We often encounter the same children as we walk the neighborhood; and we have a large apartment complex we walk through so the children change. I always instruct them to ask first before petting. If the same child doesn't "get' it after 2 different times, I won't allow that child to pet my pups the third time, lol. One little girl got upset and ran and told her mum. Cute little 4 year old, told her mom the WHOLE story! Mom came over and thanked me for not letting her pet them ha ha haaaa