Running children scaring Precious

[Emma]

I think this is a great topic. I have a grandson (4 yrs old) and I love him so much…..but, I do NOT allow him to mistreat the dogs. Since he was a baby he has been taught how to handle the fur babes, play with them etc…. My daughter has Emma’s sister and Miles rough plays with her more than he does with my dogs only because I don’t want “rough play’. Emma loves to chase Miles around the yard etc…and that is ok with me but he is not allowed to pounce, hit, taunt etc…which he doesn’t do that and all my dogs are great with him.

On the flip side, I also do not want Miles to think all animals are kid friendly; so I try to teach him NOT to approach animals he does not know.

As you can see from the pic attached here; my first Chihuahua (past away last October) was the “watch dog” and protector over Miles. Abbie had to be where ever Miles was and was SO good with him, and Miles was taught to be equally as good to the dogs.

I also do not like when kids bum rush my dogs and many times I will just say the same as one other poster says “I am not sure, but they may bite”????? That usually works. I “use” to have a friend that has a little girl….she was about 4-5 yrs old at the time. I was watching her for the Mom; she told me she had to go potty. OK…well it got too quite too quick and then I heard a thud!!!! I went into the bathroom and she had my smallest Chihuahua who was wrapped in a blanket that she was sleeping in; she had thrown her into the tub and was HITTING her!!! I was outraged!! But I kept my cool and explained to the little girl why that was not acceptable and held Lucy the rest of the night. Then when her Mom got here to pick her up I explained it to her too. She seemed miffed and did not agree and felt “it is JUST a dog”!!!

Well needless to say I told my friend that she and her daughter were not welcomed back into my home until she taught her kid how to treat animals! End of friendship not too long after that.

I do work with Miles about other people’s animals too and hope he does well when I am not around him and I guess I will be teaching another sweet sweet grand baby the same rules, kindness and gentleness for animals as my daughter and her hubby just found out they are having baby #2. YEAH!!!!

 

[Justicemom]

Years ago, I had a young girl run up to Jazz, my jrt/beagle mix(I swear she came out of nowhere ) and flung her arms around her neck and practically laid on her back. I almost had a heart attack. After my heart started beating again and I peeled the little girl off Jazz and kindly explained to her and her mother how that might not be a good thing to do to other dogs. I showed her how to greet dogs properly and to ask first. Don't know if it did a bit of good but I tried. Some people just don't get it. I have been fortunate over the years that most kids I met are really good.

That being said, there was a time Justice didn't really care for small kids. He was scared by a young boy about 6-7yrs in Petsmart when he was about 4 months old. Darn kid jumped out behind a shelf and popped a puppet toy in his face. Kid and his mother got a mouth full from me. It has taken some time but he has gotten over most of it. I am sure the quick movements were the problem. It has taken work and exposure to any good kid I could find. He does lots of demos and met and greets and can take 4-5 kids petting him at a time now. I do turn his back to them and hold his head just in case. Funny thing is when he meets people now ,he turns his butt to them automatically. If the kid acts wild or doesn't listen I do my best to body block them and move on.

Ember likes kids and really likes to interact with them. If they move too fast she is really good at moving back and giving them "the look" You know the one. I then remind them to go slower. I socialized Ember with kids unlike any dog I owned. I would seek nice kids on our outings and ask them to give her a treat and pet her. Of course Ember loves food so Kids now equal food in her mind.

Diva loves kids! loves them! Heck Diva loves everyone. She loves kissing them ,playing with them if they get wild so does she. I remember when Diva was a puppy introducing her to one of my clients son(they had a Tri collie). Diva and the boy ended up rolling all over the floor with Diva on his chest giving him kisses while he squealed and laughed. Usually when Diva meets kids I kneel beside her to hold her collar just to keep her calm.

 

[danisgoat]

It seems like there are a lot of unruly children coming out of nowhere

I am fortunate that my dogs invite this, and are not afraid at all.

But, from what I am reading, it is probably a really good idea to get your dogs used to fast moving children. It seems like there are lots of situations where the dogs are going to be in the way of an unruly child, and it is probably better to try and condition them that this is OK, so that they do not bite in fear. Most of the situations that people are talking about are where the child came out of nowhere and the handler did not have time to react/protect the dog. Socializing for kids might be almost a form of insurance.

