Long Day

[Blondie]

We had visitors yesterday, an aunt and 2 cousins, a 13-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy. It wasn't the first time they came, but it was the first time ever that they stayed here all day Blondie was happily playing with them, running all over the house, playing fetch and chasing each other, he had the most fun with the boy (go figure?) but the girl... she's a little annoying I have to admit (she even annoyed the soul out of my poor gran, mom, sister and me ). She insisted on picking Blondie up, and she managed once, but then was afraid and didn't know how to hold him, so I took him from her (didn't want her dropping him or hurting him) and then she tried to take him from me and he barked at her and almost bit her (I'm sure you understand how that "barking" went).

After that, they insisted on playing with him and I tried to stay around, because I didn't want him to bite her. I wonder if you also get this feeling, like it's being too much for the dog and he might be building tiredness up? Anyway I feel like I know Blondie this far, and it was being too much for him. But what do you do when the girl's too annoying and she insists on playing with the dog, and grabbing his arms and legs and ears even if you tell her kindly "Don't do that, darling, he doesn't like it"

By the end of the day, he had growled, barked and tried to bite her two more times. Now, I know she was pestering him, but I was a little scared because he's not used to long-stay visitors and I didn't like his being agressive like that. Just because he was tired and probably annoyed.

The girl decided to get on our treadmill and walk, and that seemed to bother him a lot, too. When we first got Blondie, he was six weeks old, and he slept in the room where the treadmill was. It's not like it's his property, but I found that so interesting because he barked at her and tried to bite her while she was on the thing, and then I had to pick him up and take him away from her (he wasn't agressive to me at all ) and today he's peed twice near the treadmill (he didn't do that before yesterday)!!

These people left at 8 o'clock in the evening and then he didn't even want to finish his food because while he was eating, the girl came to him again and he got mad Today he's been sleepy, but still playful and "almost" back to normal, because he growled at me when I tried to fetch some cookies he didn't seem to be eating (he didn't eat them, but was protecting them all the same). What do you guys make of it? Should he get more visitors, or is it just a normal way to react?

 

[Cidney]

Poor Blondie, too bad the parents of the children didnt step in to prevent them from doing these things to Blondie. My Yorkies dont react too well when we have several people over and they dont get along with children at all. My two are not used to being around kids for one and most of the times they have its been a negative experience. I have a friend who allows her 5 year old daughter to run and kick at my dogs. Of course my dogs bark at her in self defense and run off to hide. My friend says nothing to her daughter about this and in the mean time I look like an uptight ninny for telling the child to stop. Now when kids come over they shy away or bark at them, what do you do?


I hope this has been the only time Blondie was "rough up" (lol) by little people and it doesnt shape they way she is around them in future like mine.

 

[Datyn's Mom]

in my opinion it sounds like he was very overwhelmed, i had the same thing happen to our dogs, a friend of mine came over withe her 2 boys, 11 & 5...they would not let the dogs alone, so i put the dogs in the kitchen and put the baby gate up and told the boys that the dogs had enough and needed a break, well here they are...at the gate..the dogs where fine, they werent growling or anything, i was worried, and kept checking on them, i turned around and i heard it, the envibale let me alone growl...i told the boys, ok thats enough now...so they left them alone for a whole whopping 10 minutes...then they where back at them..the akita snapped, he had enough..didnt bite them but it was his warning to them to let me alone...

i would say the next time you have children visitors, let them play for a bit if you like, but then if blondie gets tired of the kids, put him a peaceful room all of his own...

beleive me, its less stressful on you and the dog....

 

[Datyn's Mom]

also, like cidney said, my friend did not intervene at all...and it really pissed me off, i have 3 children and the dogs love my kids...and are extremely tollerate of my kids, but ofcourse i dont let my kids torture my dogs or any of my pets...i teach them how to treat an animal....some peoples parenting skills with pets are not that great....

 

[Saje]

I think you should have told the kids that he needs his quiet time now. He's young and he can easily get stressed out. You'd have put a baby down for nap and made sure that he wasn't bothered. Your pup needs the same thing. I don't think you can blame him for getting upset. A toddler or young child would be too.

Your puppy had a bad experience. He was getting cranky and tried to tell you that he was tired. So, you asked what you do when the child won't stop bothering him and won't listen. You take the pup out of the room, tell her she can't play with him anymore and if she doesn't listen then you tell her that your house has some rules and she needs to follow them. If she still doesn't listen then gently take it up with her parents. And if that doesn't work then don't invite them to your house, at least while the pup is young and cute. Meet them for dinner or go bowling. At least, that's what I do. I don't like it when people come into my house and are disrespectful.

I don't think you have anything serious to worry about. First of all, you said this child was annoying. You never know what this kids did to your pup when your back was turned. Kids aren't known for their compassion and insight.

