Having a toddler who has now on three occasions been knocked over and brought to tears by overexcited dogs is sort of polarizing me against dogs and dog owners
Replies
Having toddlers interrupt my dog's jumping is polarizing me against toddlers. Jk...people should control their dogs.
apr 28, 2025, 2:24 pm • 2 0 • view
It’s not the dogs’ fault, but they are the ones who get blamed and punished. It’s the human who need training! It is disheartening when people ignore leash laws. It causes disruption on many levels and makes it hard for the kind souls who adopt traumatized dogs and are more reactive.
apr 28, 2025, 3:26 pm • 6 0 • view
There should be approximately 50% fewer dog owners in the world. These people simply cannot or will not handle the responsibility.
apr 28, 2025, 2:02 pm • 5 0 • view
"You dog won't bite? Great to know, I will not be stomping on its head then!"
apr 28, 2025, 2:00 pm • 3 0 • view
“He’s never bitten anyone before “ (And that’s what they said to all the others.
apr 28, 2025, 4:28 pm • 1 0 • view
"My dog is so good when at home and with the people that live in the house, so obviously the same dog will be good outside those circumstances."
apr 28, 2025, 2:00 pm • 15 0 • view
As a mom, grandma, dog owner & rescue volunteer, I'm continually appalled by how irresponsible dog owners can be. Training & leashing are musts. So is knowing what situations your dog can't handle well & keeping them out of those situations.
apr 29, 2025, 2:54 am • 0 0 • view
Dogs off leash is always a bad move unless you're way off trail in a forest. But I guess my question is why didn't you get between the dog and your toddler?
apr 28, 2025, 6:11 pm • 0 0 • view
dude
apr 29, 2025, 12:40 am • 0 0 • view
Doesn't answer my question.
apr 29, 2025, 12:47 am • 0 0 • view
i wasn't trying to. asking someone whose child was in danger "well why didn't you put yourself at risk, sounds like it's your fault" is epically messed up
apr 29, 2025, 1:15 am • 0 0 • view
If you are not strong enough to control your dog, you shouldn't have that dog. If you're not willing to put in the time to train your dog, you probably shouldn't have the dog either.
apr 28, 2025, 1:59 pm • 82 4 • view
As the owner of a 90+ pound dog...yeah. He's honestly great around kids and pretty chill, but I'll usually proactively keep him away, unless the kids/parents come over, then I'll make my dog sit and ensure he's calm before letting the kid say hi.
apr 28, 2025, 3:05 pm • 14 0 • view
As a big dog owner with tiny family members, 100% agree. The first time my puppy met my baby cousin, it was sniffing from afar. But my baby cousin has cried from older dogs who lack boundaries and proper training. Training is something so easy if you want a good family dog
apr 28, 2025, 4:18 pm • 1 0 • view
This is 100% correct.
apr 28, 2025, 2:12 pm • 0 0 • view
It's the arrogance and entitlement that is present in interactions that makes someone radicalize to your correct conclusion.
apr 28, 2025, 2:24 pm • 3 0 • view
I have a dog and adore dogs but the belligerent stupidity of the most belligerently stupid one percent of dog owners is really something.
apr 28, 2025, 2:01 pm • 12 1 • view
Fuck dog owners they never take my fears of dogs seriously
apr 28, 2025, 2:01 pm • 12 0 • view
Then maybe that's a good reason to get over your fear. Just like it is with ANY animal, wild or not, there's nothing to fear. Just some things to respect. It's easy. And something worth trying to get over.
apr 28, 2025, 7:14 pm • 0 0 • view
Nothing to fear? What do you mean precisely? I am not following and I want to understand.
apr 29, 2025, 1:15 am • 0 0 • view
how about we make people feel safe, because dogs ARE dangerous actually, and then let them self-actualize on their own schedule
apr 29, 2025, 12:38 am • 3 0 • view
Or...how about people put down fear? A self-imposed emotion. And all it takes is some respect and education. And it's not just dogs. It's across the board. I think pacifying and supporting fear only hurts the fearful. I'd rather people not be afraid. It's limiting.
apr 29, 2025, 12:49 am • 0 0 • view
so skipping right over "you can just choose not to feel emotions"... i used to work for a guy who encouraged kids to walk behind horses to get over their fear the problem being that, you know. horses kick behind them. being fearless won't prevent broken bones. they got sued a lot.
apr 29, 2025, 1:20 am • 2 0 • view
Fear has a purpose. It can help us avoid dangerous situations.
apr 29, 2025, 1:25 am • 2 0 • view
I guess. But I think it comes down to perspective. I see fear, in the context of the post and most things, as being separate from our animal instinct to recognize danger.
apr 29, 2025, 3:23 am • 0 0 • view
I’ve had similar experiences that fortunately didn’t get to the point of my kid actually being knocked down, but seeing dog owners watch as their unleashed dogs engage in frightening and dangerous jumping right in my kid’s face *and failing to recognize what is even happening* is genuinely enraging.
