Sick of people w/dogs walking them up to and on elementary school property

[Anonymous]

Why do people with dogs think every one loves and is as accepting of their dog as they are? In certain neighborhoods around Tenely Circle this is out of control--I have toddlers who are face level with these dog's snout--they get licked in the mouth by them--jumped on and knocked over by them-all the while the owner staring vacantly off in the distance with the dog on a long lead.
I love dogs. I grew up having dogs. But they shouldn't be on school property. My kids are now so scared of dogs--it's no wonder as they were never given a choice about approaching these dogs--they all bark and growl at each other while the kids are coming out at the end of the day...it's absurd.

[Anonymous]

Move out of the city then to a less walkable suburb. Dogs are a fact of cities and you are lucky they are not dangerous feral dogs like it poorer parts of the world.

Please don't ever move to NYC, you'll really go OCD then.

[Anonymous]

Wow- I think that the OP may have been slightly over the top, but she's right about people letting off-leash dogs run around in spaces that should be reserved for kids. I've seen people do this at the park where I take my daughter, who is afraid of dogs. I tell them that it's a park for kids and that dogs need to be leashed. Usually this works.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Move out of the city then to a less walkable suburb. Dogs are a fact of cities and you are lucky they are not dangerous feral dogs like it poorer parts of the world.

Please don't ever move to NYC, you'll really go OCD then.

Life is just so rough in the big city! You are so very special to be able to handle it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow- I think that the OP may have been slightly over the top, but she's right about people letting off-leash dogs run around in spaces that should be reserved for kids. I've seen people do this at the park where I take my daughter, who is afraid of dogs. I tell them that it's a park for kids and that dogs need to be leashed. Usually this works.

I wish I could say that, but in Georgetown parks, dogs rule, and I can't imagine saying anything to the people whose dogs are off-leash in playground areas. There are too many of them, and they're militant!

Good for you though!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow- I think that the OP may have been slightly over the top, but she's right about people letting off-leash dogs run around in spaces that should be reserved for kids. I've seen people do this at the park where I take my daughter, who is afraid of dogs. I tell them that it's a park for kids and that dogs need to be leashed. Usually this works.

OP was talking about dogs ON leashes.

[Anonymous]

I agree about off-leash dogs, but OP sounds WAY over the top and was clearly talking about dogs on leashes. What are your children doing so close to the dogs anyway? I don't want your child in my dog's face any more than you want my dog jumping on your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree about off-leash dogs, but OP sounds WAY over the top and was clearly talking about dogs on leashes. What are your children doing so close to the dogs anyway? I don't want your child in my dog's face any more than you want my dog jumping on your child.

I would imagine she's talking about those stretch leashes - dogs can run twenty feet on those.

I don't think her children are in the dogs' faces. It's the reverse. Why are you so angry and defensive? Do YOU let your dog run up and put its face into toddler's faces?

OP, I recommend saying in a loud and super-pleasant voice, "Hi, would you please keep your dog a bit closer to you? THANK YOU!" If they are rude or dismissive just ignore them and scoop up your kids.

[Anonymous]

Te OP certainly has a point on school grounds. Some kids are afraid of dogs. Some are allergic. Some kids plain old don't like them. It is one thing on a street; it is a whole other thing at the doorway to a school. And, she also has a point - not every dog owner has an accurate view of their own dog and their dog's "harmlessness." Letting your dog lick a stranger's child is wrong. Full stop. Maybe she'd be less upset if the owners behaved better?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Te OP certainly has a point on school grounds. Some kids are afraid of dogs. Some are allergic. Some kids plain old don't like them. It is one thing on a street; it is a whole other thing at the doorway to a school. And, she also has a point - not every dog owner has an accurate view of their own dog and their dog's "harmlessness." Letting your dog lick a stranger's child is wrong. Full stop. Maybe she'd be less upset if the owners behaved better?
OP here-Thanks for the more thoughtful replies. At our neighborhood public school, people stand at the doorway with HUGE dogs--my kids are completely terrified by this. There is no way to walk past these people without my kid's just freaking out completely. I think that the owners have an incredible sense of entitlement to do this--I have said "please your dog, could curb it?" And I get a look from the owner that says" what an a**hole.." or "he so friendly, don't worry!!" Well, a frightened srieking child may startle your dog and provoke an instinctive act that you may never have seen in your pet before. I don't want your dog to take his legally protected first bite out of my daughter's cheek. Leave the dog at home--set aside a separate time to walk your gog to an appropriate space--don't make people with small kids share in your dog's exercise regimen.

[Anonymous]

OP here-Thanks for the more thoughtful replies. At our neighborhood public school, people stand at the doorway with HUGE dogs--my kids are completely terrified by this. There is no way to walk past these people without my kid's just freaking out completely. I think that the owners have an incredible sense of entitlement to do this--I have said "please your dog, could curb it?" And I get a look from the owner that says" what an a**hole.." or "he so friendly, don't worry!!" Well, a frightened srieking child may startle your dog and provoke an instinctive act that you may never have seen in your pet before. I don't want your dog to take his legally protected first bite out of my daughter's cheek. Leave the dog at home--set aside a separate time to walk your gog to an appropriate space--don't make people with small kids share in your dog's exercise regimen.

[Anonymous]

Can you call the school's administration and see if they could police the situation?

[Anonymous]

I hear what people are saying about dogs, but what do you do when you are a geographically single mother who has to walk the dog and also play with the baby? I try to keep my dog (a friendly lab who has been known to lick a face or two) away from other kids and stay in a far corner, but I don't really have a lot of choice. I always keep him on the leash and I clean up his poop. I wish that there were more places where both dogs and kids could play together. When my husband is out of town (which he is frequently), I struggle in the morning with putting my baby in a stroller with the dog on a leash and talking them both for a walk. In the evening, I try to go somewhere where we can all play. I can't really leave the baby at home alone while I take the dog to the dog park and it is abuse to not walk or play with the dog. You can't really let an 18-month old play at the dog park - no climbing toys and too much poop! So - unless I find a place where we can all play, it ends up being abuse for one of them

[Anonymous]

I breed dogs, but people matter more.
I would never let my dog lick someone else.
OP I agree, but many people that will answer your post will just try to annoy you and prove a point.

[Anonymous]

I agree that people matter more, but what is wrong with friendly dog licking? My dog licks us to show us he loves us. He is a very affectionate and loving dog who we have had for several years. He is very good with our toddler. Never has bitten anyone. Should I punish my dog for licking? If it is so bad, how do I get him to stop? Muzzle? Put him down?