Further to my earlier question. My 7 month old pup jumped up all waggy tailed but accidently made a mark?

Question

on a 3yr olds face. The father went hysterical and accused my dog of attacking his child. I vehemently denied that he had been attacked and apologised for the scractch. He then took his foot back and threatened to kick my dog. I said I would call the police as this WOULD be an attack and then he threatened to hit me (I had sworn at him by this point!). My pup was only saying hello and I was very sorry fory the accidental scratch but this reaction was full on and insane overreaction. Is this not further proof that there should be places to take our dogs without young children and reactive (psycho) parents?

Answer 1

I'm so sorry a child was scratched by your pup but his is right on one point. You should always have your pup or dog under control.
It is not concered incorrect if you tell a passing stranger not to pet your pup or dog if that is what you want. I do this all the time even though I know my dogs are very well trained. I just never know if the person who is greeting them will do it properly. I just say I perfer you not pet my dogs but thanks for asking.
Their is a way to keep your pup under control while you visit with other along your walk. Just have the leash under your foot with just enough slack so you pup can either sit or lay down but not move towards the person you are speaking with. It makes for a much safer conversation.

It is too bad that this had to happen but it did. I hope you learned from it.

Answer 2

Basic Training of the Puppy - Read here https://tr.im/am6Cw

The new puppy is certainly one of the most adorable and cuddly creatures that has ever been created. It is the most natural thing in the world to shower it with love and affection. However, at the same time it is important to realize that if you want to have a well trained adult dog, you need to begin the training process right away. The dog, like its related ancestor, the wolf, is a pack animal. One of the features of a pack is that it has a single dominant leader. Your new puppy is going to want that leader to be you, but if you do not assume that role from the very beginning, the puppy’s instincts will push him to become the leader.

The most important thing to remember about training the puppy during its first six months of life is that it must see you as the leader of the family pack. The essential thing is gaining the trust and the respect of the puppy from the beginning. You will not do this by allowing the puppy to do whatever it wants to do whenever it wants to do it. On the other hand, a certain amount of patience is required. Most people err in their early training by going to extremes one way or the other. Although you need to begin the basic training process at once, you can not expect your dog to do too much at first. Basic obedience training is fine and should include simple commands like sit, stay, and come. Remember that trying to teach the dog advanced obedience techniques when it is a puppy is much like trying to teach a five year old child algebra.

It is also important to restrain from cruel or abusive treatment of the puppy. You can not beat obedience into your dog, and it certainly is not going to engender feeling of respect and trust. House breaking is an area where this usually becomes a problem because of the anger that is triggered when the puppy fails and creates a mess inside the home. Although this issue must be addressed without anger, it most be addressed. If you allow the puppy to eliminate inside the house, it will continue to do so as an adult dog. The same thing is true of other destructive or dangerous behavior such as chewing and biting. Do not expect the puppy to grow out of it. You are going to need to train the puppy out of it, but you should do so firmly but with a sense of play and fun using positive reinforcement and lots of love and praise for good behavior.

Answer 3

Try a dog park or just tell people to please not pet your dog unless you say they can.

I do not believe that the father was right in his reaction but neither were you in letting your puppy jump on a person. For one thing, this can become a dominant gesture later in life. The main reason though is that your pup could unintentionally knock a child down. If that child hits his/her head then you and your dog could be in big trouble. If your pup is going to be a big dog this is even more dangerous. I train all of my dogs (three shepherds and a medium sized mix breed) that they MUST sit for petting. You start this at home. Put the puppy in a sitting position and CALMLY pet him (excited petting will get him up). If he stands up, IMMEDIATELY stop touching him. Return him to the sitting position and resume petting. He will catch on. Until he does, politely ask people not to pet your pup. When he's getting the idea at home, start allowing people to pet him only when he's sitting. Before letting them pet him, make it very clear that he is in training and that they MUST stop petting him if he gets up. If they feel they can't do this then they can't pet your puppy. He is YOUR puppy and they do not have to live with the consequences of his behavior. You can cheat and gently restrain him. Before long you will have a dog that sits whenever anyone pets him. Until he is doing this, NO petting unless his cute little butt is on the floor. I know you didn't ask for training advise but behavior like your pup is exhibiting (I know it's innocent but some people don't) is just ammo for anti-pet/anti-dog people. They really don't need any more ammo than they already have!

To Goldengal: If people don't want to listen, tell them your dog is a service dog in training (technically true since they do serve us by giving us lots of love and one of mine really is in training to be my PSD). They'll back off. I've had to do it a few times when people with rude children just don't get that they don't have the right to pet any animal they see just because they feel like it.

Answer 4

Just threaten them with the police-usually works as psycho's like this often already have criminal records.

It's always best to go out of your way to avoid young kids though as many parents who aren't animal lovers are convinced that all dogs attack kids.

Answer 5

The lesson to be learned from this is, if a child tries to pat your dog just politely say I would rather you didn't until he is trained he doesn't know he shouldn,t jump up, you have to train him. I had lots of problems with my late little chihuahua when I was carrying him people would come from all sides and stroke him, well he would snap at them because he was frightened or he was protecting me. People should ask before they touch a strange dog bt they are quick to blame the dog.

Answer 6

i agree that the dad was over reacting, but the fact is that you are responsible for ur dog, whether he has done anything really bad or not. Sorry to say this but you need to make sure your dog doesn't even scratch a kid, even if he is being friendly. its ur dog that may get put to sleep in the end.
Dog areas with no kids would be an amasing solution, i do agree and i am on ur side.

Answer 7

Hi its a tricky one i have a 4 month old puppy and i am worried about either that happening or getting someone dirty so i have started holding his lead so much that he cant jump up at people,it is our responsibilty as much as the parents cause they should be teaching their kids not to stroke dogs they dont know ,puppies think everyone is their friend we have to teach them it is not the case xxx

Answer 8

some people just don;t understand dogs and if he did know them and could educate his child, then their wouldn't have to be a problem. I think kids should be better educated with dogs and they should all be allowed to play together. A little strach never hurts a child. I wouldn't make child free parks though as kids need somewhere to play and learn, and will always and should prioritise dogs. I think kids and puppies, unless breed for fighting, should be encouraged to play together

Answer 9

tricky one I also have a 7 mounth old gun dog and he can me over excited at times I do put him on the leed when approaching other people dogs but other people should stay away if they do not want to come in to contact with dogs

GOOD LUCK

Answer 10

Well first if you want to help this call the police becasue they guy threatned you. If you get your dogs testicals removed he wont be as jump and out of control. Keep him on a leash and makesure that he at least knows to come to you when you call.