I had to laugh at the comment "You knew better." When we are in public, my grown children have made that comment many times. They also look at me and say "You would have killed us, if we had done that." My response is always, "You're absolutely right." My dogs love children as well, but they don't all like little yippy dogs. I would not let my dogs bark or growl at another dog, without correcting them firmly. Why don't some small dog owners think they need to control their dogs? Why is okay for them to growl and snap? I would pick them up if I couldn't stop it any other way. I keep my dogs away from other dogs, until I ask if they are okay. I don't understand why other dog owners don't do the same thing. I have more problems with them, than I do children. Although, a herd of kids running at them, tends to put them on edge. I must say that I am very pleased with the number of people who do ask, before touching any of my dogs, adults as well as children. There are also a lot of parents who will stop their children and remind them to ask, before approaching or touching them. I think some of it is the parent's fear of Max's size, that causes them to ask, since the question is usually "Is he friendly? or Does he bite?" not "Is it okay to pet him?" When I am in a bad mood, I am very tempted to answer "Yes, he bites and is very vicious. That's why I brought him to Petsmart, the park, the craft fair" or wherever we happen to be.