When I was in the vets with Lily earlier this week there was a little girl come in with her parents, she was I would think around 4-5years old.
I always take Lilys muzzle in the vets with her as I havn't had her long enough to know her inside out and if it gets packed with little small furry dogs I like to have it to put on incase she reacts.
When I come out from seeing the vet I stood at the reception desk and this couple were in the waiting room with thier daughter. The little girl immeadietly started running up to Lily and thrusting her face into hers and making barking noises at her. I slipped Lilys muzzle on as again lily has not been used to children let alone behaving like that. The child then ran up and started sticking her fingers inside the muzzle and into Lilys nostrils. I told the child 3 times not to do it and the child ran back to her parents all sulky and the parents told her to ignore the silly lady.
So back she came again so I said firmly. "Don't do that please, she is not used to children and I don't want you to get bitten".
With that the father stood up and said to me quite nastily, "Don't you ever tell my daughter what to do"
I was gobsmacked as bearing in mind most dogs in vets are sick so may not be feeling very patient with anything let alone being poked by a noisy child, and the fact Lily had a muzzle on, which may have been for all they knew because she was very vicious, they still felt thier daughter should be allowed to do whatever she pleased including sticking her fingers inside the muzzle.
Luckily I was just leaving so didn't say anything back or cause a scene, I just left, but the receptionists were totally gobsmacked by the mans attitude.
Lily was so good and just put up with it, but had she have bitten her fingers I expect the parents would have blamed poor Lily.

I'm afraid it's very typical of todays society.
No wonder some dogs have better manners than some children with parents that don't supervise them correctly!

AS IF!
There are a few words to describe people like this. I won't use them here.

OMG what an idiot family, both child and parents. I would not have been so polite I'm afraid!!!

Ooooh honestly some people, you got more patience than me, I would of decked him
( the father I mean)  arghhhh..idiot

I sympathise, had a run in with a woman and her daughter at our vets. Lucas was just coming out to me after an op with the nurse and this girl of about 7 waiting with her mother lunged at him wrapping her arms around his neck and wouldn't let go.  Fortunately even though he was still groggy he didn't react, I did, the mother thought it was very 'funny' even when the nurse told them to leave him alone and what he could well have done.

Really think the staff should have stepped in and told the chap to control his child whilst in the surgery waiting room or to take her out to the car.

Saints preserve us! Some people don't deserve kids! I had much the same response recently but before I could come up with a devastatingly witty retort an elderly lady next to me burst out with " he has to, you bl...dy won't"!
I am going to make a great old person!! :-)

Really think the staff should have stepped in and told the chap to control his child whilst in the surgery waiting room or to take her out to the car.

Yes, I agree, they may not wish to interfere and think everyone should control their own animals and people in there, however, the premises belongs to the practice so they should control what happens in there. Mind you........ they were probably scared of getting a nasty retort from the man too, normally when someone does not control their child, you know you are going to get a mouthful or a 'so what' shrug back.

Gone are the days when people would all scowl and show disapproval, everyone hides behind a newspaper today.

Glad your dog didn't bite bevb you know what would have happened then! **rolleyes**

how awful and the worst thing is one day the child will get bitten and parents will persue a law suit for compensation and have the dog pts and undoubtedly it would be the childs fault or rather their fault

I dread children in the vets :(
one time took my old weimaraner in, she was ill, frightened at vets and not used to children and had to repeatably fend off a small toddler who was determined to grab my dog. I asked the parents to please call her off as my dog was scared and may knock the child over in her fear or nip and they responded angrily that I shouldn't bring the dog to the vets if its nasty:(
receptionist was too initimideated to do anything and I ended up waiting outside in rain to get away from child.
the family had 2 very young male dalmation puppies with them, running round on waiting room floor with no collars. too young to be fully vaccinated :(
I told vet about it when went in and he said its more and more common, out of control kids and unsuitable pick of dog. he reckoned the  dalmation pups wouldn't last 3 months in that home.  poor pups, poor kid to have such thick parents

our local builders merchent I think has a better idea. they have a large sign up saying' dangerous machinery about so no unaccompanied children. children to be firmly under control or left in car'

I asked the parents to please call her off as my dog was scared and may knock the child over in her fear or nip and they responded angrily that I shouldn't bring the dog to the vets if its nasty:(

That's got to take the prize for the stupidest comment ever!!

