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

[Magic Mom]

I always took my dog to the bus stop. It was part of his morning exercise before I left for work. If a parent asked me to leave him home, while I wouldn't have been offended, I probably wouldn't have complied. He is well behaved and that was his time to stretch his legs and get out before I left for the day. I would have been more that happy to let a scared child get to know him after school or on the weekend to make them more comfortable, but their fear doesn't mean I have to alter my routine.

 

[TwinsinCA]

This thread gives me one more reason to be grateful my kids don't ride the bus.

 

[castleview]

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.

Every time she comes over and makes the request, I tell her "no, give the dog a few minutes to stop being excited you're here". I make sure the dog doesn't bother her and by the end of the play date, the girl has a new best friend - my dog. We go through it ALL the time.

 

[allison443]

Every time she comes over and makes the request, I tell her "no, give the dog a few minutes to stop being excited you're here". I make sure the dog doesn't bother her and by the end of the play date, the girl has a new best friend - my dog. We go through it ALL the time.

 

[Becky2005]

I was so grateful for that letter - I just hope that parents adhere to it.

They won't. Not if it's like our school. Every year the notice goes home to not bring your dogs with you to pick up the kids. Every year at the beginning of the school year there are at least 10 dogs sitting there.

The reminder goes home several times throughout the year. I know in previous years they had to even put "If your dog is in the car, the patrols are not going to be allowed to open the car door".

I think there is also a liability issue for the school -- if a kid gets bit while under the school's watch, THEY will be the ones in trouble.

One of my sons freaks out if unfamiliar dogs jump on him. I know when he was around 1st grade, he nearly ended up in the lane of cars trying to avoid a dog that was there. Luckily, I had my mom death grip on him because I saw the dog & was trying to hustle him past the dog with being in-between him & the dog as fast as possible which wasn't easy to do with the sea of kids, strollers, and then jumpy dogs. He wouldn't have paid attention to the fact that he was past the yellow safety line and headed right toward the parking lot. He was basically doing a defensive manuver to avoid the dog while basically screaming at the same time. Luckily, he *has* gotten better but is still nervous around dogs, even ones he knows, very tentatively will pet them but if they start moving, he tends to still freak a little.

So far this year it hasn't been so bad but I know once spring rolls around again...there will be several dogs awaiting for the kids again.

 

[Angelhalo]

I think people have every right to bring their dogs to the bus stop or walk the dog to school to pick up their kids.

Agreed. It is a public street. As long as the dog isn't jumping on people I see no issue.

 

[Angelhalo]

Ok, I'm not trying to be rude here. But your child is going to run into dogs (either stray or on leashes) throughout his life. Maybe you can introduce him to this gentle dog and help him get over his fear.

I love dogs - but had a few run-ins with some bad dogs while I was out running. I could tell you firsthand that many dogs - good and bad - play off someone's fear.

Agreed again. Our neighbor a few houses down has two sons. One of them was absolutely TERRIFIED of dogs. So she practically begged us to walk by their house with our dog any time we saw them outside playing. Week one the kid would scream and cry and run away. Week two...still scared but not as much. Week three the boy allowed the dog to sniff him. Week four the boy was petting our dog. It is now 2 months later, the boy loves dogs and they have one of their own. It made me so happy to see someone taking proactive steps to eliminate a fear rather than just sheltering the child and being mad at dog owners for having the audacity to walk out on their own street with their dog. Now the poor boy doesn't have to spend the rest of his life afraid of dogs. What a novel idea!

 

[MaumeeMom]

I think people have every right to bring their dogs to the bus stop or walk the dog to school to pick up their kids.

Agreed. It is a public street. As long as the dog isn't jumping on people I see no issue.

I agree, as long as the dogs are restrained. Unfortunately, many people carry the leashes in case they run into a police officer - they never attach them to the dogs.

Respect needs to go both ways. Dog owners need to respect the fact that there are children with issues so the dogs need to be kept under control. Parents need to respect the dog owners' rights to walk their dogs. If this happened there would be no problems.

 

[disykat]

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.

This post confuses me. There isn't a single person here who has said it is okay for dogs to jump on and drool on others. Everyone seems to be in agreement on this point.

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

My ODS had a 'knock down' incident with a large dog as a toddler. He was scared until he was almost 6. Then we moved into a new subdivision, with neighbors that had two large dogs. Over a few months, he learned to be less scared of the dogs, and then to finally like dogs. Having a neighbor with dogs was the best thing for him. BUT...they were very well behaved dogs, who were leash trained, and didn't jump.

I totally don't see a problem with dogs at the bus stop, or other places, as long as they are well behaved. Whether that be leash trained, or not on a leash, and well behaved.

Now 'purse dogs' in restaraunts and places where they shouldn't be....that is another story all together...

 

[Angelhalo]

I agree, as long as the dogs are restrained. Unfortunately, many people carry the leashes in case they run into a police officer - they never attach them to the dogs.

Respect needs to go both ways. Dog owners need to respect the fact that there are children with issues so the dogs need to be kept under control. Parents need to respect the dog owners' rights to walk their dogs. If this happened there would be no problems.

If only that were true.

It is clear from this thread alone that there are some parents who feel that people shouldn't have even their leashed dogs anywhere in the remote vacinity of their child. Until the self centered attitude stops, the problem will always be there in the mind of the parent. It's just like the people who are upset that pet owners aren't following the rule in the letter sent home by the principal. I wouldn't follow it either. The principal isn't the king of my street. It is a public place and he has no business presiding over it.

