[deandean]

So every day I walk my kids to school, I bring the dog too.

I meet a woman coming the other way. She has two kids, one aged about 5 (going to school) who doesn't seem too bothered, and one kid aged about 3.

About three times her mum has really lashed into me, 'Keep your dog away from my children' - serious stuff. I end up walking out onto the road with my dog and kids.

Now my dog is well socialised, he would offer the paw to a stranger.

The problem I see here is the mother - she freaks out rightaway, and as a consequence her kids get frightened. I have thought of saying to her - come here, let your kid say hello to my dog & pat him etc, but the meetings are too nasty for this.

So at the moment I see her coming and I go onto the road with my dog & kids and let her & her kids walk along the footpath while she gives me a dirty look - it is just a bit unfair to my side!

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.

Anyone been in this situation before? Ideally I'd like to share the footpath.

Thanks,
Dean

[borderlinemeath]

Once your dog is under your control she can't do anything.

Some people are just scared of dogs and that's just it, but I do think it's wrong that she is passing this fear onto her children.

You shouldn't have to go out onto the road and to be honest if this woman is the one with the issue then she should be crossing to the other side of the road out of your way rather than you having to accomodate her.

[wonderfulname]

Stop her and talk to her, it's absurd that she would force your children onto a road before letting her own walk past a dog at the hand of it's owner. Do explain that your dog is well trained and well socialised, ask her to pet him, not the kids, she's the one with the problem.

[DamagedTrax]

assuming you have control of your dog just walk straight past her. dont even acknowledge her and certainly do not get out of her way. silly bint.

[doctor evil]

I'm just wondering is the dog on a lead? She could be dealing with a very real phobia along with the added stress of getting young children to school on time. Not fair at all to refer to her as a silly bint.

I don't know if I would engage with her, I certainly wouldn't ask her or her kids to pet the dog. Not the time or place to tackle a serious phobia. For an easier life (and for the kids) would it not be easier to walk on the opposite footpath.

Do you mind me asking what kind of dog it is.

[fenris]

I woudn't even engage with her beyond the barest necessity. Some people are just drama queens and need to get over themselves or pay someone to help them do so.

Anything you do or say will most likely be deliberately misconstrued at a high volume with added hysteria for effect then greatly exagerated over coffee with her pals.

I wouldn't let her force you onto the other side of the road, it is a public place and not her sitting room, just smile and walk past without fuss and continue your day.

[Armelodie]

Does your dog lick his own bo**ox ?
If so does he mouthrinse afterwards ?
Does he want to lick the kids face/hand ?

Yummy!!!

Not..

[wexie]

Been there and done that. I've had people dragging their kids away from an 8 week old Shihtzuh and our other pup (newfoundland) which I could nearly understand.

Some people have obviously had negative experiences with dog and seem hellbent to pass these onto their kids.

Personally I think it's awful that people would willingly and knowingly take away the great pleasure and love that dogs have to give from their kids and I firmly believe every kid should be given the chance to grow up with dogs, or at least be given a decent chance to not grow up being afraid of dogs.

However, if that lady is already responding to you and your dog who (I assume) obviously gets on with your kids and is well socialised I think she's well beyond the point of having a rational grownup conversation about dogs with.

If it was me I'd make it a point to make sure she understands I have every right to be on the footpath and if she doesn't like it she can bl**dy well cross the road herself. (but I'm an awkward f*cker sometimes).

Either way I think you can probably just save yourself the heartache and just ignore her. Feel sorry for the kids though.

Few things can make kids laugh like messing around with a dog. My eldest learned to walk holding on to our giant big black slobbery newfy and loved her to bits.

[P4DDY2K11]

Came across one of these the other day, brought my dogs down to the beach and there was some beach clean goin on.
Had my 5 month old beagle of the lead and he went over to some young lad who must have been about 11 and the young lad started screaming, it's a fúcking beagle, they are the most harmless dogs alive and then i had a heap of adults looking at me as if i was setting some sort of child killing attack dog on people.

I can understand how people may just be afraid of dogs but telling people to get there dogs away from there children is a fairly dumb idea, if the adult is afraid of dogs and acts like that around their children, the child is gonna grow up being afraid of dogs, simple as.

[Inexile]

Get in first. Shout "Get your kids away from my dog"

Seriously provided your dog is on a lead and not foaming at the mouth I dont think there is any reasoning with this woman.

Just walk by and say good morning and keep going.

[Arciphel]

I'm guessing since the OP hasn't answered that they don't have their dog on a lead?

[Freddie59]

Originally Posted by Arciphel

I'm guessing since the OP hasn't answered that they don't have their dog on a lead?

Looks like it.

[eviltimeban]

Originally Posted by P4DDY2K11

some young lad who must have been about 11 and the young lad started screaming, it's a fúcking beagle,

Sorry, I read that like the young lad started screaming "its a f*cking beagle!", which would have been awesome!

[anamaria]

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.

[biko]

You don't know. The lady or her kids may have some traumatic background with dogs.
You could try engaging her in small talk and let the children pet the dog etc to let them know it's not dangerous.