Did I overreact?

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

My DH and I were out walking the dogs last night (DH was walking Cubbie and I had Ollie who is still a bit crazy on a leash).   The park near our home has a paved walking path that we like to use.  Well, last night Ollie was being a bit jumpy (occasionally one little thing will freak him out and then suddenly he is afraid of everything.)  We walked along the path and went past 2 kids that were yelling and screaming which freaked Ollie out even more.  We were probably about 15ft past them when I heard “Dogs!!!  Let’s go pet them.”  The parents were standing right there but didn’t say anything to the kids.  We just kept walking but then the next thing I know there are 2 kids running up behind us (probably between 8 and 10 years old) screaming “hey, we want to pet your dogs.”  By this point, Ollie had his tail tucked between his legs and was spinning around on the leash while trying to crouch down low to the ground at the same time.  It was all just too much for him.  I turned to the kids who were still a few feet away at this point and politely said “I’m sorry but we are working on training them so you can’t pet them right now.”  Now usually I will get the dogs to sit and then let kids pet them, but I was having a hard time controlling Ollie on the leash and even though he has never snapped at anyone, I didn’t want to take any chances at that moment.  We kept walking, but the kids kept running towards us this time reaching for the dogs.  I stopped and said “please do not touch the dogs.”  (I was getting angry at this point….the parents weren’t even watching their kids).  The kid wasn’t taking no for an answer.  He looked at me with an expression that basically said “crazy lady.  I AM going to pet those dogs” and proceeded to reach towards Ollie.  I wasn’t really thinking and went and grabbed his wrist just before touched Ollie (I didn’t hurt him or anything, it was just to stop him).  I looked at him and said “No, do NOT pet the dog.”  I let go of his arm and started to walk towards home.  The kid continued to argue.  My DH hadn’t said a word through all of this and was just looking at me like I had lost my mind.  I explained that if something had happened and if Ollie had snapped at the kid, we would’ve been the ones in trouble and that was situation that I didn’t want to have to deal with. 

 

Did I overreact?

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

I wasn't really worried that Ollie would bite him, I am just not a fan of bossy children so I think I was more annoyed with the kids (and the parents) than anything else. (plus I think these were the same kids that were shooting fake guns at us in the park a few days ago which might be why Ollie was so freaked out.  The sounds those fake guns were making caused him to try and run, but luckily he was leashed).  We have never learned the blocking method in any of our training classes but it sounds like a really good idea.  Since our walks usually take us through the park, the dogs are used to sitting to be petted and Ollie has never seemed to be afraid of kids before.  I guess I have been fortunate.  Every other kid that has come up to us has always asked first.  Guess that is the down side of having such cute dogs...everyone wants to pet them.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I dont think you over-reacted at all. Yes, its nice for kids to like dogs and want to pet them, and its nice for the dogs to get the socialization - but if Ollie was already nervous and having issues, then it wasnt the time for socialization. You need a calm gentle child to pet Ollie when hes feeling nervous, not some bouncy rambunctious kid. The kid should have listened to you in the first place.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Amy - I'm not judging on overracting - you did what you felt was best and that is always your best choice.  I am how ever going to look at this from a different angle, not just as a training moment for Ollie but a learning experience for the children.  Yes they were rude - a real shame that the parents didn't use this for a teachable moment.  Perhaps these children live in a home without pets and don't have a clue that their loud yelling and running might scare a dog (or any animal).  That blinding grabbing at a dog could get them bitten.  If they approach you again I would explain that their behavior is frightening your dog - then ask if they can please stand still and stop yelling.  Then after getting Ollie calm and sitting - THEN with their parents permission they may pet the dog.  Then Ollie is getting used to being around children and the children will learn how to be around a dog.  Win win.

[KAHLUA]

You absolutely did the right thing and did not overreact.  IF, and it didn't seem like the parents even cared, the parents said anything all you would have had to do was explain the situation.  But since the parents were in lala land, I wouldn't think another thing about it.  Hopefully the next time these boys approach a strange dog they will ask first.  If not, then I hope the owners of the dog do exactly what you did.

 

[Melody & Bruin]

I think you did exactly the right thing!

[Laura & Mike ~Maggie & Rugby~]

You did not overreact. The kid should have listened to you and in ignoring you he was rude. I don't think you were coddling your dog either. You shouldn't force himt o do something, even be pet, if he doesn't want to. Eventually, he will gain more confidence the more he is around people and walking on the path. I think it's easy for people to tell you to stay calm, but having someone ignore you after you've said something 3 times, makes it difficult. Also, you will learn from your experiences and perhaps next time you get nervous, you will remember this and calm down some. Even very experienced dog owners have things to work on. I think you did the right thing because unfortunately, you have to very careful with legalities. If this had been the one time Ollie snapped or bit someone, you could have gotten sued.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

I totally agree with you on being careful and watching out for yourselves. We get that too and my husband has no problem telling them no but I'm a sucker. I think you did fine.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

At first I felt that you handled it correctly, except I just read Jane's contribution and agree with it totally.  It might have been a teachable moment for both dog and children.  You still wouldn't need to let them pet, but if they learned that their behavior scared the dog and then a scared dog might bite, those children might have actually learned a life lesson (rather than the one where they DO get bitten).

[Sue, Lola, Pongo & Hubby]

You absolutely did not react, for many reasons!!! a)They are your dogs, and you have the right to decide who will and will not have contact with them. b)In this day and age, with people being so abusive to their dogs, you have no idea who will and will not snap...these parents should have been taking better care of their kids. c)they clearly did not understand WHY you were saying no. Again, poor parenting. Good for you, I wish more people were as honest as you are.

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

 

Amy - First of all you said NO.  There is no need to explain yourself.  

 

As I have said before lets replace "Ollie (or dog)" with "infant" and "pet" with "pick up".  Now I don't even think anyone would question Amy's actions.

 

 

 

 

[Marie]

I don't think you over-reacted at all. As you said, if your doodle had nipped at the kid, the parents could have (wrongly) made an issue of it. In my opinion, the parents should have thanked you before giving their kids a lesson in how to approach, or not approach, a dog (no matter how cute!) 

Also, as calm as I imagine you tried to be, if you see kids all high-energy and converging on your dog, sometimes it's not a moment of "OHMmmm"  but instead time to do what you need to do to stop the kid's hand from touching your dog!

[Louise Cyr]

I think you acted responsibly.  It's too bad the parents did not as well.