apr 28, 2025, 3:01 pm • 8 0 • view
I am consistently flabbergasted at the lack of leash control I see from fellow dog owners. I'll hike off leash with my dog, but as soon as we see other people, the leash goes on.
apr 28, 2025, 3:06 pm • 6 0 • view
Yeah my basic take is that responsible dog owners who know their pets well should also practice leash control and keep their dogs on-leash at all times where it’s required, specifically to model behavior to people who only *think* they’re responsible and that they know their pets well.
apr 28, 2025, 4:22 pm • 2 0 • view
Agreed. We have many designated off leash areas with rules stipulating dogs needing to be leashed within X feet of the parking lot, for example, and even those are ignored!
apr 28, 2025, 4:36 pm • 1 0 • view
Just another symptom of our all rights, no responsibilities cultural syndrome, I guess.
apr 28, 2025, 4:38 pm • 1 0 • view
It’s been almost ten years but I’ll never forget the lady who insisted “he won’t hurt you!” about her dog that had *already* bitten my ankle.
apr 28, 2025, 4:25 pm • 1 0 • view
The number of people with large dogs who can neither control them on leash or off leash is extremely disappointing.
apr 28, 2025, 4:40 pm • 3 0 • view
Regarding off leash, there are far too many people with dogs who have zero recall. I see it so often biking. My dog was 1.5 before I let him go regularly off-leash and even now there are some places he'll never go off leash, even when it's allowed, because there are just too many people around.
apr 28, 2025, 4:48 pm • 2 0 • view
Yep, letting your dog off leash in an environment where they can't or won't return to you on the first command should be some sort of criminal violation (not really). There is a dog park exception for this so long as your dog is not actually aggressive.
apr 28, 2025, 4:57 pm • 4 0 • view
If you're hiking on Forest Service land and your dog is off leash a ranger may require you to prove you still maintain control and WILL write you a ticket if you can't.
apr 28, 2025, 6:08 pm • 2 0 • view
That's actually not true. Maybe in an NF campground or picnic area. Not on trails. That said, it's NEVER a good idea to have a dog off leash in a forest unless you're off trail or 100 percent certain there's no one around. And that dog has to be seriously trained to even consider it either way.
apr 28, 2025, 6:15 pm • 0 0 • view
Unclear what you're saying is not true, but I know people who have witnessed it first hand so perhaps it is location based. As I understand rules you must have your dog leashed in developed areas (e.g., trailheads, campgrounds) but while being unleashed is fine on trail "under control" required.
apr 28, 2025, 6:46 pm • 0 0 • view
Yeah. Developed areas but not trails, other than interpretive trails, on NF or BLM land. It's "recommended." NP's are pretty much always leashed. My backyard is an NF and I've never heard of any kind of ticket but maybe it's happened. Either way, off trail is the only place to unleash.
apr 28, 2025, 7:12 pm • 0 0 • view
To be clear I’m not saying anything about leashes on trails. “Under control” a different requirement than “leashed.”
apr 28, 2025, 7:14 pm • 1 0 • view
As they should.
apr 28, 2025, 6:20 pm • 1 0 • view
I hate dog parks because it's basically a free for all where owners don't give a shit (and these are the same people not giving a shit in situations like JBSA talked about)
apr 28, 2025, 4:59 pm • 1 0 • view
Yep, dog parks have a personality and most of them aren't good.
apr 28, 2025, 5:44 pm • 2 0 • view
Like, no it’s not funny and cute that your 70 lb dog is jumping on my 2 year old, it’s scaring her and could easily injure her.
apr 28, 2025, 3:02 pm • 4 1 • view
I still have dog-fear (at nearly 60) after some bad experiences with aggressive/barky dogs when I was a child :(
apr 28, 2025, 6:10 pm • 0 0 • view
I had to train my husband about this. Dog owners must be responsible for their dogs! Period. The end. I will say that I hope you can/will expose your kids to good well trained dogs… fair or not- kids/ people who aren’t afraid of dogs are less likely to get bit for lots of reasons.
apr 28, 2025, 11:46 pm • 2 0 • view
I have 4 kids and 2 dogs. This issue goes both directions. Dogs often don't understand toddlers and toddlers don't understand dogs. Both parties have to handle the introduction properly. You can't train a dog on how to handle toddlers if you don't have a toddler and vice versa.
apr 28, 2025, 2:22 pm • 2 0 • view
I was just walking down the street with my toddler holding one hand and my baby in my arm when a lady's large, muzzled pitbull (she was talking to a friend on the grass) came charging after my son and knocked him over. I think the dog was trying to play.
