Running children scaring Precious

[danisgoat]

The problem is you can't control other people's children. Last summer we did not have Katy so we just had Bailey when we went out places and he is wonderful in public. You can teach your dog not to jump on people, not to approach strangers, etc. Unfortunatly you can't control attack children. When children rush up and grab your dogs whiskers, tail, ears, etc. parents actually get angry when you remove them from your dog. In our society it is very tricky to deal with other people's children even when you are doing it to protect your dog.

I expect to keep my dog under control at all times. I understand other dog owners will be irresponsible and we are careful when dogs approach. However, regardless of whether your dog attacks the child or the child attacks your dog, you are responsible for the child's safty and that is challenging when you have parents who won't control their child, but expect everyone to tolerate their bad behavior. They need to stop their child from pulling the dog's tail or accept that the dog's owner will remove the tail and the dog from the child's grasp.

This is exactly what I have been saying. It is up to you to control your dog under all situations, because ultimately, what happens will be your responsibility.

 

[Bailey's Mom]

This is exactly what I have been saying. It is up to you to control your dog under all situations, because ultimately, what happens will be your responsibility.

Understood, but what you fail to address is removal of the child from the dog. That is a very trick situation in our society when parents can be very sensitive about anyone speaking to their child let alone trying to get them to remove their hands from a dog.

My husband and I are both careful and watchful when we have the dogs in public. However, we have had kids come from out of no where and grab and parents get very pissy. Toddlers who have never been taught no do not respond to "please don't pull the doggy's ear", you do have to take their hands off the dog.

 

[danisgoat]

Understood, but what you fail to address is removal of the child from the dog. That is a very trick situation in our society when parents can be very sensitive about anyone speaking to their child let alone trying to get them to remove their hands from a dog.

My husband and I are both careful and watchful when we have the dogs in public. However, we have had kids come from out of no where and grab and parents get very pissy. Toddlers who have never been taught no do not respond to "please don't pull the doggy's ear", you do have to take their hands off the dog.

As you said, you can't control the other child.

I would rather have a pissy parent then a lawsuit from a bite It is up to you to protect your dog.

You can teach and talk and teach and talk a toddler till your face turns blue, but just like an animal, you never know what is going to happen. The best parent, can have a toddler react in the worst way ever, even if you have taught them something consistently since they were born. Kids will be kids.

My point being, toddlers and young children are unpredictable and should not be trusted around a dog that cannot be trusted, or that you do not want to have an "accidental" mishandling of. Shelties are little, just pick them up out of the situation.

 

[Eleore]

How often I suffer from this... not only from children, but from adults as well. If seems the random people that pop up just have to pet the dog.

I have always been of the "don't touch the dog" policy when outside. At home, if they want to play, go and have a blast; but during walks, I don't let random strangers touch my dogs. This is easier with my jumbo sized German Shepherd, but with Lucien, well... . I know he is cute, but seriously, what makes you think that the puppy who is hiding behind his owner's leg and running away from you wants to be petted?

He was basically traumatized at the show; when we went to the stand, people just swarmed around the puppies and petted them, even if I said no.

And that's the other thing - I have even had adults in the street insult me for not letting them touch my puppy! (I agree that it's better to have a pissed parent than a lawsuit, but some people take the pissed part too far). Don't these people realize it's not a toy, but a scared puppy? Furthermore, I know kids are kids, but sorry, I'm not going to let them play with him if they pull his tail and legs.

Yesterday I had to take my little shivering sheltie upstairs to save him from my neighbour's grandchildren, who kept grabbing and pulling him when he was clearly uncomfortable and scared. Thankfully my neighbour is a very understanding person, and when I made her feel how he was shivering, she asked the children to let the dog alone.