Do you think it's rude to tell children to not touch your dog?

Question

I have a 18 week old puppy, we go for a walk every evening at a community park. The dog always have a leash on, there's always bunch of children who want to pet the dog. My dog get too excited after seeing so many action, he'll either jump up or niping, even though to me his nips are gentle and I know all puppies does that from time to time. These children, typically little girls will start calling out that the dog is "biting". I usually pull my dog away, they're usually the same group of children and I know their parents, would it be rude of me to tell them off?

My real question is do anyone get sued, if there are no skin breakage?
He's a 6lb Yorkie

The thing that make it very difficult is, my son goes to school with them, I don't want the parents or children to label my son and I . I guess I'm afraid to get called the dog lady, lol

Answer 1

I don't know about "telling them off", but you need to tell them to not touch your dog and to tell them in a way so that they don't touch the dog again. It is natural for little kids to want to pet dogs and cats but you are putting youself at risk for being sued if you let them pet your puppy and your puppy bites them and leaves a mark.

I don't know the laws of your state or local government but most places have some kind of law that states that you must have your dog under your control at all times.

Most dog owners that I have met while walking in the opposite direction, will pull on the leash so that the dog can not get near me, just as you do.

You might also want to think about your puppy going to obedience school. If I got a dog, I would need to do that so that it could be trained to heel, sit, etc and so that I would the be taught the best way to keep my dog obedient.

I hope that you and your family have had a happy Thanksgiving Day.

Answer 2

I think it's more rude of the kids and the parents to attempt to pet your dog, than for you to "tell them off" about it. Children have to learn that they cannot run up and pet every dog they see (I'm training a service dog at the moment and it gets real annoying).

As far as the question of being sued, I don't think that's likely (especially if the dog is on leash and in a public place and the kids did not ask permission in the first place, they ran up and started petting, the dog was as a puppy, mouthy but even as an older dog, unsure and protective of himself and you). It is more likely to be taken to "dog court" to determine if your animal is a "vicious" animal and if a muzzle or other bite prevention is necessary (chances are, with a puppy, the case would be dismissed because all puppies are mouthy - at most, they may recommend a training class).

Answer 3

ok to your first question. No its not rude to tell kids not to touch your dog. I have a huge black lab. and he'z specially trained by me not to jump on people because he'll knock you over, (he's knocked me over several times) He's a good dog and its hard with all then noise and kids around for him not to get excited. Since i still show in 4-H I have to tell kids to come either one at a time or not at all. This way you can control it for the most part. But overall some kids get mad at me and storm off. Thats their problem not your or mine.
These days you can get sued over everything. its a pain in the rear. I'm not for sure how about if the dog hasn't broken skin yet. I don't think those but i'm sure you could call a lawyer and they would tell you

Answer 4

Sounds like alot of little monsters in your neighborhood whose parents don't teach them manners and safety.
It is unacceptable for a child to be allowed to just walk up and pet any dog without asking first. That is a sure way to get bit, and as far as I am concerned, that is entirely their parents fault.
I make sure any child who approaches my dog is told in a firm manner that that is not the proper behavior. I figure if their parents are so negligent as to not teach their children, I will.
I will not ever have my dog accused of biting by a child because of a negligent parent.
I wouldn't worry about the other parents-you need to protect your dog.

Answer 5

Absolutely not! I have a puppy and I am APPALLED when children run up to my dog and try to grab at him without even asking. I think it's rude, and I think their parents are irresponsible and ignorant. No child should touch ANY animal without permission, period. And if the children are too young to even understand that a puppy nips, they shouldn't be anywhere near dogs. There is no reason at all why you shouldn't tell them to leave your dog alone- I do so all the time, and if they ignore me I get quite rude. You don't want them hurting your dog, and you don't want the dog hurting them, and god only knows what other dogs they've been touching, or reptiles, or who knows what could be on their grimy little hands, and you're going to let them paw all over a small young puppy? Forget it! Tell them off and be proud of it! If any child of mine tried to pet a dog without asking, I'd beat the tar out of them. In public.

PS No, you cannot be sued if the child approached a leashed dog, your dog was properly restrained, it becomes their own fault the dog bit them if it were to happen.

Answer 6

It is not rude at all to tell a child not to pet the dog. Most children do not know how to approach a dog to pet it. Most will just start petting on top of the head or body. I actually tell kids how to approach a dog when they pet it. I also tell them that they need to ask me first if they can pet the dog. You are protecting your dog as well as the child, it is not rude to do this at all.

Answer 7

1) If you don't want them to pet your dog say so.
2) Explain to their parents WHY you don't want them to pet the dog.
3) Start basic training
4) It may not break skin now, but it can. Which is more important? The children and their parents liking you or being able to keep the dog?

Answer 8

to answer the first question most kids get real excited when they see a dog so the first thing they want to do is pet it just simply tell them no and walk away don't say it mean or anything just say it calm and in a friendly voice and to answer the second question you can probably get a fine instead of being sued

Answer 9

No, it's not rude at all. You are simply trying to protect them.

If you want to be able to control your dog, try a choke chain on a very short leash. You'll want to keep the choke chain relatively high on the neck and just lightly pull up when he becomes excited. This is one of those things that everytime he does unwanted behavior, you give a little tug.; Not to hurt the dog but just refocus his attention. Once he can stay calm and not bite anyone under your control, let the kids pet him. If you are unable to control your dog, it's best to be considered rude and err on the side of caution. If a dog bites and leaves any kind of marks, that is grounds for suing...whether it broke the skin or not.

To protect the kids, when they approach stand inbetween the dog and the kids and simply say "You may not touch my dog. It is for your own safety" and simply walk away from the children. It's not being rude, it's protecting both of your rear ends!!!

Answer 10

You should probably tell the children that he gets really excited and that he sometimes can nip at them....and that if they're scared they probably shouldn't pet the dog...its based on their own decision well hey at least you warned them. I remember one time my cousin wanted to pet somebodys dog and he nipped at her and the owner said "you're just such a sweet little girl he wanted to lick you but he nipped you a little bit.JK" but that got a laugh out of my cousin