PUPPY THAT TERRIFIES OUR DAUGHTER

An English Bull Terrier

Friday June 8,2007

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Q. WHEN close friends acquired an English bull terrier puppy about a year ago they invited us to meet their new “baby” but it was awful.

The dog kept jumping up at our little girl, knocking her over. She was terrified and I spent the afternoon carrying her.
Since then, whenever they invite us over (they have no children and adore our daughter), we’ve found an excuse not to go.

We don’t want to offend them by saying we have a problem with their dog but I worry it’s not safe around my child. What should we do?

Ellen, Maidenhead, Berkshire

DEBORAH SAYS

You can’t go on making excuses to your friends because it will just get too awkward. They must realise that the visit to meet the new puppy didn’t go well. And I really don’t think there’s any shame in being reasonably truthful.

Next time they invite you round, say you don’t know why but your little girl has a thing about dogs. Nothing to do with their dog you add (a white lie) but until she is a bit older and has conquered her fear, would they mind putting their dog in
a different room? It sounds as if the dog is just boisterous. Are they training this creature? If so it may quieten down soon and you can try reintroducing it to your daughter.

● Each Friday our experts Deborah Faux and Jeremy Wiseman answer readers’ queries. Whether you have dilemmas relating to relationships, family life, the workplace or questions about social values and etiquette, they have the answers. E-mail them at dilemmas@express. co.uk or write to Expressyourself, 10 Lower Thames Street, London EC3R 6EN. They cannot enter into personal correspondence.