What do you do....

[Kase]

I was just wondering what you all would do if a very small child came up and touched your dog. Would you let them or would you block their path?


Today I went for a walk to the park with Casey and our cat who decided to follow us. Just as I was walking up the steps I saw 2 people, a dog and a little kid walking parallel to us.

All of a sudden this little kid (around 3 to 4yrs) comes running over to us very slowly with the man following behind shouting the kid to stop (the man wasn't even walking fast to catch up). I decided to stop as if I carried on the kid would only follow as he was obviously running to us. When the kid reaches us he literally before I could do anything latches onto Caseys stomach hugging her. Casey is absolutely fine with kids and I know she wouldn't react badly to a child touching her so I didn't move him of as I don't think his parents would have appreciated it (also it wasn't bothering Casey, if it was I would have moved him).

Eventually he lets go and then decides to go for my cat. He tries to heave Willow up and at this point I ask him not to do that, Willow leaps from his arms and jumps onto the brick wall. The man still hasn't arrived yet and the kid then climbs onto the bench and tries to get onto the wall after the cat, I jump forward and stop him and at this point the man arrives picks the kid up without saying anything and walks of.

All I wanted to know is what you would have done in this situation, do you let kids touch your dogs or would you have stopped him?

 

[motherofmany]

I would not allow anyone to touch my dog without my consent and that consent having been transmitted to the dog.

For that child's own safety, I would take the opportunity to give him a gentle "teaching moment." No yelling, no abrupt movements, nothing rough or anything. Just a gently removing the child's arms from my pet, and then a soft and gentle speech about: "Do you like the dog? If you want to touch a dog you like, you should ask a grownup to help you first, okay? Because some dogs might bite you and that hurts really bad." Then I would show the child how to allow the dog to sniff his hand and how to pet (no over the head patting) and then again stress how important it is to have a grownups help before touching an animal.

Then I would give a polite "earful" to the parent about the dangers of their child being allowed to run up to strange dogs.

 

[AusCatDogs_4Ever]

I would just say kindly "Please, don't pet my dog without asking your parents, then me, for permission first, you could get hurt." Something along those lines. I have had something similar happen with Charlie, a little boy, about 2 years old, ran up to Charlie and patted his nose, so fast before I could say anything. It's a good thing Charlie didn't mind, but running up quickly like that to a dog could frighten it. The parents were keeping an eye on him and asked him to stop petting the dog, and he said "Nice doggy" and left. (Charlie was born with, and grew up with little kids so he loves them). The father even gave Charlie a hot dog, he really enjoyed that! (If your wondering where the hot dog came from: we were at a camp ground and they were having a free barbeque).

 

[Kase]

I would not allow anyone to touch my dog without my consent and that consent having been transmitted to the dog.

For that child's own safety, I would take the opportunity to give him a gentle "teaching moment." No yelling, no abrupt movements, nothing rough or anything. Just a gently removing the child's arms from my pet, and then a soft and gentle speech about: "Do you like the dog? If you want to touch a dog you like, you should ask a grownup to help you first, okay? Because some dogs might bite you and that hurts really bad." Then I would show the child how to allow the dog to sniff his hand and how to pet (no over the head patting) and then again stress how important it is to have a grownups help before touching an animal.

Then I would give a polite "earful" to the parent about the dangers of their child being allowed to run up to strange dogs.

Thanks for posting, if it ever happens again I will follow those steps. I know Casey isn't dangerous but your right about teaching the kid how to behave around dogs. I just didn't know if I was in my right to physically (very gently) move the kid away from her.

 

[Kase]

I would just say kindly "Please, don't pet my dog without asking your parents, then me, for permission first, you could get hurt." Something along those lines. I have had something similar happen with Charlie, a little boy, about 2 years old, ran up to Charlie and patted his nose, so fast before I could say anything. It's a good thing Charlie didn't mind, but running up quickly like that to a dog could frighten it. The parents were keeping an eye on him and asked him to stop petting the dog, and he said "Nice doggy" and left. (Charlie was born with, and grew up with little kids so he loves them). The father even gave Charlie a hot dog, he really enjoyed that! (If your wondering where the hot dog came from: we were at a camp ground and they were having a free barbeque).

Thanks, I will try to stop the kid next time. He just did it so quickly, I didn't have time to react.

I was actually wondering where the hot dog came from .

 

[motherofmany]

I think anyone has the right to remove a child from a potentially dangerous situation (not that your situation was dangerous, your dog handled it fine) because no matter how vigilant a parent is (and that parent didn't seem very vigilant btw) children can and will get into situations they shouldn't. It is up to adults, all adults, to do what we can in those moments.

