Hey Everyone,
I posted a couple weeks ago about the crazy neighbor telling me not to let my dog "go" in his yard. Well, I'm finally moving out of the neighborhood and wanted to solicit some advice on a different subject.
My dog, Hero, is a Husky Mix. She is about 8 years old (not totally sure as she was a rescue) and is very ALPHA. She loves other dogs and loves to play, but has to be the boss and will definitely assert herself if she meets a dog she doesn't like. I've learned how to handle this while on walks, etc. I'm basically just cautious with her and let her sniff noses and if she wags her tail, fine, if not, then we keep walking.
What I need help with is introducing her to children. My new neighborhood has lots of kids and Hero has never really been around kids. Once in a while if a kid is out and asks to pet her, I say OK and have Hero sit while I hold her collar and let the kids pat her on the head.
One time a couple years ago, a man was walking with his 2 year old and the little boy wanted to pet her. I did the same as usual, holding Hero & having her sit. Well, the little boy grabbed her around the back and was squeezing her.... Hero reacted badly and tried to bite the boy on his face. She did not hurt him and I immediately took her inside and of course, the little boy was freaked out... I felt so horrible
So....ever since then, I've just NOT let her interact with children while we're out walking. It really scared me and so I'm wondering what is the best thing to do? Should I just tell people "Sorry, she's not kid friendly," which is what I've been doing? Or should I try to acclimate Hero to being around the kids? And what is the best way to do this? I don't want my neighbors to think I have a dangerous dog, but I'm not so sure that she is OK with kids.
Another note, at the dog park sometimes there are kids running around and she pays no attention to them at all.
Any thoughts you have are greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
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