Need A Vent!

[Red_BC]

Last night I was up at my local shopping centre (its a big outdoor shopping centre so dogs are allowed), with my Border Collie who has just turned one. We like to take him up every so often and we do some training with him and get him used to all different people and things (like hats, balloons etc)

But last night I had him out the front of a shop with me in a drop/stay waiting for my partner to come out. We were right on the edge of the pathway making sure we were out of the way when a family walked past with a young boy (maybe 6ish?) who ran up behind my dog and pulled his tail!! My poor boy was terrified and then the father of the child then had the nerve to say he must be a really old dog because he then didnt try to get up and play with the boy :D

To which I replied no he is just turned one and you are lucky that that I have socalised my dog and he didnt react agressively when his tail was pulled for no reason. The family just continued walking no apology at all.

I've had many other instances like this when we are going for walks and children will run up behind us screaming and trying to get to Diesel, which scares him, as the parents just watch!

What has happened to parent's teaching children manners when it comes to dogs? When I was a child (not that long ago as I am only in my early 20s) I knew you approached a dog from the front, asked the owner's permission before coming to close and then doing what the owner said. Just because my dog is a well known breed doesn't mean he loves children especially ones that run up from behind, scream and pull his tail/ fur. I do everything I can to stop this from happening and I know I'm lucky because he isn't an agressive reactive dog but it just annoys me. I control my dog I just wish the children had some manners.

Vent Over

[Erny]

In my childhood days, if your dog had turned around and bitten us, my folks would have simply told me that was my own fault for pulling the dog's tail. These days, you get sued and your dog gets pts.

A testament to your socialisation and training and to your dog's general temperament that he didn't react. :D

Edited November 4, 2010 by Erny

[Shmurps]

In my childhood days, if your dog had turned around and bitten us, my folks would have simply told me that was my own fault for pulling the dog's tail. These days, you get sued and your dog gets pts. :D

so very true.

[Miss Danni]

What has happened to parent's teaching children manners when it comes to dogs?

Red_BC, what has happened to parents teaching children any manners at all? Recently, we have had puppy buyers at our house with children that scream over the top of their parents (and us) to the point that you cannot hold a conversation with them or give them any information about the pups/dogs.

When I was a child (and yes, it was a while ago :D ), you were seen and not heard. I would never have dared to have interrupted an adult conversation without asking permission first and you'd better be damn sure it was important to start with, or watch out.

Not these days, children have no self control at all. And while I'm unlikely to bite you if you yell and scream over the top of me while I'm talking, a dog may not be so kind with that type of behaviour!

[Guest choice_brandy]

I would be infuriated if someone child came up and pulled my dogs tail for any reason. For the parents to think that was acceptable behaviour is amazing and no doubt they're the type who'd blame the dog if their child was unfortunately bitten. The stupidity of some people

I had an experience this morning that I am still shaking my head at. I have a foster dog here who has a few issues. I spend hours a day on him and he improves with every session. One of his problems is dog aggression and he used to go ballistic if I dog even walked past our house on the opposite side of the road. Through perseverance, Tango now stands at the fence peering through the panels, but only reverts to barking if the other dog comes right up to the fence, and even then he can be called away immediately if we see him do it. All of this has been achieved with rewarding the good behaviour, distracting him from bad behaviours, and desensitation. He's a wonderful dog and has obviously just been allowed to make his own rules in the past and when is previous owners decided they didn't like his rules they dumped him in the pound. He responds fantastically to structure and guidance.

Anyway, this morning we got home from the beach and i left him out the front while I took a shower. I heard Tango bark and called out to him to stop. He did for about 10 seconds, then was going of his nut. Concerned, I jumped out without washing out the shampoo and went out to check what was going on. A woman was standing outside my 6 ft fence with a stick, pulling it along the wooden panels back and forth and screaming at Tango. Not sure how stable the woman is because what normal person would do such a thing? She had a dog with her but Tango was just barking at the stick. I called him away and he came and sat by my side. I called to the lady saying why are you stirring up my dog and she responded that she was just playing with him... I can't publish what I said to her then :D

So frustrated with idiots. Not sure if she has undone any of our work regarding reactiveness with Tango, time will tell... he's been pretty settled since

Good on you for the good work you have put into your dog also, it's so rewarding to be in a situation where the dog is entitled to react but remain appropriate despite that

[Missymoo]

oh My!! I would NOT be pleased if my child even LOOKED at an animal the wrong way!!

