PSA Please don't bring your dog to the bus stop

[aprilgail2]

My younger two are afraid of them. Youngest DS was "attacked" (knocked to the ground, pounced on and licked all over) by an over excited overly enthusiastic and happily and loudly barking dog as a toddler. He was very little and the dog was very big. He passed his lack of enthusiasm for dogs onto his older brother. Screaming and crying and cowering are now a regular occurrence for us.

Screaming and crying and cowering are not normal things-you really should get him so help before it gets to late to do anything about this behavior. Dogs are everyplace, parks, stores, peoples homes....at this rate he will never be able to go into another home that has a dog there...please get him some help.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I HATE the line "Oh, he won't bite!" It's not JUST about biting...it's about drool all over your clothes, and dirty paws, and being knocked over (we've had a 125 lb Lab and an 80 lb GSD...if we let them jump, they WOULD knock over children and some adults).

Bring your dogs wherever it's allowed...just control them! And, I'll go further by saying this...if bringing them to the bus stop, where there are young children, brings on a growling match between dogs whether or not they actually do anything else, then that's enough reason to just leave them at home. It's scary for little kids. But I'm sure there will always be the "too bad for the little kid" attitude.

 

[Carly_Roach]

But I'm sure there will always be the "too bad for the little kid" attitude.

Yeah, pretty much. Parents should prepare their kids for the world, not the world for their kids.

 

[disykat]

I HATE the line "Oh, he won't bite!" It's not JUST about biting...it's about drool all over your clothes, and dirty paws, and being knocked over (we've had a 125 lb Lab and an 80 lb GSD...if we let them jump, they WOULD knock over children and some adults).

Bring your dogs wherever it's allowed...just control them! And, I'll go further by saying this...if bringing them to the bus stop, where there are young children, brings on a growling match between dogs whether or not they actually do anything else, then that's enough reason to just leave them at home. It's scary for little kids. But I'm sure there will always be the "too bad for the little kid" attitude.

I agree with you. I have no problem with people bringing well behaved dogs, but they should not be close enough to me to even think biting is a possibility. They should be on a leash, kept away from people, and removed if they cause comotion.

I take my dog walking on a popular trail and all the people who think their dogs are too good for leashes drive me insane! (They're usually the same people who manage not to notice that their dog is pooping and leave it for others to step in!)

 

[Mermaid02]

People should control their dogs. The end.

And those flexi leashes? Get rid of them.

Agreed!

 

[OceanAnnie]

I HATE the line "Oh, he won't bite!" It's not JUST about biting...it's about drool all over your clothes, and dirty paws, and being knocked over (we've had a 125 lb Lab and an 80 lb GSD...if we let them jump, they WOULD knock over children and some adults).

Bring your dogs wherever it's allowed...just control them! And, I'll go further by saying this...if bringing them to the bus stop, where there are young children, brings on a growling match between dogs whether or not they actually do anything else, then that's enough reason to just leave them at home. It's scary for little kids. But I'm sure there will always be the "too bad for the little kid" attitude.

I agree with you too. Control them. Keep them away from children that don't want to be near them. That's not so hard. A little compromise goes a long way. No one wants to hear, "Suck it up.".

 

[MIGrandma]

I hate people who don't control their dogs. We were camping one time and a guy was out walking his dog. In the campground rules it states that dogs must be on a leash at all times. This guy had the leash all right, but it wasn't attached to the dog!

I had just gotten groceries and was in the process of taking bags from my car to the camper, so I left the door open. I didn't realize the guy was coming with his dog until it was too late. The dog jumped into my car! It was a large dog, and we'd had rain so his big feet were muddy. He got mud all over both front seats!! I was livid!!

What did the guy do? He had the nerve to laugh!! I turned to him and glared. And I told him his dog is supposed to be on a leash!

I should have told him to clean the seats since he let his dog get mud all over them.

I did mention it to the campground owner, but I'm not sure if she ever said anything to the guy or not. He did put the dog on the leash after it got out of my car. Too little too late though. Dogs need to be controlled when they are out where other people are.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

everyone always brings their dogs to our bus stop. Most of the moms leave after the bus for their walks. However, we all keep them leashed and controlled. You would have to approach the dog to get close enough for jumping, etc. We know all the kids very well. The kids are always over at each others' houses playing with the dogs. So, it isn't an issue for us.

 

[castleview]

I agree with you too. Control them. Keep them away from children that don't want to be near them. That's not so hard. A little compromise goes a long way. No one wants to hear, "Suck it up.".

I think you can only take that so far without making the child self centered. DD has a friend who is afraid of dogs and her mother always asked people to keep their dogs away from her child. Guess what - that kid now comes over to my house and asks me to put our dog outside. I don't think so.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

everyone always brings their dogs to our bus stop. Most of the moms leave after the bus for their walks. However, we all keep them leashed and controlled. You would have to approach the dog to get close enough for jumping, etc. We know all the kids very well. The kids are always over at each others' houses playing with the dogs. So, it isn't an issue for us.

I think you can only take that so far without making the child self centered. DD has a friend who is afraid of dogs and her mother always asked people to keep their dogs away from her child. Guess what - that kid now comes over to my house and asks me to put our dog outside. I don't think so.

Your house, your rules. So tell the kid that, and if the parents talk to you, tell them that too, and they can keep their child home. Personally, I'd just put the dog in another room if someone was that uncomfortable with him, BEFORE the kid "told" me to, if I knew she was afraid. But that's me. If I really felt it was that big of a problem for me or the dog , I'd just not have the kid over anymore.

