Would you let her walk your Sheltie?

[Emmasmom]

Just to give a bit of background to my question. Dad and I moved into a house on a corner lot almost two years ago. Since that time, the dogs have hated the young girl who lives across the street, mostly because she has teased them. A neighbour caught her teasing them a couple of weeks ago. She doesn't if she sees me outside. They also have a yellow lab, which is not really well behaved. I have had issues with it trampling through flower beds, it races up to people walking down the street. A few weeks ago, a fellow was walking his JRT down the street and the lab went racing up to it, every single hackle raised. I thought there would be a dog fit for sure. Also, this young girl has tried to walk her dog. It was lying down and she literally dragged it across a few feet of grass and when it wouldn't get up, she kicked it.

She approached me on Monday and said she had signed up to be a dog walker - she is only around 10 or so - and asked if she could walk my dogs. I said no. Why, are they too nippy was her response. I told her now, they were purebred and I was very very careful with them.

A couple of days later I saw her walking two huge dogs (almost the size of great danes). I couldn't believe that people would let a young girl walk dogs. There are so many issues that can crop up. People seem to think, just stick a leash on a dog and you're good to go.

Would you let a young girl that you barely knew walk your dogs? Would you be responsible for anything that could happen to her or the dogs? Guaranteed, if something happened, your insurance company would have to pay up.

 

[Lunatic59]

Given the description of the girl and her environment and behavior, I doubt I'd let her walk a pet rock, let alone a cherished family member.

The other side of the coin is that if no one ever gives her the chance to rise above her circumstances and teach her some better behavior, then she's pretty likely to stay the way she is now for the rest of her life. It may sound a little callous, but that wouldn't be me ... not with my puppies.

 

[JLSOhio51]

My belief is that there are at least two issues here. Whether to allow the kid to walk the dog; and what liabilities you incur if you allow her to do so. Second issue first:

Would you be responsible for anything that could happen to her or the dogs? Guaranteed, if something happened, your insurance company would have to pay up.

I'm not sure if you would indeed be responsible. If she were older and was truly in a dog walking business, I would think not. But, with her being so young, and I doubt this is really a business. I would think that there might be some liability on your part. You should check with your insurance company or an attorney if you really are considering her as an option.

As to the First part of your post, let me answer your question with this question: If the comments highlighted below (emphasis is mine) are correct, why would you even consider for one second, allowing you furkid to disappear down the block with this little girl?

(1) ... Dad and I moved into a house on a corner lot almost two years ago. Since that time, the dogs have hated the young girl who lives across the street, mostly because she has teased them.

(2) A neighbour caught her teasing them a couple of weeks ago...

(3) ... Also, this young girl has tried to walk her dog. It was lying down and she literally dragged it across a few feet of grass and when it wouldn't get up, she kicked it.

(4) Would you let a young girl that you barely knew walk your dogs?

 

[take4roll10]

Nope. Even if she was a kid I knew and was a great kid, I would never let a 10 year old walk my dog. I just don't think they would know what to properly do if another dog approaches off leash, if there's a fight, if my dog got loose, if my dog ate something off the ground, etc. Plus, kids easily get distracted. Just too young IMO, even if I know the kid is great. The youngest I would probably go is high school age (14-15) and I would have the know the kid very well.

Every once in a while I run into a kid who looks around 10-12 walking a yellow lab. The lab sees Bailey and starts pulling the kid like crazy. He can't control the lab at all. I know making your kid walk the dog teaches responsibly, but I think it is irresponsible of the parent if your kid can't control the dog. Find something else for your kid to do with the dog.

 

[jomuir]

I agree with you. No way would I allow it. She's too young, can't handle dogs yet, etc. However, if you had a little time, you could consider asking her to come w/you on walks with your dogs only. Then you'd be comfortable letting her hold the leash of one dog while you held the other.

You could use the time to teach her a few things about dogs & how to safely walk them. You never know, she could learn & improve her abilities. Obviously, nobody at home is taking the time to train their own dog or her how to care for dogs. But you could have a positive impact. Assuming of course, you have time, a couple bucks to slip her for 'pay' her for 'helping' you, and the inclination to do it. If you don't, you are fine to err on the side of safety-it would be so easy for something bad to happen if she's left alone to walk your dogs. If that's the case, just say No, sorry, we don't need anyone to walk our dogs. I need the exercise myself or whatever you're comfortable with.

 

[rose]

no, I would not allow her to walk my girls. there have been a couple older kids who have wanted to walk my girls. I cheat and say, you want to join me, I take 2 and you walk 1 with me. it has worked out well that way.

 

[Chris]

When I was a child (7-9), I was so grateful to neighbors who let me walk their dogs. A Cocker Spaniel, a Wire Hair Fox Terrier, a mutt, all were so loved by me, who didn't have a dog of my own. I was gentle with all of them.

With this girl, I would work with her to teach her about dogs -- how to be kind, what they need. Of course, this is now a litigation society, but it also seems to me that if no one teaches her, how will she learn?

 

[labgirl]

You know my opinion, a definite NO! I suspect there will be problems sooner rather than later, especially if she is walking big dogs. I remember being allowed to hold the lead of a friend's cocker spaniel and walk it when I was about 10. Her parents were present, which was a good thing as it was fine until Fiver saw another dog and nearly took me off my feet.

 

[Emmasmom]

Good suggestions. Unfortunately, this girl doesn't listen to anyone. Wish she would. I feel sorry for her - she is an only child and tries too hard.

 

[Mignarda]

You know my opinion, a definite NO! I suspect there will be problems sooner rather than later, especially if she is walking big dogs. I remember being allowed to hold the lead of a friend's cocker spaniel and walk it when I was about 10. Her parents were present, which was a good thing as it was fine until Fiver saw another dog and nearly took me off my feet.

I had that happen to me when I was twelve years old. A neighbor commissioned me to walk her big German Shepherd; a really well-trained and well-behaved dog. But a female in heat walked by, and it was just too much for him; he dragged me about twenty feet before I got control back.