I am not in anyway justifying the children (I do try and teach my kids to be easy around dogs they do not know) but you just never know............

 

[SheltieChe]

Che used to bark from excitement when someone paid him attention so kids usually thought twice before hugging or windmilling him, Che is large Sheltie with really deep and powerful bark so everyone will think twice... I often had to explain that Che was just happy to play... anyway Che is very balanced dog so running screaming kids have no effect on him and he is very gentle...
Leo OTOH is used to be hugged and petted since he was born fluffball and everyone wanted to pet him... he tolerates attention well

 

[PreciousSheltie]

Thanks everyone for the stories and agreements. I'm glad to know this isn't only a me problem or my puppies problem. It isnt always a pop up out of no where shock of sudden movements but more so aggressive handling and treating dogs like toys and parents or supervisors just thinking its acceptable (I'm so sorry for the chihuahua that was beaten in the bathtub... that must have been.. horrible! I remember I was in rage when I had Pudding and my parents had a house party. I had been in my room for a bit as I had work to finish but I started hearing shrieking downstairs and loud running. Upon starting to ascend down the stairs and peering down, I see 3 kids RUNNING at Pudding and chasing her around and in to the corner and flailing their arms as if they were trying to like sneak attack smack her on the head and screaming at her. What was worse was that the guests were in the same room at the table eating and talking. They. Left. The. Kids. Because they thought it was cute of.... the kids. They didn't think at all about my dog. I was really angry that night and stormed down, picked her up angrily and walked into my room and never letting her downstairs when house guests came over again when I wasn't there). I don't blame kids. I more so blame parents that don't know better at that age. It's not rocket science. It's called kindness and common sense. I don't get people that think animals are purely funny to annoy and mistreat. I always say, if you don't like something done to you or your kid, don't do it a dog either please. (hit, scream, taunt, etc). I'm sure some kids are great but I've yet to find those nice sweet kids though over here hahaha

 

[Caro]

I know what you mean. Even tho mine are used to children Tully still hides whenever she sees a child under 8 - they are just too rough for her. But of course because she is little and cute they always gravitate to her. We are lucky here that kids are taught in school how to approach dogs so a lot of the kids will ask first. Then if they ask I usually direct them to Deska who is bigger and likes kids. If they try to pat Tully I usually crouch down to her and hold her myself so she knows I am there to protect her if she gets scared.

 

[Sharon7]

Both my girls are scared of kids - Asta to the point where she pulled right out of her collar one day trying to get away from a kid approaching on the sidewalk. I don't know why; Asta never had a bad experience with a kid, and Ally lived with the breeder's 5 year old daughter for her first 1.5 years. It is really hard with two fluffy adorable Shelties to keep the kids from mobbing them, like at the softball field when I'm playing and DH has the dogs with him.

We try hard to educate kids and parents about approaching a dog, and that ours are shy around kids. Lots of people are totally clueless.

Sharon

 

[take4roll10]

Adults can be just as bad as children. Once at the dog park, a guy randomly decided to pick up Bailey. Another time at the dog park, some guy just grabbed her face while I was holding her. She is a timid dog, but thankfully has never snapped or growled at anyone. She just backs up and has a look of horror on her face.

 

[Toffee's Mom]

Adults can be just as bad as children. Once at the dog park, a guy randomly decided to pick up Bailey. Another time at the dog park, some guy just grabbed her face while I was holding her. She is a timid dog, but thankfully has never snapped or growled at anyone. She just backs up and has a look of horror on her face.

OMG Poor boopka!
She would have been horrified at anybody grabbing her precious face, what the heck I AM horrified at the thought of it!

 

[SheepOfBlue]

Sca loves kids and is as good as gold. He will be as calm as needed by age though I am sure he would play also (he loves to play). He will sit and put the ears back in meek Sca mode and hold perfect still for really little kids and be a bit more mobile for older ones. Just soaks up the attention.

However my previous dog Dow would have called them "<insert a few expletives> urchins" or worse. He tolerated them until he could escape. The worst part was he had a cute puppy look at 15 and kids just wanted to get him. If they were slow and quiet MAYBE otherwise no way.