Children...bah!

[KarenCurtis]

From a parents point of view.....

My kids are great around dogs. But they are easy kids, and they listen to me. I also watch my nephew, and he is a different story. It is very hard to get his attention once he is focused on something....like running to a dog. He loves dogs and at his age, he doesn't comprehend that some dogs can be bad. He is three.

Here is some food for thought, for those of you who are critical of parents...but have dogs. Think of it in terms of having a herd of sheep running past you, and trying to get your Sheltie to take an about turn and do a recall while running behind the sheep. For some dogs...they will listen (ie..my kids). For other dogs....they will be too focused on the sheep to hear you (ie...my nephew). I know it is weird to compare kids with dogs....but for me it is very scary. As I am an excellant parent, but there is always that fear that at some point, my nephew could get away from me.

It really is a safety issue to have your dogs socialized around kids. If they aren't...and you fear that they may bite a running child, you have no business being in a public place. Just my opinion

I agree totally.
I also get offended when people say they "hate" kids- what a strong word to use. We were all children once; I have met many more obnoxious adults than children, and as a middle school special ed assistant, I find that most kids are respectful and quite funny.
That said, we were at the beach with Sandstorm a few weeks ago and some 4 or 5 year old kids came bounding toward Sandstorm yelling "doggie!" It happened so fast- Sandstorm just barked up a storm
(get it ) The parents called the kids off- it happened too fast for me to even react. Our dog just doesn't see kids, and you are right, he needs to also.
Karen

 

[Megansmom]

I agree totally.
I also get offended when people say they "hate" kids- what a strong word to use. We were all children once; I have met many more obnoxious adults than children, and as a middle school special ed assistant, I find that most kids are respectful and quite funny.
That said, we were at the beach with Sandstorm a few weeks ago and some 4 or 5 year old kids came bounding toward Sandstorm yelling "doggie!" It happened so fast- Sandstorm just barked up a storm
(get it ) The parents called the kids off- it happened too fast for me to even react. Our dog just doesn't see kids, and you are right, he needs to also.
Karen

I don't think people literally mean they "hate" kids, I believe they just mean they don't enjoy being around kids who misbehave and parents let them run amuck! When you and I have to correct their kids for them, in front of them and teach them how to behave around our pets is what's annoying. IMHO

 

[sheltin]

kid cautious critters...

Sheltin's first experience (probably his first walk ever on a leash) ended up with a little one barrelling toward him yelling 'puppy! puppy!'.
The mother, impressively, told her son that 'you don't know this dog.' and redirected her son. Her daughter (probably about four) just looked at Sheltin probably wondering 'what's his problem?' lol
She apparently saw Sheltin 'trying to hang himself' (not literally) at the opposite end of his leash away from the child.
My concern now is that, though Sheltin is calmer and playful with Barbi and myself, he growls at kids.
Barbi had a friends 2 year old over to visit and Sheltin would growl whenever he saw 'Bubba (the 2 year old boy).
Bubba didn't approach Sheltin or try to pet him, just got too close to Sheltin's bubble I guess.
What i don't know is what to do to get him more used to kids.
I understand trying to socialize, but if he's growling at one kid, wouldn't multiple kids potentially 'freak him out' more?

Or do I just need to bring him into a more public more kid filed environment and keep redirecting Sheltin when he gets agitated.

thanks,

steve, barbi, sheltin, and rupert

 

[k9kreationz]

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 was thinking, maybe it's something you can suggest to the people who hold the trials (or competitions), and disclaimer it with how dangerous it could be for a small child to run into a dog (or vice versa).

Good luck with the training.

 

[Chris]

How about yelling, "My dog VOMITS!!!"

I have four who each behave differently:
Layla: at age five months was suddenly surrounded by five toddlers. THank God she stood stock stil and allowed them to pet and hug here. It happened so fast, but she didn't turn a hair. To this day, she loves toddlers and will stand for any handling. Layla attends church every Sunday, is greeted by all the kids, and is used by parents as an example of how to behave in church.

Bits: Adores kids, gets all excited and barks. Sometimes scares little ones because she's so happy.

Anie: Was fine until a little kid tried to pry her mouth open. If kids move slowly, she's find, but if they grab at her, she runs or snaps. Obviously, this is NOT the Sheltie to take to Vacation Bible School.

Beckon: Still a bit afraid of children, but as he gets to know them one at a time, loves to play.

 

[SheepOfBlue]

Sheltin maybe find a 5-6 year old that is a bit more responsible and get him used to the mini-me's one at a time first. Then more than one and just dial it up a bit. I found most kids in a Petsmart to be better on manners since they tend to have pets.

 

[take4roll10]

My 2 1/2 year old cousin came over for a BBQ this weekend. Bailey was much better than expected. I was so proud of her. My cousin was so excited to see Bailey, she bought Bailey a bday present. However, She was a little scared of Bailey at first. My cousin started running and Bailey chased her. She didn't nip at her or anything, but barked and ran after her. After about an hour, she was much better and would run up and hug Bailey. She swatted at Bailey and Bailey didn't do anything. She bent down to hug Bailey and Bailey kissed her face. Nothing cuter than a sheltie and a toddler. There were a lot of people, who Bailey had never met and Bailey could care less. She had no fear of anyone, but wasn't excited unless she knew them. She let everyone pet her and play ball with her. I was very happy with her.

The only issue Bailey had with my cousin was chasing her when she ran and jumping to try to take a tennis ball out of her hand. For a dog, who hasn't had much exposure to children, I think she did great.

 

[Justicemom]

I had Ember out this weekend at our show and we were waiting for awards and a little girl about 9yrs old approached me and asked if she could pet her. I say yes and she knelt down and stated petting, her sisters(one older and one younger) wandered over and asked as well and all 3 girls knelt around Ember all petting her at once. Ember ignored them competely as they petted away. Another older exhibitor(who has shelties in fact Diva's half sister) walked up behind them and wanted to get by. So I had the girls slide over so she could get by. As she passed me, she shook her head and frowned and mumbled "Ew children" like they had some disease and clutched her dog to her leg. Now I'm not a real kid person either but these girls were very polite and well behaved and well we were in public, sort of an invitation for human interaction. I guess I was shocked by the attitude. Kids are people too. How are kids supposed to learn if others don't help them and reinforce their polite behavior. The girls finished up petting and started to walk off. The oldest said thank you and a couple seconds later the middle girl came back and politely said "thank you for letting me pet your dog" Aw some parent should be very proud. I have no problem letting kids like this interact with my dogs. Wild, rude kids, I politely decline. I stand in front of my dogs if I need to. I do the same thing with stupid, rude adults. My dogs trust me that I'll let no one hurt them if I let people touch them they know they are ok.

 

[danisgoat]

The only issue Bailey had with my cousin was chasing her when she ran and jumping to try to take a tennis ball out of her hand. For a dog, who hasn't had much exposure to children, I think she did great.

Bailey is such a good girl. She did great with the chaos at my house. She is a little Princess, for sure.

 

[Megansmom]

At this point thankfully Megan and I have only run into polite children and she tolerates the petting but doesn't love it!

Dr. Shelli has it right when she politely declines the rowdy rambunctious kids coming at her furbabes!!