'supporting each other through really tough times'

silvasava

Softstuff & Monnagran Thanks for the good laugh! My ex DH & I were at a party MANY years ago & we were introduced to Dora Bryan & her husband (she was appearing in a straight role at Chichester Theatre) DH asked if she was in the area on holiday - freezing look or what! (she lived in Brighton) I had to go to the loo 'cos I was nearly wetting myself laughing - naughty naughty silva

Possession

Fuddle can I qualify this by saying I really don't know much about dogs. But I wouldn't have thought Alfie was in danger from the authorities given a) he has a poorly ear, b) the girl touched it after you asked her not to and c) he DIDN'T bite her. The mother should know better than to let her children touch strange dogs but I understand her concern and had it happened to my DD I would also be angry. I also understand your concern about your own girls. I presume he hasn't ever done anything like this? In which case warning them away from him for a couple of days should work? Again, I'm not qualified to give advice here but didn't want to read and run.

grandma247

Fuddle Alfie was doing what he should have done. The girls' mother was stupid.

My kids never touched a strange dog without permission. I think your girls will be safe.

Our Jack Russel used to warn my kids when she had had enough of their play by growling in a low voice and if they ignored her she would take hold of the wrist of the pest and continue growling. The kids all knew that was her saying enough is enough. She never ever drew blood and she would have defended them to the death if they were threatened.

elizabunny

fuddle wrote: »

Majorly upset. Alfie has an ear infection. I know this because he's scratching his ear like mad. He gets them a lot what with having beagle long floppy ears. I used the drops from the vets from the last time this morning. I took him out for a walk just now, same as always but this time a little girl came running up to us wanting to stroke him. I asked her not to but she still did it, I called over to her mam to get her to stop but when doing so Alfie growled and snapped at the little girl. She was stroking his sore ear. He didn't bite her, just warning warning the little girl that it hurts but the little girl got a shock and ran back to her mam saying the nasty doggy tried to bite her. The mam was so angry and has asked for my address and to expect a call from the authorities. What the heck do I do? I

I feel so upset and sick to my stomach that he would even snipe at a child.. I have two myself and if I suspected for one minute he would hurt them well I'm afraid to say he would be going back to dogstrust. I don't want to lose Alfie but I don't want him posing a risk to people either. He's a dog right? It was hurting him, he warned the girl. It's what dogs do. If only the little girl hadn't been allowed to stroke a strangers dog!

DH is mortified that he would do such a thing but I'm extremely nervous about having Alfie round by the girls now. They adore him and cuddle him so much. If his ear is feeling poorly before I know about it or pick up on the signs what is to stop him going for the kids?

Dogs and children. There's no answer other than the parents responsibility. Don't know what to do. All I know is that I will NOT let him be persecuted for this. He did what any dog would do and that girl should not be allowed to stroke a strange dog but I don't know if I can trust him round my own girls.

So sorry to hear about this fuddle, it is so hard for us responsible doggie people sometimes. If it were me, I would first take Alfie back to your vet and get them to have a look at his ears and possibly prescribe something else for him. You might mention your incident to your vet, who could possibly advise you in this kind of situation.

We used to have a rescue GSD who was extremely 'funny' with men, due to having been mistreated by one. We were always aware of her potential to be 'difficult' and having her for 10 years, this was quite hard to live with. However, our vet knew her well and knew her 'circumstances'. She never needed muzzling while she was being treated at the surgery and although we muzzled her in public she was really a lovely dog -just scared to death of men.

If this lady does intend to report you -is it possible that your vet knows Alfie well enough to be able to explain that it was just a 'one off' because Alfie's ears were sore. Not an excuse I know, just an explanation of why he behaved in that way at that time. I believe everybody should ask permission before touching any dog and parents in particular should not allow children to stroke any dog without asking first.

fuddle

Thank you Possesion. No, I've not seen him do that before. He's such a gentle soul normally. If he had snacked at one of the girls P, I would have been as angry as that mam too. I'm worried about an impending visit from whatever authorities may turn up. Gosh I hope she calms down and thinks better of it especially as I was asking her to stop her child. I'm not alone in this anyway. He's a rescue dog and I can get advice and support from the kennels he came from. I'm just shocked and actually reeling from realising just what a responsibility being a dog owner is.

Thanks Grandma and eliza. It's good to read that dogs know that 'their own' are not threats, especially their 'owner children'.

I doubt the vet knows Alf well enough as only been for 2 ear infections and his boosters but at least he has ear infection history there. Thank you

katieowl_2

I agree with Elizabunny off to the vet is exactly what I would do too...as his ear is obviously troubling him.

AFAIK if your dog was on a lead and this child approached and touched him when you expressly told her NOT to...then you are not in the wrong. They cannot say he was 'dangerously out of control in a public place' for both those reasons, which is more than can be said for the stupid woman's child.

He would have needed to actually cause an injury too I do believe for her to be able to press a case, and even if he had properly snapped at her, being a family pet, I'm pretty sure the worst they could do was say he had to wear a muzzle in a public place.

If he's never shown aggression to your kids, I wouldn't expect him to start, I'd just warn them that his ears were sore and to leave him alone for a bit.

May I just say, that I think you seem to have been remarkably reasonable about the whole thing, I would have gone DOOLALLEY if someone's kid had poked one of my dogs, provoking a warning snap...Just sayin'

Kate

fuddle

Dh has booked an appointment for tomorrow. He's going to take him because it's obviously hurting him.

I'm kicking myself Kate because I'm timid and should I have been more forceful in asking the girl to stop then it most probably wouldn't have happened.

Oh, daily lives. Never blummin' dull!

[Deleted User]

Poor old ALFIE just being off colour, what a stupid woman to allow her child to just run up to him, even with Docky I warn he will jump up and probably lick the child. Such dreadful parenting, our girls were trained from babyhood that you do not touch a dog without asking permission, and if the dogs owner isn't there you never ever touch the dog!!! A wise move to book the vet tomorrow as a dog in pain is always unpredictable no matter how good natured they usually are, think how you feel with toothache!!! It would probably be sensible to get the girls to give him a couple of quiet days as he's a bit poorly. If the authorities do contact you be very open and tell them you warned the child off because the boy was feeling sore eared and were ignored, I don't see how it can possibly be any of your fault. Chin up FUDDLE you'll be OK and Alfie Pup will be back to normal in a few days, Hugs Lyn xxx.

fuddle

Thank you all for your support in this.

I'm feeling better but my dieting is out the window. Fuds is an emotional eater and when it gets tough the biscuits get dunked in the tea.

On a more positive note I have had an email request for my CV for the job I enquired about yesterday. Already sent Fingers crossed.

[Deleted User]

Well done little one, see it's not such a dreadful world is it? The diet will still be there to be had tomorrow, don't be hard on yourself today, you've been a bit through the mill, Cheers Lyn xxx.