It would still be a good idea to socialize him with a lot of friendly people. That's always a good idea. But they do have a limit on how long they can pay attention or tolerate things.

Good luck

 

[Renee750il]

Yes, YES to what's been said!

Now, you guys know I'm pretty tolerant. BUT, there is one house rule. This is my home; it is my animals' home. Everyone else is a visitor. Children - and adults - must treat my animals with respect. No argument, no getting around it. I won't tolerate anyone torturing, teasing or otherwise mistreating them.

It sounds like Blondie had every reason to be snappy with the child. Frankly, she sounds like a real brat. While you don't want Blondie to be snappy with visitors, he needs to be able to expect his home to be a place where he is protected. Peeing next to the treadmill was a statement telling you he felt threatened by this child. Remember, too, that Blondie isn't 100% well and he probably feels more vulnerable. The stress also isn't good for his health.

Whew! Sorry to sound so mean - it wasn't directed at you at all. I just get so irritated with people who let their children mistreat animals. Those are the ones that get bitten and then they start screaming that the dog is a bad dog and needs to be put down. And little Blondie's been through so much already.

It sounds like Blondie's going to need a few days to decompress after all that. Lots of attention and lots of naps. Poor little guy. And rest assured, if he'd really intended to bite the little hellion, he'd have gotten her. No child is faster than a dog.

If they come to visit again, you probably should give Blondie a break and put him in your room for a nice long nap anytime you can't be right there to protect him from the child. He's going to remember her and won't like her. If she or her parents say anything about her wanting to play with Blondie, just explain in a polite tone of voice that the child teased him so badly the last time that now he's afraid of her and you just can't allow her to be around him. They need to understand that it is NOT Blondie's fault - especially if he does bite her at some point - that the fault lies squarely on their shoulders for allowing the child to treat an animal so roughly. They need to stop and think about what might happen when she torments a much larger dog - or a cat. Cat's can do a lot of damage when they're cornered.

 

[avenlee]

When I'm faced with that situation, I will usually put my two dogs in my bedroom and shut the door. That way they can be in peace and its actually a treat for them because, they aren't allowed in our bedrooms alone. All our friends with kids are very dog oriented, however, and will instruct their kids to leave the poor dogs alone if need be and they have no problem with me instructing the kids either.


While I agree with getting your dog socialized, I do believe there is a responsibility on parents to get their children socialized with dogs also. Meaning to understand and respect the dog's actions and feelings. I've always told my kids when they would hug our dogs just a little too tight and they will give off a growl, that that is the way they say "LAY OFF" LOL Granted its usually just a tiny growl, but that's the way dog's communicate. How else could they get that point accross?

 

[Blondie]

Thank you everybody for your replies.

Their parents didn't even come, they're not very "sociable" so to speak, they came with their grandmother who's all tired and cranky. It's annoying like, u said, we have some home-made fences to put in doorframes when we don't want Blondie to go somewhere (like my grandma's bedroom, where he always finds nice stuff to steal ) and we put some for Blondie not to come near the kids but they kept coming to the little fence and kept insisting on playing with him when it was obvious he didn't want to anymore.

I'm worried about his future reactions around kids because he was happily playing with them when they first came. The stay just turned to be too long, and yes I'm sure the puppy was just so tired and stressed out. But I hate to be the "bad one" when I have to tell the kids "don't bother the dog", "don't do this, don't do that", "let him alone" and the adult responsible for the kids starts making faces, and then if he growls and barks at them, they still make faces like, it's not just me the bad one, but the dog too?

Datyn's Mom I completely understand how annoying it is that they just won't leave the poor dog alone, and it becomes overwhelming, but what do you do when the kids aren't yours? They do have limits, and regarding the fence and the quiet spaces? It's so unfair that he can't be part of the fun, because of some silly kids who can't let him alone, so he gets all moody and wants to snap them, so they think the puppy's dangerous.

 

[Datyn's Mom]

Datyn's Mom I completely understand how annoying it is that they just won't leave the poor dog alone, and it becomes overwhelming, but what do you do when the kids aren't yours? They do have limits, and regarding the fence and the quiet spaces? It's so unfair that he can't be part of the fun, because of some silly kids who can't let him alone, so he gets all moody and wants to snap them, so they think the puppy's dangerous.


like i said, these where my friends kids, my kids respect our pets...put your foot down, tellthem to leave the dog alone, explain to them like this....

"you know when you get cranky and want to be left alone" make the child understand and be some what on the kids level...they seem to understand better...

if not, just let them know that the dog has had enough...you need to be asurtive...who cares if you look like the bad one...i always look like the bad one...but oyu know what...it saves my pets from becoming endangered, or eve nworse put to sleep, because of biting...

