How do you handle unleashed dogs at a park?

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you for the suggestions. I definitely was polite in asking and will be in the future, however, I do not think I should have to be as wordy as one of the PPs suggested. Polite - yes, "humble and not entitled" - I don't think so, because I AM entitled to a park without loose dogs. It is a park with a playground and a field. I understand that it is important not to put people on the defensive, but simply saying "My children and I are uncomfortable around a loose dog, can you please put him on a leash" should be enough and shouldn't raise eyebrows on the dog owner's part.

[Anonymous]

OP here again. I guess part of my question was also how other non-dog owner parents feel about the situation and whether I'm overly sensitive, but after what happened in AU Park, I think I'm not nuts if I think there is a risk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, nobody came straight out and said that, but there were several who were trying to shift the blame to the parents, just like you are. Nobody should ever have to approach a dog owner to put their dog on a leash where it's the law. People shouldn't have to deal with this, and they wouldn't if everybody behaved reasonably (i.e. put their dog on a leash). That's why there's dog parks.

I'm one of the PP dog owners. And I do agree with you that dog owners should follow the rules. I wish that all dog owners were responsible, because those that are not give the rest of us a bad name. That being said, these rude people do exist (just like rude people exist in all walks of life, unfortunately), and the OP asked how to approach someone when she encountered the situation. I think there was a great suggestion by another PP with a reasonable response on how to confront someone without looking like a crazy or causing unnecessary trouble. I don't understand why people are getting all riled-up, rather than just helping out OP with her question.

I'll tell you why, I was bitten in the face by "super friendly" dog when I was 5. The dog was off leash and told my parents how "friendly" the dog was. I'm sure she was. However, when I was playing with my ball and the dog wanted to play with it, she went to grab it from me. The dog was off leash and her owner couldn't control her. When I saw what the dog was going for, I grabbed my ball and the dog bit me. In the face.

Sure, the dog was just doing what dogs do.

However, if the owner had the dog on the leash, she could have pulled the dog back. But, no....it was a "friendly" dog who never bit anyone.

Two things I learned:

1. If a dog bites a child you can have that dog "put down" (which means you can have the dog killed)

2. If your dog comes at my child and it's not on a leash I will kick your dog. You are breaking the law and I will be in my rights to protect my child.

[Anonymous]

Just a note- I live across from a park and I have called animal control twice. There is a young man who loves bringing his dog to the park and unleashing it and letting it chase after a remote control car. By the time animal control gets there, chances are that the dog owner and unleashed dog would have left. Animal control also won't do checks on parks unless multiple calls have been placed.

So my point is, moms are better pulling their kids out of the park or letting the dog owner know to leash their dog. I teach my kid that we don't know that doggy and hold her back as FAR away as possible. And no worries, she still has no fear of dogs as far as I can tell.

[Anonymous]

i also dont get why some dog owners take their dogs to parks with playgrounds in them. stepped in a large pile of dog crap right near the kiddie slide last weekend. so aggravating.

[Anonymous]

I tend to keep a large umbrella with me when we walk through a park where there are unleashed dogs. When they are leashed or polite, with the dog owner's cooperation, we are trying to teach our children to enjoy and appreciate pets. When they are unleashed and enthusiastic, we usually will try to politely ask the owners to either leash or keep their dog away from the children who feel intimidated. If they owners will not keep the dog leashed or controlled, then I have problem fending the dog off as gently as possible with the umbrella. So far 90% of the pet owners have been very cooperative and our children love to stop and pet dogs that are well controlled and gently friendly.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone brought up Lafayette park-school grounds yet in CCDC? That large space is always ripe for contentious interactions between the "don't worry, my Lab is super friendly!" baby boomers (and some parents) and the parents of kids < 8 or so on the playgrounds.

