Bus stop and dogs

[Mouse House Mama]

See the problem to me is that the dogs that you do see at bus stops, ball fields etc. are usually not well behaved. They are jumping crotch sniffers most of the time. I personally don't think it is cute that your dog wants to smell me because they like me. I don't want to have dog on me or my kids. Now if your dog truly is well behaved - and I think most dog owners think their dogs are but really they aren't- then they would just be sitting there nicely and I probably wouldn't care.

 

[CathrynRose]

I would take Charley to a bus stop. He's a really laid back, calm dog. He loves people, other dogs, kids, and attention. (Think Cesar's: Daddy - that's Charley)

Hazel - no. We're still working on her "issues". She's much too hyper.

 

[PatsMom]

I'd have no problem with the dog going to the bus stop, I would have a problem with the dog not being under control. A dog should never be allowed to jump on other people. And if a child is clearly afraid, I would keep the dog as far away as possible while still dropping off/picking my own child.

 

[Magalex]

I use a gentle leader on my very youthful 7 yr old Brittany, who is only 27 lbs. I always make him sit at a corner to let a senior citizen walk by with a good distance. I would never want anyone to fall because of my dog. A day care group walks by same routine, he must sit.

 

[walden]

A badly behaved jumping dog should be reported to the Powers that Be as a bad thing at the bus stop.

A well behaved and well trained dog at a bus stop should not be a problem. The responsible owner should be able to control that dog. Jumping is not a good thing. Ever. Nor should jumping at a scared kid, special needs or not, or adult.

Dogs should be trained to behave appropriately in public. Blame the owner not the dig.

 

[design_mom]

I do not think dogs at the bus stop are a good idea. At the beginning of the school year, my neighbor brought her dog to the bus stop. It is a German Shepherd and I would have said it was one of the best trained dogs I'd ever seen. It routinely walks without a leash and minds it's owner (although she was leashed at the bus stop). She has played with the neighborhood kids a lot (she likes kids). They take the dog nearly everywhere (it's used to being out and around people.

Our bus stop serves two neighborhoods and there are quite a few kids and parents. It all happened so fast that nobody is exactly sure what happened. The dog was leashed and in a sit next to its owner. Some kids were playing behind the dog and others were standing around. Something happened I'm not sure if a kid stepped on her tail, or someone grabbed her from behind, or what--but something happened and the dog snapped at the girl standing next to it. That girl wasn't doing anything, but the dog got her arm and broke the skin.

I am confident that one of the kids behind did *something* but nobody saw exactly what and none of the kids would say either. But I think it was lucky that the girl who was bitten was from our neighborhood and her parents knew what a "nice dog" she normally is. The mom confirmed that the dog had it's shots and cleaned up her child...but if it had been someone else who'd reported a vicious dog, it could have been bad news for the owner and the dog. Just not worth it, in my opinion. Even if your dog is nice and well trained, if they feel threatened, all bets are off.

 

[jenrose66]

The woman with the pit bull is being inconsiderate....especially if the dog is jumping on the aid and scaring children. I'm sorry, but why can't people just leave their dogs at home. I understand to some people their dogs are like children, but they are not human...they don't have to go everywhere. My in-laws have huge dogs and want to bring them to every family gathering and all they do is get in the way. I have made it expressly clear that my house is a no dog zone.

 

[luvmy3]

A badly behaved jumping dog should be reported to the Powers that Be as a bad thing at the bus stop.

A well behaved and well trained dog at a bus stop should not be a problem. The responsible owner should be able to control that dog. Jumping is not a good thing. Ever. Nor should jumping at a scared kid, special needs or not, or adult.

Dogs should be trained to behave appropriately in public. Blame the owner not the dig.

