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

[Anonymous]

pp, If dog saliva is so clean, why not treat yourself to a dose of saliva from any dog on the street. As a matter of fact, next strange dog you see, go up to it and give it a french kiss.

[Anonymous]

huh? I didn't say anything about dog saliva being clean, I talked about toddlers being germy. I think you are confusing my post with someone else's.

[Anonymous]

I don't wanna be licked by a stranger dog and I sure as hell don't want my toddler to be licked by one. Not to mention he is allergic to dogs, ever thought of that, you pro-dog lickers?

Keep your dog close to you on a leash when you enter spaces where there are children or when notice an adult who is extremely uncomfortable. It's that simple.

Or would you like it if I send my toddler over to you to lick your face?

[Anonymous]

I love my dog to pieces, but it drive me nuts when she licks me too much. This whole thread is too funny, people really can argue about anything. It's pretty common sense that not everyone wants a tongue bath from your dog. I can't believe people can argue about that. lol.

[Anonymous]

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.

I LOVE YOU! Plus, what if those other women had been licking strangers' butts all day...mmmm, yummy.

We all know the issue is irresponsible owners and not dogs OR kids. Some people are just plain rude and self-absorbed. And some creatures, like my preschoolers, are unpredictable and driven by instincts (like running around a school) no matter how well potty trained.

As PP with the 18mo and the dog mentioned, it would be great if there were more opportunities for positive interactions between both species than the either/or turf wars. How hard is that? Apparently VERY in this town.

So I guess we have to each do our little part. I promise I won't let my kids pee in the middle of the sidewalk anymore.

Seriously, I do make sure to explain to dog owners that although their dog may be good with kids, my kids are still kinda bad with dogs. We're trying to train our kids not to squeeze, pull, hit or lick any part of their 4-legged OR 2-legged friends. Do those clicker things work on 3yos?

[Anonymous]

Because I raise Dobermans and they get people very nervous (even the pro licking dog lovers), I keep my dogs on a leash at all times. They have never been aggressive, but I take no chances. I clean up after them all the time, and if they are sick, they walk in my yard. They are not the type of dogs that lick, but I would be nuts to let my dog anywhere near a toddlers face. If anything were to happen, I would be sued helplessly. Why take the chance?

[Anonymous]

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.

I was defensive because OP titled her post "people w/ dogs" and started her post "people w/ dogs" -- grouping all dog owners together generally and not specifying "some" or just those who are "irresponsible." I never let my dog get close enough to a stranger to lick or jump, I clean up after my dog without fail, I never use a long or retractable leash, and I don't even have a child yet so I'm certainly not hanging around schools... but I get annoyed when people generalize about all dog owners just because some are irresponsible. Most of my neighbors with children are absolutely fantastic and respectful of dogs, and don't let their kids approach without asking, but a few are awful -- some do not prevent their children from running toward my dog and petting without asking, some stay smack-dab in the middle of the sidewalk while I am walking the dog and then glare at me when I try to walk past and simultaneously keep my dog from sniffing at their kids blocking our path, some snatch their children out of the way as if I was walking an elephant down the street. (For the record, I have a well-behaved poodle, of all things -- hardly an intimidating creature.) Any of these (admittedly rare) behaviors puts me on edge, my dog on edge, and TOTALLY freaks out the kids, but these few owners look at me like I have no business sharing their sidewalk, which is of course ridiculous. From her post, I was reacting as if OP is a similar type of person. I still think it sounds like she is. The post I quoted above makes a perfectly reasonable suggestion -- just ask politely if someone can move their dog away and if they don't comply, keep ahold of your children and move along. Castigating all dog owners isn't necessary.

[Anonymous]

I have a toddler and live in OT (which for those of you who don't know, is a very pro-dog area). I really like dogs, but some dog OWNERS give all dogs a bad rap b/c I often notice owners not cleaning up after their dog and letting their dog go after my son. This isn't a majority and I don't think OP is talking about a majority of dog owners either, but there are some people (my MIL included) who treat their dogs as children, refuse to discipline and think everything they do (including licking people's faces) is cute.

Well...it isn't cute. Just like it isn't cute if I let my 2 year old run crazy over your newly planted flowers. It is not about the dog - it is about respecting other people's space.

[Anonymous]

13:44 - it isn't all about you. and quite frankly, why do you think a child should move off the sidewalk to accomodate your dog? That is just obnoxious to me. People shouldn't have to ask that you move your dog from blocking a building/sidewalk/etc. In your post, you acknowledge you clearly see the people - you just expect them to go around you. You are the type of dog owner that I dislike.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I was defensive because OP titled her post "people w/ dogs" and started her post "people w/ dogs" -- grouping all dog owners together generally and not specifying "some" or just those who are "irresponsible." I never let my dog get close enough to a stranger to lick or jump, I clean up after my dog without fail, I never use a long or retractable leash, and I don't even have a child yet so I'm certainly not hanging around schools... but I get annoyed when people generalize about all dog owners just because some are irresponsible. Most of my neighbors with children are absolutely fantastic and respectful of dogs, and don't let their kids approach without asking, but a few are awful -- some do not prevent their children from running toward my dog and petting without asking, some stay smack-dab in the middle of the sidewalk while I am walking the dog and then glare at me when I try to walk past and simultaneously keep my dog from sniffing at their kids blocking our path, some snatch their children out of the way as if I was walking an elephant down the street. (For the record, I have a well-behaved poodle, of all things -- hardly an intimidating creature.) Any of these (admittedly rare) behaviors puts me on edge, my dog on edge, and TOTALLY freaks out the kids, but these few owners look at me like I have no business sharing their sidewalk, which is of course ridiculous. From her post, I was reacting as if OP is a similar type of person. I still think it sounds like she is. The post I quoted above makes a perfectly reasonable suggestion -- just ask politely if someone can move their dog away and if they don't comply, keep ahold of your children and move along. Castigating all dog owners isn't necessary.