Wow!! I just cannot comprehend how parents could allow their children to behave that way to a completely unknown dog!! I'm afraid it seems like they will only wise up after a terrible event. I'm gobsmacked. I would have completely and utterly lost my rag with the father of the child in the OP.

As a parent to a toddler I feel its one of my main duties to my son to teach him good manners when out in public. I hate seeing kids or dogs out of control. My son knows when we are in the vets that he is to sit down and can only approach other peoples animals if he has asked nicely and he is only 2.5 years old! Its not difficult to teach a child that. Its sad that alot of parents and dog owners now a days just cant seem to be bothered to teach the basic manners.

I get the impression with some families that taking an animal to the vets is a fun experience for children primarily rather then an animal welfare exersise.  The kids are wildly over excited and other pet owners there as part of the entertainment whether they like it or not.  I blame 'animal hospital' and Rolf Harris.  it has become a treat for children going to a vets .  should be one animal- max 2 humans and no kids unless quiet and sit still!

Apalling behaviour, sounds like the child should be on a lead. Perhaps you could have a word with the vets & get them to put a notice up telling parents they must keep their children under control!

how awful what a way to bring up a child , well done lily for not reacting next time they may not be so lucky.
I know of a situation when a dog was at the vet, he was unwell obviously so didnt need the silly little girl rushing up to him and givinghim a big cuddle unfortunately he was a big breed and although didnt actually bit did react and scratched the child with his teeeth.
Omg everything  went barmy the child was really fine but the whole situation went to the police and the owners very  nearly lost their dog. Fortunately a couple of really good references the vet and the like regarding said dogs  previous behaviour saved his life literally
An awful situation thank goodness everything was alright for you

Normally 2 of us go to the vets, and if a child runs up to one of the dogs especially our young male one of us usually conveniently places ourselves and give an impromptu how to approach a dog lesson, if the dog shies away then they cannot say hello. My parents keep large breed dogs and I havnen't got the time of day to argue if I say no to touching the dog it really is a no and I will tell the vet how to handle the dogs if I think he is being a bit wet.

What I don't understand is parents having a go at strangers who tell off their kids.... If the parent isn't going to stop them, then someone has to. I've had it too, when a nasty little sprog was kicking at my dog through the glass at a bus stop and frightening him. The mother went barmy at me, when all it needed was her or someone else to say stop, and I said it nicely and politely and the kid did stop, before his mother then gave me a tongue-bashing.

When I was a kid, if we were told off by a stranger or any of the neighbours or people in the village, it was far more scary and humiliating than being told off by our own parents, and we definitely didn't do it again, whatever it was!

Unfortunately I see families like this every single day on my bus, kids that are largely ignored and then occasionally sworn at or threatened - but if I say anything about their behaviour then parents leap in to defend them. I've learnt to ignore them swinging from handrails as I drive along or running up and down the stairs while I'm moving, I did have to put my foot down though when one small child was hanging out the emergency exit upstairs while parents were downstairs, I didn't particularly mind if he fell out but the alarm buzzer in my cab was driving me crazy!

It is really noticeable when a good parent gets on the bus, one that is actually interacting with their kids, answering their questions or playing games or pointing things out to them - it doesn't happen often though :-(

Terrible really. Just what is this teaching kids. That they can do what they like without any thought of consequence. Its the same with teachers, they can't say boo to the kids because mummy or daddy are up at the school within hours of home time, complaining and undermining the teachers authority.

> but if I say anything about their behaviour then parents leap in to defend them

So in effect, you've got kids growing up learning that the only people allowed to tell them off is their parents (and teachers, I assume?). So when they go through the stage of disobeying their parents, they're invincible.... they own the world and aren't accountable to anyone. Clever parenting, that! *roll eyes*

When I was growing up we would have been scared stiff of our parents finding out another adult had told us off about anything, these days kids have no respect for anything or anybody so it is like water off a ducks back if you say anything to them politely or other wise when they are in the wrong and talking to the parents is a waste of time too, I got physically assaulted in my own front garden by one mother,she pushed me when her ranting wasn't getting her any where and I narly lost my balance, the police had her agree that her and the kids were to stay at least 50 ft away from me and my property or I would make it official, I had CCTV cameras fitted to make sure she kept her word.