apr 28, 2025, 2:40 pm • 10 0 • view
My son is already afraid of dogs, so I'm guessing that's not getting better any time soon
apr 28, 2025, 2:40 pm • 9 0 • view
Exposure can help, we've actually had a handful of kids who were afraid of dogs spend a bunch of time at our house playing and decide they like dogs now (sometimes to the parents dismay). But the trick is that *this* kind of accidental surprise exposure can do the opposite.
apr 28, 2025, 2:44 pm • 3 0 • view
They like your dogs because yours are properly trained. They might learn the difference.
apr 28, 2025, 4:26 pm • 2 0 • view
I would argue mine are not properly trained because my kids detrain them as fast as I can train them. Dog won't lick my face (or other adults) bc I don't let them, dog will lick my kid's because they do let them. But my dogs are very well socialized and very affectionate, which helps balance.
apr 28, 2025, 4:29 pm • 1 0 • view
(and also my dogs respond to commands well, so even when they are being bad I can get them under control quickly which is, to me, the safety net)
apr 28, 2025, 4:30 pm • 1 0 • view
Had a Golden whose release word was "okay" (from the dog training class). Mom with small child wanted to interact. Child was uncertain. I said "He's a good dog, it's okay." Whoops. Golden LOVE ME explosion. The last couple of dogs, we use "Free."
apr 28, 2025, 5:26 pm • 1 0 • view
Yeah that's super bad. That's a control issue. The muzzle is also a warning sign of control problems. I'm pretty anti-pitt at all levels anyways. Even the good, sweet affectionate ones are too strong to be safe.
apr 28, 2025, 2:42 pm • 2 0 • view
😡😡😡
apr 28, 2025, 4:25 pm • 0 0 • view
Onviously not a responsible dog owner
apr 29, 2025, 2:28 pm • 0 0 • view
Understandable, but we parents also have to teach our kids the appropriate ways to interact with animals. I have small children, so I get it, but I also had an excitable dog who looked adorable and parents would just let their children lose on my leashed dog.
apr 28, 2025, 9:44 pm • 0 0 • view
But holy shit do I get mad when I see people have their dogs unleashed. Even when I didn’t have kids, people would let their unleashed dogs barrel up to my guy with “he’s friendly!” Great, mine isn’t friendly with other dogs and that’s why he’s on a leash and I’m keeping him and everyone else safe.
apr 28, 2025, 9:48 pm • 3 0 • view
Dogs not comfortable with people or other dogs have every right to be out and about providing they are controlled safely. Just bc another dog is friendly is irrelevant. Your dog deserves to have their personal space respected.
apr 29, 2025, 1:20 am • 1 0 • view
I think we were saying the same thing? My dog (he’s not alive anymore) was not good with other dogs. I kept him on his leash and safe but he got out and had fun. The problem was other unleashed dogs coming up to him. They were “friendly” so their owners felt it was okay
apr 29, 2025, 2:52 am • 1 0 • view
Yes, we are on the same page.
apr 29, 2025, 2:53 am • 1 0 • view
Which put both their pet, and mine, in danger. If you dog is generally friendly, keep it safe on a leash. If you dog struggles, keep him safe on a leash.
apr 29, 2025, 2:52 am • 1 0 • view
If you care about your pet, put it on a leash. If you care about other humans, put your pet on a leash. It’s not that hard but people make it that way.
apr 28, 2025, 9:48 pm • 2 0 • view
To be honest - don't disagree w/ sentiment but man the world is on fire & this is your take ?
apr 29, 2025, 2:05 pm • 0 0 • view
My dogs are trained and under control, but I would take dogs any day over any toddler. Just sayin'
apr 29, 2025, 2:21 pm • 0 0 • view
apr 29, 2025, 2:22 pm • 0 0 • view
This was this weeknd. My border collie had never seen a baby. She was great. She is completely trained. Probably the first and last time a baby will be in this house thiugh. Not a kid fan.
apr 29, 2025, 2:26 pm • 0 0 • view
Correct take. I think norms around dog manners have lagged really far behind in terms of post-pandemic recovery and continue to do so; lots of poorly trained dogs adopted during the pandemic and entitled owners who refuse to leash, among other issues.
apr 28, 2025, 3:19 pm • 6 1 • view
Man nothing has made me more anti dog than having kids. I've literally had to KO a dog trying to attack my then 2 y/o when we were on a walk
apr 28, 2025, 2:07 pm • 2 1 • view
My little girl was scared to go to the playground for awhile b/c of all the unleashed dogs and yeah I got pretty mad about that. "He's friendly, it's ok!" is meaningless when you're a tiny child and an animal bigger than you is coming at you full speed
apr 28, 2025, 2:15 pm • 7 2 • view
Friendliness has no correlation to safety.
apr 29, 2025, 1:17 am • 0 0 • view
They are insane yes
apr 28, 2025, 2:14 pm • 0 0 • view