I cannot tell you the number of times I thanked God for a kind adult stepping in when one of my children was doing something risky. And trust me, I was two steps shy of being a "bubblewrap parent!"

 

[Kase]

No they weren't very vigilant at all. I felt like saying 'just because shes a golden it doesn't automatically mean she's gonna be fine with kids' or something along those lines as he had no way of knowing how she would react. It just made me mad, next time I will step in.

 

[mojozen]

Mojo likes kids, but he's not around them very often, so I tend to be very cautious. So in that regard, I've body blocked children from touching Mojo before - ESPECIALLY if they run up to us. I want every experience Mojo has with children to be positive, and I will protect him and his space if I deem it necessary. I then tell them gently to not touch my dog, or any strange dog without asknig first. Then I show them the appropriate way to touch dogs (on the back, gentle strokes not hitting, don't reach for the head etc)... Mojo's generally a good sport and usually stands quietly wagging his tail.

 

[motherofmany]

Mojo makes a good point. I think it is important to teach a dog to hit a down stay behind you on command, so that you can step between them and a situation that you want to prevent.

 

[Bella's Mom]

I agree with Mojo also. I would put my girl in a down stay, and then say something to the kids parent. My rottie likes kids but god help the child that comes upon a dog that might take its hand off. I must say the parent is a idiot.....

 

[RD]

If I see a kid running towards my dog, I say "HEY" or "STOP" in a loud, sharp voice to get their attention. When they stop, I ask them if they want to pet the dog and then show them how to approach him.
Dakota will go behind me and sit with just a flick of the wrist, so getting between him and the kid is easy to do, but it's a last resort. I've found that a firm, loud voice will get a response every time.

My dog wouldn't care either way, but it's my pet peeve. Beware of owner.

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

In that situation, I would have blocked his path and told him to approach the dog nicely. My girls LOVE little kids but I am not going to have them disrespected by a little brat.

 

[nedim]

I would definately block the kid's path.

Their hug isnt worth my dog being put down over an accident. Although Peanut is fine with little kids, I wouldnt take the chance.

 

[Dobiegurl]

whenever ANYONE tries to touch my dog without my consent I usually step in front of him and say "no" in a sharp tone. People usually grab their kid and walk away because I "disciplined" their child, but oh well someone needs to teach them not to run up to any dog because that dog can attack and then whos ready to sue?? The parents, the ones who did not teach their child the proper way to attack a dog.

Chico is great with kids, but not all dogs will react the same way. And I think it is my duty, as a dog owner, to protect any dog who may be rushed up on and naturally take it as a threat and protect their owner.

 

[Dobiegurl]

I would definately block the kid's path.

Their hug isnt worth my dog being put down over an accident. Although Peanut is fine with little kids, I wouldnt take the chance.

Exactly!!! Dogs react to certain things and I am not willing to put my dog in a situation where he feels threatened or something. Yes, I trust my dog but NO DOG can be 100% trusted, none.

 

[smkie]

i would block their path and tell them and the parents how they should always ask the owner AND their parents before they pet a dog that they do not know. I had to do it all the time at city market, then after having the child do exactly that (ask that is) i would then let them pet my dogs for they are children friendly. You would be amazed at how many children would come up to bronki and try to plunk down on his blanket beside him..on an average farmer market morning.

 

[PixieSticksandTricks]

In that situation, I would have blocked his path and told him to approach the dog nicely. My girls LOVE little kids but I am not going to have them disrespected by a little brat.

Brats pretty harsh

 

[yoko]

if theyask i'm fine with it. yoshi loves all people and will sit or play with whoever comes to her. but if they don't ask i just say 'come' and keep going with yoshi so they have to stop or jog to keep up to keep petting her

 

[Dobiegurl]

Brats pretty harsh

Not really.

 

[Renee750il]

Most little kids stop when they suddenly realize that the doggy they're running towards is roughly three or four times their size That gives me a chance to tell whichever one of the dogs I've got to mind their manners (which means they sit down quietly and try to hold the wriggling to a minimum) and I can step forward to the child and stoop down and show them how to hold their little hands forward, just far enough away so that the dog can sniff and then move to bridge the distance. I just love seeing the look of wonder in those children's eyes when one of the dogs reaches forward and snuffles their hands and kisses those little fingers. Then I tell them the dog's name and say that they should tell her "Hello" and tell the doggy what their name is. Manners and respect in one fun lesson