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

[Anonymous]

No, you should prevent your dog from licking complete strangers who are 30" tall. At all times. If you're doing that, then it's all good.

[Anonymous]

I'm more than 30" tall, and I don't particularly want to be licked by strange dogs!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

Please.

Keep him on a leash and only let him near people (adults) who obviously want a lick!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:



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.

Maybe your kids are terrified (your words) because of your reaction? I do not have a dog, and I live in the city and we see dogs of all sizes with owners of varying levels of control and my kids are never terrified. They are actually quite excited. I have to hold MY kids back from the dog in respect for the animal and the dog owner.

[Anonymous]

Come on PP. Now it's her fault her kids are afraid of dogs ?

[Anonymous]

My preschool kids are scared of dogs--we live in an apartment and don't have one. When we spend longer periods with friendly dogs (e.g. visiting relatives' houses) they become more familiar with dogs and less scared. I'm sure that that feeling translates into slightly fewer concerns about neighborhood dogs, as well. But if spending time with dogs is a sort of "therapy" for them, I'd prefer that that be done on their own timeline and under my supervision. Being startled suddenly by a dog roaming free on the playground (this happened last week) isn't helpful to the process.

[Anonymous]

We have two big, goofy boxers who love children. That said we don't take them up to children or in places that small children run around. As friendly as they are, children can be scared of their size. Dog owners need to be considerate and know that there is a time and place for their dogs. It's completely different if we're walking them down a sidewalk and someone is comes up on us, even then we tighten their leads and pull them closer. I've never taken to them to the children's side of the park or a school. If someone is going to bring a well behaved dog to school, then they need to pull it close and make sure it doesn't lick or jump up on anyone:child or adult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

OMG. I have 2 dogs, have always had dogs, and think this post is ridiculous. That's great you love your dog and that he's affectionate and loving and you've had him for several years. These things are also completely irrelevant. Just like your husband shouldn't go around sticking his tongue down every woman's throat just because you enjoy it and you've had him for a long time and he's a super loving husband....neither should your dog be licking other people unless they expressly solicit it. Use some common sense. And if your question was sincere (how do I get him to stop) - you do this by...wait for it....not letting him/her get within licking distance of someone's face. Particularly if this someone is a child who can't just stand up to get his/her own face out of range. And if this is confusing to you, PLEASE get yourself and your dog to training ASAP. Good Lord.

[Anonymous]

Someone's friendly golden retriever knocked my son down at the canal yesterday. Dog not leashed.

[Anonymous]

As the owner of two dogs and someone very familiar with the areas the OP is talking about -- it isn't about the dogs or their training and behavior (though the fact that you think it is okay to let your dog wander up to children you don't know and lick their face is a BIG issue). The issue here is more about the appropriateness of when and where you take your dog. I completely agree with the OP -- it is inappropriate to take your dog to the school playground to pick up your kids after school -- even on leash. I would never do it. There is WAY too much confusion and crowding. The leash could trip the kids running. The dog could get spooked. The kids could get spooked. It just shouldn't be done.

[Anonymous]

This makes me feel better than it is not just my dd who gets scared of the dogs at the busstop. I always feel bad because everyone else's kid is running up to pet them. She wants to be as far away as possible. People say it's my fault because we don't have a dog for her to get used to. Maybe one day she can stand a foot away from one.

[Anonymous]

Dog owners who allow their dogs to commit battery (offensive contact) to children should be subject to licking by animals who are proportionately bigger than them. Your large dog licks a kid because you don't keep it close to you, you have to let a cow lick you in the face. That would make you be a better dog owner real fast. Or how about the kid's parent licks you in the face. Ugh.

And saying, oh, my dog is friendly, s/he would never...
well, that's crap. They are ANIMALS and while fairly predictable, it's not a sure thing. I have a friend who is a PhD in animal behaviour, specializing in dogs, and she never lets her kids approach an unknown dog, because she knows that the unexpected can happen.

[Anonymous]

My probably is usually that I'm walking my dog and toddlers come barging up to me, asking to pet my dog or lots of times, not even asking but just sticking their hands in my dog's face, which can be perceived as agressive by a dog. What should I do about clueless parents who let their kids approach strange dogs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dog owners who allow their dogs to commit battery (offensive contact) to children should be subject to licking by animals who are proportionately bigger than them. Your large dog licks a kid because you don't keep it close to you, you have to let a cow lick you in the face. That would make you be a better dog owner real fast. Or how about the kid's parent licks you in the face. Ugh.

And saying, oh, my dog is friendly, s/he would never...
well, that's crap. They are ANIMALS and while fairly predictable, it's not a sure thing. I have a friend who is a PhD in animal behaviour, specializing in dogs, and she never lets her kids approach an unknown dog, because she knows that the unexpected can happen.

Brilliant!!

It's absolutely DISGUSTING to be licked by some strange dog (or any dog, in my opinion). Yes, they should be punished for it. You don't lick strangers. Gross. It's also disgusting to be sniffed in the crotch. Dogs should be trained to not do that. My favorite are dogs who jump up on you and ruin your clothes with their claws.

[Anonymous]

It is beyond gross when my dog licks germy toddlers.