Is it ever ok to 'scold' someone elses dog if they don't?

Question

My fiance's parents have two beautiful dogs (lab mixes). They both bark excessively (which is annoying but I can handle) but the problem is this: 1 of them will repeatedly jump on people and lick/bite (playfully) their faces (he's almost 4 years old).
I grew up with labs and dogs do not bother me, but this one dog does. And they never tell him to get down or stop or anything!
One time he ripped one of my stitches out when he jumped up and his claw caught it! Even worse- my fiances parents knew I had just had surgery & didn't even tell the dog to get down until I started crying from the pain (they apologized afterwords).
My question is this- everytime the dog jumps on me is it ok for me to say 'No!' in a voice that lets the dog know I mean it? What can I do? I don't want to offend his parents but they do NOT control their dogs at all. I've tried speaking to them about it and they just say 'he's a dog'.
I'm also worried about when we have kids 1 day w/the dog like this.
Thanks!

Answer 1

I think that this is a matter that your fiance should take up with his parents. He should tell his parents that he doesn't like it when their dogs jump on you and HE should be the one telling the dogs to get down. No dog is worth the safety of a child. If your future in-laws wish to spend time with your kids, you have every right to make sure their dog is properly confined.

Answer 2

Sorry, if a dog is jumping on me uninvited, I am going to simply tell it down. I have lab mixes, and they are by no means allowed to jump on people. That is simply rude behavior on the part of the owners. The dog doesn't know any better, so it's hard to blame him for what is going on. I would just keep pushing him off and telling him down - loudly. If they don't get the clue, well then they are just ignorant. I think I'd let my fiance visit his parents on his own next time. I am quite willing to bet that these people don't have a whole lot of friends that spend time at their place.

Answer 3

There is no problem with you scolding the dogs. If they don't want to do it, you have to. At least someone is trying to control their dogs for them. If they get mad at you for doing it, just explain to them that you cannot put up with the dogs excessive barking and jumping up on you. Tell them that dogs CAN be trained...with just a little patience (which you are willing to give). Explain to them that just because he's "a dog", he has to learn to behave. Let them know, that in the long run, it's possible their dogs will really hurt somebody. Tell them it's only for their own good.

I yell at my friend's dogs all the time if they get out of control with barking, jumping, etc.

Answer 4

In your circumstance I would say yes you have every right. I would never scold a strangers dog thou. It sounds like the dog owners need a bit of training on how a dog should behave. I guess it's hard when it's the other side of the family and you don't want to make things uncomfortable. I actually like when my family helps correct my dog. It's easier to train a dog not to jump, by the person that's getting jumped on. He should have been taught years ago not to jump and If I was you I would tell them you aren't going to comfortable having the dog around your new born if they get offended who cares. Good luck.

Answer 5

Yes!!! You need to do something about it. If they are being irresponsible pet owners, and the dog is in your personal space, then by all means tell the dog no, even push it away. Your fiance' should also talk to his parents about maybe putting the dogs in another room when you come over. Explain that when you get pregnant, you would hate for the dog to be the cause of you loosing their unborn grandchild. Let them know that when you do have kids (especially when their babies) you don't want to put them in harms way so their visits with you and with your children will have to be at your house instead of theirs. But get your man to back you up. Don't wait until after your married to let the in laws know how you feel about this.

Answer 6

In this situation - the dog is bothering you yourself - it's ok. If the dog is annoying somebody else, no, that's the owner's job.

But you have the right to defend yourself, for crying out loud, and taking the responsibility for instructing the dog in proper behavior toward you is ok, since the owners don't.

If the owners have a problem with that, tell your fiance to speak to them and tell them not to let the dog jump on his fiance. It's his job to protect you.

Answer 7

Boy, I would! I've had to scold our neighbors dogs (3 Labs) for jumping on my 2-year-old, because *they* wouldn't do it until my daughter was laying on the ground bawling and screaming in terror, with three big dogs stepping all over her. One of them nosed my six-year-old in the face and gave her a bloody nose. Not only did I scold the dog, but I got after the owners too! We have a fence now, thank goodness, but we still have to pick up the girls if we're walking down the street and the Labs are out. (One of them will go after our English Bulldog if we are taking her for a walk, too.)

But then, I'll scold other people's kids if they get out of hand, too. ;)

Answer 8

Me, personally, I would tell the dog NO! Especially after the stitches incident, that's the last straw. They may not reprimand their dogs, but that doesn't mean everybody likes to be jumped on. My boyfriend's golden retriever used to be very jumpy and would playfully but somewhat painfully bite. After enough tough lovin' she is much calmer and easier to be around. She's a sweet dog. I think you have the right to tell the dogs no if you don't want them jumping on you. If your future in-laws try justifying their behavior then you can justify yours.

Answer 9

if no one else is going to be the alpha then u should, my parents when thay got older did the same thing, thay were just tired of training after 6 kids and numerous dogs, so it was up to me to do it for them and i loved it, there Irish terrier was stubborn but turned out to be a real love.yes telling the dog no and giving it some direction, will make the dog better to be around.

Answer 10

your in-laws are not responsible pet owners.Dogs,at any age, are trainable.One of the first things that you will learn in dog training is to stop jumping on people.Perhaps your in-laws will allow you to get some basic training for them. A well trained dog is a pleasure to have around.your local pet store has training classes at affordable prices. Good Luck