Good Dog!

[conztruct]

I would be infuriated if someone child came up and pulled my dogs tail for any reason. For the parents to think that was acceptable behaviour is amazing and no doubt they're the type who'd blame the dog if their child was unfortunately bitten. The stupidity of some people

I had an experience this morning that I am still shaking my head at. I have a foster dog here who has a few issues. I spend hours a day on him and he improves with every session. One of his problems is dog aggression and he used to go ballistic if I dog even walked past our house on the opposite side of the road. Through perseverance, Tango now stands at the fence peering through the panels, but only reverts to barking if the other dog comes right up to the fence, and even then he can be called away immediately if we see him do it. All of this has been achieved with rewarding the good behaviour, distracting him from bad behaviours, and desensitation. He's a wonderful dog and has obviously just been allowed to make his own rules in the past and when is previous owners decided they didn't like his rules they dumped him in the pound. He responds fantastically to structure and guidance.

Anyway, this morning we got home from the beach and i left him out the front while I took a shower. I heard Tango bark and called out to him to stop. He did for about 10 seconds, then was going of his nut. Concerned, I jumped out without washing out the shampoo and went out to check what was going on. A woman was standing outside my 6 ft fence with a stick, pulling it along the wooden panels back and forth and screaming at Tango. Not sure how stable the woman is because what normal person would do such a thing? She had a dog with her but Tango was just barking at the stick. I called him away and he came and sat by my side. I called to the lady saying why are you stirring up my dog and she responded that she was just playing with him... I can't publish what I said to her then :D

So frustrated with idiots. Not sure if she has undone any of our work regarding reactiveness with Tango, time will tell... he's been pretty settled since

Good on you for the good work you have put into your dog also, it's so rewarding to be in a situation where the dog is entitled to react but remain appropriate despite that

OMG how stupid.....you should have turned the hose on her and said "I'm just playing "

[Loraine]

In my childhood days, if your dog had turned around and bitten us, my folks would have simply told me that was my own fault for pulling the dog's tail. These days, you get sued and your dog gets pts.

A testament to your socialisation and training and to your dog's general temperament that he didn't react. :D

Totally agree Ernie. Problem may be that if we are brought up with dogs we are also taught how to behave around them. I guess if you are from a non-dg background you have no bloddy clue!!!!

[Remarkabull]

I also would have been told it was my fault if bitten by a dog as a child. I have always said that if my kids come to me and say that one of our dogs (or any dog for that matter) had bitten them my first question would be 'What were you doing to the dog?' There is almost always an event that sparks the bite or attack and if people were more cautious and aware it wouldn't happen anywhere near as often.

Last weekend I was at a fun day at the local water park and they had a reptile show. Afterwards they were letting people hold the snakes and baby crocs and while I was holding one of the snakes and talking to the partner of the guy who does the show when a boy (not sure how old but at least 12) comes up and grabs the snakes tail and pulls and twists it! The lady was lost for words and was so angry with him as was I. Some kids truly have no idea about how to behave around animals at all. I think they see animals as something to entertain us and not as a living creature that has feelings and can get annoyed.

[Luke W]

I pulled a dogs tail when I was about 4 years old.

22 stitches later....

[OSoSwift]

Lewis growled at my then 2 year old.

Why??? I had been in the kitchen and he was just outside my vision. He was laying on Lewis driving a toy motorbike up and down his ribs. Child got a smack on the bum and time out. The poor dog got left in peace.

There have been no further issues as I kept a much more watchful eye but the child learnt pretty quickly.

My dogs would be horrified if a kid did that and the parents would have ringing ears after a tounge lashing - no rude words of course as there was kids present.

Bloody idiots.

[Dogs4Fun]

I am still working on my 2 year old, who thinks all dogs are like his dogs at home. We are educating him to never touch a dog without the owners permission first, and that is working pretty well.

We came across a seeing eye dog int he shops the other day and he was fsacinated by it all. I spent some time explaining to him and he was very excited. We got to the checkout and the lady and dog (in harness and lady with hand on harness ie working mode) were in front of us. I explained that he could not touch the dog because he was working and that he couldn't be distracted right now. The lady was lovely and thanked me for the consideration. She told me that every day she gets idiots patting the dog, feeding the dog, setting the dog up to fail (putting things in its path etc).

