Noisy Neighbor and Children Walking Dog... Advice?

[chandni3]

I used to babysit my brother and sister at 10, and that was before cell phones. I think that lady should mind her own business. It is a good point about other dogs fighting your dog. Maybe don't let them walk as far if your daughter is with him but let him walk the usual route on his own. On the other hand, depending on the child, 4 isn't that young. I'm sure she knows her way home and can run and get you if there was a problem. They're probably safer together.

[msuk2girl]

I think it absolutely has to do with area. We live in a very quiet and nice neighborhood, and would let them walk alone here. Not with a dog, because there are a lot of people here who think its ok to let their dogs in the front yard. They come up to the edge and bark at you. With a dog on lead that gets way too complicated.

I'm with the others that say follow your gut, which obviously did not send up any red flags. I dislike nosy neighbors.

[mysticmomma1879]

If its not illegal in your area, and YOU are ok with it and your kids are ok with it I can't imagine what the problem would be. You know your kids and the area better than any of us.

[happysmileylady]

While having the 4 yr old out with just the 10 yr old and the puppy would give me pause, ultimately, I think your neighbor is crazy.

[arihillfarm]

LOL, it's not like I'm in Sears and they are in the food court. More like we're all sitting in the food court near the bathrooms and she takes him in or I continue to shop the racks in a store near the bathrooms and she takes him in. I also missed the 150-200ft. distance. Our barn is at least that far from our house and my two older ones go out there together all the time. Of course, there aren't any cars out by our barn either nor inside the mall. My concern in this situation is the split attention issue with the 10 year old and the close proximity to the road. I think most 10 year olds could deal with a dog issue OR a sibling issue, but not both the same time. If they are holding the dog and there's an issue, then s/he is likely not to notice the 4 year old and what s/he is doing, which could include running into the road.

-Astrid

Originally Posted by RainandRedemption I would never let my 4 yo go anywhere without me in a mall... maybe a resturant.... down a super quiet road where I could see her the whole time? Absolutely.... I think your neighbor sounds nutty. Unless she knows something about the area, or someone in the area that you don't. I'd probably go over there without the kids and ask her if she has a REASON for thinking this is so unsafe.... if she doesn't have a reason that you feel warrants her involving herself in your situation then respectfully ask her to leave your children alone while they are walking the pup.

[babylovinmama]

Originally Posted by TalkinBoutMyGirl The intake at CPS would screen that call out mama. Tell your neighbor to STFU and let your kids walk the dog before he gets so big he is walking them!

Perfectly said!