Dealing with a "GET YOUR DOG AWAY FROM MY CHILD!" *Read post #117*

_Lady_

Hey folks, Don't understand all of the hullaballoo here. If the dog was a mad little pup that hadn't learned any manners yet, fair enough - make space for the woman and her kids to get by - especially if there's a fear apparent. It's only good manners and nothing to do with dog training or otherwise. SHow the other cheek and all that even if she's being a bit OTT. But if the dog is well trained and socialised as the OP says then make the dog sit calmly at the edge of the path and wait for the woman and her kids to pass. Nothing needs to be said. Like training a dog - the woman herself can learn that she can get by with no incident. (You just can't give her a treat to reinforce the lesson at the end!!!)

SerialComplaint

OP, try to arrange to meet the woman when you don't have your dogs and she doesn't have her kids. She probably returns from the school on foot each day without the kids. Could you set up a little encounter where you explain that the dogs are controlled and won't engage with her or her kids?

golden8

The OP has every right to walk her dog on a public footpath. The OP is a responsible owner insofar as having her dog on a leash, while the other person is really aggressive and abusive. Best let it lie and pay no attention to the aggressive person who is also teaching her kids to be aggressive and not respecting other people.

I have a phobia of parrots (Its rational as I was badly bitten) but don't go shouting at people. I don't put myself in a situation that I am too close to a parrot. My best friend has a parrot I can be in the same room but I cant handle the bird, I don't go shouting to my friend that is just plain abuse.

OP just carry on what you are doing. She has a problem not you. Do not go out on the road.

Victor

deandean wrote: »

The woman, it seems to me, has an irrational problem with dogs and whatever about her I am sad to see she is passing this onto her kids.

An irrational fear is one with no basis in fact. A rational fear would be one based on fact, in particular post history, e.g. if she was the victim of or witnessed a dog attack. Surely you have no way of knowing whether her fear is rational or not?

Discodog

The real problem is not what the parent said but the way that they said it. The Op would of felt differently if the parent has said something like "sorry but my child is really afraid of dogs would you mind ......." It also depends on where the dog was. For example if it were at a gate so that every child had to pass close by. But even then it is really the parents responsibility to help the child overcome any fear & not encourage it.

OP why not have a chat with the school about getting someone in to introduce the children to dogs. I know that the Dogs Trust have a scheme & I believe that some other organisations do as well.

roast

tk123 wrote: »

Kids make noise screaming and crying and run/cycle/scoot in my way every day in the park. They and their owners leave a mess everywhere they go - wipes, nappies in bushes, drinks bottles, food wrappers all over the place. They drag out of my dog without asking or scream that he's going to eat them when he's by my side on his lead minding his own business while their owners sit drinking coffee not paying them any attention.
I don't wan't other peoples brats in my life but accept them where I walk the dog as their parents taxes pay for the park too. The same way that I and everyone else is entitled to use the footpath.
I give them the beneift of the doubt - for every 9 little brats there's one well behaved child who asks to pet and cuddle my dog or says hello to him.

If the OPs dog is on it's lead minding it's own business then the other person has no right to be telling them what to do imo. I'm thinking there's more to this than meets the eye though ..?

Hear hear!

Dodd

I think it is only good manners to keep your dog away from people on the foot path.
I have been bitten by a few dogs and a GSD tore a chunk out of the back of my jacket while I was getting directions from it's owner.

JustAThought

Omg!!!

Ifyou or your kids are clipped by car which could quite easily happen it would be catastrophic.
Suggest to make a written complaint to the principle about her ; screaming & abuse outside the school & say rhat your fear of her & her intimidation is driving you off the footpath with your kids & putting their lives at risk with cars. Say you dont want issues with her or between the kids. Ask the principle to write to the nutcase & say she's had a complaint about her behaviour to other parents outside the school ; screaming, aggressive..etc
Might get some proper behaviour that way

getz

JustAThought wrote: »

Omg!!!

