Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
My puppy Chance has always been outgoing and super friendly with strangers. I’ve taken him to work on campus from time to time, and he has been enthusiastic about meeting the employees and students there. But he hasn’t had much experience with younger children.
Today while we were on a walk, six children noisily approached us. My guess is that the ages were 8-10. Of course they wanted to pet Chance, but I could see that he was nervous. Two of the children were bouncing basketballs, and that noise in particular seemed to alarm my puppy.
I put Chance on a sit/stay and asked the children not to touch his face but to gently stroke his back instead. But they were too excited or distracted to comprehend, and youthful hands were waggling towards his puppy face and the bouncing of basketballs continued. Chance didn’t growl or snap but I think he might have done both if I had not instructed—sharply—the children not to touch him. In the end, mom arrived and we posed in the streets for a photo. Chance snuggled between my knees and several of the children, calmer now, stroked him gently.
This incident will make me very cautious with Chance around young children. I am a bit sad because he is such a friendly little guy.
Do any of you have experiences or wisdom to share?
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Sounds like a perfect match--two year old children love to give commands!
My doodle Paz is a therapy dog who works with children who have witnessed domestic violence or violent crime. Paz is very comfortable around kids, even in large numbers, however, I always ask the kids to be gentle, and calm, and avoid crowding him. It's always a good idea to take control, and be your dog's advocate. You might want to ask a professional trainer to assess Chance's reaction, and determine a strategy that might help him to feel less fearful.
You are right. These kids wouldn't listen until mom came along. I should have moved along with my dog rather than try to get the children to behave. But I was startled by the intensity of Chance's reaction, particularly because I am so accustomed to my pup loving everyone at first sight. Thanks.
We specifically included children and children's play areas at the park in our training. Sometimes we just sat on a bench and watched, sometimes we walked around the area, sometimes we invited touching. We did the same thing with the basketball area, the place where kids skateboard, play baseball and soccer. Clancy had a problem with basketball players until we did our training. Chance will be fine I'm sure. Just keep working with him and don't rush it. We never had a problem taking control of the kids' behavior, but perhaps that is because my dh and I are both teachers (retired now) and have a teacher voice when dealing with youngsters. If the children will not take direction from you, I would immediately leave the area with Chance - you are his protector.
Thanks--I see park benches and playgrounds in our future!
Thanks. I am hoping my dog will be able to wear the yellow & green ribbon :)
Oh boy.....I feel a "dog morons and their equally moronic, entitled little brats with no common sense and poor borders and boundaries when it comes to approaching strange dogs in public" rant/lecture coming on......I better compose myself before I start typing because it's not going to be pretty..........: )
Now that felt good!
good self control :)
Sometimes that many kids coming at me scare me too.Sometimes nervous ness travels down the lead.I always worry about me three when lots of interaction happens fast,and mine are around grands,and lots of people most of the time.One nerver knows...
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