Since you don't have children, perhaps you should post this on DC Urban Poodles (DCUP). It's probably more friendly territory.

[Anonymous]

13:44 here.

1. 16:55 -- You obviously misunderstood me. If I am standing (STANDING) in the middle of the sidewalk chatting with a group of people and someone w/ a dog or a stroller walks by -- yes, I absolutely get out of their way by moving to one side. What do you PPs do, continue standing in their way so that the dog or stroller is forced to go in the street? I doubt it. And if you do, wow. That was all I was talking about in my prior post. If there's a random group of kids and parents standing in the middle of the sidewalk talking, where are my dog and I supposed to go except through the crowd? I'm willing to do so, of course, but then don't glare at me like my dog and I are getting in your way. I can't fly over you and unless I want to get run over, I can't exactly go around, either. This is common courtesy.

2. 17:18 -- I'm pregnant. Considering there is a whole "Expectant Parents" subset in this forum, I had no idea that people whose children aren't born yet are second class citizens just like all dog owners are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

op here- actually as I said in my original post I'm a dog lover. My kids are just scared of dogs (too many Grimm's fairy tales about wolves, who knows?)I don't own one b/c I think its irresponsible to buy or adopt an animal that you cannot appropriately care for. I have 3 kids, work, hobbies-no, you should not attach you dog leash to your stroller. It means I have to cross the street or walk in a wide arc onto someone's yard to avoid you. The sidewalks are primarily for humans not dogs. Call Cesar, the dog Whisperer, and tell him to come take your dog into his pack because you can't appropriately care for it in the city setting if you can't walk it or exercise it in an area not primarily used by small children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

OP here- if this is happening at drop-off or pick up near or directly on school grounds, stop bringing your dog to school. You are being irresponsible. And for the record it really doesn't matter how tightly you hold the leash. The sight of a dog at or near the school door makes my kids completely freak out. Why should they have that trauma because you want to give your pet exercise? Elementary school drop off and pick up is chaotic and anxiety producing enough--why can't these individual owner be more considerate. Please don't bring your dog to school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I was defensive because OP titled her post "people w/ dogs" and started her post "people w/ dogs" -- grouping all dog owners together generally and not specifying "some" or just those who are "irresponsible." I never let my dog get close enough to a stranger to lick or jump, I clean up after my dog without fail, I never use a long or retractable leash, and I don't even have a child yet so I'm certainly not hanging around schools... but I get annoyed when people generalize about all dog owners just because some are irresponsible. Most of my neighbors with children are absolutely fantastic and respectful of dogs, and don't let their kids approach without asking, but a few are awful -- some do not prevent their children from running toward my dog and petting without asking, some stay smack-dab in the middle of the sidewalk while I am walking the dog and then glare at me when I try to walk past and simultaneously keep my dog from sniffing at their kids blocking our path, some snatch their children out of the way as if I was walking an elephant down the street. (For the record, I have a well-behaved poodle, of all things -- hardly an intimidating creature.) Any of these (admittedly rare) behaviors puts me on edge, my dog on edge, and TOTALLY freaks out the kids, but these few owners look at me like I have no business sharing their sidewalk, which is of course ridiculous. From her post, I was reacting as if OP is a similar type of person. I still think it sounds like she is. The post I quoted above makes a perfectly reasonable suggestion -- just ask politely if someone can move their dog away and if they don't comply, keep ahold of your children and move along. Castigating all dog owners isn't necessary.

Lifetime dog lover here...The fact that you don't have kids yet is exactly why you don't get this. Actually, the OP sentence clearly qualifies the owners as those who "walk their dogs up to and on elementary school property. That is a pretty limited group of owners. And pardon the pun but , you don't have dog in this fight, so to speak. A childfree person who trolls DCURBANMOMS ? Geez. Get a hobby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:13:44 here.

1. 16:55 -- You obviously misunderstood me. If I am standing (STANDING) in the middle of the sidewalk chatting with a group of people and someone w/ a dog or a stroller walks by -- yes, I absolutely get out of their way by moving to one side. What do you PPs do, continue standing in their way so that the dog or stroller is forced to go in the street? I doubt it. And if you do, wow. That was all I was talking about in my prior post. If there's a random group of kids and parents standing in the middle of the sidewalk talking, where are my dog and I supposed to go except through the crowd? I'm willing to do so, of course, but then don't glare at me like my dog and I are getting in your way. I can't fly over you and unless I want to get run over, I can't exactly go around, either. This is common courtesy.

2. 17:18 -- I'm pregnant. Considering there is a whole "Expectant Parents" subset in this forum, I had no idea that people whose children aren't born yet are second class citizens just like all dog owners are.

I understand you. You are an inconsiderate dog owner. I would walk my dog around this group in as wide of an arc as was safely possible to do. No one asking you to be run over in the street in this situation.Walking through the group is inconsiderate. Yes, your dog's right to walk in a straight line on a sidewalk should be superseded by the presence of small children in your path. When your unborn child becomes a toddler let's he/she is a: not allergic to dogs although you may be sensitizing your kid to a dander allergy by immersing them in it before they even have an immune system of their own (yes, I'm an MD) B: let's hope they just aren't constitutionally skittish, many kids are--newborns are demanding beyond your capacity to imagine--get back to us when you have a clue in few years.