Out-of-control Kid

Ummm, cheetah?  Not all of us went for the throat.
 
I was more concerned about this little girl than her Mother was.  She was a sweet little girl, but wild as heck.  But, then, children learn what they live.
 
We deliberately walk a route through sleepy residential areas, keep to the FAR side of the street away from the park and then down the main drag of business's.  I like to encounter some people, but don't take them into town when all the shops are open and the streets really crowded because we are basically working on keeping leash manners intact.  And, of course giving them a fun outing.
 
I really resent being told that Me and My Dog have no right to infringe on other peoples business, when other people have NO respect for Me and My Dog.  Sometimes OTHERS are at fault, but it doesn't make much difference in  the long run.  The bottom line is that we have to bullet proof our dogs, but we sure can't do it without taking them into "the line of fire".
 
But, gosh darn it, don't tell me that when I'm walking down a street minding my own business it's somehow MY fault that an unsupervised child attacks my dogs.

ORIGINAL: astaracheetah

BTW, let me remind everyone "questioning my training".................................... I don't think you guys read my update at all, just went for the throat. >9.9<

No Glenda, I didn't mean you. That was directed at the people attacking me. I'm sorry, I should have worded it a bit better.

My favorite quote so far since having a dog is when a group of mothers, (I call them the gossipy mother club) in the park where my son and my dog were playing, told me I shouldn't have such a mean looking dog around little kids. She decided to try and scold me on my dog helping my son clean some vanilla ice cream off of his face. The first thing he does is roll over for a belly rub when kids stop to look at him...mean huh?
While the rest of the gossipy mother club were letting their children push kids much smaller than them off of the swings, throw rocks, swing sticks around..ect...
I just calmly told her that she should control her apes and mind her own f@#$n business. Rude but it works. It's amazing that some people are allowed to breed...

And you can't blame a dog for being pushed to far, it does happen, any animal can be pushed to far. It's understandable...if you push a human enough what do you think will happen? They get a high power rifle and climb a water tower or something to that effect...
enough from me im at work trying to waste time til I get off....

I really didn't think you were talking to me, but I DID want to remind you that you'd gotten some good support here.
 
The whole attitude that everything that happens is somehow the fault of the dog and the owner ticks me off.
 
Honestly I am completely apalled at how little parenting happens these days.

I really do appreciate all the good responses and support. I got a lot more good than bad. Well, I suppose you can't please everyone.

I am actually glad that my mom has had my baby brother late in life. I'm taking him over there more often now, and I think it really is helping him get used the the unpredictable movements of toddlers. It also helps that my mom does not allow him to mistreat animals, and she corrects any behavior like that from him.

shippo is a PUPPY. Expecting a puppy to hold a down-stay while you capture and drag a crazed toddler back to her parents is kind of unrealistic.

Sofia says toddlers are ALIENS.

I agree.

See, this is one time that I've glad Sally is not small and fluffy.  Sally is fearful, and has made good progress since I've had her.  I have become a "defensive" dog walker.  I try to spot trouble before it comes.  If I see it, I put her in a down stay, which she will generally stay in unless leaped upon, which has not happened, thank God. 

The way I feel is that my rights end where yours begin.  You have a right to walk down the street with your child without having a dog run up to you.  I have a right to walk my dog down the street without having a kid run up to me.  However, some people seem to think that dogs are public property, so this is what I do---When I was a child, my mother told me that when I walked down the road to assume every car was going to veer off the road and hit me.  When I walk the dog I assume that every person is an idiot when it comes to dogs and will try to come up to her and touch her.  I am relaxed about it, but that is just what I think.  Therefore, I plan accordingly.  Then, if I run across a "non-idiot," I am pleasently surprised.  I cannot control the world around me, but I have to do what I can for Sally, and leave the rest to God. 

If you saw how people behaved around horses, animals many times larger than dogs, you would not be surprised at this stupid behavior at all.

