Need A Vent!

[poppop]

At least some adults these days still see the dog's side against their own child when their child does something stupid: my step daughter's mum told my hubby that her little dog had bitten the daughter that day. She then went on to say that the dog was not told off as the little girl was actually trying to PUT THE DOG IN THE OVEN when she got bitten! She certainly learnt her lesson.

There is one thing that pisses me off at shows though - show people who allow their kids to run riot, ie running fast and shouting at each other, up and down the sides of the ring while the dogs are in there. At the Canowindra show about 6 weeks back the baby puppies were in for Gen Specs and this family had their daughter swinging a large stick around outside the ring and spinning around with it and falling down dizzy every now and then! I think it's worse when it's show people who aren't stopping their kids doing this as surely they of all people should understand the effect this might have on the dogs trying to do their best in the ring!

[Staranais]

Carl is famous for not liking kids (well, everybody, but kids especially since they're loud/bouncing/moving fast). He has bitten 5 or 6 kids in the time I've had him. He tends to shut down when he is afraid and if they get close, he launches. I personally don't give a stuff. If some parent is stupid enough to let their kid touch my obviously terrified dog, they get what they deserve. (Note all these incidents happened without me seeing; most times I am able to intercept but Carl wanders off at the park.)

Oooh, be a bit careful with that. I don't know how lenient animal control will be if they get a complaint from the parents. You or I might know the kids has gotten bitten since they did something dumb and approached a dog that was obviously scared or provoked, but animal control might not see it quite the same way.

[Levi]

Clueless parents and children are the bane of my existence at the dog park :D . We have a lovely dog park for little dogs and generally it is a really great place for the dogs to play.

Periodically, people bring young (and not so young) children into the park who then proceed to run around, yell, and at times chase the dogs . The parents don't appear to see anything wrong with this and don't intervene at all . One parent actually told her (approximately 3 year old) to "go run with the dogs" :D .

If a child run or squals near either of my girls, or they try to grab them I have no hesitation to tell them off. If there are too many children at the park, I put my girls on lead or we leave the park. It is a dog park, take your kids to one of the many playgrounds in the area .

I am planning to compile a flyer on safety around dogs and hand this to all irresponsible parents I see at the dog park as they obviously have no idea on how to keep their children safe .

[aussielover]

Just this morning I had a lady proceed to dangle her BABY in my dog's face

She approached us and asked if the dog was friendly, when I said yes she was, she immediately took baby out of her arms and dangled it in my pups face saying "pat the doggie"

ummm as if a baby is going to want to, or be able to :D

Luckily for her and the baby my dog did not react and just looked at me as if to say "what on earth is this woman doing?" The way the baby was flopping around though, i am surprised the dog did not mistake it for a toy or something.

I told her it was generally best to ask to specifically pat the dog and also most dogs prefer to be patted from the side, not head-on.

[Sezy]

Was out in the drive way the other week doing some training when the turd next door decided to scream and wave his arms at my dog with his father just watching and not saying anything. Thank fully they have a for sale sign on there house. There was a cheer in our house the day it went up!!! There will be a party the day that they move.... hmmmm maybe should start doing that sooner they may go faster.

There is still at least some children around that have manners. Sitting in a park with both dogs and a young boy came up and stood about a metre away and asked about my dogs then told me all about his. He was such a lovely child.

[Erny]

In my childhood days, if your dog had turned around and bitten us, my folks would have simply told me that was my own fault for pulling the dog's tail. These days, you get sued and your dog gets pts. ;)

A testament to your socialisation and training and to your dog's general temperament that he didn't react.

Totally agree Ernie. Problem may be that if we are brought up with dogs we are also taught how to behave around them. I guess if you are from a non-dg background you have no bloddy clue!!!!

Although I see your point, I don't fully agree with it. I was about 8 or 9 years old before our first dog (at least 'first' since my birth) came along. I don't remember being told how to treat a dog, but I guess I was, and had a reasonable foundation of basic knowledge in that to be able to well deal with our new (yellow lab) puppy.

But perhaps, when there is a generation of non-doggy people raising another generation, they don't have the ability to pass this information on, so to a certain degree, there is something in it. Although I'm sure that many (mind you, not all :D) people who haven't been brought up with horses tend to know to stay clear of back legs and to not go taunting a horse, especially in that area. I think to forgive for an adult "not knowing that you shouldn't pull a dog's tail" is being a bit of a generous excuse for him/her not having a reasonable dose of common sense.

