Children Scared of Dogs

[i love dressage]

I'm walking Ollie down the street. He's a Cocker Spaniel, and you get kids leaping into roads and crossing roads without looking to get away from him. He's on a short lead and he's really friendly, wouldn't hurt a fly and children say "oh, the dog was after me". One mother gave me the dirtiest look ever just for walking my dog(she was on the other side of the road so Ollie was nowhere near her or her children). I always try to make sure that Ollie doesn't get in their way and I try to give them their own space as I know not everyone likes dogs, but it's so sad the amount of children that scream and run away from him. He doesn't bark, growl, jump up at them etc. I think it's got worse over time because people hear of the children being killed, but it's an overreaction. If they just walked past quietly, or quietly crossed the road, there would be no problem but children shy and scream and run away which does nothing to help themselves or anyone else.

 

[veilside Angel]

Most children are afraid but intrigued by my dog as she's so huge so they "try" to get close enough to stroke her but scream and jump back at the last moment-luckily she's calm and people friendly so she just looks up at me as if to say-must we go through this again I just want to get to the field and gallop about lol

It's parents that I have the problem with, one of my neighbours kids came to play in MY garden with my dog( my next door neighbours kids were playing "dog agility" with her up and down the drive) when their mum came out screaming at me for endangering her kids with my dangerous animal!!

The worst thing she would ever do is stand on your toes, or drool on you (ok that bit is a little gross, and she can crush your toes with her hoof like feet, but not on purpose hahaha)

I've also had people tell me I shouldn't walk her down my own road as children were leaving school( just across the road) why???!!?? she was on a lead and taking no notice of anyone else except me--well the treats I had more likely

I think they should have dog days at schools to teach children, either dogs are not all the scary dangerous beasts the media tries to make out, or at least how to act/react to dogs, on and off of a leash.

 

[Rokx]

I think it's because of all the news stories about children being attacked by dogs etc etc They make out like all dogs are savage animals ready to attack!

I walked my 5 month old puppy the other week in a nearby town and there were parents moving their kids out of the way & kids looking nervous! Of my fluffy little soppy puppy... It's ridiculous!

When I was young and saw a dog, I would always want to stroke it! But that doesnt seem to be the case anymore.

Obviously this is a terrifying beast!

 

[Kc Mac]

I find it really frustrating but its becoming very common. I personally think kids need educating on what to do and what not to do around strange dogs - ie not run away waving arms and screaming!! Like people with service dogs or people working/training service dogs to give talks in schools - saw it on tv in an american school and thought it was a good idea.

A few years back walking a gsd around a nature reserve (off lead) a family heading towards us saw Skye and the parents said "kids! a dog! what do you do?" These 2 kids walked quietly to the nearest tree, facing it and hugging it!! Admittedly i giggled for ages as it was funny but it is also one of the best avoidence techniques i have ever seen. Certainly beats screaming and running!


On the whole though often the adults are worse than the kids!!

 

[tango'smum]

i dont think its overreacting at all.. my son was attacked quite badly by a staffy, legs and back then went for his throat but someone grabed it in time..i want it shot, but they got to keep it. so yes he is very wary of dogs. this dog still roams freely around the village. the kids were coming out of school i got in the car to go get my son (he normally walks) to see a parent with two tiny kids strocking the thing a told her not to touch it and why.. i then phoned the dog warden, but he was not there.. so yes staffys need putting on the dangerouse dogs reg!!!! i still aim for this dog if i see it when i am driving..

 

[Rokx]

That is terrible what happened to your son, but that does not mean that all dogs are bad People get attacked by people, and run over every day. Does this mean that all people and cars are also bad?

As for staffys, just because one was not socialised/trained properly, does not directly mean the breed is dangerous, but that the owner is irresponsible!

Accidents/neglegent behaviour happens, but I really think it is wrong to generalise, rather than blame the individuals concerned.

 

[tango'smum]

That is terrible what happened to your son, but that does not mean that all dogs are bad People get attacked by people, and run over every day. Does this mean that all people and cars are also bad?

As for staffys, just because one was not socialised/trained properly, does not directly mean the breed is dangerous, but that the owner is irresponsible!

Accidents/neglegent behaviour happens, but I really think it is wrong to generalise, rather than blame the individuals concerned.

i did not say all dogs... the police and dog warden want staffys on the dangerouse dog register..i have known 3/4 of these dogs all have been nasty and yes ihave meet a nice 1..

 

[i love dressage]

i did not say all dogs... the police and dog warden want staffys on the dangerouse dog register..i have known 3/4 of these dogs all have been nasty and yes ihave meet a nice 1..

