'Maybe she should be leashed': Woman body blocks toddler from petting her dog

"Small child runs up to Zoë. I say, 'Maybe we don't run up to dogs we don't know'."

Lynne Schmidt, a Michigan resident, has caused quite a raw-some stir across X (formerly known as Twitter) when she took to the platform to vent a recent frustration.

The post in question is a picture of Zoë, the service dog, alongside a woman (who we presume to be Lynne) with an accompanying caption.

"Small child runs up to Zoë. I body block and say, "Maybe we don't run up to dogs we don't know."

"The parent: She's three.

"Me: If she isn't on voice recall, maybe she should be leashed?"

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She said what?

The post, viewed over 23 million times, has had a mixture of responses to Lynne's reaction, with some praising the comment.

"Honestly, I think that's a great suggestion!" wrote one user.

"I was a leashed kid and that's probably a major reason why I'm still around."

"'She's three.' More of a reason you should be paying attention to your child and making sure they are not running up to dogs they don't know," added another.

However, not all X users agreed with the dog owner and were quick to challenge the post.

"I think it's funny that you interpreted 'She's 3' to mean 'I haven't taught her how to behave around dogs' rather than 'I am actively trying to teach her how to behave around dogs, but because she's 3 she still gets it wrong sometimes,'" said one commenter.

Another X user questioned if Lynne was totally truthful about the encounter.

"I guarantee you the parent didn't just say 'She's three' and walk away, but who knows," they wrote. 

"I think this was just an opportunity to dunk on a parent & make a joke that compares kids to dogs. 

"I had an aggressive dog & [because] kids are impulsive by nature, I didn't take him around kids."

Who is in the wrong here? Source: X (formerly Twitter)

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"It's not my job" 

Another X user suggested Lynne take the opportunity to educate the parent and child about service dogs and their difference from regular dogs.

"A lot of people genuinely don't know to do this with dogs so I take the chance to yes body block but then go 'We should ask first, she might not be nice," they shared. 

"Do you want me to show you how to let a dog say hello?' and I hope it slows the kid down in their next interaction."

However, the original poster felt it wasn't her responsibility to do so.

"Zoë is a service animal. It's not my job to teach problematic kids," she wrote. 

"There were plenty of other dogs at this location who the parents could put at risk."

What's proper etiquette when it comes to service dogs?

When it comes to service dogs, it's essential to educate kids that these furry friends are working animals, aiding individuals with disabilities. 

Teach them not to pet, feed, or distract these dogs, as their focus is vital for assisting their handlers. 

Encourage children to approach the handler first, seeking permission before interacting with the service dog. 

Emphasise the importance of avoiding sudden movements or loud noises that may startle the dog. 

For further information on service dogs, see: Assistance dogs or service dogs | healthdirect.

Originally published as 'Maybe she should be leashed': Woman body blocks toddler from petting her dog