"Look doggy" says the running child

[Babyblue5290]

Ok so this is a half-vent half-brag.

I went for a run with Artimis by myself today, David usually comes but he is working until 10 tonight, so I went by myself. Me and Art walked over across the street to the middle school, which is also a public parks. It's got a standard 1/4 mile running track that we normally run on with Art in the grass, but there where so many people plus multiple dogs that looked not so in control. So I decided to run on the hilly path that goes around the entire park and is a 1/2 mile long. Heck, to be completely honest I need the practice on the hills anyways lol

Well this track goes between a soccer field and a playground. Normally there aren't any kids so I don't pay too close attention. Well we started running and we go around the bend and run smack dab into a large crowd of kids! :yikes: Scared the bejeezes out of me to be honest! For those that don't know, Art isn't that particularly sure about little kids, especially if they are screaming and running around like these kids where.

There was another dog being walked that was headed our way with a trail of kids following. By the time I could do anything there was a barely able to walk kid coming for us with about 3 other kids a little older going "Look! Another doggy! DOGGY!" and of course now kids where behind us too. O_O

I stood in front of Art, stopped, held my hand straight out and said "STOP" in a very stern tone. Of course the little kid did not stop. Too young to even talk. There was a lady trailing behind that looked kinda shocked when I said stop, but didn't go to grab the kids at all.

The older girl asked "Can we pet him?" I said very kindly "No, I really happy you asked, but he does not like kids." So the girl starts yelling "MOM! That dog bites!"

Of course hearing that he bites the lady runs for her kid like a bat outta hell. But, she gives me an evil look and spits fire at me for walking my "viscious" and "out of control" dog in public with all these kids around! She said something to the effect of "How DARE you walk such a dangeroud, out of control **** by MY children!" etc and he's going to bite someone etc.

The entire time Art is sitting very patiently being very very good! He wasn't even giving a hard stare or paying much attention to the kids at all! Overall, he just wanted to go run for the ball one kid was bouncing. A ball, it's the way to his heart. lol He does NOT bite, he is nervous about kids, but the worst he'd do is bark and run from them. On good days he will sniff them and then leave.

So I understand she thought he bites, but come on! I have every right to take my completely well-behaved dog to the park for a run, even if he is not fond of little kids. I can and will take him wherever I want. I told her as a matter of fact that exact thing. And that I will continue to run this path as much as I feel, and she better keep her misbehaving children under control and I'll keep my well behaved dog just like he was, under control.

At this point she was yelling at me to keep my "out of control" "beast" away from there, when I refused yet again and made another round just out of spite, she threatened to call the cops to take the beast away for the safety of the children. So I told her go right ahead.

Honestly, I don't respond well to threats. I may be a 5' 1'' and only 110lbs, but I get very spiteful when pissed off and I have a hard time backing down. I stay calm, but I'm not willing to be bullied. She didn't call the cops, instead they left the playground area. I hate to say it, as it makes me such a childish person, but I was very happy to see them leave first. I know, I know, should've just left, but I have a temper when threatened. It's a character flaw. Plus, Art was completely under control.

But, so Art was completely good beyond anything I could've asked! I didn't even ask for a sit, but he held the sit through the entire thing, even with a ball bouncing mere feet away lol.

And yet again, I'm reminded why I hate people and why I hate going out without David. These things NEVER happen when I've got my big strong man by my side. -_-

 

[mom2dogs]

The older girl asked "Can we pet him?" I said very kindly "No, I really happy you asked, but he does not like kids." So the girl starts yelling "MOM that dog bites!"

First, the kid would have been told the difference of misusing and misunderstanding words and that just because someone says their dog doesn't like kids, does not automatically mean they will bite and attack. I can't stand kids that act that way. Then, when the mom went on a rampage, my first thought would be "well, I don't like you, yet I'm in control and not biting."

Good boy Artimis!

 

[lizzybeth727]

The older girl asked "Can we pet him?" I said very kindly "No, I really happy you asked, but he does not like kids." So the girl starts yelling "MOM! That dog bites!"

This is exactly why, if my dog is under control, I don't tell people about his flaws. Luna used to really hate other dogs, and it was annoying when people would ask if she could play with their dogs. But I learned that instead of saying that she doesn't like other dogs (because even adults will jump to conclusions and assume that she will bite), I make up some other excuse.... we're in a hurry and don't have time usually works best. Sometimes I even pretend like I can't hear them.

I do agree that the parent here was stupid and annoying and should've had her kids under better control. The whole sucky situation was totally her fault. But at the same time, it might've been simpler for you to have come across the kids, and then just jogged on around them instead of even engaging in a conversation.

