Would you let your child approach an unknown dog?

[Nicola]

No there's no way I'd let a child approach any dog without asking the owner first and I also hate it when people let their kids run up and swamp the dogs. Because there's 3 of them and Ro and Caoimhe look like 'twins' and when she's fuzzy Tilly looks like a 'teddy bear' (both things I hear kids say a lot when they see them) they tend to attract a lot of attention if we're in a busy public place. I've quite often had kids approach one of the dogs and go to wrap their arms around their neck or put their face in the dog's face  but they are swiftly intercepted by me before they can do it.

I wouldn't leave them tied up anywhere though even if I was close by; Ro absolutely loves adults and older kids but isn't hugely keen on small kids and while he's fine if he's off lead and can move away if a small child came toddling up arms outstretched or came up behind him and he was tied up he would be very stressed by it, as would Caoimhe. Tilly's good with kids and very tolerant but if a child grabbed at or fell on any of them and they felt trapped and couldn't get away... it's just not a scenario I'd chance.

All that said I do like it when we meet nice polite children and parents and if they ask nicely I always comment on it/thank them and let them meet the dogs; I usually direct them to Tills but if they're off lead and I'm there with them Ro and Caoimhe are fine too and kids can stroke them - if they can get them to stay still long enough

[Redked]

It's the other way round for us. We were sat having a picnic today with our 3 yr old granddaughter and had 3 off lead dogs approach her with the owners a mile away!

My girls were taught to never approach and now my granddaughter is taught to never stroke a strange dog and indeed not to go to Bonnie without us being with both of them. I always ask owners if I can stroke their dogs too if I don't know them-its just courtesy. The dogs might be scared of me or aggressive towards me so it works both ways. Just manners I think. I have had no problems so far when walking Bonnie-she attracts children because she's a pup but they have all asked me first before stroking her.

[Toni-UK]

It's the other way round for us. We were sat having a picnic today with our 3 yr old granddaughter and had 3 off lead dogs approach her with the owners a mile away!

I know we are talking about a serious subject but were the 3 off lead dogs spaniels by any chance ? 

Pinic=food=spaniels 

[Redked]

   No they weren't. Cocker owners are far too nice to allow that but I'm sure it was the food they came for rather than my granddaughter. They were 2 Lhasa's and a Boxer-the Boxer was called away and went but the Lhasas owner just laughed as he strolled away and the dogs stopped with us for about 5 minutes!

[Helen]

No.  No way!  J loves children but if something happened like Nicola has said he could react.  He's always been a bit of a jumper but with small children he doesn't and he loves the fact they're as short as he is 

I thank parents who's children ask me if they can pat Jarv - I think it's brilliant parenting.  Not so brilliant was the hysterical child and equally strident mother on the bus the other day when I got on with Tilly.....the child was screaming and the mother was yelling "it's alright, the lady won't let that dog hurt you - the bus driver won't let her" 

For one second I wished Tilly was the sort that would let out an enormous bark but true to form she just looked at me asking what all the noise and fuss was about 

[Darwin]

I always make a big point of thanking children (and their parents) when they actually do ask if it's ok to touch my dogs.  It never ceases to amaze me how many children are allowed to just come up to dogs and stroke them - lots of parents don't even seem to see anything wrong with it.

I'm always the same.  Last Easter in Devon whilst sitting at a beach side café, which was full of dogs.  A 5yr boy approached us ( obviously having been told by told by his parents to ask first)  "Does you Dog like Children?"  I nodded to the parents but OH just had to say "Yes, but he can't eat a whole one"

No.  No way!  J loves children but if something happened like Nicola has said he could react.  He's always been a bit of a jumper but with small children he doesn't and he loves the fact they're as short as he is 

Not so brilliant was the hysterical child and equally strident mother on the bus the other day when I got on with Tilly.....the child was screaming and the mother was yelling "it's alright, the lady won't let that dog hurt you - the bus driver won't let her" 

For one second I wished Tilly was the sort that would let out an enormous bark but true to form she just looked at me asking what all the noise and fuss was about 

My sister has recently got a rescue great dane ( horse ), but as she doesn't drive has been trying to figure out if she can take it on a bus.  I would love to see how such a parent /child and bus driver would react to such a large dog.

[Letichia]

I don't have children yet but if i did there is no way i would let them stroke someone else's dog without asking first. I even ask first before i stroke a dog i don't know. I wouldn't leave them tied up anywhere either, Scoobie i know would be fine, he loves children however Mollie wouldn't appreciate children running up and putting their arms round her neck, it would completely stress her out.
I find the beach is the worst place for this sort of thing. A few years ago i was walking on the beach with my friend and her terrier pup (15 weeks at the time) when a child who i guessed was about 5 or 6 ran up to my friends puppy and smacked him on the head with a spade and then ran off again. The poor pup let out a loud scream but soon recovered and didn't seem to be hurt. However the consquences of this walk soon became clear as he is now terrified of children...2 years have gone by and they are still working hard to try and overcome his fear .
At the time we were so shocked that it happened we just walked off but now i wish i had gone over and said something to the parents.

[Helen]

I always make a big point of thanking children (and their parents) when they actually do ask if it's ok to touch my dogs.  It never ceases to amaze me how many children are allowed to just come up to dogs and stroke them - lots of parents don't even seem to see anything wrong with it.