That's because most staffys are owned by idiots, it's not the breed that's at fault, it's the owners.

 

[Hippyhorse]

I get this a lot with my dog as I walk him up to the school when I take the children, but by me it's usually a cultural fear thing and the mums make it so much worse. Most of the children walk past no problems until mum spots the dog and drags them away quick. I could kind of understand it if he was a big or scary looking dog but he is a small fluffy lakeland terrier who looks more like a teddy bear crossed with a sheep than a dog! Then you get the muppets who walk towards us going "woof woof" at him then run screaming when he turns towards them(he just wants to play, loves kids, and is very well behaved). I too was one of those kids who wanted to stroke every dog I saw and the bigger dog the better but was taught to always approach a strange dog with care and ask permission to stroke it. I certainly think it would be a good idea to have some kind of dog education in primary schools.

 

[Vic86]

I think its very sad. What happend to us being a nation of animal lovers!!

No breed of dog are dangerous. Particular breeds need certain training, handling, excercise, living environment etc but they are not dangerous dogs!! Its something that really gets my back up. I've grown up with rescue German shephards and it makes me sick the way they are treated, for being that breed, as are other breeds such as staffies, rotties, etc. I've worked as a vet nurse for years and I've never been bitten by any of these breeds. Farm collies and JRT (Little *£%^"*) on the other hand, I've got more scars from those little angels than I care to think about (Before anybody gets offended I still love Collies & JRTs) Staffies, although usually fruit loops are usually the most loving, cuddly dogs you'll find. I'm not saying you don't get bad ones, but you'll get bad ones in any breed. But these staffies are usually owned by very resposible dog owners and thats why they are always such lovely dogs.

That's because most staffys are owned by idiots, it's not the breed that's at fault, it's the owners

Couldn't agree more. These poor breeds just attract muppets!!

As for the police, instead of scare mungering they should be making productive steps to preventing unnecessary attacks an deaths of children. Not by putting poor innocent breeds on "registers" but by licensing dog breeding, ownership, buying, selling. Dealing with the £^$%*" that cause dogs to have these behavioural problems.

What will we do, continue to terrify children that every dog is a blood thirsty monster so they can never experience the pleasure our canine friends can provide. An possibly risk causing more terrible accidents because children don't know how to act around dogs.
An just continue to put every dog that at attacks onto a useless list stating them dangerous, when does it stop. Dog attacks will never stop while muppets are allowed to own them, its this that needs to be addressed.

 

[veilside Angel]

i dont think its overreacting at all.. my son was attacked quite badly by a staffy, legs and back then went for his throat but someone grabed it in time..i want it shot, but they got to keep it. so yes he is very wary of dogs. this dog still roams freely around the village. the kids were coming out of school i got in the car to go get my son (he normally walks) to see a parent with two tiny kids strocking the thing a told her not to touch it and why.. i then phoned the dog warden, but he was not there.. so yes staffys need putting on the dangerouse dogs reg!!!! i still aim for this dog if i see it when i am driving..

That is an awful situation, and I hope your little boy recovered fully, this type of dog is not the type described/owned by any of us above tho'... We are talking about our dogs being completely calm, on a lead and never having shown any signs of aggression


I agree that dogs should not be allowed to wander around unsupervised, and if they show any sign of aggression they should never be put in a situation ( on a lead or not) where they may injure anyone child, adult or other animal.

If i saw anyone walking towards me/i had to pass who seemed genuinely distressed I would try to avoid them, or make my dog lie down calmly until they passed etc..


.....................However I should still be able to walk out of my own drive and down my road to the field without getting parents whining at me because I own a dog. Use the gate at the other side of the school if you're that bothered I lived here first and my dog is docile and under control.( it was not just my dog that got complained about my neighbours Newfies were also evil vicious ...erm giant fur balls, as was the GSD a few houses away)


And the women who's children came into my garden to play with my dog, should have educated her children to keep away from dogs if she didn't like them. Or at least politely asked me not to allow her children to come near my dog..ie keep out of my garden. My dog was showing no signs of aggression as she was being "Jumped" over some garden canes by a 7 year old girl and being walked to heel by a four year old, who's head was as high as the dogs shoulder and they were all supervised by me and their parents so it wasn't a dangerous situation in te slightest!!


Oh yeah I was on of those kids that had to stroke every dog, cat, horse, cow I passed too -- wait I still have to do that There was a gorgeous English mastiff out side my work as I left today that I had to say hello to lol

 

[tango'smum]

i have a dog a border collie who i have trained to high levels.. (mod edit....let's not have racial abuse, I know you are upset, but.....)