Ifyou or your kids are clipped by car which could quite easily happen it would be catastrophic.
Suggest to make a written complaint to the principle about her ; screaming & abuse outside the school & say rhat your fear of her & her intimidation is driving you off the footpath with your kids & putting their lives at risk with cars. Say you dont want issues with her or between the kids. Ask the principle to write to the nutcase & say she's had a complaint about her behaviour to other parents outside the school ; screaming, aggressive..etc
Might get some proper behaviour that way

nothing to do with the school principle,its more a police matter,the lady has a irrational fear of dogs,and she is passing it on to her children,its a good job she isent living in england as the latest craze is bringing dogs into the classroom to help children learn to read,its seems that they have found out that children learn to read better by reading to dogs than reading to adults,mind you some of my teachers in the 50s looked like dogs,

star-pants

Can people please stop reporting the same posts that have already been dealt with?

tk123

We should join the OP one morning in a dog convoy!

deandean

I'd keep the principal & the school well out of it - even though this has happened very close to school. Even one complaint to the principal has to be investigated, and once that wreck-your-head 'health and safety' BS is done we'd be pulling our dogs in cages on the school walk!

SpyderCats

deandean wrote: »

I'd keep the principal & the school well out of it - even though this has happened very close to school. Even one complaint to the principal has to be investigated, and once that wreck-your-head 'health and safety' BS is done we'd be pulling our dogs in cages on the school walk!

I agree, dog's are no longer premmited on my childrens school grounds its a real pity because the vast majority of people with dogs used to keep their dog's on lead's and were responsible enough to clean up after their dog's if required but there are always a few that ruin it for everyone.

mickmcl09

SerialComplaint wrote: »

OP, try to arrange to meet the woman when you don't have your dogs and she doesn't have her kids. She probably returns from the school on foot each day without the kids. Could you set up a little encounter where you explain that the dogs are controlled and won't engage with her or her kids?

Agree entirely. Finally a bit of common sense. Meet the person half way as they say.

We can defend the OP and encourage him to stand his ground, keep the dog on a short leash and stand between the dog and the 'fire spitting' woman.

On the other hand you can defend this lady who has a fear of dogs and how dog owners should be more understanding and facilitating. Neither will solve the issue.

Most posters have forgotten about the dog in all of this. It's not fair on the dog to be put through this every morning.

Meet the person if you can without the dog and without the kids. Be nice, explain that you appreciate her concerns but equally speak to her about your dog in a glowing light, offer to her that the next morning her kids might like to pet him(assuming you trust your dog) and minimise the petting session to a few seconds and move on. At least (if she doesn't want her kids near the dogs), explain/reinforce that your dog is always under control and mention maybe his history of good behaviour.

At the end of the day, this would be one day out of 180 school days and it might do the trick. At least everybody can enjoy the walk to school then, dog included.

Ensure that you make note of your conversation with her, date, time and what you discussed. Then if her behaviour persists I'd imagine she bordering on breaching the peace at which point I'd be having a chat with a community Garda. He might make it his business to observe this behaviour and sort it (her) out, but hopefully it wouldn't come to that.

Bluefoam

mickmcl09 wrote: »

Agree entirely. Finally a bit of common sense. Meet the person half way as they say.

We can defend the OP and encourage him to stand his ground, keep the dog on a short leash and stand between the dog and the 'fire spitting' woman.

On the other hand you can defend this lady who has a fear of dogs and how dog owners should be more understanding and facilitating. Neither will solve the issue.

Most posters have forgotten about the dog in all of this. It's not fair on the dog to be put through this every morning.

Meet the person if you can without the dog and without the kids. Be nice, explain that you appreciate her concerns but equally speak to her about your dog in a glowing light, offer to her that the next morning her kids might like to pet him(assuming you trust your dog) and minimise the petting session to a few seconds and move on. At least (if she doesn't want her kids near the dogs), explain/reinforce that your dog is always under control and mention maybe his history of good behaviour.

At the end of the day, this would be one day out of 180 school days and it might do the trick. At least everybody can enjoy the walk to school then, dog included.

Ensure that you make note of your conversation with her, date, time and what you discussed. Then if her behaviour persists I'd imagine she bordering on breaching the peace at which point I'd be having a chat with a community Garda. He might make it his business to observe this behaviour and sort it (her) out, but hopefully it wouldn't come to that.

I disagree. She sounds like a self righteous *person to me. I'm willing to bet, that if you do try to get her on her own and reason with her, that she will accuse you of singling her out and bullying her.

Mo60

I have been following this thread from the beginning. If I was th OP I would not be crossing the road just to avoid someone who thinks they can dictate to someone else. After all the other person is the one with the problem. If I was frightened of dogs I would be the one to cross the road to avoid the situation.

gud4u

OP, once you are restraining your dog appropriately is doesn't matter what breed it is RB or otherwise. You are doing what is required by law, on lead, etc.

