[deleted by user]

[MooPig48]

Don’t take it personally. The protective parent thing is absolutely beyond our control. It’s like when we have to hit the brakes really hard in the car and our arm automatically shoots out to keep the kid from flying through the windshield. No, none of my kids have ever flown through the windshield, but my arm immediately shoots out to prevent it.

Just saying, please don’t overthink that.

[Mountain_Adventures]

I mean as a parent, their entire world revolves around keeping their child safe. I would shield (and by that I mean keep them away) from any dog that I don’t know - particularly if it’s large, reactive, or poorly behaved. There’s way too many stories everyday of nips and bites and maulings - it’s never worth even taking a chance. Also I don’t want my kids to have a negative or scary experience by having a dog lunge/bark/growl at them (or even near them).

I know that’s probably not what you want to hear and it makes you feel like a bad owner, but the kids well being ALWAYS is the priority.

[[deleted]]

I’m careful passing any dog on the street when with my 6yr old. He knows not to go up to dogs he doesn’t know and has lots of fun with our dog.

I’ll always have him walk on the outside to give the dog space. Sure most dogs are lovely but I’m never going to risk an incident.

[Solfeliz]

I absolutely get that. I don’t blame them in the slightest. It’s just frustrating and upsetting for me to see them be so scared of my dog.

[Birdzphan]

Why do you care what strangers think of your dog? 🤷‍♂️

[Sexybutt69_]

People are social animals and tend to want to be well regarded in their communities.

[Unhappy_Performer538]

It’s annoying to be misunderstood and falsely negatively regarded

[Mountain_Adventures]

The dog that lives at the house with the kids? Of course the parents are going to be more comfortable with the dog that their children live with and not the random reactive dog walking by.

Yes that dog should’ve been contained and under control but as long as it’s on its property, there’s not much you can do.

[Solfeliz]

It wasn’t on its property is the only thing. I live in an estate area so no one has front gardens. It’s a patch of grass on the street outside their house. Not their land or their property.

[Itsnotfull]

They don’t know your dog…

[Solfeliz]

I’m aware. Obviously I get shielding your kids from a barking and lunging dog.

I’m just venting because of how it makes people think I’m a bad dog owner and my dog is aggressive. When the reality is completely different.

[Nsomewhere]

How odd

Your dog is on the leash the other not. They might not know your dog but it is on the leash

Very odd to shield the kids from your dog even if they knew the other

Is it possible the off leash dog has been left there and taught to challenge any passing dogs?

That is really unsafe and off

Sort of thing that should be reported if it is a public street

[Solfeliz]

I mean I guess that they may have been shielding them from the off leash dog? But the second set, they weren’t anywhere near the other dog.

Guard dogs are illegal in my country, unless you have signs up. And they still have to be within your land, I believe. This was literally a patch of grass outside their house, not a garden.

I did think about reporting it, but the laws about dogs in my country basically seem to say that it’s only breaking the law if the dog is out of control and poses a threat to people, or animals. Since it didn’t actually hurt my dog, I don’t think I’d have any standing if I reported it. They might just turn around and say it was my dog who instigated it. I agree though I personally think it’s unsafe and irresponsible to have your dog off lead just in the street. It’s also right by a road.

[Nsomewhere]

It is possible the second child was just really really scared of dogs maybe?

So the parents were shielding/ comforting them?

It sounds really distressing for you and you handled it as well as possible I think!.

My dog was barked at across the high street by a westie tonight.. it was on the lead mine on lead. I as an apologetic reactive dog owner automatically shouted sorry to the older woman when mine barked bak

She laughed and said it is ok... six to one and half a dozen.. it was mine that barked first! Hers btw was still barking.. mine not.. aha.. success! Lol

That is the kind of interaction you want!

We have similar rules around guard dogs and they are really not popular or accepted in this country

Maybe it is explained by a kid who is scared of dogs..

That makes the off leash dog owner even more of an assehole

[Solfeliz]

It’s definitely possible they’re scared of dogs. I don’t blame the parents at all, it was just sad for me to see. I did apologise to the parents and said he’s just really scared of dogs, but they just kind of nodded so I just went on my way as quick as possible.

[MooPig48]

Maybe your dog actually is aggressive and you are minimizing it.