Edited November 5, 2010 by Erny

[Red_BC]

Periodically, people bring young (and not so young) children into the park who then proceed to run around, yell, and at times chase the dogs :D . The parents don't appear to see anything wrong with this and don't intervene at all ;) . One parent actually told her (approximately 3 year old) to "go run with the dogs" .

This is the exact reason I no longer visit our local dog park, the amount of times I have witnessed Parents put their children in the dog park whilst they sit outside and have a coffee and chat (not even watching their children) astounds me. These children then run around screaming tryin to 'catch' the dogs to pat them.

When I was younger I knew that if a dog was running away from me it clearly did not want to be patted. I have also had children try and pick up my dog and seen them try to pick up other strange dogs.

I find myself constantly having to protect my dog against children but never the other way around.

Although I am young and there is still so much I have to learn bout dogs and Border Collies, I still find my self having to teach children and parents things about dogs. Like just cos a dogs tail is wagging doesn't mean its 100% friendly and do not run up on a dog (especially one you do not know) from behind.

It just fustrates me because if one day Diesel retaliated I have no doubt I would be told its my fault for having an agressive dog out on the street

[silentchild]

Although I'm sure that many (mind you, not all ) people who haven't been brought up with horses tend to know to stay clear of back legs and to not go taunting a horse, especially in that area.

At risk of going OT, you'd be surprised how stupid some people can act around horses, I used to work at a riding school and the amount of stupid kids who would actually bend down and walk UNDERNEATH THE HORSE'S BELLY... despite having very strict instructions & demonstrations beforehand on how to handle and behave around the horses from the stable managers.. I can't even.

And the moms who would stand around and admire the horses in their slippers and flip-flops :D while their kids ran around screaming.. *sigh*

You'd think it would be common sense, horses may kick and dogs may bite, but some people just don't seem to get it..

[moosmum]

But last night I had him out the front of a shop with me in a drop/stay waiting for my partner to come out. We were right on the edge of the pathway making sure we were out of the way when a family walked past with a young boy (maybe 6ish?) who ran up behind my dog and pulled his tail!! My poor boy was terrified and then the father of the child then had the nerve to say he must be a really old dog because he then didnt try to get up and play with the boy

To which I replied no he is just turned one and you are lucky that that I have socalised my dog and he didnt react agressively when his tail was pulled for no reason. The family just continued walking no apology at all.

I've had many other instances like this when we are going for walks and children will run up behind us screaming and trying to get to Diesel, which scares him, as the parents just watch!

What has happened to parent's teaching children manners when it comes to dogs? I control my dog I just wish the children had some manners.

Vent Over

Oh my Dog, another child attack!

That boy should be declared dangerous and should have been on a lead. :D

[Red_BC]

Oh my Dog, another child attack!

That boy should be declared dangerous and should have been on a lead. :D

if only...

[Pollywaffle]

One of life's injustices..a child taunts a dog to the point that it retaliates and then then everyone screams for the dog to bepunished/pts..

when I see these sorts of stories on the tele I'm shouting..." the dog was made to do it, it's the kid's fault"!

[MalteseLuna]

Carl is famous for not liking kids (well, everybody, but kids especially since they're loud/bouncing/moving fast). He has bitten 5 or 6 kids in the time I've had him. :p He tends to shut down when he is afraid and if they get close, he launches. I personally don't give a stuff. If some parent is stupid enough to let their kid touch my obviously terrified dog, they get what they deserve. (Note all these incidents happened without me seeing; most times I am able to intercept but Carl wanders off at the park.)

I have to say this worries me, yes the children shouldn't approach your dog but your dog shouldn't be off leash if he is aggressive towards people.

Dog owners are responsible for their dogs behavior. A dog that has fear aggression should never be placed in a situation where someone else might be injured much less a child! Your dog shouldn't be allowed to wander around and get in these situations!

At the same time some children should be kept on leashes as well by parents!

Edited November 6, 2010 by MalteseLuna

[Flaves]

In my childhood days, if your dog had turned around and bitten us, my folks would have simply told me that was my own fault for pulling the dog's tail. These days, you get sued and your dog gets pts.

A testament to your socialisation and training and to your dog's general temperament that he didn't react. :p

Erny my dad said that to my sister when she was bitten many years ago