[Adza]

I really hope that family don't own a dog

[dognurse]

i dont blame the child he has obviously never been taught properly. how irresponsible of the father! i would have been furious!!!!!

lol at the hose comment, classic!!!

[rose of tralee]

Re kids interrupting, running the show...

I spent a hour or so with a friend and her rising 4 yo grandson recently. She used my presence as a stranger to reinforce some manners training and we were both chuffed towards the end of the visit (he'd been quite full on, I wouldn't have the energy even for her one day a week:)) when the young fella ran up, lifted a finger for attention, and said, May I speak? Friend is also making sure he treats her elderly animals respectfully.

Regretfully, so many parents are neglecting to parent.

[silentchild]

In my childhood days, if your dog had turned around and bitten us, my folks would have simply told me that was my own fault for pulling the dog's tail. These days, you get sued and your dog gets pts.

Very true, sad that some parents don't teach kids how to behave around animals anymore.

When I was a child my first puppy was a little pom, not knowing any better my brother (who was incredibly young at the time) chased it around the room trying to hit it with a stick, while I tried to dog-nap it for a game of hide-and-seek (), my mother saw what was happening and went absolutely ballistic on us for lack of better words, and boy since then did we sure learn how animals ought to be treated!! (The pom lived on to a ripe old age & became my best friend throughout childhood.)

Edited November 5, 2010 by silentchild

[Guest]

Some people are just thick when it comes to animals, we have an idiot that when he goes past our house he just has to beep his horn, it used to stir up our Shepherd that has now passed on, and he is still doing it obviously he thinks we still have herIf we new where he lived my hubby would have a few choice words to say to him.

lablove

[ash&elar]

Growing up I loved all animals esp dogs and had no fear of any animal, it took a while for my parents to teach me not to go up to strange dogs.

My kids are very similar esp my daughter, But I am very strict with them and they are very animal savvy, My daughter has been nipped by Cindy my mums whippet on the arm when she got ontop of her before my mum realised what she was doing and squeesed her, my daughter was told it was her own fault and the dog was by no means told off.

My daughter is a very in your face type of person whether your an animal or human it doesn't matter, its something that she is getting better with as she grows we call her the invader, she doesnt understand why anyone would personal space....

Its more our own animals though I never give them the chance to get close to other peoples dogs when we are shopping, walking or at the park etc, I just say no you dont touch other peoples dogs I don't care just no.

At my sons kinder they are teaching the children how to be safe around dogs. Something like "No lead, No owner, No touch", and if there is an owner you always ask first

[WoofnHoof]

I have the same problem with taking my chi out in public kids just have this urge to run up to him and pick him up! The parents can't understand that my poor little dog really doesn't want to be picked up by a strange child though no doubt if he takes off one of the kids fingers I'd never hear the end of it!

Ironically enough the wolfy looking husky sends the parents into terrified shrieks of 'don't go near the big dog!!!!' which is a shame because my husky absolutely LOVES kids

[halfthewords]

This is an almost daily occurrence for me no matter where I go.

Not only is my Min Pin (either of them) mistaken for a Chihuahua constantly, people are always fawning over them. That's fine from a distance, but neither of them are good with strangers (breed trait), much less unfamiliar kids. My youngest sibling is 14 and has never given the dogs a second thought. :D I always put myself between a kid running ahead of their parents at the park/on the street/at the beach because I can almost guarantee there would be biting. I have a stern word to the kid if they try to touch (it helps that Mischa always ducks behind me when I use the 'tone' ) and try to educate the parents. A lot of the time they don't want to listen, but what can you do?

I always try to turn it into a learning experience; our recent pound rescue is unflappable and loves *everybody*. So while the other three are antisocial, he laps it all up.

When I was maybe 4 or 5, I approached a lady at the beach with a German Shepherd on the lead. I remember trying to pet it and getting yelled at by the lady. And props to her, I learned my lesson! My mother also caught what was happening and made sure that I understood not to ever pet someone else's dog without checking first.

Carl is famous for not liking kids (well, everybody, but kids especially since they're loud/bouncing/moving fast). He has bitten 5 or 6 kids in the time I've had him. :D He tends to shut down when he is afraid and if they get close, he launches. I personally don't give a stuff. If some parent is stupid enough to let their kid touch my obviously terrified dog, they get what they deserve. (Note all these incidents happened without me seeing; most times I am able to intercept but Carl wanders off at the park.)