i'm not a kid person AT ALL (i think i'm allergic, actually) but i'm totally in favor of kids in dog classes (and sports) provided that the dog is controlled and the kid remains on task and doesn't disrupt the class. sometimes kids can far outshine adults in training because they are often more creative, have fewer inhibitions about "looking stupid", and because they listen to what they're being told to do.
like danefied mentioned, this isn't going to work in a leash-jerking alpha-rolling environment, but in a reward-based training program? absolutely.
not to mention, the more kids are taught to interact safely and respectfully with dogs, the more kids learn to understand how dogs function and to read their responses to things, the more safe kids we have.
i've seen under-12-ers rocking it out in the rally ring with dogs they've trained themselves, and there are several kids running high-drive dogs in flyball tournaments in my area. with parental supervision, but doing a great job. kudos to them and to their parents, i say.
like danefied mentioned, this isn't going to work in a leash-jerking alpha-rolling environment, but in a reward-based training program? absolutely.
not to mention, the more kids are taught to interact safely and respectfully with dogs, the more kids learn to understand how dogs function and to read their responses to things, the more safe kids we have.
i've seen under-12-ers rocking it out in the rally ring with dogs they've trained themselves, and there are several kids running high-drive dogs in flyball tournaments in my area. with parental supervision, but doing a great job. kudos to them and to their parents, i say.