Children With Dogs

[BayleeBoo]

I have a 6 month old chocolate lab who is 60 pounds. My mother babysits a 6year old boy and a 8year old girl(his sister) who are absolutely scared to death of him. They won't play in the yard with him out and personally I think it is rediculous! They have never had a bad incident with a dog and my dog has never lead them to believe he will harm them. I just don't understand! Please help. Do you think I am being too non-chalant about this? And do you think a lab would have been a bad choice knowing they were already like this? (after all he is my dog!) Thanks:
BayLee's Mommy
@---}]---------------

[zippy-kat]

We had a similar problem with one of the neighborhood kids (age 11). She was scared to death of our boxer. When we caught her throwing clumps of dirt at the dog (who was resting in the grass--in OUR backyard), that was the last straw!!! She too had had two dogs of her own, a chow and a cocker. Neither of those were vicious. (We later found out that they gave their babies away before they moved b/c they didn't want the new backyard destroyed!!!! )

Now, if the little girl comes over to play with my sister, our dog is kept under close watch. Not that she'd attempt to hurt anyone, but rather to keep them from hurting her! Our boxer is very kid/cat friendly. I guess her size and looks intimidated the little girl.

I'm sorry I can't offer more advice, but I can sympathize w/ what you are going through. Good luck!

[TheAntiPam]

Sometimes there is no logical reason behind people's fear. They may have been told something by a parent or another child. Even if it was not true, it can stick forever.

It is your job to keep your dog safe. Either from physical harm, as Zippy-Kat said, or from potentially being accused of biting or behaving badly toward the kids. Keeping your dog away is the easiest way to prevent trouble.

Its not your job to fix the children's fear. Its your job to protect your pet.

[BayleeBoo]

Both of you are very true about keeping a close watch on my dog BayLee. But my dog is extremely friendly as well and hasn't given them any reason to be afraid of him. His size is VERY intimidating though. I will give you that much. I am trying to get them as aquainted as possible with him though. We are making very little progress! Thanks again though for the story and the advice it is very helpful. BayLee is like my child and I wouldn't want him framed for something he didn't do, because I wasn't watching!
Thanks:
BayLee's Mom Sarah

[TollSettFK]

Did you talk to the childs parents after she threw clumps of dirt at your dog? In YOUR back yard? It might help. You should keep a very close eye on the dog though. I don't get that she is scared
of your dog when it is harmless. Who knowes? Maby she heard a news report with somthing with a Mastiff in it, if you know what I mean. I don't know what to say, though, really about that!

[Daisy's Mom]

I have known children who are afraid of dogs for no apparent reason. My own little sister Mackenzie was afraid of any animal when she was little. She'd cry and run to Mom no matter how nice and harmless the animal was. She has since grown out of it. I also have a cousin who has Spina Bifeda. She's in a wheelchair and is three. She has never had any bad experiences with a dog but is deathly afraid of them. The site of Daisy sends her into a frenzy. I don't know why, but I do feel bad about it. I hope she will grow out of it someday as well.

As for the girl you speak of, I would at least talk to her parents. If she was in fact hurling things at your dog in your own yard, there is a definite problem that needs to be discussed!

[Angels3]

There's a program in schools in Sydney where young children are taught how to behave around dogs...so that they'll feel safe.
It's run by a group called the Delta Society (who also arrange pet therapy in hospitals etc.).
You can read about how research was done to see if it helped children when they met up with a dog. Go to:
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/...es/s141977.htm

[ August 05, 2001: Message edited by: Angels3 ]

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Well, count us in to have to be very careful with our dogs and they are small dogs, Perry is big for a Schnauzer about 26 lbs and Daisy is about 16. We cannot trust them with children, I believe it is our own fault for not socializing them when they were younger, we just didn't realize socializing them was so important, we had many dogs and they were all laid back and got along with kids and other dogs and didn't realize the temperment of the Schnauzer. Two of our Grandsons come over 6 and 12 and they have run and hid behind their mom and screamed and now both Schnauzers think it's a game to scare them.
We have to put them outside when the kids come over. I heard about Terrier terrors and we have two of them.

[kobieeli]

Any dog can scare a kid--and vice versa! Our ACD mix and our Aussie both think it's a game to herd the 2-year-old niece while nosing her ankles and butt. Fortunately, this is the only child who's ever around our house and she's a tough little customer with a good sense of humor.

Some of the blame for bad experiences certainly lies with dogs, many of whom are poorly socialized with kids or just bad breed choices around little people. But some blame also rests with parents who don't teach kids how to behave around dogs: how not to shriek, bolt suddenly, pull tails, pound on heads. That stuff'll scare most any dog into reacting unpredictably...and then it seems it's always the dog's fault for whatever follows.

I'm all for those special programs that educate kids about caring for, understanding, and behaving with dogs. Children are deepened psychologically by such learning, the dogs are happier for it, and just maybe those kids will end up being compassionate pet guardians themselves.

I saw an Animal Planet story recently about a program working wonders for inner-city kids who attend "dog camp." Anyone else see it?

[jackiesdaisy1935]

I agree, having the schools teaching how to behave with animals would be one of the best things they could teach. This would help to make them caring, responsible, loving adults.
I did see a program one time on TV where they were bringing dogs into a prison and the prisoners where teaching them the basics. It seems to give the prisoners something to focus on and learning themselves to care for these animals who were from animal control. This might be a good idea too. As I understand it then the dogs were ready and more easily adopted.

[3-greys-and-a-mutt]

I did see a program one time on TV where they were bringing dogs into a prison and the prisoners where teaching them the basics. It seems to give the prisoners something to focus on and learning themselves to care for these animals who were from animal control. This might be a good idea too. As I understand it then the dogs were ready and more easily adopted.

Our local greyhound adoption network matches dogs with prisoners in an area minimum security prison. The dogs live with the prisoners for a couple of months, getting trained. It's good for the prisoners and the dogs. Everyone who has adopted a prison program dog loves how well-behaved their dogs are. Here is the main website; just follow the links to find out more about the prison program!
http://www.teamgreyhound.com

[ August 06, 2001: Message edited by: 3-greys-and-a-mutt ]

[jackiesdaisy1935]

I just looked at that Greyhound site and I think that is a wonderful program, it helps the prisoners and helps the dogs. The Greyhounds for adoption are so beautiful, I especially loved the black one I think the name was winky. That is a great site., thanks for sharing.
Jackie

[katherine]

I dont know why kids are scared of dog as since I was a little I ahave always felt close to dogs my brother has special needs and he is terrified of other peoples dogs but likes our 2 puupies louie and our new puppie i havent choisen a name yet

[I_LOVE_ROTTS]

there was this little kid that would pick on our dog and it made him really mean to the point where he didnt like anyone. we were going on vacation and we had to put him down b/c we couldnt trust him with anyone. i was really sad!

[Albea]

Just yesterday I found this page that gives answers to the problem of children's fear of dogs: http://dogs.about.com/library/weekly/aa101500a.htm
Hope some of you can take advantage of it because it would be very sad to go through life afraid of dogs