Basset Pincement

Pinching Basset

Yes, another dog park story. As the weather nears 0 degrees C (and sometimes exceeds the freezing mark) we're getting out to the parc a chiens so Ellie can learn how to play like a dog. As is customary at dog parks, everybody learns the names of the dogs, and people are simply known as "(dog's name)'s owner".  Taking a 6-year old to a dog park tends to make some owners a bit nervous as to how their dogs will react to a small person. L has grown up with dogs, so he's perfectly comfortable with a bit of pushing, jumping, and licking. However, he has not experienced dog pinching.

The first time we went to the dog park, the owner of the offending "pinching" basset was especially nervous about his dog chasing and jumping on children. Yes, a basset. You know, short legs with too much skin and long ears in a beagle-colored body. Not an especially fear-inducing appearance. Earlier this week, L and I (and Ellie, of course) went back to the park and the offending basset was at the gate to inspect newcomers. His owner immediately ran over to keep his dog from jumping on L. I had to question the dog's threat to my son. "He's very strong" replied Basset's owner. "He pinches." Maybe something was lost in translation?

Ellie was lucky to escape unpinched...