Randy snapped at a child

[coopersmom]

Chris, Thanks for the encouragement. I blame myself for putting Randy in a bad situation. I had to keep my Suds dog out of bad situations her entire 14 years. I knew what she would tolerate. Now I know that about Randy. He's just getting older, almost nine, and his patience with being "bugged" isn't as long as it used to be. He is the absolute light of my life.

 

[Megansmom]

Hmm.. so teen in the 80s = born in the 60s? No way!

Haha, born in the 70's and that's all I will say about the subject

 

[Chris]

Chris, Thanks for the encouragement. I blame myself for putting Randy in a bad situation. I had to keep my Suds dog out of bad situations her entire 14 years. I knew what she would tolerate. Now I know that about Randy. He's just getting older, almost nine, and his patience with being "bugged" isn't as long as it used to be. He is the absolute light of my life.

We feel the eact same way about Annie Laurie!!

 

[Toffee's Mom]

Chris, Thanks for the encouragement. I blame myself for putting Randy in a bad situation. I had to keep my Suds dog out of bad situations her entire 14 years. I knew what she would tolerate. Now I know that about Randy. He's just getting older, almost nine, and his patience with being "bugged" isn't as long as it used to be. He is the absolute light of my life.

Don't be blaming yourself... it's sometimes a typical situation, when there are loose kids.. I used to think I hve to accomodate them...
Toffee feels cornered with toodlers, so I don't let him be around many. He is ok with older kids if he knows them, and they are old enough to throw a ball!
Stranger kids? No way in hell when he is on the leash but if he is off leash he never feels cornered just walks away, lol, maybe barks at them.. So at the dog park when there are kids I tell them they can give him a treat but may not get to pet him. So they get interaction with the most beautiful dog there, lol, and I get some positive training in

 

[Justicemom]

Don't blame yourself. Sometimes kids make dogs nervous. My Justice loves people, loves attention, loves kids above 5-6yrs. Can stand in a group of hundreds of people at the state fair and be petted by 3-5 kids at once.(I taught him to turn his back to them for petting).

But he does not like kids under the age of 4 one on one. If there are older kids there to take his mind off the little ones he is fine. No bad experiences with the little ones, they just make him nervous. Especially if they come at him straight on. I figure it is the way they move, kinda of herky jerky and fast. He has never snapped but his body language suggests he might. I don't let him interact if we are out for a walk or at the park. If they do(usually at a demo), I quietly hold his muzzle as they pet his back and don't push him past what he is comfortable ie no head touching ,no hugging etc.

I took Ember and Diva to the state fair demo last year with Justice. They were good for the first meet and greet but I could tell they were getting tired of the attention. So Justice went solo for the next 3. I didn't want to stress them beyond their limits.

 

[ClantyreSheltie]

What really bothers me is, pardon the term, but loose kids whose parents aren't really watching them and they come charging up towards us. Usually I do a little dance around Randy and head off the kids. I guess I let my guard down Saturday night and nearly had a terrible situation. You guys are so helpful and reassuring.

You are nicer than me. I have been known to yell "he bites!" to get people away from a dog. There is no faster way to get a parent to run over and snap up their child. Then you can explain to them about how to teach their child to approach properly.

My dogs are generally good with kids, even my puppies because I rent them kids from my moms quilt group. But a few weeks ago I allowed one to come visit my Liesl on a walk, the kid was no older than 18 months. Still in that stompy-walking stage, and Liesl was less than impressed. Barked and ran away from her. Whoops. But Liesl loves kids in strollers.

 

[Diana]

This is a little off-subject, but saying "he bites" is also a good way to head off people that you don't want to pet your dog. Like homeless people, in my case crazy chihuahua ladies with long nails, that lady in the downtown who scoops up little dogs, or anyone who you don't want near your dog. Even if it's a total lie. If it protects your dog and makes him/her more comfortable I think it is a good idea.

 

[Justicemom]

This is a little off-subject, but saying "he bites" is also a good way to head off people that you don't want to pet your dog. Like homeless people, in my case crazy chihuahua ladies with long nails, that lady in the downtown who scoops up little dogs, or anyone who you don't want near your dog. Even if it's a total lie. If it protects your dog and makes him/her more comfortable I think it is a good idea.

Tell them your dog has some contagious skin disease and see how fast they back off. It works for peple approaching with strange dogs too. Less socially dangerous than telling people your dog is aggressive.

 

[Caro]

Poor Randy. But his reaction wasnt that bad. He didnt bite, even though he probably wanted to, he just snapped to show he didnt want to be patted.

If you are really worried I would teach him another way of showing he doesnt want a child to come near him. Tully has been very scared of small children, so I taught her to turn her back or go between m legs if she wants them to leave her alone. Then I just say she is very scared and to leave her alone (although sometimes it is hard to stop small children). Its pretty easy to teach, if I saw Tully getting concerned I would just call her name to face me or step over the top of her. Although I did have my very annoying nieces and nephews to get plenty of practice.

On the positive side, Tully has become much more confident in the last 6months and will often let kids pat her now.

With small, 'lassie looking' dogs it is really hard to stop people from wanting to pat them.

 

[take4roll10]

Bailey was absolutely terrified of toddlers she met recently. They had to be a little younger than two years old. Their father did ask politely if they can pet her. They didn't even touch her yet and she was backing up in fear. No signs of growling or anything, but I could tell she was terrified. Unfortunately, I don't have small cousins and my friend's don't have kids yet, so I haven't done a good job socializing her with young children. Hopefully with the warmer weather, more kids will be at the park and she will feel more comfortable.