I agree that owners should not allow their dogs to jump on people. And, common sense should indicate to dog owners that they shouldn't let their dog approach small children at a bus stop. But, it seems pretty clear that that even this wouldn't be enough for some people. I think that those people need to be more proactive at teaching their children that the world isn't always going to revolve around them and they need to be able to see a dog and move on with life. It's just the way the world works.

By trying to control the pet owners and where they can and can't have their dogs it is just showing the child that they never have to face any of their fears because someone will always just make the problem go away for you. No need to adapt and learn how to calmly move past your fear, mom will just have the principal send out a letter for you!

 

[OceanAnnie]

If only that were true.

It is clear from this thread alone that there are some parents who feel that people shouldn't have even their leashed dogs anywhere in the remote vacinity of their child. Until the self centered attitude stops, the problem will always be there in the mind of the parent. It's just like the people who are upset that pet owners aren't following the rule in the letter sent home by the principal. I wouldn't follow it either. The principal isn't the king of my street. It is a public place and he has no business presiding over it.

I agree that owners should not allow their dogs to jump on people. And, common sense should indicate to dog owners that they shouldn't let their dog approach small children at a bus stop. But, it seems pretty clear that that even this wouldn't be enough for some people. I think that those people need to be more proactive at teaching their children that the world isn't always going to revolve around them and they need to be able to see a dog and move on with life. It's just the way the world works.

By trying to control the pet owners and where they can and can't have their dogs it is just showing the child that they never have to face any of their fears because someone will always just make the problem go away for you. No need to adapt and learn how to calmly move past your fear, mom will just have the principal send out a letter for you!

We have a school policy that dogs aren't allowed on the grounds. It has been a standing policy that has gone ignored. Some people aren't adapting and learning to follow rules.

Something to learn for everyone.

 

[Mickey's Minion]

It's just like the people who are upset that pet owners aren't following the rule in the letter sent home by the principal. I wouldn't follow it either. The principal isn't the king of my street. It is a public place and he has no business presiding over it!

However, they can control school property. I am with you in that I will walk my children to school with my dog in tow.

However, I will respect the school's wishes and not step off the sidewalk onto school property with the dog. I will not walk my child to the door nor will I wait in the front of the school at dismissal if I have my dog with me.

The school can't tell me what to do on the public street or sidewalk, but I will comply with the rule of not bringing the dog onto school property.

 

[dogluva]

I think people have every right to bring their dogs to the bus stop or walk the dog to school to pick up their kids.

It is funny that this was broght up. Last Friday, I walked my kids to the bus stop with my three kids and my two dogs. One licked a boys pants. However, he walked over to us and we were away from the bus stop. He went to school and told his teacher my dog BIT him, she told the principal, who told the nurse who called my town's dog officer. I found out fromt his mother. She was called by the school to let her know her son was Bit by a dog. She was not at the bus stop Needless to say, I will no longer be bringing my dog to the bus stop. Don't need the drama.

 

[georgina]

I used to like dogs. Lots of folks around here think everyone loves their dog as much as they do. The older I get, the less tolerant I am of those "friendly" dogs. If the dog is controlled, fine. Just keep it off me. (and don't let it out every morning to do its business in my yard!)

 

[disneyfan123]

I bring my dog to the bus stop everyday and agree, as long as their are leashed and do not jump, then it is fine. I live in a neighbourhood full of kids that fear dogs, they cross the street when they see us coming. My dog is such as sweet and calm golden retreiver, he does not jump and I do not let him to up to others. The little boy next door got over his fear of dogs after spending some time with our dog.

 

[java]

Agreed. It is a public street. As long as the dog isn't jumping on people I see no issue.

But these dogs DO JUMP on people. Mostly me because I have been known to have a dog treat in my pocket from time to time. But really I just feel like the bus stop with 20 kids is so crazy as it is adding a bunch of dogs into the mix just makes it crazy- there was a child that bolted into the street when the dogs started growling at each other.

Again- my kids are fine with dogs they are not the ones afraid. These dogs are BIG dogs and they JUMP. I think I'll go back to driving to the bus stop so I can stay in the car.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

It is funny that this was broght up. Last Friday, I walked my kids to the bus stop with my three kids and my two dogs. One licked a boys pants. However, he walked over to us and we were away from the bus stop. He went to school and told his teacher my dog BIT him, she told the principal, who told the nurse who called my town's dog officer. I found out fromt his mother. She was called by the school to let her know her son was Bit by a dog. She was not at the bus stop Needless to say, I will no longer be bringing my dog to the bus stop. Don't need the drama.

I'm confused...was there a bite mark? Sounds like one overly dramatic response after another...how odd...when there wasn't even a bite mark (I assume, since there was no biting).

 

[phorsenuf]

I have to say the whole bus stop aspect of it is interesting. People are pointing out that the school has no business saying what can and what can't be done at he bus stop. BUT when there is a thread about, say bullying at a bus sop, everyone is telling the OP to call the school and tell hem what is happening at the bus stop. They should be the ones handling it.

So which way is it?

 

[OceanAnnie]

I have to say the whole bus stop aspect of it is interesting. People are pointing out that the school has no business saying what can and what can't be done at he bus stop. BUT when there is a thread about, say bullying at a bus sop, everyone is telling the OP to call the school and tell hem what is happening at the bus stop. They should be the ones handling it.

So which way is it?

That's a good question! (I don't know the answer to it.)