[I am a little afraid of dogs, perhaps more cautious of them, especially when entering an area with off lead dogs. It is something that is required of me at times, and despite owners saying, 'ah come in my BullMastiff is a baby', I generally insist on the dog being secured. I am only saying this to bring an opinion from someone who is a bit afraid of dogs. IOW, I accept this is my anxiety and do try to engage with a dog owners if I have a problem eg, walking in the woods.]

As an owner of four dogs,(3 of which are RBs), it is the handler I look at first. If I had a problem with someone walking a dog, I would simply cross the road or walk away untill they are gone. My own dogs have helped to simplify what was once a bigger fear.

It is how this woman is acting is what the real problem is here, you need to decide if you want to make something of it or not, by trying to talk and change her opinion- whether it is rational or not-or, just crossing the road yourself and striking her off as being another example of how people vent their dislike to the world on others.

mickmcl09

Bluefoam wrote: »

I disagree. She sounds like a self righteous *person to me. I'm willing to bet, that if you do try to get her on her own and reason with her, that she will accuse you of singling her out and bullying her.

She might be self righteous, I agree but what's the harm in meeting her without the dogs, without the kids, only then will you find out. If your hunch is correct, well, I'd say by meeting her in a public place prevents her from making such an accusation firstly and secondly at least the OP can show that they're a reasonable person should it go any further.

At the end of the day, the dog is on a leash and controlled, so the OP and the dog are fully within their rights to walk down the path. It would be nice to resolve the issue. Wouldn't that be alot better than having a dog, kids and parents dreading the walk to school.

2 rights/wrongs don't make a 'right'.

Like amzie, I have Samoyeds and to others, they're either cuddly bears or wolves. For people that show concern towards the dogs, I always smile, the dogs (while very excited to get any form of attention) are kept on short leash and I always offer them the opportunity to rub them. It's a win win scenario. The dogs love it and maybe, just maybe I've helped somebody regarding their views on dogs (and dog owners!).

eddie

anamaria wrote: »

There are people who have zero tolerance for dogs and dog owners which is narrow minded and stupid.

However i have noticed some dog owners who have zero tolerance for those who dont like/are afraid of dogs which is equally narrow minded.

I am not excusing this womans rudeness but if she has a genuine phobia and the OPs dog is offlead it is unfair to judge her a drama queen/silly bint. Perhaps she is just intolerant and rude or maybe she is simply afraid.

Have to agree with the above... I was savaged as kid by dogs twice.... nice friendly, family, "would not hurt you" dogs..... I have zero tolerance for dogs apart from guide and guard dogs I think that are pretty much pointless.. if someone want to believe that a dumb animal has some sort of intelligence etc etc its up to them they can do whatever they like in the privacy of their own space....

BUT when they try to inflict this dumb animal on me in public I dont accept it..... they should be on a lead ALL the time and a short lead at that not these extending bloody things.... and nappied to stop them urinating and crapping at will, is disgusting.

I have a right to be able to walk in a park/ pier / street without having to avoid an animal with teeth..... I dont think they are cute / intelligent friendly etc etc and I would not trust one of them as far as I could throw them...

And to the responder that suggested that the lady with "the dog problem" should cross to the otherside of that street.... that is EXACTLY the part of the attitude of dog owners that makes me suggest that dogs should have NO PUBLIC access at all.

And please dont even get me started on the mass of morons that allow their dogs to defacate at will and never clean it up......

YMMV

Eddie

borderlinemeath

eddie wrote: »

Have to agree with the above...

You agree with the post that is quoted but have you not read back to read that the dog WAS on the lead and completely negates the point of the post.

I was savaged as kid by dogs twice.... nice friendly, family, "would not hurt you" dogs..... I have zero tolerance for dogs apart from guide and guard dogs I think that are pretty much pointless.. if someone want to believe that a dumb animal has some sort of intelligence etc etc its up to them they can do whatever they like in the privacy of their own space....

Understandable that you have a fear of dogs if you were attacked twice but I have to take exception at your opinion that they are pointless and that people believe that they are just dumb animals without intelligence. You've just pretty much insulted everybody that posts on this forum who love and adore their pets and are responsible owners.