*child puts hand near horse's mouth*
Me:  Be careful he WILL bite you.  He thinks your fingers are food.
*parent and child ignore me, puts hand IN horses mouth*
Child:*cries* He bit me!  He bit me!
Me:  Well, then don't put your hand in his mouth
*parent takes child to feed different "horsie," who, interestingly enough, will also bite fingers that are put in his mouth*

Having worked for child protective services, I can honestly say that the mother was in the wrong here.  Not all dogs are nice and she is seriously putting her child at risk by assuming that they are.  It's what is called neglectful supervision.  She knew that you were telling the child to leave the dog alone and while she mildly intervened she did nothing to prevent the child from being bitten.  She is lucky that more damage was not done to her child and is now in need of some parenting skills.

On the other hand, it's hard to be a dog owner and not know how your dog will react in certain circumstances.  It's so easy for society to blame the dog owner because it hurt a poor defenseless child.  There are a lot of dogs who have been detained and put down for this kind of thing. 

If I were you, I would have nicely stated in front of everyone that this woman should gain some control over her child and that you have already told the child to stop several times.  What is important here is that the child remain safe and the dog not be traumatized.  Ego and pride will heal.

For the future, I would ask if there will be any children present before taking your dog with you.  It's more to protect you and the dog than anything else.  If you do decide to take the dog with you still, I would get down on the level of both the child and the dog.  Show the child how to touch the dog appropriately, let the dog smell the child, all that stuff.  It can be a learning experience for all.  Just keep your cool.

I am relaxed about it, but that is just what I think. Therefore, I plan accordingly. Then, if I run across a "non-idiot," I am pleasently surprised

 
I agree with you. It's one of the things I learned about riding motorcycles. If you look at every car out there like they are trying to run you off of the road, you will ride with the proper attention to avoid that. You take up, in practicality, as much space as a car but you are invisible to drivers. As one biker friend put it, you've got stay way ahead or way behind. Point being, yes, we do have to plan on others not exercising care in whatever they do. But that does not absolve them from blame.
 

Glenda I think you are spot on.....
Cheeta you were totally in the right.
 
 I work with the public and encounter out of control kids often, and have made a few parents not so happy before with my comments. Now dont get me wrong I am not an out and out witch, but sometimes you have to make a stand for yourself.
 
It's not the worlds burden to raise other's kids or to have to put up with their antics, it's the parents burden or joy.
 
I am not always right, go figure LOL but I shouldnt have to be put out by someone else's lack of control.
 
These people should have nanny 911 on speed dial. When are they going to learn it's not about THEM....
 
Sooo glad shippo has overcome his first brat.
 
 

While I try to prepare for those errant cars and children and adults on the road of life,  (nice analogy, Christina & Ron!  I like it!)  I also don't think I should have to automatically accept membership into the Honorary Acting Parent to Strangers' Kids club, just because I own a dog.

ORIGINAL: wildboar

For the future, I would ask if there will be any children present before taking your dog with you.  It's more to protect you and the dog than anything else.  If you do decide to take the dog with you still, I would get down on the level of both the child and the dog.  Show the child how to touch the dog appropriately, let the dog smell the child, all that stuff.  It can be a learning experience for all.  Just keep your cool.

I appreciate the advice, although that is what I do already, with children I can actually talk to. This particular kid was not listening.

Also, if you read the top of page 4, I did post an update on this. Shippo has not become fearful and unpredictable from this one situation. He has bounced back from it, and I will also be watching my (and his) back from now on lmao...

ORIGINAL: astaracheetah


I appreciate the advice, although that is what I do already, with children I can actually talk to. This particular kid was not listening.

Also, if you read the top of page 4, I did post an update on this. Shippo has not become fearful and unpredictable from this one situation. He has bounced back from it, and I will also be watching my (and his) back from now on lmao...

 
Good for Shippo for taking it all in stride.  I actually ran into something like this once before and I can really sympathize with you.  It makes you want to pop the parent up side the head.  Just imagine what this child must be like at home if she acts this way in public.  Geesh! lol

I do have a question on that comment. Is there a way to train a dog to stay in a down while the Spawn of Satan pummels it, pokes, grabs, screams, jumps on it?

 
Good question Ron why would I want to train my dog to put up w/ that it's my responsibility to protect my dog, if I want him to look to me as his leader, doesn't that protection come w/ the deal.