I can never understand anyone taking small children to the vets and then let them run riot scaring animals who are sick,upset or both and in an unfamiliar place full of strangers.

Those parents will be the first to go screaming to the law if their child gets injured but won't admit that it was due to what the child was doing in the first place.

I have never noticed if there is CCTV in the vets waiting areas to pick up on any problems there.

Jeez, the kid is very lucky Lily didn't react.  What an ignorant father, how sad that his daughter will get bitten one day and he'll have to sue. :(
Nellie doesnt have a good temperament, and would have growled and snapped through the muzzle when the kid was a within a couple of yards - I'm quite used to fending off anyone who approaches her at all, under any circumstances, and have even kept loose dogs at arms length, trying to stop her attacking them as the owner saunters up telling me their dog is friendly.  Ye Gods.
As for being at the vets....we have to wait outside in the car park anyway, with her shrieking like a banshee, so we rarely get any "oh what a nice doggie" approaches anyway :)

>As a parent to a toddler I feel its one of my main duties to my son to teach him good manners when out in public.

That is soooo refreshing to hear!  :-)  :-)

Good for you, and I am sure that you will have a son to be proud of.

I have 2 Bearded Collies, and the youngest gets so very wound up at the vets (having been so many times with her painful nail deformity), that she is in a state before the vet touches her.  Both dogs have had exactly the same upbringing, but for some reason, my elderly girl adores kids, yet my youngest is scared of them.  They move too fast for her, and she will try to hide from them.  So, in fairness, I have to say that she has never actually been nasty to a kiddie.

However, I was trying my upmost to keep her as settled as possible, and trying to dissuade a little girl from trying to get on her back.  Mum was not even aware that her child was being a nuisance, she was too busy texting!

So, when I asked the little girl for the 3rd time to stop, she asked if the dog was nasty.  I said, well she is normally, but she has already eaten one little girl this afternoon, so I don't know if she can manage another one just yet.  Fortunately, I was called in for my turn as the kiddie burst out crying and ran to mum.  :-(

I said, well she is normally, but she has already eaten one little girl this afternoon, so I don't know if she can manage another one just yet

LOL

>The child then ran up and started sticking her fingers inside the muzzle and into Lilys nostrils.

??? Beggers belief... Honestly... A dog with a muzzle on and they still think its ok for their darling daughter to do that? Jeez.. You do wonder what else they think is ok then...

> I told the child 3 times not to do it and the child ran back to her parents all sulky and the parents told her to ignore the silly lady

:( Some people have no sense. Good girl Lily for not biting the girl.

The year before I got Buster, a parent had left thier dog tied up ouside the primary school gates while they went in to wait for thier child inside. A girl had approached the dog and got bitten in her face - needing stitches, according to the girl she hadn't done anything to the dog to warrent being bitten.
When I got Buster I would take him to the school, so he could sit with me outside the gate and wait for my boys while watching all the hustle & bustle. One day, the girl that had been bitten, ran right up to his face, sqeeling, and flung her arms around his neck before I had chance to say anything He mother was plodding on behind and in the most dreary tone you have ever heard said "don't do that, you mustn't go up to dogs" and walked off while her child was still attached to Buster The girl, or the mother had not even learnt from the previous incident.

This girl would do the same thing to any dog she saw, I got so fed up with having to spot her (so I could tell her to approach him calmy and not strangle him BEFORE she had chance to do it), that I had to stop taking him to the school. Luckily he wasn't bothered and her behaviour has had no negetive effect on him, but the stupidity of some people really is beyond belief :( :(

I've recently had a young boy (about 7yrs old) stop to chat about Buster, he said to me "he's like a horse, I'm going to ride on him" - I replied "NO you are NOT, dogs are not the same as horses, you mustn't EVER climb on a dog" - he then tried to climb on Busters back Thank heavens I've spent so long with him around children and teaching him to look to me if he's excited/uncomfortable about anything, as all Buster did was to step towards me for a biccy - if he had bucked in the air (which he used to do when younger if he was excited) I dread to think what would have happened to the boy.