BUT when they try to inflict this dumb animal on me in public I dont accept it..... they should be on a lead ALL the time and a short lead at that not these extending bloody things.... and nappied to stop them urinating and crapping at will, is disgusting.

I have a right to be able to walk in a park/ pier / street without having to avoid an animal with teeth..... I dont think they are cute / intelligent friendly etc etc and I would not trust one of them as far as I could throw them...

:eek:
I think your "fear" of dogs has manifested itself into a hatred for animals. Judging on your opinions you have let something that happened in your childhood cloud your judgement over anybody that decides to keep a pet. Not a very healthy way to be IMO. Hope you're not inflicting your opinions onto your children if you have any..

And to the responder that suggested that the lady with "the dog problem" should cross to the otherside of that street.... that is EXACTLY the part of the attitude of dog owners that makes me suggest that dogs should have NO PUBLIC access at all.

Yes, that would be the answer to everything. No public access.:rolleyes: So dogs would be COMPLETELY unsocialised with other dogs and humans. Very naive opinion.

And please dont even get me started on the mass of morons that allow their dogs to defacate at will and never clean it up......

YMMV

Eddie

Probably the only thing you and I will agree on is that final statement. Although I tend to consider them irresponsible owners rather than morons.

Mo60

eddie wrote: »

And to the responder that suggested that the lady with "the dog problem" should cross to the otherside of that street.... that is EXACTLY the part of the attitude of dog owners that makes me suggest that dogs should have NO PUBLIC access at all.

The OP is lawfully entitled to walk their dog in a public place as long as it is under control. Just because you appear to have a problem with dogs does this mean everyone else has to do what suits you?

As for crossing the street, this is because it is your problem to deal with not anyone elses.

fenris

I would stay well away from the crazy shouty lady, it is entirely possible that her actions are less to do with dogs and more to do with attention and drama. Don't get pulled into her world, just go about your business as if she were not there.

It is fairly stunning the number of well worn axes that have been bought out to grind in this thread, I am surprised that nobody has mentioned dublin bike users not wearing helmets yet!

evolving_doors

eddie wrote: »

Have to agree with the above... I was savaged as kid by dogs twice.... nice friendly, family, "would not hurt you" dogs..... I have zero tolerance for dogs apart from guide and guard dogs I think that are pretty much pointless.. if someone want to believe that a dumb animal has some sort of intelligence etc etc its up to them they can do whatever they like in the privacy of their own space....

BUT when they try to inflict this dumb animal on me in public I dont accept it..... they should be on a lead ALL the time and a short lead at that not these extending bloody things.... and nappied to stop them urinating and crapping at will, is disgusting.

I have a right to be able to walk in a park/ pier / street without having to avoid an animal with teeth..... I dont think they are cute / intelligent friendly etc etc and I would not trust one of them as far as I could throw them...

And to the responder that suggested that the lady with "the dog problem" should cross to the otherside of that street.... that is EXACTLY the part of the attitude of dog owners that makes me suggest that dogs should have NO PUBLIC access at all.

And please dont even get me started on the mass of morons that allow their dogs to defacate at will and never clean it up......

YMMV

Eddie

Agree with Eddie

If the 'crazy shouty lady' as she is now known, doesn't want a dog in her face then that's her right surely, if she doesn;t want it in her kids face then that's her prerogative and it's everyone else's duty to respect that. I wouldn;t want a dog licking my child's face considering dogs are known to do 'you know what with their tongues'.

If this whole threads sole purpose is to ballyrag someone who hasn;t given their point of view then it's merely an ego stroking exercise. If I offer a different perspective then lets debate.

Report her to the principal/policel!!! I would really love to hear what a principal of a school or garda has to say about that, I'm sure he/she has absolutely nothing better to do than berate a woman for not wanting a dog licking her kids.

Has anyone considered contacting their local TD about the matter!!

evolving_doors

bubblefett wrote: »

After reading the first line of your post I stopped reading. That one line shows you knowledge and lack of on the subject

Why does the dog need a leash? Because he's cute!! and intelligent!!

Zapperzy

Armelodie wrote: »

eddie wrote: »

Have to agree with the above... I was savaged as kid by dogs twice.... nice friendly, family, "would not hurt you" dogs..... I have zero tolerance for dogs apart from guide and guard dogs I think that are pretty much pointless.. if someone want to believe that a dumb animal has some sort of intelligence etc etc its up to them they can do whatever they like in the privacy of their own space....

