WWYD: Children Edition

[noludoru]

Alternate title: WTF is going on here?

Tonight, my roommate's (who, if you've been following me on FB has his own set of issues and can't be talked to about things because. . . well. . . read my FB?) child stuck his hand in Middie's bowl. While he was eating food. Just leaned over and put his hand there. It didn't look like he was petting Middie or grabbing kibble. He might have been grabbing his face or just putting his hand there.

What possible motivation could he have for this? Other than stupidity. The kid has that covered. Is there some other reason for this kind of behavior?

Furthermore, while I was too shocked to even say anything at the time, how should I handle this beyond "DON'T stick your hands into a running tablesaw, garbage disposal, electric sockets, or the dog's bowl as they could result in similar injuries?"

 

[Fran101]

How old is the kid?

Other than talking to him and explaining the dangers....I would just play defense (because you know they aren't going to blame the kid if something happens) and feed Middie in a room that isn't the kitchen/common area?

It sucks but kids will be kids and they are sometimes rude/willful especially if their parents are dumb.

 

[MicksMom]

...Furthermore, while I was too shocked to even say anything at the time, how should I handle this beyond "DON'T stick your hands into a running tablesaw, garbage disposal, electric sockets, or the dog's bowl as they could result in similar injuries?"

Assuming this isn't a toddler, I'd handle it the same way I'd handle a kid running up to Caleb and petting him without asking first. I'd tell the kid never to do that because not all dogs would handle it nicely and they could very well get bit.

 

[noludoru]

How old is the kid?

Other than talking to him and explaining the dangers....I would just play defense (because you know they aren't going to blame the kid if something happens) and feed Middie in a room that isn't the kitchen/common area?

It sucks but kids will be kids and they are sometimes rude/willful especially if their parents are dumb.

13. If he was 3, I'd be less confused. So that's where I'm coming from.

I'm going to feed him in his crate, I think. The kid is here for a week, though, and we have plans to be gone for most of 3 days, so I think I'm going to drive home every day and feed him myself.

 

[Oko]

13. If he was 3, I'd be less confused. So that's where I'm coming from.

I'm going to feed him in his crate, I think. The kid is here for a week, though, and we have plans to be gone for most of 3 days, so I think I'm going to drive home every day and feed him myself.

Crate the kid.

 

[noludoru]

Assuming this isn't a toddler, I'd handle it the same way I'd handle a kid running up to Caleb and petting him without asking first. I'd tell the kid never to do that because not all dogs would handle it nicely and they could very well get bit.

I LOVE this approach and it's what I normally do, but any time I correct the kid on his dog behavior his dad interrupts me and has to tell me that the kid is very good with animals, all animals like him, and Middie's such a good dog etc etc. It's virtually impossible to say anything politely and be heard. I've repeatedly told them he is MY dog and MY rules go, and that has been agreed, but then in reality I get talked over.

 

[noludoru]

Crate the kid.

AHAHAHAAAA you copied TCG on that, didn't you?

I actually have a kid-sized crate, a bark collar, and a padlock. This isn't out of the realm of possibility.

 

[JazzyTheSibe]

I've used this for kids I babysit, however, the same concept could possibly work.

"Always ask the owner(youself in said situation.)before you pet, feed, or interact by touch in anyway. You could dumb down

I'd mention that EVERY dog has the potential injury, moreso in these situations. Maybe give him links, or articles on how to interact with a dog. What to do.& not to do.

Does he bug Middie in any other way?

Crate the kid.

Genius! This is my favorite idea, as of right now.

 

[Kat09Tails]

We owned a bull once. When one owns a bull and posts signs on the fence that there is a bull one would expect that people would have more sense than communing with the cows on someone else's private property. You would assume wrong. People just don't know - they are too far removed from reality in a world of disney movies and supermarket deboned chicken.

I think you are wise to feed in a crate. I would be hesitant to rock the boat too much with the "not my kid" but I would certainly say. "You are lucky the dog didn't bite you." Personally I got a swat on the ass and a "stay away from the dog when they're eating" as a kid.

 

[Grab]

I was about to go into a "they haven't been taught better/need more supervision" spiel, but then I saw that he is 13..