 

[Datyn's Mom]

ok now that i can sit down...lol...im not saying that your guy is going to bite anyone...you know i dont like looking like the bad guy, but i have to, being a pet owner, you have responsiblity towards your pet to keep him safe and people around you safe, not saying your dog is mean, but heres an example...my old rotty..he loved kids...until one day my uncles step-son hurt him, now the dog did not bite him, but growled at him, with that my uncle kicked my dog hard...i flipped out...from then on the dog hated kids..because of my uncle...he associated kids with getting hurt...not by the kid but by an adult...it really pissed me off, and not only did my dog not like kids, he tryed to attack my uncle every chance he got...

now i know that most likely will not happen in your house...but you never know when the dog has just had enough and will snap...and then you have to deal with people screaming at you, because you didnt contain your dog, even though you tried...being nice, its just not part of the deal...yes socialize the dog, let him be around kids, but when he has had enough...put him in another room, believe me, he will thank you for that...and you will have peace...and not have to worry...


people do need to learn how to respect others pets...but that does not always happen...

 

[Renee750il]

Sometimes you just have to say "enough is enough," and put it to them plainly that your puppy has had enough mistreatment for one day and if the child gets bitten it's their fault - not yours or the dog's. And it will be the absolute truth.

I finally reached the point where I really don't care that irresponsibly cruel - yes, they are being cruel to encourage their children to keep aggravating the dog; the faces are encouragement, telling the kids they don't have to pay attention to what you say - think I'm being picky.

That child is going to be dog bitten one day and the dog is going to get blamed, even though it will be 100% the fault of the child and parents. It's just a matter of time. Irresponsible people like that contribute directly to all of this hysterical breed specific legislation.
I hope Blondie's alright and doesn't have a relapse because of all the stress. Let us know how he is.

 

[Blondie]

Renee, I'm going to print out your replies and translate them to my mom and everybody who wants to know and understand how pissed I am because of what happened yesterday. And I understand how strict I'll have to be the next time those kids show up, and if necessary, I'll take Blondie and put him in some other room like you all recommended, but, the thing is, he loves being with the family because he's _always_ with the family, hates being by himself and would bark and whine and cry if he's all alone He'll feel punished and that's so not fair. I guess I'll have to stay with him or do something else so that he won't feel bad.

Then if he bites somebody because they're annoying him, I don't know, but I wouldn't put him to sleep. No way. He's extremely affectionate, we have people coming over all the time (not children, though) and especially if they're girls, he'll run to them, be extremely happy to see them, and get on the furniture so that they can rub his belly. And I bet those girls who know him and pet him all the time they come would agree with me that he's not agressive at all, so I wouldn't get rid of him just because he tried to defend himself. No matter what happened.

I'm a little scared, though, that he won't like kids anymore. He wasn't tortured or hurt like that, but bugged and toyed with. It was so annoying, I mean my grandma, she was so annoyed (poor thing, she's 88 years old!), she got exasperated and said, "Well, let him bite her, maybe that way she'll leave him alone". Can you imagine the face of their grandmother hahaha. Of course I wouldn't let him bite her, but it was just the way it happened. When they finally left, we were all so tired we went to bed early.

 

[Rose's Gal]

I feel so sorry for you and Blondie......yesh.....some kids just don't understand that animals have feelings too. My Grandma has a mini Schnauzer named Molly that doesn't get along too well with little kids. And if you are bugging her, she'll snap. It isn't a hurtful snap, more like a warning. (But she doesn't growl first. Go figure.)
Luckly, both of our dogs LOVE kids. Rose will shy away from the rough/hyper/loud kids but she'll tolorate them and I don't think she'd ever snap. She might growl, but I trust her around kids. Blackie LOVES kids and he doesn't care if the come up to him and sit on him. Now, if he was being cranky or the kids were really mean/hyper he might just avoid them but I really trust him around other kids.
(I think the only kids I don't trust our dogs around is the really little kids [our dogs might knock them over] and our neighbor's kids. And it's not the dogs I don't trust around the neighbor's kids, it is the kids. Rose doesn't like them and I'm always afriad the kids will kick/hit/be abusive our dogs. The do NOT know how to treat animals. They treat them like you would a stuffed animal when you are mad.)

Our Aunt and Uncle came over one time with their 2yr old boy named Justin. Justin was outside pushing a toy tractor around and I decided to let the dogs out. (On leash, of course.) Justin came right up next to our dogs and squealed like you wouldn't believe it after Rose licked his hand. Our dogs perked their ears up at the noise, but were still trying to lick him to death. I was afraid they'd knock him over so I took 'em away. I think even if he started giving them the not-so-gentle-affection of a two year old, they'd just lay their.

Anyways, I hope Blondie has a chance to meet some nice kids. Not just the brats. Good luck!

 

[shredhead (DOG LOVER)]

Lol if it was my guests, than it would be "They live here, You dont. My house, my rules, don't bother my dogs.If you feel you have to, I'll keep this bandages handy."