I'm always the same.  Last Easter in Devon whilst sitting at a beach side café, which was full of dogs.  A 5yr boy approached us ( obviously having been told by told by his parents to ask first)  "Does you Dog like Children?"  I nodded to the parents but OH just had to say "Yes, but he can't eat a whole one"

No.  No way!  J loves children but if something happened like Nicola has said he could react.  He's always been a bit of a jumper but with small children he doesn't and he loves the fact they're as short as he is 

Not so brilliant was the hysterical child and equally strident mother on the bus the other day when I got on with Tilly.....the child was screaming and the mother was yelling "it's alright, the lady won't let that dog hurt you - the bus driver won't let her" 

For one second I wished Tilly was the sort that would let out an enormous bark but true to form she just looked at me asking what all the noise and fuss was about 

My sister has recently got a rescue great dane ( horse ), but as she doesn't drive has been trying to figure out if she can take it on a bus.  I would love to see how such a parent /child and bus driver would react to such a large dog.

My friend takes her Briard on a bus - Rhubarb is a very big girl 

[montydavies]

My children always ask before approaching other dogs, I have also taught them how to approach dogs politely as not all dogs are as tolerant as Monty even if they are happy to be stroked.

Love the thought of a Briard on a bus, and what a FAB name Rhubarb is too! Sounds like a children's story 'The Briard on the Bus'

[Karma]

Growing up with Honey, my children would not only not approach an unknown dog without asking, but would wait for any safe dog to approach them (at least, Isobel knows this already - Amelia is still learning!). 

Seriously, though, Honey does NOT trust children and, especially now I am normally walking with my children, it's amazing how many parents assume it's ok to let their children try and approach/chase/etc.  Fortunately Honey does her best to avoid them, but I have to be on constant alert during school holidays etc when there are suddenly hoards of families in our local woods (often accompanied by the "It's ok, he only wants to play" dog that we also never see at other times...).

When warning people off, I tend to stick with the "She's got a bad back and it makes her nervous" line - which is true and makes sense of her apparent willingness to be fussed (up until the point she panics)....

[Jasper love]

I always get my youngest to ask if she can stroke any dogs, even if they come up to her she must ask the owner first. Although this still isn't always safe, a few weeks back we were in the park and a lady with a shitzu(sp) came along. Georgia asked if she could stroke him, the lady said 'yes, hes very friendly' I was watching them as I always do, she was just stroking his head and all of a sudden he turned on her and jumped up, growling and trying to bite her hands. Poor Georgia cried(she's only 4) and the stupid woman said he was just playing!!! He was not! She was really shaken up and it took her a while to calm down.
Georgia now wont go near little dogs, she's really scared off them.
My other daughter doesn't really talk so wont ask to stroke them, so she just stays away.

I think letting your child approach unattended(I know you were a few meters away) dogs is very dangerous! It's a good job you have two lovely dogs xx

[ATB]

Up until this weekend no children (and their parents) Penny has met whilst we have been out have asked to stroke her but when they've approached I've been welcoming of them, asking her to sit etc. and let them stroke her, which she's enjoyed. All fine and obviously good for her confidence/socialisation.

BUT this weekend the park where we usually go was rammed because of the good weather. I was giving her a drink and a couple walking past with a child stopped to show her the puppy having a drink. I then went over to them, asked Penny to sit as usual to be stroked - when the child took a kick at her. It didn't land hard thankfully as the parents had it's hand, and sort of yanked it away. I would have said something but in my haste to then move Penny I stood on her paw and she yelped, so any stern words I had for the parents would have been overshadowed by me standing on my own dog!

That's the last time I willinging take her over to meet a child. Unfortunately my only friend who has kids doesn't like dogs (which ofcourse has rubbed off on the kids) so I can't 'use' them! She's such a sweet natured thing and the breeder had children so she was handled from a young age, so I'm not too worried she'll grow up not liking children.

Unless you can't tell: I don't like children, I like dogs! 
 

[Toni-UK]

No.  No way!  J loves children but if something happened like Nicola has said he could react.

My sister has recently got a rescue great dane ( horse ), but as she doesn't drive has been trying to figure out if she can take it on a bus.  I would love to see how such a parent /child and bus driver would react to such a large dog.

My friend takes her Briard on a bus - Rhubarb is a very big girl  

I don't think it is a good idea to take large breeds on buses   as dogs of this size reacting to any situation would be hard to control and contain in such a confined area i find it a bit irresponsible really, though i am thinking of city buses rather than rural (if they are quieter ? )

[Helen]

No.  No way!  J loves children but if something happened like Nicola has said he could react.

My sister has recently got a rescue great dane ( horse ), but as she doesn't drive has been trying to figure out if she can take it on a bus.  I would love to see how such a parent /child and bus driver would react to such a large dog.

My friend takes her Briard on a bus - Rhubarb is a very big girl  

I don't think it is a good idea to take large breeds on buses   as dogs of this size reacting to any situation would be hard to control and contain in such a confined area i find it a bit irresponsible really, though i am thinking of city buses rather than rural (if they are quieter ? )

It's entirely up to the bus driver whether they let any dogs on board or not.  I'm not sure what kind of 'reaction' you are thinking of but I can assure you the dog in question is well behaved on the bus and the owner does not let her approach people and keeps her well under control on a harness and head collar.  As the owner is partially blind and cannot drive anywhere this is the only way she can get to different walks.   I think most 'good' owners if they have a large breed are well aware of the impact the size has and do compensate by training well.  The bus driver wouldn't allow several dogs on board at one time anyway, nor would decent owners want to travel with a lot of other dogs (I don't when I take Jarvis on the bus) just in case they do react. 

To be frank the worst behaved dogs I have seen on buses are smaller breed dogs 

Yes this is a rural bus but I see no difference in taking a well behaved dog of any size on a city bus or on a train 

Anyway this is taking this way off topic so let's get back on it 

[black taz]

I had a boy (about 11) yesterday just drag his hand across kira as he walked by, he looked daggers at me when I told him he should always ask.  Had he had done that with Taz, Taz would not have been pleased and would have certainly barked at him.