I have to vent...

First of all, I love kids....I work with them every day, and I hope to have several myself someday. HOWEVER, I cannot STAND disrespectful children. As Ruby and I were driving home from a fun day with my nephew and my sister's two dogs, a boy probably about 11 or 12 years old deliberately swerved at my car while on his bike. When I swerved and hit my brakes, he made this little hand motion like he was shooting me with a gun. That of course put me in a little bit of a mood, as I already had a headache. THEN, I got home and was walking Ruby around back to potty, and these 3 little girls that played with her the other day came running over. I repeatedly told them that she had recently had surgery and to be extra careful with her. They all sat down and Ruby was just eating up the attention. The youngest one, probably about 7 or 8, kept complaining that she wanted Ruby to sit in her lap. Well, one of the others kind of moved Ruby into the little girl's lap, and I once again said to be careful with her. She was petting her, and then suddenly the little girl just yelled, picked her up, and threw Ruby out of her lap and onto the ground without any warning. I immediately said that playtime with Ruby was over and took her inside. I mean, I know that not all kids are exposed to animals enough and probably aren't properly taught how to handle small puppies, but that was ridiculous. The little girl kept trying to talk to me and pet Ruby as I was taking her in, but I basically said bye and walked off. Urgh!!!!! Even my 2 year old nephew is better with her....

I'd be irritated too!!

I know what you mean. The little boy across the street (6) comes over sometimes to play with Lily. You can tell he has never been around animals. He jumps around sticking his hand out and pulling it back, as he tries to pet her head. If she tries to lick him, he pushes her away. I have tried to show him how to pet her nicely, but you can tell he is a little apprehensive around her. When we walk Lily and his parents are in the yard, they talk to us and are very friendly, but totally ignore Lily as she wags her little tail and tries to say hello. I mean how can anyone ignore these little dogs? I know I'm biased, but still. The other day the little boy came over and sat on my bench and Lily jumped up there with him. He very roughly pushed her off. I was fuming, Lily's house, Lily's bench. Hubs said to him "don't push her off like that, you could hurt her". He left shortly thereafter. cl*p

Oh wow Jess I would have been annoyed as well. If I am letting you pet my pet then you have to respect it. If that happened to Ellie I would take her in as well and next time tell them if they arent gentle they cant play with her. I hope little Ruby is ok!

Last week, on the way to puppy class, on the train I sat with a young mum and a little girl. The little girl was very interested in Dylan and I let him sit on her lap, everything was fine. When we got off the train we happened to be going the same way. She kept asking to hold the lead, I kept saying no, until I gave in but told her I had to hold it at the same time. Dylan loves to sniff lamp posts and walls, he's at that age but she kept tugging on him if he stopped. Good job I was also holding the lead and made the lead a little slacker. I just pull gently and say heel but she really tugged him. It got on my nerves too so I took it off her. It's hard to say no isn't it.

I would be mad too:-X We've always had a dog so my children are very good with them, but we have had lots of extra vistors since having finn children that would not normally give my children the time of day, have now been knocking at the door to come in and play. On one hand its great as finn gets to meet lots of different people but I have to stay close by I dont think these kids realize that finn is a live animal not a teddy bear I have now told my children that no one is allowed in

I think any children under 10, unless their behaviour with dogs has proven them totally responsible and trustworthy, should be sitting on the ground for all interactions with a dog and need to be constantly supervised by an adult. Especially in the case of a puppy, and especially again for puppies as small as cavaliers, as kids, even the best intentioned, just do risky things -- riskyto them or the dog (again that dog bite statistic is the *majority* of dog bites are to children, in the *face*, by *dogs they know*). Don't let kids hug and squeeze dogs, don't let them force themselves on an apprehensive dog, and be aware that a good interaction can suddenly turn bad if a child gets scratched or gets angry. They do ted to see dogs as stuffed animals and forget they have teeth and claws and feelings.

A lot of kids are way too in-your-face with dogs -- I actually tend to avoid kids when I am walking mine as the boys are apprehensive of kids for just the kind of experiences noted by others above. Kids also started to chase them around when the dogs move to avoid them -- terrifying them on the lead. In an urban area it is hard to make anyone's kids behave!

But Lily has been a great addition as she is fearless with kids, loves to be held, and spends most of her time trying to lick faces and wagging her tail. I always tell kids the boys are too shy but that they can pet Lily.

It helps in all interactions with kids if you immediately set the ground rules so the child cannot act inedependently and do something you don't want. But yes some are particularly pushy and annoying, like one young girl around here -- I avoid walking near her house in summer when school is out as she wants to grab all the dogs, pick them up, etc. You have to be really blunt to get her to go away! She has followed me home as well. It amazes me as I'd never have been pushy with an adult I didn't know, as a child!

One tip is to bring some treats out on walks as one good way to manage children interactions is ask them to kneel or sit and then let them offer a treat on a flat palm.

On the other hand I have twice met a group of young girls at the park and they are wonderful with the dogs; and spend half an hour throwing a ball for Jaspar and Leo and holding Lily. They were all great with dogs, probably ranging from age 5 to 9. It was wonderful for Jaspar and Leo to have so much fun with kids as they can use some positive socialising with younger children.

As a Mum to two young girls....10 and 9 and having 10 or so kids here at any given moment~ The one thing I can say:

There is NO Reason for a child to pick up a dog. My Daughters are not even allowed to pick our dogs up, let alone their friends. Sitting on the ground is one thing....actually picking them up is totally another.

I have no problems telling a child no when it come to any of our pets. Im the adult, they are the child...My home, my Pets ....My rules.
If they dont like it they can leave, and if they tell their parents I said no to something~ The parents are welcome to come on over and discuss it with me.