Children...bah!

[Sir Bradley]

try Petsmart on the weekends. When a child wants to pet your pup just make sure they are children that are being controlled by their parents, then give your pup a treat to nibble on while the child pets, looks, or is around. I've done this a few times and the "nip button" seems to shut off around children, thank god. Nobody wants a liability, even if you don't have children around that often. You'll offer a better experience for your pup too, so that in the future they won't be scared when kids go nuts ... because they definitely can be out of control. Any good parent will listen when you say that the dog is not friendly to children, too.

And at the 13 week mark, my Brad seemed to go off on everything. Steady introduction to everything with treats, treats and more treats has helped a lot.

 

[SheltieChe]

hmm, so far I have encountered nice parents and nice kids, I guess I am lucky.
Since our kids are adult and almost adult I had to go and meet kids on the streets- in the morning at the school bus stops, at recess by the school, at shopping malls, etc. I would ask them to feed my pup and allow to pet him...
most of my problem was that Che is VERY eager to meet everyone and actually has this 2 minutes zoomies bark and frenzied wiggle/ playbow that most kids get scared... I had to tell them that he is only pup and wants to play etc...
I think it is very important to get your pup used to ALL kinds of people, since I do like to take my pup everywhere with me- dentist, beauty salon, shopping etc.

 

[danisgoat]

I think it is very important to get your pup used to ALL kinds of people, since I do like to take my pup everywhere with me- dentist, beauty salon, shopping etc.

This is great advise.

In my Obedience 1 class, we are to take our dog during the 6 week course to 100 new places and let them meet 100 new people. And we have to concentrate on people not our age group or our race. It seems like a lot, but if you take your pup to a store, the parking lot is one place, the front entrance is another, and inside the store is another. It is all places that they are allowed to explore on a leash.

 

[MoonshineDad]

That is an excellent idea. I really like the 100 people concept. I took both the boys to Walmart today and we just sat in the back of the truck and watched. Probably looked insane, but they weren't scared and even seemed interested at times. In a few days we'll push it and actually walk around a bit.

Whiskey could really care less about the whole situation. He's very mellow around people. I'm really proud of him.

 

[Calliesmom]

that's one of the reasons that I got Cranberry into puppy class as soon as we could. there's always kids somewhere in the pet store. lots of times, parent would walk by the puppy ring and look at the class. I would pick Cranberry up and take him to the edge and ask them if they wanted to pet him- some of the kids would, some wouldn't and most of the parents would. that way Cranberry could get exposure but I had him under control the whole time. he still loves everyone and wants to play with them

 

[k9kreationz]

What if I'm at a frisbee trial and a kid runs across the field

Just curious, are trials that "open" that kids run free? Or do you guys not have "fences" around the area? I'm asking, because at our agility trials, they suggest you NOT bring children (yay) but at my last one, an entire family (who were picnicing at the park) decided to play....wait for it....wait for it....SOCCER!!! Right behind the ring. Um, as you know, many herding dogs excel at agility and therefore, many of the dogs that were there....were herding dogs. We were all wondering what our dogs would do. Would they go after the kids running? The ball being kicked around? Surprisingly, no one's dog acknowledged them and yes, they were very close. One bad kick and the ball would've been in our ring. I think that was bad on their part. Dogs and a loose ball. Get real.

I'm enjoying reading these responses as my husband said he took the dogs to the park. Koji always backs away from kids (they typically move to fast and wanna grab his head or something) and Miko could careless. But always, when the kids walk away, only THEN does Koji "wake up". But of course, it's because now he's barking like a crazed dog (who wants to PLAY with them). Ugh.

I need to tell my husband to use treats. Allow the kids to give it to him (best friends then) and to use it when they walk away. Sigh. Now, can someone help me train my husband, so he can train the dogs?

Definitely get the pups out there, it'll help. Koji's never learned manners, so although he's not afraid of my nephews (2.5 and 1.5), he also likes to chase them down, and they, unfortunately, love to run. I'm a bad mother, my kid has no manners.

Lastly, I absolutely LOVE when kids (of any age) ask if they can pet my dogs. Mostly cuz I'm impressed with their parents.

 

[Toffee's Mom]

gack, I am in pretty much the same boat all around
SO I just got back from the dogpark and these people where there with an unruly GSD (whom Toffee wanted to kill upon meeting, because he was stalking Scotty ) and KIDS ... once things settled down, it was going to be okay, but the sneaky little buggers (I mean the kids, lol) went to sneak a pat on Toffee's rump, because they were too 'scared' to touch his head, so they snuck up from his side, while he is assessing the now not so unruly GSD, and Toffee whips around when the butt grab happens and snarls Of course he realizes it's a human kid and looks sheepish, stupid kid did that TWICE

SO, I didn't make a big deal, just told Toffee to settle, then gave the girl, braver than the butt grabbing older brother a few treats to give to Scotty and Toffee after asking them to sit for her. Her eyes lit up, and it was just too cute to see, how impressed she was that there are dogs who listen to her! She then saw me do the touch command, up high in the air, and Scotty and Toffee did it for her and she was just so delighted and proud of herself. The dogs got a lesson to learn that kids are ok enough, the parents (I hope), AND the sneaky brother did, too.. I think

 

[MoonshineDad]

Just curious, are trials that "open" that kids run free? Or do you guys not have "fences" around the area?

Actually they are basically all the way open. There are multiple "tents" that suround it but anyone can come in basically. It can get really frustrating because we DON'T tell people not to bring children. There have been cases of small ones running across the field... generally the parents are pretty good about keeping in control of them though, but it only takes a second.


I do have an update on Rum. Today I got a call from his trainer and again the class was canceled the day before. SO, although I don't prefer petsmart training, I took him to petsmart and signed him up for a 9 week course starting Saturday. I am actually very proud of him. I took just him this time so I could focus on what he needed. He actually let people pet him, including two (possibly younger) girls that stopped me in an aisle. Everyone was very calm and he did very well!

 

[danisgoat]

I am actually very proud of him. I took just him this time so I could focus on what he needed. He actually let people pet him, including two (possibly younger) girls that stopped me in an aisle. Everyone was very calm and he did very well!

Great news!

Thanks for the update.

 

[SheepOfBlue]

Good for him. Petsmart probably helps since kids there are more likely to have a dog so Rum can find out they are not all scary little screech machines.