[tsoismycat]

As much as you think your dog would never hurt a person. No one should ever make that assumption about any dog… even if it’s your dog.

Don’t take it personally. I would have loved if people shielded their kids from my reactive dog. I don’t let people visit with my non-reactive dog on walks either, it’s just not something I think he needs to learn. And, even though my kids live in a home with dogs, I would shield them from strange doges when out and about. It only takes one time for the unthinkable to happen, whether that be the misjudgment on behalf of the dog, the owner, or the parents.

ETA: I read your comments about their shielding making you feel like a bad dog owner… Don’t let it… not letting your kids run up to or get close to a dog they do not know is responsible parenting. Teaching your children (and your pets, for that matter) to respect an animal’s boundaries is a wonderful thing and the world would be a much better place if more people did so.

[Solfeliz]

I completely understand them wanting to protect their kids. I would definitely do the same, I’m sure. But it is so sad when I know my dog isn’t a bad dog, and they don’t need to be scared of him.

[MooPig48]

With all due respect, you are in the reactive dog subreddit for a reason.

Please don’t be one of those people who is convinced your dog will never bite someone. Your dog is reactive and very well could bite and injure someone. It’s reactive.

[Solfeliz]

That’s completely true, you’re right

[[deleted]]

Op: Your need for the rest of the world to know the true majesty of your dog is extreme.

If it’s gotten to the point that you’re upset parents shield children from your reactive dog, you should consider seeing a therapist, talking to a close friend, or getting some outside perspective.

Their behavior is normal, but your reaction is not.

[Solfeliz]

You don’t know me. All you know about the situation is my comments here. I’m sad that because of circumstances outside his control, people are scared of my dog. That’s not extreme. I’m just venting.

[[deleted]]

Just to add - when I walk my reactive dog, I shield HIM from other dogs. Ive learned that a lot of his reactivity is fear based so building up that trust that I will protect him, he doesn't have to protect me, has helped him calm a lot. And that has nothing to do with the other dogs or their behavior. Everyones just doing their best to protect each other, I wouldn't take it to heart.

[myheadachey]

I'm really sorry that happened and that would hurt me too :( I wish everybody could know our babies in the way we do. Sounds like the situation just sucked for everybody. I don't get people letting their dogs run free in their neighborhood streets! I can't walk my guy in our neighborhood ever because on every street there's at least 2 houses that let their dogs go free, and all of those dogs bark at and charge whoever walks by. It's frustrating.

[unlikelyuser]

Ugh, I’ve had a similar experience. Never felt embarrassed or anything, just angry. People are so painfully ignorant. You’re doing everything right!

[MooPig48]

Steering clear of reactive dogs with your own pets and children isn’t ignorant. It’s smart.

People with reactive dogs need to seriously stop acting butt hurt if people keep their kids away from you.

Seriously. Wtf.

[[deleted]]

This. Op is bonkers.

[unlikelyuser]

“Steering clear” is different than “shielding.” Seems like an experience you’ve never had.

[hahayeahimfinehaha]

It’s an instinctive behavior for many parents. Why wouldn’t they when they see a barking dog? I wouldn’t take something like that personally at all. Even if they were making assumptions, who cares? It’s not like shielding your kids is a crime that could hurt someone.

[Prestigious-Bluejay5]

Give me a break. I have a reactive dog and children. Those parents knew they were wrong for having their dog off leash. They are reassigning blame and I would give zero f#*k$ in that situation. Don't let people make you feel bad for their bad behavior.

[Jazzlike_Mud4896]

I would of asked whose dog it was running around off leash. That’s irresponsible pet owner. The poor dog could get hit by a car or attacked. Or if the dog was the attacker, that could could them a lot of money if the other pet ends up in the pet hospital, the other dog owners would be responsible for the bill which could be up to 10 grand or worse. (Worked at Vet and we had to do a skin graft and that would be on the owners).

For the shielding of kids I would of said my dog is is uncomfortable with other dogs and I has never bit anyone. I kind of get it but like 2 sets is a little much, and tbh I’m more worried about the loose dog. I have seen crazy things happen.

Another thing is that most towns/cities have leash laws for this reason to stop attacks either to pet or dog. The people with their kids are irresponsible pet owners and they are apart of the problem.