Tiny Humans

[Stephanie and Ragley]

Ragley has always been a very people-oriented dog. She likes other dogs, don't get me wrong, but she definitely gravitates towards the people around her. At puppy playtime, she always made her rounds along the perimeter of the play area to say hello to all the other owners; at the park, she greets the owners before acknowledging the dogs; on walks, she looks genuinely offended if someone walks by us without meeting her. This is both a handicapping and fantastic quality. Her interactions with other dogs is limited by this (daycare, play dates, dog parks, etc.), but she truly does connect with people and brings joy to everyone around her. 

Her absolute most favorite kinds of people, though, are those wonderful, joyful miniature humans! You know- the ones that talk funny, are much smaller, and occasionally pet a little too hard. I have noticed that Ragley seems to prefer kids. She is always so excited to meet them! Of course, I am sure to carefully control these situations when they arise, but she always impresses me with how well she will calmly sit then lay down and allow them to approach her, pet her, and give her treats. When it is children I know well (older cousins etc.), I will even allow them to hold her as she loves being snuggled and held. Don't worry- I never do this in any situation in which I feel she would be in danger of being dropped. She just soaks up all this attention and gladly plays along with being a big snuggly teddy bear of a puppy.

Is it normal for dogs to prefer certain age groups of people? She likes all people, but those tiny humans just bring out the best in her!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I think there's nothing sweeter than a child gently bonding with a dog. And these pictures are as sweet as it gets. But I'm in complete agreement with Karen's POV. Including the fact that I will never ask to hold your baby :)  much as I might admire the little one from a distance.  Now, a puppy, that's different :)  

[BG and Gavin]

I trust Gavin around everyone but he has not had the same level of experience around small children (most of my friends have grown up kids).  On leash he is very excited by children  but totally wants to lick their faces which most parents are not keen on.  And with his size and tail power I am always a bit worried he will knock them over.  Last weekend we had friends over with a 3 year old and I showed him how to say "no" if Gavin tried to lick him - and he did it and Gavin respected.  However later I looked over and Gavin was lying on the floor and the young boy was straddling him like a pony and everyone seemed happy.  When my friend brings her tween girls over, they lay on the floor on their backs and Gavin lays behind them and they use him as a pillow to prop their heads up the watch TV.  We are lucky Gavin is super confident and I have never seen him act nervous around anyone.  

[Stephanie and Ragley]

hahah yes- we try to steer clear of the face licking! Thankfully Ragley is not a "kisser"...yet...

[jenn D]

Where's the "love" button? So sweet.

[Julie, Eloise & Beasley]

Those are great pictures, Stephanie.  And Eloise is the same way with children - they are extra special to her.  She loves everyone; nearly comes out of her skin with excitement around all people (she loves dogs, too, but people are a whole different ballgame).  Christy's description was perfect:  Eloise can be an "embarrassing spaz" (love it, lol!) around adult humans.  I swear she thinks people exist to greet her and, like Ragley, she seems truly offended - even confused! - if someone dares pass her by without a greeting.  But she seems to love children in a different way.  I noticed it the first week I had her when we were on a walk, and two little boys were approaching us on the sidewalk.  She got so incredibly happy - I mean, she was already a super happy puppy, but this was pure joy coming out of this 9 week old dog when she saw those boys.  It was a remarkably different reaction than to adult humans.

She's always been very gentle around kids, too - but regardless, I'm still very mindful of her behavior, as well as the children's, just to be safe.  To this day, Ellie has issues with jumping up on people to greet them (which I believe is a choice because she darn well knows better, and mysteriously she's gotten ALL other commands she's been taught, no problem...stinker).  But she has never, ever jumped up on a child.  [Knock on wood]  She loves when children pet her, and she keeps all her feet on the ground.  In fact, if there's a child playing with her, she often lays down next to them - I call it "getting small."  There's just something entirely different about how she interacts - she's so gentle and careful. (Yeah, because she's been known to clobber adults with a paw when they stop petting or paying her attention!)  

Eloise was around her first toddler a few months ago.  He was just learning to walk - you know, when you can pretty much knock them over just by putting your finger on them.  She did knock him down accidentally, twice (and he wasn't hurt, just fell on the carpet on his diaper-padded behind).  She touched him with her nose...she was just sniffing since he'd just been put down on the floor.  After that second knock-down, she figured it out and stopped touching him.  And for the next couple days we were there, she was able to be close to him and and maneuver around without knocking him over!  Maybe I'm too fascinated by these doodles' behavior, lol - but it was pretty neat to see her figure it out, and so sweet to watch.  :)

[Stephanie and Ragley]

They truly are such careful observers and amazing learners

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Love the Ragley photos.  What a sweetheart!  Charlie is a people lover too, and people just love him too.

[Stephanie and Ragley]

Isn't it amazing the way our doods can really capture someone's attention in an instant? It's no wonder people have fallen in love with the breed

[Karen and Bridget]

The pictures of Ragley are ADORABLE!!  She is absolutely precious!!

Bridget is also very people oriented and is especially happy around children too.  She is a registered therapy dog that I bring to the Children's Hospital and to an elementary school for a reading program with first graders.  She gets so excited when I ask if she wants to go see the kids and I take out the knapsack I use for therapy work.  Maybe Ragley would enjoy doing therapy work with kids?  Just an idea to consider :)

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Luna is so gentle with our baby it's really cute :)

Baby is at the "pull on everything and put in mouth" stage (7 months) and Luna quietly tolerates her shenanigans. She's had her paws grabbed, hair pulled, toys stolen... the only thing she does to say "stop it" is lick the baby on her face/hands. Best buds in the making for sure... especially now that Sophie has started solids and is "feeding" Luna ;)

Sometimes when Sophie is playing on her foam puzzle mat Luna comes over and lies down beside her to chew her antler and keep Sophie company. It's soooo cute.

She is quite submissive too (partly through training) which helps so her "defensive" instinct is to either lick or back off if she's feeling uncomfortable.

[Michelle & Ruepunzel]

I just don't see anything sweeter than a child bonding with a dog!

[Leslie J]

What a sweet picture!