Would you let her walk your Sheltie?

I would absolutely not allow that kid to walk my dog (or anyone else's, for that matter). I would not let anyone walk my dog unless that person was at least 18 years old. At that point, they are no longer a minor, at least in the United States, so there are some differences in legalities. And regardless of the age of the potential dog walker, no 100-lb person is going to be able to control two Great Danes, especially if the dogs get spooked and try to bolt/advance.

A former supervisor used to "tease" cats with a BB gun when she was a kid. She kicked dogs then, and she does now, too, in her mid-forties. She is no longer allowed in the homes of a few friends who have dogs. That neighbor kid of yours may be the same type of person, who is incapable, or unwilling, to see animals as creatures that can think and feel happiness and pain.

If I were you, I'd avoid that kid and tell anyone I know with dogs to do the same. I was fortunate enough to have grown up with cats and dogs in my home, treating them as members of the family. I also know plenty of people who did not grow up with pets, only discovering the joys of pet ownership as adults. But honestly, I have a great distrust of anyone who grows up with pets and still mistreats them. That kid knows what she is doing is wrong (teasing your dog only when she knows you are not watching) but continues to do it. Obviously she find it entertaining to harass your dogs. There are studies around linking animal abuse in childhood to violent crimes later in life. Not saying that's true for your neighbor kid, but she is more than old enough to feel empathy if she was able. I would not want my pets in any position to be hurt.
 
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Depends on the 10 year old. My one nephew would have been gold at ten the other less so :lol: From your description though it would matter little if she were 10 or 50 the answer is no.
 
I agree with celloyogi to a point. This girl should NOT be around ANY animal if she is that abusive. But, she is a little girl. She needs help. You can't simply ignore a child like this, that will give her a better chance of a life of crime, drugs, etc. Try to think what may be going through HER mind.

Growing up I was always teased and bullied in school. I hated my life, I wished that it would all be over. It didn't mater how old I got, in fact the teasing got worse as the years past. I was struggling emotionally, I wanted the kids that had bullied me to feel the pain that they had caused me. They teased because they saw I was emotional, they liked seeing my tears, they liked hearing me scream at them to leave me alone. For me, the only escape was my dog.

Maybe she's going through tough times and doesn't know where to put her anger or sadness, and doesn't realize that her dog can be a way to stop, or ease, some emotional pain she may have. So talk to her, she's only a little girl. Give her someone to talk to, try to show her that dogs can help. And if she is simply abusive because she thinks its funny, tell her that dogs have as much fealing as people do. If there is nothing you can do at least you will know you tryed. Remember shes a child

I hope everything works out for you and her.:hugs
 
No, not just because of her age and maturity, but, because she is 10 years old she can not legally enter a binding agreement and this is exactly what is happening.

So, what happens if one of the dogs she's walking, how do you seek damages, or at the very least get compensation for vet bills, or Dr. bills if you get bitten, and then if you say anything to the kid, the parents will come after you, like you did something wrong, even if you didn't.

For what its worth, If I had the money, I would install a camera outside my property so you have the kid on tape teasing your dog.
 
I think she's a little young to be walking my dog. I think the things she's done in the past, that's just being a kid. I don't even have an age in my head. I think it depends on the maturity of the kid.

Is she wanting to walk dogs to earn money or just to walk them. If she just wants to walk them, I have this suggestion- ask her if she wants to help you walk your dogs, so both of you would go together. While you're walking, you can talk to her about being a responsible dog owner. I wouldn't make it a, "you've done this, this, and this wrong" but you could casually give her some of your responsible dog owner wisdom. And also, if something goes wrong, you're right there. If she gets upset that you won't let her do it alone, then oh well. Opportunity lost on her behalf.
 
I am not sure i would let her walk any dogs alone. If you have walked your dogs at all you know there are other people dogs animals that you would run into. If your dogs get frightened they may try to run with her on the end of the leash. If they get away it may be hard to get them back. She or the dogs may get bitten or otherwise hurt and she is not old enough to be responsible for the consequences should such happen. It opens you and her parents I would think up to liabilty. Who would be liable for what would be the question.

So there are two factors i am thinking of safety for the child any child. The safety of my dogs.

In any case Jester is to anxious for someone other then family to deal with on a walk and Fox is to young to be walked (only two months). I did try however to be objective and think of the case without her prior actions and without my particular pups and their needs. What I would do if any child asked to walk my dogs rather then this specific child.

In this case I am pretty sure you could not allow it knowing your dogs do not like her. Her previous actions of course weigh in. Some just do not know how to treat animals and teaching them if one is of a mind is fine. Question more being have you the time patience and skill to do this and well that is more something that is up to the individaul faced with the decision.
 
I closely supervise all my dog's interactions with children. It really can go bad in a hurry for kids or dogs or both. I never leave the dogs alone with children.

Call me weirrd, but there are people in my family who don't get to take the leash. :rolleyes2: I can think of only one person other than myself that I let control my dogs and she is my training partner of many years. Yes, I am over protective, I guess. But I didn't start out that way. Many not so fun lessons learned.
 
My young sheltie is an absolutely sweet boy. He gets along with everyone and loves the neighborhood kids. He does not have a mean bone in his body and lets the little girls hug him and cuddle with him - he actually seems to enjoy it very much.

That being said - I will not let them walk him. Not even when I am with them.

It is just not worth the risk. Who knows what might happen when they get out of sight ? I don't believe that they would do anything to intentionally hurt him ... but who knows what else would happen.

No way I would even consider letting a child that age walk my dog ... not under any circumstances. And especially not one that has the track record that this child has.
 
I would not let her walk the Dogs.
She is very young.
I would not say never possible to let a Young Girl walk your dog, but it depends on the dog to walk/ the Girls talents and the walking area and the Dogs in neigbourhood. If one of them is critical the answer should be No.
Going together and let her hold the leash is OK if it is not a critical situation just to give her the possibility to improve.

Margit
 
I would not allow her to walk the dogs by herself but, I agree, she is ripe for learning the fundamentals of good dog handling. If you have the time and she is willing to work, it might stop her from teasing your dogs and make her kinder to others if she learns the correct way of handling dogs.
I walked my doctor's St. Bernard, Cleopatra and Pug, Caesar when I was her age. Neither dog knew obedience commands but then neither did I. Vera, the doctor's companion, showed me how to walk them by walking with me several times and then letting me do one at a time for awhile until she decided I was able to handle them. I got a lot of attention from passers by as Cleo was almost as big as me.
Handling an out of control dog is difficult for anyone. There's always going to be the "what ifs" and if you think you will be able to control it 100%, you are wrong, especially if it concerns another dog.
I am 5'2" and 116 lbs. One of my horses weighs 1300 lbs. If she spooks, I get dragged no matter how well trained that she is. By the same token, if I had a Dane on the end of the lead and it wants to go at something I probably am going with it. If I scoop Tinsel up to protect him from another dog, the other dog will have no problem getting up at him as I am height impaired.
 
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