VERY proud of tyr and why i hate people

[corgipower]

i was at the park with tyr, a 3 year old intact male malinois, working lines, trained in obedience and protection.

as i was walking across the park with him, i realized there was a small child running up behind us. i told tyr to "sitz" and turned to attempt to prevent the child from getting all they way to my dog. not that he isn't friendly, but i don't allow everyone to pet him and i discourage people -- especially kids -- from petting my dogs unless they ask first. i have successfully taught several kids proper etiquette around dogs this way.

as i turned, the kid caught up to us and wrapped his entire body around tyr's head in a huge bear hug. my heart missed a few beats, tyr just sat there. i was so proud of him!!! i said something to the mom, that she shouldn't let her kid do that, and her answer was, "he's only two. he doesn't know."

 

[Zoom]

That child is going to lose his face at some point if the mom isn't more careful. Two years old is PLENTY old enough to be told "wait until we ask if the doggie wants to be petted."

Good job Tyr!

 

[Toller_08]

That's great! You should definitely be very proud of Tyr.

Kids do that to Dance all the time and she hates it, but fortunately she tolerates it. I try to talk to the kids, but most don't listen, and then I get the same reaction from the parents as you did. Those kids aren't always going to be so lucky. I never take Morgan around kids for that very reason - I don't like her temperament at all at the best of times and know she can't be 100% trusted, regardless of how much socializing and training she's had.

 

[Maxy24]

Good dog!! People are stupid, that poor kid is going to get bitten one day because his mother won't teach him to ask or at least control him. I agree a two year old should be able to ask, if not then the mom should control him and ask for him until he can do it himself. My three year old cousin knows very well she needs to ask. We went to a pet store and she wanted to pet someone's puppy and I told her to ask and she stopped, said excuse me can I pet your puppy and the woman let her. Then she asked three other owners by herself. The next time we went out she asked a woman on the side of the street if she could pet her dogs and I didn't need to remind her or anything. Her only issue is she really wants to hug the dogs and she is not allowed to which I agree with. I'm lad Tyr was so well behaved!

 

[Buckshot]

LOL hes only two! I wonder if thats what she will tell the driver of the car that hits him when he runs out into the street.

 

[lilprairiemutt]

LOL hes only two! I wonder if thats what she will tell the driver of the car that hits him when he runs out into the street.

I have to agree. Besides, how is he ever going to know if she doesn't bother to teach him. Its a good thing Tyr is such a good dog.

See and this is one reason why I think the general run of parents should have to keep their children leashed at all times. If you are going to make the excuse that the child doesn't know any better and make no effort to teach them to know better, then for the safety of the child, it should be leashed. Or alternatly the parents can be knocked up the side the head for their stupidity. Or maybe both.

 

[Renee750il]

Heheh . . . lilprairie . .. . bet most of 'em got knocked up from stupidity in the first place.

 

[DoggyDaze]

I agree with most of what's said here and KUDOS are definately deserved for Corgipower and Tyr.

However, to play Devil's Advocate for a minute, some people don't have dogs, were never raised around dogs and know nothing of dogs. They just see an animal, apparently calm and under control that is pleasing thier child. These parents don't know what to teach thier kids. The show GSD owner not included.

I understand how terrifying it is to have a strange child hug your dog, been there done that.

But as a dog owner in the company of experienced dog enthusiasts I think we would all be better served by acknowledging (sp?) that these things happen out of ignorance rather than stupidity and concentrate on informing rather than condemning.

 

[oc_spirit]

I agree with DD in that a lot of the time the parents simply dont know any better. It seems each generation is getting worse and worse too. Parents just don't know how to parent anymore (not all, just a rapidly growing number of them).

I'm glad Tyr behaved so well for you!

 

[Saintgirl]

However, to play Devil's Advocate for a minute, some people don't have dogs, were never raised around dogs and know nothing of dogs. They just see an animal, apparently calm and under control that is pleasing thier child. These parents don't know what to teach thier kids.

To a point yes. However ALL people know that dogs can bite! Corgipower, I'm like you, I take the opportunity to properly teach children how to approach a dog, and if they don't ask first, they can not touch. Maybe it's mean, maybe they are only 2 years old, but if I save one child from getting a bite then I'll be glad.