t like it.

The breed is largely irrelevant to me, my worry is that children are loud, excitable and a large proportion of dogs aren’t too comfortable around them and most of the time, the owner has no idea whatsoever the dog isn’t terribly comfortable.

Add to that so many dogs are badly trained and not under control so can easily injure without meaning to, it’s a big no no for me.

And I am a dog owner btw.

Severncity · 24/07/2021 22:52

I wouldn't let my child go. The dog doesn't sound like it is under control and you wouldn't be there to supervise.

Original poster
PenguinWings · 24/07/2021 23:02

Thank you, I will follow this advice

OP posts:
Clymene · 24/07/2021 23:04

An under exercised Akita? Hard no

Coachradley · 24/07/2021 23:34

Meet the dog first. How old is it?
My aunt had the exact same dog. It was so lovable and very lazy. Not at all vicious. I remember being scared when it was a puppy as it was very excitable. But the dog calmed down as it got older.

GCAcademic · 24/07/2021 23:36

Absolutely no way. I’m a dog lover and would be very wary of this dog.

Antwerpen · 24/07/2021 23:37

Not in a million years

Totallydefeated · 24/07/2021 23:39

A young Akita with no outside space, whose owners call a 'handful'?

No frigging way.

Etsylicious · 24/07/2021 23:41

No way.

DeathByWalkies · 25/07/2021 01:43

Chances are, this is a dog that is in the 'nice but naughty' category.

That is, undertrained, probably a bit excitable, may jump up or mouth in play, but ultimately won't sink their teeth into your child or intentionally do any damage.

BUT you understandably don't have the skills to assess this, the owner sounds a bit clueless, and a bit of caution won't go amiss on this one.

However, learning to read dog body language is a life skill, and anyone that comes into contact with dogs should know the basics. Forget everything you think you know - a waggy tail isn't always a sign of a happy dog (it's more of a sign of emotional arousal), and baring teeth isn't always a sign of aggression (it can be an appeasement grin). Watching some YouTube videos on the topic might help you to feel more confident about other dogs you meet out and about in life.

Littlekittyscupcake · 25/07/2021 01:57

Trust your instincts OP

GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman · 25/07/2021 08:51

Another no.
I love dogs, have lived with dogs or had regular dealings with them for most of my life. I would not be comfortable at all letting a young DC near an uncontrolled, under-exercised dog of two large breeds, particularly a young dog which is a combination of one which is notably wilful, and one which can be very neurotic*.

megletthesecond · 25/07/2021 08:56

Nope. Don't let your dd go there.
When I was a kid a friend had two under exercised German shepherd's and I hated going to their house.

mrstea301 · 25/07/2021 10:29

I had an Akita, who thankfully was great with people (but terrible with dogs). She was lovely, but from what the mum is telling you, I would absolutely not send my child there. It doesn't sound like she has good control of it at all!

WeAllHaveWings · 25/07/2021 10:43

I have the most placid, steady labrador on the planet and ds's friends generally ignored him, but, years ago, after leaving the room for a minute and walking back in to find one of ds's friends face to face with him blowing on his nose (dog was just sitting there bemused) I never left him alone when ds's friends came to visit. He stayed in other rooms with me at all times, even when I went to the loo. Never trust unknown kids or unknown dogs together.

If you don't know and trust the parent is able to and will keep the dog completely separate I wouldn't send your dc there.

CasaBonita · 25/07/2021 11:53

Hell NO.

An Akita is not a breed to take lightly. nor a GS to be honest.

Please don't doubt your decision.

Sitdowncupoftea · 25/07/2021 16:37

The breed is irrelevant. A lot of people discriminate against the Akita when they have never owned one. My experience is they are lovely dogs however the dog in question I would go see the dog yourself first in person before you make an assumption.

WowIlikereallyhateyou · 25/07/2021 16:43

Lots of comments from the uneducated and inexperienced on here.
Had Akitas for 20yrs, if you anyone knew about the breed they would know that they do not need lots of exercise, nor should you over exercise a young large breed dog. They are not Husky dogs!
Visit the dog and home yourself before hoisting up your judgy pants.

FeatheredHope · 25/07/2021 16:49

During the first year of the dog's life they haven't really had visitors because the dog is "too naughty'
See this makes me anxious. I love dogs but an under socialised Akita mix who the owners admit is “handful” would certainly make me think twice. Have you or your child met the dog before and/or actually spent time at their house with it?

FeatheredHope · 25/07/2021 16:51

Had Akitas for 20yrs, if you anyone knew about the breed they would know that they do not need lots of exercise, nor should you over exercise a young large breed dog.
But anyone with experience with the breed would also say that they need plenty of socialisation and careful, good training and handling. Anyone should be cautious with owners who have a dog of any breed, but in this case a large one, who by their own admission they have problems handling and having people in the house with.