We are

 

[C.Ann]

I do not think dogs at the bus stop are a good idea. At the beginning of the school year, my neighbor brought her dog to the bus stop. It is a German Shepherd and I would have said it was one of the best trained dogs I'd ever seen. It routinely walks without a leash and minds it's owner (although she was leashed at the bus stop). She has played with the neighborhood kids a lot (she likes kids). They take the dog nearly everywhere (it's used to being out and around people.

Our bus stop serves two neighborhoods and there are quite a few kids and parents. It all happened so fast that nobody is exactly sure what happened. The dog was leashed and in a sit next to its owner. Some kids were playing behind the dog and others were standing around. Something happened I'm not sure if a kid stepped on her tail, or someone grabbed her from behind, or what--but something happened and the dog snapped at the girl standing next to it. That girl wasn't doing anything, but the dog got her arm and broke the skin.

I am confident that one of the kids behind did *something* but nobody saw exactly what and none of the kids would say either. But I think it was lucky that the girl who was bitten was from our neighborhood and her parents knew what a "nice dog" she normally is. The mom confirmed that the dog had it's shots and cleaned up her child...but if it had been someone else who'd reported a vicious dog, it could have been bad news for the owner and the dog. Just not worth it, in my opinion. Even if your dog is nice and well trained, if they feel threatened, all bets are off.

Which is exactly why a dog should not be at a bus stop with a group of kids.. No matter how well trained a dog is, "things happen" - sometimes intentionally, sometimes unintentionally..

That's not to say that dogs can't be anywhere that children are, but in other circumstances - say a park - you can create a much wider berth between your dog and an entire group of kids clustered all in one spot..

 

[WDWBarb]

I do not think dogs at the bus stop are a good idea. At the beginning of the school year, my neighbor brought her dog to the bus stop. It is a German Shepherd and I would have said it was one of the best trained dogs I'd ever seen. It routinely walks without a leash and minds it's owner (although she was leashed at the bus stop). She has played with the neighborhood kids a lot (she likes kids). They take the dog nearly everywhere (it's used to being out and around people.

Our bus stop serves two neighborhoods and there are quite a few kids and parents. It all happened so fast that nobody is exactly sure what happened. The dog was leashed and in a sit next to its owner. Some kids were playing behind the dog and others were standing around. Something happened I'm not sure if a kid stepped on her tail, or someone grabbed her from behind, or what--but something happened and the dog snapped at the girl standing next to it. That girl wasn't doing anything, but the dog got her arm and broke the skin.

I am confident that one of the kids behind did *something* but nobody saw exactly what and none of the kids would say either. But I think it was lucky that the girl who was bitten was from our neighborhood and her parents knew what a "nice dog" she normally is. The mom confirmed that the dog had it's shots and cleaned up her child...but if it had been someone else who'd reported a vicious dog, it could have been bad news for the owner and the dog. Just not worth it, in my opinion. Even if your dog is nice and well trained, if they feel threatened, all bets are off.

I have to say that I think banning dogs from being walked to a bus stop is a bit of a reach. I would, however, not walk my dogs to the bus stop because of the unpredictable human factor. The best behaved and most intelligent dogs are apt to 'snap' when someone does something painful or startling to them. You can't predict what a child might do, and the animal may end up paying the price. Kids are kids and dogs are dogs ...

 

[arminnie]

I just took my dog for a two mile walk and passed by a school that was letting out. Most kids here do not ride a bus, they walk home.

I do not let my dog anywhere near ANYONE walking down the sidewalk. I always remove him to the side,make him sit still, and let others pass. If someone stops and asks if they can pet my dog I will let them - but it is their choice. And no my dog is not that well behaved. He would jump all over people if I let him. But it is my responsibility NOT to let him do that.

No one should ever have to put up with unwanted attention from a dog - anymore than they should have to put up with a stranger coming up to touch them.

I would not have a problem with a dog at a bus stop if the dog was kept several feet away from the children waiting there. I've been a dog owner for over 30 years - but I am a strong believer in respecting the personal space of others.