 

[Mimi + Me]

I know it's ridiculous, I've walked my dog along the street before and had children clinging to their parents arms in terror. I wouldn't mind but a) my dog is a Yorkshire Terrier and b) she just walks along minding her own business, doesn't show any interest in these children at all

 

[Ruskii]

I just ignore it, as I have a two retrievers and because one is black, therefore he's evil I've had a few people snatch their kids away whilst walking him, or being glared for gosh *shock* taking my dog into the garden where they are allowed !

Morons will always exist, sad fact of life and the even sadder fact is we arent allowed to shoot em

 

[Gypsyfilly]

i have a dog a border collie who i have trained to high levels.. this thing next door is owned by scabby gipsys..

i am starting to find your comments rather offensive, no i am not a gypsy, nor am i a staffy owner (anymore sadly)

One minute you are saying all staffys are vicious and should be on the dangerous dog register, then you say you have met a nice one, now you say you own a border collie, funny that, my son was badly bitten on the face by a border collie and is still scarred today, but did i scream that all border collies are vicious and should be put on a dangerous dog register, NO i didnt though i did request that, that particular dog got put down, unfortunately they didnt, its a shame they didnt because then their daughter would still have her eyesight.

If you have trained your dog to high levels, and i know border collies are highly intelligent, so its not that hard to believe, you should also know that there are good and bad dogs in all breeds. ALL dogs have teeth and are more than capable of biting. You should blame the deed NOT the breed.

I own a highly trained rottie, i did own the most soppiest staffy ever, she was so daft my siamese would sleep with her, when the staffy went to rainbow bridge sukie then started sleeping with the rottie.

I also like to stroke all dogs i see, but i always ask permission first, i find it rather sad that children are being taught to be frightened of dogs by their parents attitudes.

I also find your comments about the people that own the staffy rather offensive, maybe they arent very nice people, but unfortunately because of your rather nasty comments, you have actually lowered yourself to their level.

This is a public forum, open to children as well as adults and children are very often influenced by what adults say and do.

 

[Gypsyfilly]

I think it's because of all the news stories about children being attacked by dogs etc etc They make out like all dogs are savage animals ready to attack!

I walked my 5 month old puppy the other week in a nearby town and there were parents moving their kids out of the way & kids looking nervous! Of my fluffy little soppy puppy... It's ridiculous!

When I was young and saw a dog, I would always want to stroke it! But that doesnt seem to be the case anymore.

Obviously this is a terrifying beast!

omg how very very scary, lol. i want him, he is soooo cute.

 

[Keket]

i still aim for this dog if i see it when i am driving..

You ARE joking, aren't you? If you are, it's not funny. If you're not, you're a terrible person.

 

[tango'smum]

i am starting to find your comments rather offensive, no i am not a gypsy, nor am i a staffy owner (anymore sadly)

One minute you are saying all staffys are vicious and should be on the dangerous dog register, then you say you have met a nice one, now you say you own a border collie, funny that, my son was badly bitten on the face by a border collie and is still scarred today, but did i scream that all border collies are vicious and should be put on a dangerous dog register, NO i didnt though i did request that, that particular dog got put down, unfortunately they didnt, its a shame they didnt because then their daughter would still have her eyesight.

If you have trained your dog to high levels, and i know border collies are highly intelligent, so its not that hard to believe, you should also know that there are good and bad dogs in all breeds. ALL dogs have teeth and are more than capable of biting. You should blame the deed NOT the breed.

I own a highly trained rottie, i did own the most soppiest staffy ever, she was so daft my siamese would sleep with her, when the staffy went to rainbow bridge sukie then started sleeping with the rottie.

I also like to stroke all dogs i see, but i always ask permission first, i find it rather sad that children are being taught to be frightened of dogs by their parents attitudes.

I also find your comments about the people that own the staffy rather offensive, maybe they arent very nice people, but unfortunately because of your rather nasty comments, you have actually lowered yourself to their level.

This is a public forum, open to children as well as adults and children are very often influenced by what adults say and do.

take a breath love ... lol

 

[hoofytrot]

take a breath love ... lol

Well there's a good come back, shame the dog didn't get you instead. Gypsyfilly made some really good points there, something which I have yet to see you to do. Please take your casual racism elsewhere, perhaps the BNP have a forum where you can all condemn gypsies together?

 

[tango'smum]

Well there's a good come back, shame the dog didn't get you instead. Gypsyfilly made some really good points there, something which I have yet to see you to do. Please take your casual racism elsewhere, perhaps the BNP have a forum where you can all condemn gypsies together?

? what...