Gosh, I could go on for ever about the stupid actions of children around dogs, the worst are defiantely those that have soppy parents with them that either don't see a problem or are to dopey to enforce the things they are saying

Good for Lily not reacting to that daft girl and her silly parents.

I have a 4 year old child and more often than not I have to take him to the vets with me, we own several dogs so he has had to grow up around them and knows how to behave although he does get excited with pups and likes to run around with them. We have taught him to ask owners first if he can pet the dog, but when I take him to the vets he either sits and colours in with the colouring book and pencils provided by the vets or we will sit together and discuss the leaflets they have, reading him the information or if that fails I get him to do tricks/obedience practice with the dog(s) we have in the waiting room keeping everyone occupied.

Seriously some parents need to get real and realise they are raising trouble, how much effort would it take to keep your child occupied in a waiting room!

It's amazing more children aren't bitten with that sort of carry on, good girl Lily.

I had a small ankle bitter try to sit on Louie ( GSD ) when he was in the vets for HD, he was lying down and the little sweetie threw herself onto his back, well, tried to, I caught her by the arm mid flight handed her back to the mother, and told her not to be so b***dy stupid, much to the amusement of the receptionist and the embarrassment of the mother, at least she had the sense to make the child sit on a seat.

I would have been tempted to put the dog in the car and go back to give the man a total dressing down about how stupid he was and the implications of his daughters behaviour.  What a total a-hole, no wonder his daughter presents as being equally thick.

I often tell people to stay away because the dogs bite just so I don't have to fend off eejits.

What a stupid man, seems the common sense gene missed him out.

Good on you for showing such restraint. Words fail me--that child is destined to be bitten with that kind of behaviour and although the parents' attitude will be entirely to blame it will be a very unlucky dog that may wind up being put down through no real fault of its own. Really the veterinary staff need to get a grip and make it plain that this is asking for trouble and animals' welfare comes first--that starts with showing some respect for the dog.

I think a suggestion of a notice in teh waiting room such as:

"Animals at the Vets are likely to be stressed and/or unwell.

Please DO NOT attempt to interact with them without the owners express consent. 

Also cross infection between animals or people could occur.

Parents please make this very clear to your children for everyones health, safety and comfort."

Brainless, well said--I'm obviously a lot meaner than you, because I would also add words to the effect that not only will the practice refuse to accept any liability for any accident should this simple code not be observed, but that humans will not be allowed back to the practice unless they cooperate as requested.

It's unbelievable that the father reacted like that -what hope is there for that child to become a decent adult? If she has pets, I feel very sorry for them.

I do think the vet receptionists/nurses/vets should do their best to control waiting room situations - it should not be a place where owners of sick animals dread going!

Notices are a great idea - if the worst comes to it, the parents with very badly behaved childen (such as the little darling in the first post, who is clearly putting herself in danger due to her actions) should be asked to leave (and, if necessary, made to leave).

Lindsay
x

I have to admit as a mother to a 1 and a half year old who loves dogs and always wants to run up to them and stroke them and Play with them is difficult but I always hold him back and to try and keep him away unless the owner approves but always stop my child for doing anything to upset the dog and as a very young child he is learning now he doesn't go unless me or daddy are there and he has to stroke them nicely. My 5 year old knows better and asks the owner can I stroke him or will he bite me to which we both laugh. I never take my kids to the vets if I can help but if they come they are well behaved and don't annoy other animals in there. I hare it when kids run up to strangers dogs and start messing with them and the parents don't care I see it on the parks and everywhere and can see some owners being wary of the kid because not all dogs are brought up with kids. It's a shame people are not more considerate to others and there pets.

The other thing that winds me up about children and vets is when the parents let the child hold the dogs lead.  Neither of my dogs particularly like the vets and with the noises, smells and feel of anxiety there the last thing they (and I) need is some little brat, usually under 7 years old, holding onto the lead of a bouncy dog that is trying to come across and see mine.  Mine don't like dogs in their faces at the best of times, less so when they are unwell.  It really does make me want to say 'FFS get that child under control'

Not at the vets but they are some with sense around.
I don't see that many kids when i have Zuma out but a number of times recently I have had an under-5 come running towards me - screech to a halt about 4-5 ft away and say 'is you dog friendly can i stroke him please I like dogs' all in one big breath.
I ALWAYS make a point of thanking the parent for teaching them to ask first :-D

'is your dog friendly can i stroke him please I like dogs' .

