Running children scaring Precious

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PreciousSheltie

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Ever get fed up of warding off overly excited kids that do not know how to handle pets but are unsupervised in stores terrorizing puppies?? All jokes aside, it's getting frusterating, the number of families I see where the parents don't show their children how to pet dogs and think it's my fault my pet isn't apparently socialized properly?I don't know how many hand blocks I've done until now to all the kids that run and arm reach towards my puppies head with no warning without asking either. Even if they do ask in a split second before I can usually stop them they whack around Precious head and when she cringes and runs in surprise one brat even raised her eyebrow walking away 'okay whatever?' when I said she scared er and that she should let her sniff her back hand before reaching over her head like that. Ugh it's just..... Frusterating. Not just shelties but any other breed applies.. Some people really don't know how to handle pets and don't care to learn either and just care of the pet is cute or not - -. On a lighter note, those that have showed impressive care towards Precious have been aweing (had a grandmother teaching her grandson how to approach Precious step by step, holding his hand to slowly stroke her body first, etc). Anyways, felt like venting as I hope I'm not the only one with this problem with warding off people. I always walk away angry saying, sheesh how'd you like it if I said all of a sudden HI and waved my hand I ur face before any other introduction. People just expect too much without thinking about dogs realistic comfort level. Anyways, i really hope I can meet better kids for Precious as she's weary and doesn't go up to any babies or kids but doesn't mind any other age group and loves everyone else.
 
I always had to watch Chelsea closely with small children. They'd come running towards her, arms flailing about, and it always frightened her. Sometimes she'd bare her teeth, at which point, I'd either drop to one knee, and get my head beside hers, and tell her she was safe, or, pick her up. If I could get the child's attention, and get them to approach her quietly, with hand out, so she could sniff it, she was fine. It only happened with small kids, once they got past 7-8yrs old, and got bigger, she was fine with them.
 
ugh. children.

my roommates dog is the same. As a puppy children were squeezing him, and petting him everywhere and just totally unpredictable and now at the dog park he stays away from kids and these children are running around chasing him like ohhhh cuuute puppy!!! :mad:
and like were at an age where noone we know has children so we can't really introduce him to children we know and can talk to before having them interact. it doesn't help that they are so unpredictable. i don't even know what they are going to do, let alone wesley understanding the children.
 
Oh man, do I know how you feel. I get that every time I take Monet to any crowded place. I have taken to just warding small children off, and if they seem old enough to understand, I will have them try to give him a piece of chicken. He's never willingly walked up to a child yet, regardless of whether they have food or not. There were a few kids in the last obedience class who terrorized my poor boy. They were beyond high energy and seemed to gravitate to him, then sat next to him bouncing in their chair or scooting it back and forth. Drove me crazy.

The other funny thing is - whenever people want him to come over to them, they cluck or kiss or make some noise. Don't they realize that's actually terrifying? The quieter you are, the more of a chance that he will decide you are not going to eat him. I try to tell people but I don't think they realize it... I just shrug and tell them he's still a work in progress, sorry.

It would be nice if people would just sit there and not try to reach out and pet him. I try to incorporate them into my training by getting them to give him a piece of chicken, and it's hit or miss whether he will take it, depending on how much they move, if they make noise, and their patience.

All I can say, is I'm glad my dog isn't fear aggressive. Otherwise this would be a long, hard process. :/
 
It didn't help that I had socialized Toffee only with children I knew... he just got used to THOSE kids and he's still strange around other kids...
So in the dog park I tell children he is shy and I offer that "you can give him a treat for me, because he doesn't know about little girls (boys) such as yourself."
It's not kids fault... I usually let them throw the ball or if they are good with dogs I let them pet his chest, never his head. I find those tips from folks on here and they helped :biggrin2:

Here he is with my best friends' kids :)
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/LadyWolff/Toffee/DSC_0387.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/LadyWolff/Toffee/Toffee%202011/DSC_0365.jpg
http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a72/LadyWolff/Toffee/Toffee%202011/?action=view&current=MOV_0371.mp4
 
I get this at the dock when we head off to the cottage every weekend.

I've finally trained the kids that I know to walk up slowly and let the dogs relax before they come trudding up.

But there are always new kids on the dock. So I always have eyes at the back of my head. If I see a new kid, I immediately go to the dogs and put them into a sit with my hand on their collars. This seems to settle them. I will often crouch beside them.

Then I tell the kids they are welcome to say hello, but they must come quiet so that the dogs can get to know them. I say it firmly but nicely.

It seems to work fine. Some kids will still come up to quickly and send Indy off in a skitter, but Indy is gradually getting used to them too. If he's scared, he just hides behind my legs and then I tell the kid to stay still and then Indy will be happy for pats!

Bacca, of course, just rolls over for just about anyone! A human! Do you have something for me? Yippee! (Imagine a tigger bounce)
 
I get it here more times than I care to even discuss. Its frustrating,annoying,rude,obnoxious. Gee do I sound like I'm frustrated...you bet. Not only do 95% off strangers with children,not listen, I think they really don't care on how thier kids interact with any canine.

I consider Trapp to be amazing with any stranger,and MOST children,but let some kid come up to him,even with my saying, please go slow, they still insist on flailing thier arms all over and around his head. If it gets to the point parent/ child are not listening, I simly pick him up,and say goodbye,as politely as I can.

Jasper has made strides in his attitude in public,still hesitant,but he will make an effort. But he won't be an in your face...pet me,roll over belly rub dog,like his brother with any stranger. And I don't expect him to be.
 
My Lexi is extremely wary of children. I ask them to always approach slowly and offer her a cookie, but I think they move too quickly sometimes and sort of freak her out. Of course it doesn't help that most of the time the ones she meets are running around and going right for her head.
 
My girls are, as horse people would say, are "bomb proof."

I guess that goes with the terrain. Four arm flailing, high pitched screaming, running, jumping, maniacs and their friends have toughened them up :lol: Actually, my girls (the dogs) look for the craziness, and they join right in. My dogs can't get enough of kids, the crazier the better. But, this is mostly because they do not know life without all the chaos.
 
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