[Anonymous]

I run very early in the morning (start at 5 am) and occasionally encounter owners with dogs off leash, as the owners presume they will not see anyone else. I have been bitten three times in the last six years . All three owners swore their dogs don't bite. Really? Because I have had to take three courses of antibiotics for deep puncture wounds and gotten reimmunized for tetanus and one time had stitches. I believe that these dogs probably didn't usually bite, but they were scared for an instant for some reason and reacted. Keep your dog on a leash-kids are unpredictable!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I run very early in the morning (start at 5 am) and occasionally encounter owners with dogs off leash, as the owners presume they will not see anyone else. I have been bitten three times in the last six years . All three owners swore their dogs don't bite. Really? Because I have had to take three courses of antibiotics for deep puncture wounds and gotten reimmunized for tetanus and one time had stitches. I believe that these dogs probably didn't usually bite, but they were scared for an instant for some reason and reacted. Keep your dog on a leash-kids are unpredictable!

If this had happened to me, I would have sued the owners for medical costs and pain and suffering, and asked the the dog be put down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I run very early in the morning (start at 5 am) and occasionally encounter owners with dogs off leash, as the owners presume they will not see anyone else. I have been bitten three times in the last six years . All three owners swore their dogs don't bite. Really? Because I have had to take three courses of antibiotics for deep puncture wounds and gotten reimmunized for tetanus and one time had stitches. I believe that these dogs probably didn't usually bite, but they were scared for an instant for some reason and reacted. Keep your dog on a leash-kids are unpredictable!

If this had happened to me, I would have sued the owners for medical costs and pain and suffering, and asked the the dog be put down.

+1. Did you not sue these people, PP?

[Anonymous]

Dog owner here. We have two huge German Shepherd Dogs. They were raised around kids and are fantastic with my children and their friends. They have never shown even a hint of aggression towards anyone. My kids play rough with them, chase them, pull sticks out of their mouths..... I can walk up and take food out of their mouths without any resistance.. They are well trained and well socialized.

Having said all that, they are NEVER off leash in public unless we are at the dog park or out in the middle of the country. I am continually amazed at the parents who will allow their toddlers to run up and try to hug my 140 pound German Shepherd. Teach your kids not to do that. My dogs are friendly. Many are not. And it would be really difficult to stop a bite if your child is charging at a scared dog.

Also, the question is always- "Does your dog bite?". My dog is an animal. He does not think or act like a human. He has never bitten anyone before. But he is a dog. Yes, he could bite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Call animal control.

Seriously.

There are dog parks for this reason.

Pet owners who let their dogs run free in any other park, especially one with a playground or kids sports fields, are just irresponsible and deserve what they get.

Are you the crazy lady from AU Park who thinks people should call the po po on people with dogs off leash? Boy, did you make an ass of yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you should start yelling: "SOMEONE LOST THEIR DOG! THERE'S AN OFF-LEASH DOG HERE!" and then when the owner claims the dog say, "Phew, I'm glad you're here. Now you can put him on his leash where he belongs."

LOL. YOU ARE SO CRAZY.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Call animal control.

Seriously.

There are dog parks for this reason.

Pet owners who let their dogs run free in any other park, especially one with a playground or kids sports fields, are just irresponsible and deserve what they get.

Are you the crazy lady from AU Park who thinks people should call the po po on people with dogs off leash? Boy, did you make an ass of yourself.

Well, if it's the same lady whose toddler was bitten in the face - requiring stitches - that you are talking about, then I think you[u] are the ass here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I tend to keep a large umbrella with me when we walk through a park where there are unleashed dogs. When they are leashed or polite, with the dog owner's cooperation, we are trying to teach our children to enjoy and appreciate pets. When they are unleashed and enthusiastic, we usually will try to politely ask the owners to either leash or keep their dog away from the children who feel intimidated. If they owners will not keep the dog leashed or controlled, then I have problem fending the dog off as gently as possible with the umbrella. So far 90% of the pet owners have been very cooperative and our children love to stop and pet dogs that are well controlled and gently friendly.

I wish I could see you doing this with an umbrella. This is so funny. I probably need to get out more.