Answer: "my dog likes children too, but he can't eat a whole one"

Just to add a positive note about children and parents - I was in PAH the other week when a wee boy of about 5 or 6 came running up the aisle I was in, slowed down, said 'excuse me' and then ran round me! Unfortunately it happens so rarely I was gobsmacked :-D

I hate seeing badly behaved children but blame the parents 100%, especially when very small children are involved.

At Crufts a wee girl of about 6 came running up and flung herself around the neck of a Bernese at Discover dogs, pushing past my 16 year old who was stroking the dog at the time - not a parent in sight or they would have got the sharp side of my tongue about bringing a child to a dog show without teaching her how to approach a dog correctly!

What an interesting thread!!

As someone who has raised 3 children around large dogs and hopefully taught them to be respectful (I never let my children hang off/lie on or annoy in any way - our GR, Spud) they never came close to being bitten by other dogs.

Now my children are older (24, 22 & 16) my current (x3 GR's) arent really used to small children although I now have a large number of nephews and nieces. The dogs are always happy to see children, but especially in a stressful environment like the vet, I would NEVER allow ANY child to interfere with any one of them.

As I see it, it is my responsibility that my dog isn't put into a situation where he/she may react. So if I have to sternly tell a misbehaving child NOT TO TOUCH, I have no problem in doing so. Too bad if the owners (sorry parents lol) of said child take issue, that's their problem!! It's MY dog, and if I say no touching, then I mean it!!

One of my 7 yr old nephew's was visiting a couple weeks back, he has some behaviour issues, and his father was more interested in chatting not watching what he was doing. I caught him leaning heavily and pushing down onto the back of our 6 month old GR puppy. WTH!!! I didn't wait for his father to notice (waste of time!), and immediately shouted for him not to do that!! He jumped a bit (hehe!!), but I couldn't believe what I was seeing - how did he think that wouldn't hurt the puppy??? I had spoken to my husband before they visited and warned that we needed to watch him like a hawk (he follows the dogs into another room) and if I can't control where he is in the house because his parents don't give him guidance, then I'm afraid I'm not worried about telling him! What would happen if he hurt one of my dogs and they bit him? Franky, I'd rather he stayed away if he can't behave!! He also visited when the puppies were about 4 weeks old and I caught him forcefully throwing the puppy's soft toys into the whelping box. Just thankful they were soft toys!!!!!

We need to take real issue with parents who do not want to impress onto their children how to behave around dogs, after all, we all know the damage a dog can do...!!!

There have been several times I have either waited outside or left the dog in the car until it was their turn because the waiting room is just so small but wouldn't hesitate if there was an unruly child in there.

And I agree, the veterinary staff should take charge of the situation - it wouldn't look very good on them if a child was bitten in their waiting room. It's not good enough that the vet/staff roll eyes and don't take responsibility, they should.

Edited to add:
Lol, it sounds like I hate children - not at all!! I spent weeks with our current pup standing outside the local primary school, getting her used to the sight/sound of children - she loved it! I also have several nephews/nieces who although initially a little scared, will happily come walking with us, and will take direction really well. I have a lovely photo of three girls trotting up a path on Exmoor side by side, with one of my dogs between each of them. My dogs love kids, and kids really do love them...

Our vets don't allow children under 10 years old in the waiting room after a child got bitten by a very poorly toy breed.  It was the same old story of the parents not paying enough attention to the child and the owner being too upset and busy filling out the paperwork to realise the child was under the chair pulling the dogs tail.  From what I understand it wasn't a serious bite but it was enough for the vets to decide to ban young children.

good for your vets, bettyonthebus--sadly all too many of them seem focused on the cash register instead of the welfare of their patients, and that includes the animals' time in the waiting room.

What idiots! you sound a very responsible owner, One of mine hates the vets and gets quite stressed in the enviroment, so i usually wait outside with him, as people wanting to pet him was making him more stressed.

I don't know.... silly people! :(