BUT when they try to inflict this dumb animal on me in public I dont accept it..... they should be on a lead ALL the time and a short lead at that not these extending bloody things.... and nappied to stop them urinating and crapping at will, is disgusting.

I have a right to be able to walk in a park/ pier / street without having to avoid an animal with teeth..... I dont think they are cute / intelligent friendly etc etc and I would not trust one of them as far as I could throw them...

And to the responder that suggested that the lady with "the dog problem" should cross to the otherside of that street.... that is EXACTLY the part of the attitude of dog owners that makes me suggest that dogs should have NO PUBLIC access at all.

And please dont even get me started on the mass of morons that allow their dogs to defacate at will and never clean it up......

YMMV

Eddie

Agree with Eddie

If the 'crazy shouty lady' as she is now known, doesn't want a dog in her face then that's her right surely, if she doesn;t want it in her kids face then that's her prerogative and it's everyone else's duty to respect that. I wouldn;t want a dog licking my child's face considering dogs are known to do 'you know what with their tongues'.

If this whole threads sole purpose is to ballyrag someone who hasn;t given their point of view then it's merely an ego stroking exercise. If I offer a different perspective then lets debate.

Report her to the principal/policel!!! I would really love to hear what a principal of a school or garda has to say about that, I'm sure he/she has absolutely nothing better to do than berate a woman for not wanting a dog licking her kids.

Has anyone considered contacting their local TD about the matter!!

Where has the OP said anything about his dog licking or even approaching the kids?? He wants to walk on the same side of the road with his dog under control on a lead and not trying to eat or lick the children or the woman. And presumably since the OP has children the dog is good with children!

As for what Eddie has to say I'm just wow. Think for a second what a dog that is cooped up in the house or garden and never ever allowed outside or to meet other people is going to do when he escapes some day and has no people skills and is probably aggressive from the lack of socialisation and exercise. So what do we do ban dogs altogether!

Syllabus

Armelodie wrote: »

if you enslave an animal for your own pleasure it's cruelty......

my dog is a rescue dog. he is in no way enslaved. he lives a better life then i do. and i can guarantee you that i have better control of my dog then you have of your kids

Syllabus

Fenian Army wrote: »

Wow, you are giving dog owners a bad name.

So the womans afraid of dogs and you wont even be a bit considerate?

"LOL" :rolleyes:

Its not funny, some people are really scared of dogs.

i have an irrational fear of blue. YOU must keep out of MY way if you are wearing blue or i will give out to you

does that sound reasonable to you?

fenris

Armelodie wrote: »

Agree with Eddie

If the 'crazy shouty lady' as she is now known, doesn't want a dog in her face then that's her right surely, if she doesn;t want it in her kids face then that's her prerogative and it's everyone else's duty to respect that.

And she can exercise that "right" by acting like a civilised human being rather than a screaching harpy abusing strangers in the street. It is a public place. Conduct in a public place is governed by the law of the land.

dog under effective control in a public place - as specified under law
v
Screaming agressively at total strangers who are acting in a legal manner in a public place

Which one is the problem?

The dog was not in her face, she put herself in the OP's face in an agressive and inappropriate manner, nothing to do with dogs.

It is not everybodies duty to forgo their own rights to compensate for her baggage, rather it is her responsibility to get her own head sorted out so that she can behave like an adult in a civil society. Walking a dog does not cancel out your rights.

female behaves in a crazy shouty manner = therefore she can be legitimately described as a crazy shouty lady, although the lady bit may be a stretch based on her behaviour.

Being bitten/scared/licked by a dog in the past is no excuse for poor manners or behaviour in the present. A bit of cop on and the ability to distinguish between past and present events is part of being a functional human being.

We are too ready to excuse poor behaviour based on some past event that may or may not have happened as remembered. People need to deal with their issues/baggage rather than selfishly expecting the world to bend around them.

iguana

BostonB wrote: »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2y8Sx4B2Sk

You know that if one dog attacks you and then you fear all dogs that does make your fear irrational right? It's not irrational to fear the dog who attacked you but it is irrational to fear every other member of that species because of it.

Syllabus

BostonB wrote: »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2y8Sx4B2Sk

pretty sure it means that the fear is not rational