 

[Saje]

Blondie, please don't get yourself in a situation where you have to decide whether or not to put your dog done. Sometimes you aren't even the one that gets to make that decision. This situation isn't out of control now but you have a puppy, who is sensitive, and needs to get used to different situations slowly. Help her be the best dog she can be. And stand up for her. She can't explain herself.

I think, I may be wrong, that you are stilling living with your parents. If that's the case then your parents guests (or grandmothers) are not your responsibility. Take Blondie into your room or another room with you. Play with her all afternoon. Read a book while she naps. Whatever. Just make sure she doesn't get stressed out or hurt.

As for her not being good with kids in the future, that may be true. Some dogs aren't. But you can help her now. Find some really good kids to come and visit. Just for a few minutes at a time. There are some really good kids out there who know how to handle animals and are gentle.

BTW you are absolutely right not to let her bite anyone. That would be hurtful forever. Not just for Blondie but also the breed. My mom got bit by a GSD when she was a kid. She still has a scar, still tells the story and while she likes the breeds she's still very wary of them. That doesn't help the reputation of the breed at all.

Renee, I'm going to print out your replies and translate them to my mom and everybody who wants to know and understand how pissed I am because of what happened yesterday. And I understand how strict I'll have to be the next time those kids show up, and if necessary, I'll take Blondie and put him in some other room like you all recommended, but, the thing is, he loves being with the family because he's _always_ with the family, hates being by himself and would bark and whine and cry if he's all alone He'll feel punished and that's so not fair. I guess I'll have to stay with him or do something else so that he won't feel bad.

Then if he bites somebody because they're annoying him, I don't know, but I wouldn't put him to sleep. No way. He's extremely affectionate, we have people coming over all the time (not children, though) and especially if they're girls, he'll run to them, be extremely happy to see them, and get on the furniture so that they can rub his belly. And I bet those girls who know him and pet him all the time they come would agree with me that he's not agressive at all, so I wouldn't get rid of him just because he tried to defend himself. No matter what happened.

I'm a little scared, though, that he won't like kids anymore. He wasn't tortured or hurt like that, but bugged and toyed with. It was so annoying, I mean my grandma, she was so annoyed (poor thing, she's 88 years old!), she got exasperated and said, "Well, let him bite her, maybe that way she'll leave him alone". Can you imagine the face of their grandmother hahaha. Of course I wouldn't let him bite her, but it was just the way it happened. When they finally left, we were all so tired we went to bed early.

 

[Renee750il]

I am so glad your Grandma understood what was going on! And we all know you'd never let anything happen to Blondie if it's within your power.

The thing is, that kind of constant pulling and teasing and annoying IS torture to a dog, especially a young, small dog whose health isn't 100% like Blondie. Think about someone constantly poking you with their finger, over and over and over, for an extended period of time and you can't get away from them, and you can't knock the snot out of them - that's the situation a dog is in when a kid (or an idiot adult) won't let it have any peace.

 

[poodlesmom]

You have gotten some great advice! I understand completely what it was like for you & Blondie. As you know, it is your responsibility to keep Blondie safe. I have been known, from time to time, to be considered a "meanie" when guests come with children who don't follow the rules in my house. If the children don't listen to what I am nicely telling them, then I explain it quite frankly to the adults who are with them and ask for their assistance. If none is forthcoming & the kids continue I will then tell them where they are to sit and for how long. This usually will get their adults' attention. In fact, I have found when it has reached this point the kids will usually catch on quite quickly as they aren't quite sure by now just how far they can push me. If the adults get upset, you just need to tell them you are trying to keep them & Blondie safe and avoid any potential problems as it is your home & your insurance & your furpal should a bite occur due to the continued pestering. Of course, if you do this and keep Blondie in the room with all of you, you may need to keep her on a leash if she starts approaching the kids - if they are in a time-out away from her, she should also be away from them. I have found also that most times after this the kids tend to tone it down & they are able to interact quite nicely together but I don't let them out of my sight.

 

[EliNHunter]

Ok... realize this is in "humor", BUT...

Not all dogs can tolerate kids and I think Blondie did a FINE job of containing himself to the best of his ability -- only to take it out on the carpet by the treadmill. Next time, you need to crate the kids, in my opinion... Lol...

 

[Saje]

LOL Good idea Eli. I like that.

How is Blondie doing? Has she peed by the treadmill again?

 

[Saje]

Blondie, I was just re-reading my posts. I think I sounded harsher than I wanted too. I just get annoyed at kids who don't have respect for animals. My mom taught me at a very young age how to treat pets. We were never allowed to pet the cat backwards or anything. My kids, should I have them, will learn the same respect. House rule! LOL

Anyway, I think you are a great mom for Blondie and she's lucky to have someone who is so concerned about her. Of course, you're lucky to have her too.

Saje