 

[MaumeeMom]

My dd has a little boy in her class that has alot of allergies. He breaks out in hives from dogs.A father picking up his son brings there dog everyday(the dog loves the kids and jumps all over them)The boy with the allergies mom had to ask a father to keep his dog from jumping because every time the class walks out of the school he lets the dog go jump on the kids as they came out. 2 times he ended up with hives. So not only are kids afraid of dogs some it's a medical thing too.

This is the boat that we're in - DS#2 is highly allergic to pet dander of any kind. If a dog jumps on me and gets hair on my clothes and then I go around my DS he rashes up like crazy.

Unfortunately, since he can't be around them, he is afraid of dogs now.

I try to explain to people we run into that DS is allergic but many don't understand how bad it is and just ignore me. I usually end up picking DS up and carrying him past the dogs.

The real killer is that we are a dog family. I love most dogs and DH is a dog whisperer - they all love him - even the meanest one will become the sweetest pup around him.

 

[C.Ann]

On a leash and well controlled, no problem.. Being allowed to interact with all of the children or running free, absolutely not..

 

[mlynn]

This is the boat that we're in - DS#2 is highly allergic to pet dander of any kind. If a dog jumps on me and gets hair on my clothes and then I go around my DS he rashes up like crazy.

Unfortunately, since he can't be around them, he is afraid of dogs now.

I try to explain to people we run into that DS is allergic but many don't understand how bad it is and just ignore me. I usually end up picking DS up and carrying him past the dogs.

The real killer is that we are a dog family. I love most dogs and DH is a dog whisperer - they all love him - even the meanest one will become the sweetest pup around him.

We don't have any pets. But we will have a dog in a few years.(when the kids are able to help take care of hte dog)

I feel so bad for this little boy. The man now holds on to the dog but he really should have never just let it go as the kids were coming out of the school. I agree with most on here.Take your dog where ever you want but don't let it jump, sniff or lick people.

 

[java]

To clarify- my kids are FINE with the dogs, there were several younger children visibly upset when the dogs started growling at each other.(one Pit Bull one Mutt)

If these dogs were well behaved mellow no problem these dogs are not that when they are together.

 

[mjkacmom]

One of my pet peeves(no pun intended, lol) is when dog owners assume that everyone likes or isn't afraid of dogs. We have a bunch of parents that bring their dogs to the schoolyard at dismissal and some of the kids are scared. The principal sends a letter every year but I guess some people assume she couldn't possibly be talking about their dogs.

Same here - everyone seems to disregard the letter (including a dad with a great dane).

 

[MaumeeMom]

Same here - everyone seems to disregard the letter (including a dad with a great dane).

Maybe he gets away with it because that's not a dog - it's a horse. Great Danes are beautiful but they are HUGE!

 

[OceanAnnie]

I think you can only take that so far without making the child self centered. DD has a friend who is afraid of dogs and her mother always asked people to keep their dogs away from her child. Guess what - that kid now comes over to my house and asks me to put our dog outside. I don't think so.

But that sword cuts both ways. Dog owners can be "dog centered" without regard to others. A little compromise/courtesy on both sides goes a long way.

 

[allison443]

I think you can only take that so far without making the child self centered. DD has a friend who is afraid of dogs and her mother always asked people to keep their dogs away from her child. Guess what - that kid now comes over to my house and asks me to put our dog outside. I don't think so.

You don't have to put it outside, but do you keep the dog away from this scared kid? Because in your other post, you mentioned how many dogs play off someone's fear. Or just stop having the kid over.

 

[ReneeA]

I don't have dogs for good reason - I don't like them. I can only think of one dog I've encountered in my entire life that I like even a little. I don't want someone thinking it's okay to just turn their dog loose at the bus stop (or anywhere else).

If I'm out and YOUR dog jumps on me or one of my kids, I am going to have a huge problem with that - and you will know it.

You know, if this thread were about kids being allowed to jump on and drool on others, everyone would be up in arms over it.

 

[Mickey's Minion]

But that sword cuts both ways. Dog owners can be "dog centered" without regard to others. A little compromise/courtesy on both sides goes a long way.

Dogs should be well trained on a leash.

I particularly hate people with snowflake dogs, those owners that think their dogs are so special everybody should think they are special too. So, they let them come up to you without invitation, sniffing and worse jumping on you.

I hate it when people allow their dogs to come up to mine to sniff and play. My dogs are hopefully well trained, well at least the AKC says so as they placed companion dog titles in front of their names, and I absolutely don't want your dog coming over to sniff or play with mine while he is sitting or laying down quietly by my feet.

Your dog can be friendly in the dog park. It is not appropriate to allow a dog to invade a human's space or even another dog's space without permission. I really don't care how badly your dog wants to meet me or my dog, please ask first before approaching.

Conversly, parents need to teach their children good doggie manners. Just as a child can be frightened by a dog barreling up to them, a dog can be frightened by a child barreling up to them, squealing in delight wanting to pet the nice puppy. Unfortunately, even the gentlest of dogs can be unpredictable when frightened.

I will put my dogs away if a child comes over to play because my children's friendships are more important than my dog being loose in the house for a couple of hours.

However, if I am standing at the bus stop with my dog quietly by my side, I will not slink to the other side of the street if your child is terrified by just the mere sight of a large dog. I will never allow my dog to approach your child without your consent, but I will not leave nor put my dog away as long as the dog is completely under my control.

I have done my part to train and socialize my dogs. It is also the parent's job to make sure that children do not have unreasonable fears.