Do they have dogs of their own? Some people are just really clueless about dog behavior and have a friendship view of animals. As in "they're really nice, they won't bite me because we're friends" sort of thing and just have no idea that even the nicest dog can bite. It's not personal.

I'd probably stick with reiterating that we do not reach into dogs' bowls and that, even if a dog is ok with it once, does not mean he'll be ok with it again. And then feed in the crate, because sometimes people don't listen

 

[lancerandrara]

God, even just READING about this is pissing me off. I've had about 230948 times more than enough with kids doing stupid things with my dogs too.

Except that 13 is way too old. Like. What is he even thinking.

I also push the suggestion to crate the kid.

In seriousness though, I agree with Fran... feed Middie in a closed room to prevent anything from happening.

Though honestly, I'd lunge over and bite the kid's hand myself and just be like, "SEE? SEE, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU REACH INTO A DOG'S BOWL."


... literally seething right now just from the thought LMAO.

 

[pinkspore]

I'd probably say something like "Dude, seriously? Aren't you smarter than that?" When logical reasoning doesn't work, "everyone knows you don't stick your hand in a dog's bowl while he's eating" along with some eye rolling and maybe an annoyed sigh.

 

[Romy]

It terrifies me that your roommate reproduced.

Since the kid is 13, if he still didn't get it after this I would walk over to him while he's eating his meals, lean really close and start grubbing through his food with your bare hands while he's eating.

 

[CrystalGSD]

Since the kid is 13, if he still didn't get it after this I would walk over to him while he's eating his meals, lean really close and start grubbing through his food with your bare hands while he's eating.

Most effective way to get the message across

 

[lancerandrara]

It terrifies me that your roommate reproduced.

Since the kid is 13, if he still didn't get it after this I would walk over to him while he's eating his meals, lean really close and start grubbing through his food with your bare hands while he's eating.

L M A O

^ this is the way to do it.

 

[Snark]

It terrifies me that your roommate reproduced.

Since the kid is 13, if he still didn't get it after this I would walk over to him while he's eating his meals, lean really close and start grubbing through his food with your bare hands while he's eating.

That was gonna be my suggestion - stick your hand in his food while he's eating and ask him how he likes it. If he doesn't, point out the dog doesn't like it either.

 

[Dizzy]

Honest opinion??

My dog, my responsibility to ensure my dog is safe from child.

You can't rely on other people to behave how you want them too, so unfortunately you have to manage your end of the situation.

At 13 I'd be having words directly with the child too, but if they're not going to listen then there's nothing you can do. No matter how annoying it is, if middie snaps then you're the one who will be held accountable. Wrongly. But still.

 

[Landshark]

I'd probably say something like "Dude, seriously? Aren't you smarter than that?" When logical reasoning doesn't work, "everyone knows you don't stick your hand in a dog's bowl while he's eating" along with some eye rolling and maybe an annoyed sigh.

I second exactly what Pink said. Pretty sure a 13 year old can handle a little sarcasm and if he gets butthurt and runs to Mommy and Daddy about it I'd lay into them about what would happen if he did this to another dog that wasn't as tolerant. I've had to do it more than I'd like to admit with dog ignorant parents before but I'd rather come across as a jerk than have a kid get hurt and put my dog in jeopardy. I also agree with other posters that feeding in a crate might be ideal in your situation.

 

[BostonBullMama]

13. If he was 3, I'd be less confused. So that's where I'm coming from.

I'm going to feed him in his crate, I think. The kid is here for a week, though, and we have plans to be gone for most of 3 days, so I think I'm going to drive home every day and feed him myself.

13 ?! Holy moly... my 1 year old sticks her hand in the dogs bowl... we've started standing between Toby and S while he's eating just to be sure she doesn't do it. Figure she's 1, by 2-3 she should know it's a no-no. At 13 though like... WTF?!

I'd probably yell at him.. honestly. LOL. I wouldn't even tolerate that from my 6 year old.

 

[release the hounds]

feed my dog in a crate and find a new roommate at 13 I wonder just what's going on in his head? Either he has developmental issues and then the onus is on me to keep my dogs safe, or there has been a serious disconnect in all forms of parenting up to this point and I wouldn't really trust him around me at all.