Raging Angry...

Gingham_R

visidigi wrote: »

This 'person' appeared and shouted to get the dogs off them (they were round their feet, just like the other dogs in the woods) he had the same opportunity to lift his grandson up if there was a concern - owner and grandparent, equal expectation.

No wonder you're angry. What a horrible thing to happen to your puppy.

But I agree with the other posters. This isn't a dog park - it's a public area where lots of dog walkers go. Children shouldn't have to be confined to play parks within a vast area of grass and woodland. They should be out exploring it without having to be afraid of dogs that approach them barking. It can be very scary, whether or not the owner knows the dog is harmless.

Myrtle77

You have my sympathies Visidigi. I've had a passer by on a beach throw a rock at my dog whilst out walking, and she wasn't even anywhere near her. It's understandable if people are under genuine threat, but some people are just prone to overreact to dogs (or animals in general), and think that the whole world should shift around them.

I had a confrontation with someone once, because they simply objected to my sweet-natured staffie-whippet cross walking past them, minding her own business. I now have an innate distrust of anyone who doesn't like dogs

DevilsAdvocate1

visidigi wrote: »

I figured I would get that reply - and I do agree with you, although I disagree it was only us that had to do something, there was no risk to them with our dogs running up, they are friendly and merely saying hello.
.

I'm sorry, but I don't agree with this at all. YOU might know your dogs are friendly and would not bite, but how is a stranger who does not know your dogs supposed to know this?

I remember when my eldest was three and started nursery. There is a public footpath which runs from the car park to the school and nursery. Many people walk their dogs on this stretch. I lost count of the number of times people let their dog run up to my son. As he was small for his age, even medium sized dogs were level with his face. I would quickly lift him up only told be told that there is no need, the dog was only being friendly. One dog owner in particular was aggressive towards me because I lifted my son up and apparently I should have known that his dogs were friendly and love children.

My son became terrified of dogs. He is now 13 and is still not keen on them.

Think about it from the little boys' point of view. The dog is likely to have been level with his face, without even jumping up. A dog with big teeth is scary. I'm not aggressive, but I would have done anything to get the dog away from my child.

visidigi

Shepherd1 wrote: »

I do agree with you it is unacceptable to kick an animal and I would be raging too. I too have a pup but mine is a german shepherd and maybe I am more aware because of her size that it is also unacceptable to let dogs run up to strangers.

I does sound like the man over reacted but you don't know how people will react so for the safety of your dogs it would be better to keep them on the lead.

So I should keep my dog on a lead at all times of its life, even in a big massive forest that is well known for dog walkers? I am sorry, but its not right for a dog to be kept on its lead all its life, 99% of the dogs in this woodland are off their lead whilst in the woods (the only one ive seen on a lead is a fred basset who is 100% blind).

shellsuit wrote: »

Why should he have had to pick his Grandson up when all that was needed was the leads on the dogs?

Fair play, he should not have kicked out at the dogs, but if a dog came without 6" of my child's face, I'd do what I had to to protect my child too.

Why should kids have to stay in a children's part? Kids should be able to run free without the fear of being attacked by a dog.

How many young kids do you know attack dogs??

My point is why is the dog to blame? The dog didnt react, the dog didn't get within 6" of the childs face, they walked towards them - if you are not comfortable with your child being in the company of a dog then why take them to the biggest dog walking forest in the area?

If the dogs were in anyway threatening to anyone then we would have them on a lead - they are simply dogs which run around in the woods letting off steam.

Ahh so kids should be allowed anywhere to run free and not be bothered by dogs? Right so where do I walk my 'kid', my dogs, am I not allowed to be in the same place?

I never said the guy couldn't be in the same place, but if there was a concern he should pick his kid up, not kick an animal.

As for the kids on dogs question, Ive seen many youths treating dogs badly over the years thanks.

visidigi

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

No offence but you don't know what your dogs will do - and they should have been on leads. To suggest kicking his grandchild is abhorrent and to be honest, not surprising having seen some of the holier than thou dog owners that frequent parks these days.

My dogs are my children to me. The abhorrent thing is a suggestion? Are you mad? The abhorrent thing is phyiscally doing it, this guy kicked my 'kid' I would NEVER kick an animal or a child, I, fortunately, have the self control to use words.

Shepherd1

No your dogs shouldn't be on the lead at all times if they have perfect recall. Do they?

Sambucus_Nigra

visidigi wrote: »

So I should keep my dog on a lead at all times of its life, even in a big massive forest that is well known for dog walkers?

Yup. That's about the sum of it. Why should people not take their children out [or walk themselves] just so that your dog can have 'freedom'?

If you haven't got the space at home for your dog to run free, then perhaps you should think again about owning a dog.

Errata

Right - they're not puppies, they're 14 months old and fully grown. Two JRT's on the bounce can do serious damage to small children with their nails if they jump up at them - which they can do when they're excited. Two are more than capable of jumping up at a small child and pushing them over.
If your dogs won't recall the instant you tell them, ignoring everything else that's going on, and it appears they didn't as they returned to the man, then they're not under your control.

Shepherd1

I have spent months and months working on my pups recall and until she had perfect recall she got off lead in wide open spaces where I could see anyone approaching. If you cannot recall your your dogs then they are not under control.

martinthebandit

Sorry, but I think you were way out of line, they are your dogs and it is down to you to have them under control at all times. If they run up to other people then they are not under control, its simple really.

You should not expect other people to not take their kids, or grandkids, for a walk in a public area just because you have not trained your dogs properly before letting them off the lead.

I know that if I was out walking with my grandkids and two strange jacks came running up to us I would be very nervous about the situation, especially knowing what I know about jack russels nature.