 

[Jey12]

Putting an overly excited dog into the middle of a group of overly excited kids and at least one that's fearful is, well it's idiotic. This is why dogs get into trouble. So many people set them up to fail.

I would and will take my dog with me once DD starts riding the bus next year. The difference is my dog is obedient. She holds her CKC (canine good citizen) and has been to many years of obedience. If needed I could put her on a sit/stay in the front yard, walk to the bus stop, wait, and return home and she would still be sitting there. I know because we've done this as part of her training. Would I do this? No. She's a large breed dog and people are fearful and she's a dog. I do not claim to have 100% control over her. When we go to the bustop we will like PP's stand back away from the crowd. She will sit and stay and be relaxed in her surroundings or she will not go. When people ask me if she bites I simply tell them she has teeth. She hasn't bitten, but any dog with teeth can bite. I don't see the harm in a responsible owner taking their dog to the bustop. Problem is you don't have a responsible owner here. I would complain to the owner, and to the school. Hyper dogs also tend to mouth. I wouldn't take the chance of my child being the object of what they wanted to put their mouth on. If the dog can't sit to be petted I'm sure it's not trained in any other way. There's a huge difference between socializing your dog and having a social dog. Most owners don't know the difference.

Control your dog, train it, and toss those retractable leashes into the river where they belong. I know you didn't say anything about retractable leashes, I just think they are awful in general.

 

[Jaime4004]

I just took my dog for a two mile walk and passed by a school that was letting out. Most kids here do not ride a bus, they walk home.

I do not let my dog anywhere near ANYONE walking down the sidewalk. I always remove him to the side,make him sit still, and let others pass. If someone stops and asks if they can pet my dog I will let them - but it is their choice. And no my dog is not that well behaved. He would jump all over people if I let him. But it is my responsibility NOT to let him do that.

No one should ever have to put up with unwanted attention from a dog - anymore than they should have to put up with a stranger coming up to touch them.

I would not have a problem with a dog at a bus stop if the dog was kept several feet away from the children waiting there. I've been a dog owner for over 30 years - but I am a strong believer in respecting the personal space of others.

Agree! I don't see why anyone would have a problem with a dog that was several feet away from everyone. My dogs are definitely jumpers, not well behaved, they believe everyone loves them like I do and want to lick them. So, if they go to the bus stop, they are leashed and standing away from everyone. No big deal. If you don't like dogs, don't go near them.
I can't believe the person in the OP's post would let their dog jump on people, that's really inconsiderate...

 

[MichelleVW]

Many people are afraid of dogs. Those who are afraid do not know that your dogs are well behaved.

Not my problem. If they can't handle seeing my dog walking or sitting quietly by my side, then maybe they should seek therapy.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I just took my dog for a two mile walk and passed by a school that was letting out. Most kids here do not ride a bus, they walk home.

I do not let my dog anywhere near ANYONE walking down the sidewalk. I always remove him to the side,make him sit still, and let others pass. If someone stops and asks if they can pet my dog I will let them - but it is their choice. And no my dog is not that well behaved. He would jump all over people if I let him. But it is my responsibility NOT to let him do that.

No one should ever have to put up with unwanted attention from a dog - anymore than they should have to put up with a stranger coming up to touch them.

I would not have a problem with a dog at a bus stop if the dog was kept several feet away from the children waiting there. I've been a dog owner for over 30 years - but I am a strong believer in respecting the personal space of others.

I think that is very reasonable.

 

[C.Ann]

I just took my dog for a two mile walk and passed by a school that was letting out. Most kids here do not ride a bus, they walk home.

I do not let my dog anywhere near ANYONE walking down the sidewalk. I always remove him to the side,make him sit still, and let others pass. If someone stops and asks if they can pet my dog I will let them - but it is their choice. And no my dog is not that well behaved. He would jump all over people if I let him. But it is my responsibility NOT to let him do that.

No one should ever have to put up with unwanted attention from a dog - anymore than they should have to put up with a stranger coming up to touch them.

