Did I overreact?

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

My DH and I were out walking the dogs last night (DH was walking Cubbie and I had Ollie who is still a bit crazy on a leash).   The park near our home has a paved walking path that we like to use.  Well, last night Ollie was being a bit jumpy (occasionally one little thing will freak him out and then suddenly he is afraid of everything.)  We walked along the path and went past 2 kids that were yelling and screaming which freaked Ollie out even more.  We were probably about 15ft past them when I heard “Dogs!!!  Let’s go pet them.”  The parents were standing right there but didn’t say anything to the kids.  We just kept walking but then the next thing I know there are 2 kids running up behind us (probably between 8 and 10 years old) screaming “hey, we want to pet your dogs.”  By this point, Ollie had his tail tucked between his legs and was spinning around on the leash while trying to crouch down low to the ground at the same time.  It was all just too much for him.  I turned to the kids who were still a few feet away at this point and politely said “I’m sorry but we are working on training them so you can’t pet them right now.”  Now usually I will get the dogs to sit and then let kids pet them, but I was having a hard time controlling Ollie on the leash and even though he has never snapped at anyone, I didn’t want to take any chances at that moment.  We kept walking, but the kids kept running towards us this time reaching for the dogs.  I stopped and said “please do not touch the dogs.”  (I was getting angry at this point….the parents weren’t even watching their kids).  The kid wasn’t taking no for an answer.  He looked at me with an expression that basically said “crazy lady.  I AM going to pet those dogs” and proceeded to reach towards Ollie.  I wasn’t really thinking and went and grabbed his wrist just before touched Ollie (I didn’t hurt him or anything, it was just to stop him).  I looked at him and said “No, do NOT pet the dog.”  I let go of his arm and started to walk towards home.  The kid continued to argue.  My DH hadn’t said a word through all of this and was just looking at me like I had lost my mind.  I explained that if something had happened and if Ollie had snapped at the kid, we would’ve been the ones in trouble and that was situation that I didn’t want to have to deal with. 

 

Did I overreact?

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Possibly; however, I probably would have done the same thing.  The  thing is Ollie probably WAS getting more nervous because you were nervous.  They pick up on our emotions more than we think.  If I am nervous, Taquito tries to protect me and Peri is not as doodly/friendly as she normally is.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I probably would have told them just what you did the first time, "Training" but the second time I would have given them more of a warning like "He is afraid around children and could bite you".  If that doesn't stop them, nothing will, short of grabbing their arm away.

It really was a good training moment however if you could have made the children wait while you could have gotten him calmed down and had him sit. Let him smell them and see there is nothing to be afraid of.

We had to work extensively with this with Murphy as he would bark and charge at children who he passed even if they didn't care to approach him. This was just not acceptable as I have a young grandchild and am around many friends with young children. Hard to say in hindsight and we weren't there, but kids can be very rude and not realize it. Being firm was what they did need at the time, that's for sure.

.

[Jennifer and "Cooper"]

I don't think you over reacted at all.  I've done the same thing at times when rude, unruly kids have tried to pet Cooper and are totally ignoring what I'm saying.  And I've even put myself in between Cooper and the kids as a way to stop them.  Not so much because I think Cooper would do anything to the kid but more because I just don't like or tolerate bratty kids.  And you are correct.  Even though the parents didn't care enough to make sure their kids knew the proper way to approach a dog or knew to listen to an adult when they were told "No", you can bet your life they would have cared enough to blame you if Ollie had snapped at the kids.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree with all of the comments even the slightly conflicting ones. It always gets tricky when you touch someone else's child in these times. I would have warned them about being bitten and asked the parents to intervene warning them that their children are frightening your dog and they could get harmed. I'm lucky that most everyone asks first before petting.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I don't think you overreacted, no.

[Donna K & Quincy]

I don't think you over reacted and in hindsight it is always easy to see what we could have done differently. Chalk it up as a learning experience in the event you ever encounter a similar experience. I'm with Karen, I might have snarled at them myself.

[Robyn, Greg and Snickers]

I feel your pain, we have quite a few kids in our neighborhood that insist on petting Snickers.  Since the parents of the kids were there, I would have said you need to ask your parents if you can pet a dog, otherwise I cannot let you.  Once they were on their way to ask permission I would continue my walk AWAY from them.  If they did catch up with permission then I would say, instead of saying I am going to pet your dog, the polite thing to say is May I pet/see your dog?  Then when they ask that, you say not at this time as he is tired/training etc.  Our neighbors kids LOVE Snickers and they will run out of the house screaming his name when they see him walk down the street, but I still make them ask everytime and if I don’t think he is in a good mood I will say not today.  They are bummed but kids need to learn that you can’t have what you want all the time.   Funny note about these kids they are getting a puppy in October, and my husband and I decided that Snicks will be doggie non grata once the new pup hits the street!  Although the one kid insists her dog and Snickers will be best friends and have play dates together…we shall see…

[Jeanne, Tura and Dolly]

This is really interesting because I have been surprised at how many children ASK "can I pet your dog?".  I think you did just the right things but probably your nerves about Ollie made it worse. So you have to practice being calm and try exposing your pups to polite kids. Kids can be unpredictable so it is good for the dogs to meet them.  The parents of this child will be having trouble down the road too :-(

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I too have been surprised by the number of children that ask before they pet or the number of parents that correct them to make them ask if they don't. I also always try and make sure I've gotten verbal permission from the parent as well.  If they aren't nearby, I always make the child go back and ask so I can see where they go.  One of my biggest problems is Lucy does not like to be approached from behind.  Since she is a little shy anyway, I always have to get the kids to understand they have to be in front of her when they start petting her so she can see them.

 

[Becka]

This is a great point. Our trainer taught us to tell people that (after they ask permission to pet your dog) to 1) first let the dog smell you; and 2) pet the dog on the chest. This way they avoid shoving their hands at the dog's head and mouth, which can be very intimidating/threatening for the dog.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I remember when Tara was a pup it freaked her out if someone tried to pet the top of her head! She still isn't all that fond of it but LOVES to have her chest rubbed. I agree that a person's approach and their hand position can make all the difference.

[Rose Ann and Amante]

I dont think so. Your first responsibility is to Ollie! I think it is important that he know that too!