Afraid of Children

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My 10 month old Sheltie is scared of children. How get him not to be afraid of them? Today while walking him he didn't want to go near them or walk by them. From 1/2 block away he just sat on the sidewalk and wouldn't move. I used some treats to lure him, it took about 5 mins just to go by them.

He was never afraid before. However, when kids wanted to pet him he wouldn't let them, but he would walk by them.

I never really had the chance to socialize him to kids as I don't know any kids. How do I get him not to be afraid of children?

Also, whenever he hears things that roll i.e. skateboard, rolling backpacks and garbage cans he freaks out. He starts barking and lunging for it. How do I stop him?

Thanks any help is appreciated.
 
Dogs go thru fear periods..where they all of sudden are scared of stuff they may not have been a week ago...I forget at what ages this happens tho..

First thing to do is not reassure your dog..ignore it as much as possible. Praise when puppy looks at the kids and doesn't bark..you might have to be really quick with that one!

If you can give the kids treats to give to your puppy..then puppy will learn that good stuff comes when the kids are around.

I had the same problem...no kids around to socialize with...took a while but mine are ok with them now, as long as they don't grab at them..

The things with wheels..might be a herding thing..anything that moves and makes noise needs to herded up! do the same thing with that..ignore it as much as possible and look for times you can praise and treat..even a nano second of non barking get praise.

Good luck!!

Julie
Clancy & Abby
 
I was going to say the same as Julie, dogs go through a second fear phase and I believe it is about the 9 - 12 month mark. Most dogs do come through this eventually.

I was told that when you have a puppy take them by a school so they can hear the children and of course some of them might want to pet the puppy. Often children can seem quite noisy and loud to dogs, which is what can spook them.

Julie has given some good advice to follow, just remember to keep relaxed yourself as tension travels down a lead.
 
As pups I took mine near a school to get them used to kids. And I took them to the local shop -esp around the time school finishes and Sat mornings. There are lots of kids then and some will want to pat, usually they are responsible and ask for a pat and I found once my dogs got a pat from kids they felt more comfortable. Tully is hesitant around small kids tho because she has been squashed a few times.
 
I take my dog a couple of places for socialization. In our town, we have an outdoor flea market every weekend and dogs are allowed. Make sure you have them fairly well trained on a leash and they will meet kids and adults and other dogs. My favorite place to socialize Buddy is at the "Music in the Park", that our county sponsors. Take him on a leash and bring plastic pooh bags. Let the dog get used to all the noise and people. There are a lot of people and kids and other dogs, along with loud music and kids on bikes. Bring some treats and treat when he is brave. Good Luck.
 
I discovered yesterday (Sunday morning) that the entrance to one of the grocery stores is a gold-mine for introducing puppies to well-behaved children. A friend and I took hers (10 mos) and mine (16 mos). The little children walked hand-in-hand with parents across the parking lot and many of them stopped to greet us. We had taught our puppies a few tricks and put the puppies through their paces with the children and had a few of the kids give them treats. I'm working my way up the point when I can take Snap to a playground and not have him flip over running / screaming children.
 
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