I would not have a problem with a dog at a bus stop if the dog was kept several feet away from the children waiting there. I've been a dog owner for over 30 years - but I am a strong believer in respecting the personal space of others.

You sound like a very responsible dog owner - who not only takes the necessary precautions - but have matured enough to take other peoples feelings into consideration without making it "all about you"..

 

[extremesoccermom]

I agree as a responsible dog owner it is up to me to see that my dogs behave. I am also aware of people that appear to be afraid of my dogs. I take my German Shepherd everywhere. There is one mom on my daughter's softball team that I can tell does not like her so I make sure to keep the dog away from her and whenever I have to be close I make sure to keep the dog on the side away from her. She is also not really people friendly so I make sure to watch people. I make sure they ask before touching.
My pitbull on the other hand is very people friendly but she does not behave well enough yet on the leash to be around a number of people. Our dog trainer though has advised us to take her to crowded areas such as schools letting out so we can work on the behavior we want. Again everyone needs to ask and if she is not sitting she does not get petted or rewarded.

 

[Jey12]

My pitbull on the other hand is very people friendly but she does not behave well enough yet on the leash to be around a number of people. Our dog trainer though has advised us to take her to crowded areas such as schools letting out so we can work on the behavior we want. Again everyone needs to ask and if she is not sitting she does not get petted or rewarded.

You sound like a very responsible dog owner and are doing the right things. I too am a German Shepherd owner and it doesn't take long before you are very aware people are afraid of your dog. I don't care, the dog doesn't care, so we have no problems staying away. No reason to upset someone. If they are afraid they are afraid. Although I am always amused that the people most afraid of my dog often have the little land shark who is barking and trying to get at every other dog or person around.

I am a bit stunned by your trainer's suggestion for you to take a dog that is known for not being very well leash trained and easily stimulated to be worked with around a large mass of children. Honestly that would be the last crowded place I'd take a dog that was not already trained and proven on behavior. IMO children, are not near as behaved or well mannered as my dog in general. I would feel very uncomfortable having a dog that I hadn't completed training with being around a large group of them. I would be worried about a group running up and one reaching to pet before I could say no. I would think a trainer would suggest a crowded but better controlled environment like a park, pet food store or just a popular walking path. Someplace you can stay back but still be a part of the crowd action. Of course I don't know what your school area is like or the kids. I'm simply thinking of my local school. When it lets out it's like a hoard of angry bees scattering everywhere all at once.

 

[lizziepooh]

If I were the aid getting jumped on, I would certainly speak up and ask the woman to control her dog. If nothing is done, it needs to be reported. I think it is generally not a good idea to have dogs around a bunch of kids.

My 7 year old granddaughter was playing with two cousins when their "friendly" german shepherd/husky mix dog bit her face and bit a chunk out of her lip the size and shape of his canine tooth. That piece of her lip is just gone. The teeth marks on her cheek just missed her eye. She was in front of the dog and the kids all swear they didn't touch him but who knows. It all happened so fast. This happened several months ago and has been very painful with nerve endings and all. At this point, the Doctor doesn't know whether or not they will be able to do any reconstructive surgery when she is older.

 

[pls5286]

At last year's Christmas Parade, our Cub Scouts marched in it as they do every year. It is an event us leaders refer to as "herding cats" Forty plus boys sorted by rank, about six adults and our teen-age den chief. We have to keep them from walking into the float in front of them or being run over by the truck behind them and keep them togeter. A big job.

One leader decieded to bring two dogs to the parade and walk them too. I had many parents come to me and complain as I am Cubmaster. Kids and parents were scared. First thing I did was check with our district exec for policys in the Guide to safe scouting and then in our district about dogs. The only ones were on Scout property, so we had to make our own as a committee.

Unfortunately we lost this leader because we now have An "Official Dog Policy" and all animals must be approved service animals with papers.

So call your school or transportation dept, you just might have an official dog policy.