 

[Babyblue5290]

First, the kid would have been told the difference of misusing and misunderstanding words and that just because someone says their dog doesn't like kids, does not automatically mean they will bite and attack. I can't stand kids that act that way. Then, when the mom went on a rampage, my first thought would be "well, I don't like you, yet I'm in control and not biting."

Good boy Artimis!

I figure the kid probably met a dog that would bite/attack so just associated "not friendly" with attacking. Still, it's a big misunderstanding, I can't really fault the kid too much.

Art was honestly the best behaved I've ever seen him! It's good to have a good dog lol

This is exactly why, if my dog is under control, I don't tell people about his flaws. Luna used to really hate other dogs, and it was annoying when people would ask if she could play with their dogs. But I learned that instead of saying that she doesn't like other dogs (because even adults will jump to conclusions and assume that she will bite), I make up some other excuse.... we're in a hurry and don't have time usually works best. Sometimes I even pretend like I can't hear them.

I do agree that the parent here was stupid and annoying and should've had her kids under better control. The whole sucky situation was totally her fault. But at the same time, it might've been simpler for you to have come across the kids, and then just jogged on around them instead of even engaging in a conversation.

I don't engge in conversation when not needed. I'm not a social person and I don't like kids honestly. Usually I just ignore and keep running, or say "he's not friendly" on the run if I can't dodge immediately. In this situation, we where completely surrounded by kids! There was no way out unless I did a football shove on a few of them. Not sure that would've been appreciated either My only option was to stop the oncoming kids from moving so I could get a clear path through.

From my experience it's been exactly the opposite. If I just say "I'm busy" or some other excuse I've learned parent's are NOT alarmed and insist on their little kids running up to us, or the little kids do not understand and insist on touching my dog anyways. I will and have told people point blank that he bites (though he doesn't like I said) when they don't listen to "he's not nice" as they sometimes say "all dogs love me." Yeah. Well, this one doesn't. Get over it. I do get some "omg I can't believe you have an aggressive dog" glares from some people, but it usually does a good job to keep people at a respectable distance, so I don't mind the glares

*edit* You know, I should probably make this clearer since I think someone might think I had an entire soccer field to move over. The soccer field is fenced in, so there is the fence, a tiny bit of grass, the path, and then the playground right next to it. So not really much wiggle room when kids are everywhere.

 

[sassafras]

First, the kid would have been told the difference of misusing and misunderstanding words and that just because someone says their dog doesn't like kids, does not automatically mean they will bite and attack.

Well, the apple didn't fall very far from the tree, did it? Since the mother kept insisting that the dog sitting politely was "out of control". :/

 

[AliciaD]

I have a temper too when people start sh!t, like, I'm willing to give-the-finger and scream-swears-at-them-in-public angry.

At the same time though, I've learned the best retort is to laugh at them. Hahahaha! No, my dog doesn't bite, he just doesn't like being charged by wild, out of control kids. I wouldn't let my dog charge your kid, why are you letting your kids charge my dog?!

*annoyed*

But good for Artemis for staying cool and collected! I'm sending out PRIDE vibes,

 

[skittledoo]

I dont understand why she would be giving you crap for walking Art around there. He is on a leash. And if he was on leash and behaving and not trying to charge the kids then I dont see why this lady felt the need to cause so much hype over it. I can't stand people like her that completely over exaggerate the situation. It comes across very attention seeking to me and quite frankly rude and ignorant. Instead of reprimanding you for your "out of control" dog who was behaving the entire time she should focus on containing her own out of control children. I know this is probably incredibly mean of me to say, but sometimes I think some (not all) parents need to have a leash law for their own kids lol. In all seriousness though. I get really irked when kids rush up on my dogs. Cricket is super friendly with kids but Bamm is a little more reserved and isn't super fond of them. I personally try to avoid parks with kids for that reason.

 

[Moth]

Good job Art!

I would have let that woman have a piece of my mind. When my cocker Patton was a young dog he came to me with fear aggression and we worked very hard to modify his behavior and make him a safer happier dog. People like that just can not seem to wrap their mind around the fact that not every dog has to love children.

Parents that just allow their kids to head toward any dog without supervision and control annoy me to the extreme. I often wonder would they allow the kid to mob a stray dog as well?

Okay I am going to stop foaming at the mouth now

 

[Renee750il]

Probably not my most shining moment, but you'll get a giggle BB Last time a mother with a wild hellion who kept wanting to rush Kharma for a pony ride asked me if my dog liked kids I replied, "yes, she thinks they're delicious."

Obviously, you held your tongue much better than I probably would have, and at least Art didn't lick his chops . . . .