Irresponsible parents

[Moobli]

We don't see many children (or other people for that matter) when we are on walks and so it's not an issue, but I used to take both mine as pups to collect my son from Primary school every Friday, after I had taken them into the village to experience cars, bicycles, shops etc and I was always very pleased with how so many children politely asked to stroke the puppy and how few just launched themselves without preamble. My two are both very tolerant of children now, so I am sure it had a positive effect on how they view small people.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

God I was just the same ?

Me too!

I got bitten twice by the same family friend's dog, aged 4 and it still didn't stop me! As I got a bit older, I used to get strange dogs following me, even when they were on a lead. One occasion, I was walking with my parents and sister past Regent's Park, when a standard poodle rested its head on my shoulder!

 

[usaequestrian]

I have a close friend who recently purchased a really expensive purebred dog. He was always very rambunctious from the day she got him but she thought she would grow out of it as he got older. Unfortunately, the puppy went the other way and became dangerous as he grew up. She had young children as well so he became a safety issue, biting, scratching, and growling at young children.
One afternoon she was walking the dog on their quiet residential street. Suddenly some random young children ran up to the dog and began to pet him and hug him. My friend was appalled and told them to please stop, as her dog was dangerous. They would not stop so my friend called to the children's dad who was nearby, 'Please get your children away". The father ignored her and stared at his phone. My friend picked up her dog and walked a safe distance away from the children.
Now the dog lives full time with a breeder. But I still can't get over that appaling behavior!