OTHER People's Children... *Rant*

[moonchild1970]

Out here in Spokane, I noticed alot of kids tease our pur two 5 mos old Border collie Pups. Which is not helping with their socialization training- let me tell you.

For instance, today, once again we had to leave the park early as the children there who had started out nicely interacting with Pepper ended up spooking her when they ended up screaming and chasing her.

Now our male pup, Poppy will just run away usually ro avoid them but Pepper was getting scared, and by the time we left both of the pup's hackles were up.
Something I don't want to see again...


I had a hell of a time trying to catch Pepper and I was at a boiling point with these kids who were NOT doing as I asked, when I told them
PLEASE DO OT chase the dog, as they might end up getting bit if they kept chasing her and trying to corner her. I mean she was looking scared and defensive...

Man she was so scared she wouldn't even come to me!! Not good- as she always has.

But I noticed alot of kids out here are very ignorent about animals... because of the parents?? I think so.

 

[LabBreeder]

It's sad to see kids tormenting dogs. Whether they are chasing, screaming, pulling or just bugging them, it's wrong and they need to be taught better. We've got kids and adults in our neighborhood that think our LABS (2 yr old and a 13 wk old) are going to bite them because our oldest has a "halti" head collar on. I've tried educating these people by telling them it's a halter, not a muzzle. Muzzles keep a dog from biting, does that look like it's keeping her mouth closed, no! Or they'll be more than willing to play with the puppy but not the adult because she's big, black and "scary" looking. Puh lease...they are Labs for goodness sake. If you know anything about dogs you know a Lab is gentle, sweet, loyal, playful, hard headed but can be trained easily enough. I feel like I'm living surrounded by morons....don't you? Ok, maybe not morons, but definitely uneducated people.

 

[moonchild1970]

Oh heck yeah. They are soooo misinformed about dogs out here. I am literally rescuing dumped dogs off the streets here EVERY month. It makes me soooo mad!! At the moment we have two sleeping in our alley but I cannot catch them!!

 

[LabBreeder]

We've got 2 mean doxies that growl/bark/snap and attack other puppies and bite children that are always off leash, in our neighborhood. But are people scared of them? NO! They're small and they won't hurt if they bite you and they're all bark no bite. My @$$. I'm tired of stupidity being allowed to run rampant while animal control calls go unanswered and landladies refuse to enforce rules and city laws.
I already told quite a few neighbors, as well as the landlady, that if those dogs ever attack my puppy again or try to attack my neighbors puppy or kids again I will try my d@mnde$t to catch him (or them) and bring him to Animal Control myself! These owners obviously care nothing about their dogs or the laws.

 

[ihartgonzo]

That is such a bummer Being Border Collies, they are pre-disposed to be standoffish with active kids, anyway. The fearfulness early in their life could REALLY suck when they become adults! My BC was chased around just once by a neighbor's little boys, and every time I see them when on a walk he nearly drags me away (while the rest of the walk he keeps a loose leash!). However, after lots of work, he is awesome with kids that he has been introduced properly to.

I definitely recommend avoiding strange kids at all costs! To give them good socialization, enlist nice children that you know... like, your friends' kids, young relatives, nice neighbor kids, etc. Give them $.50 or something to spend a few minutes just giving your pups treats and gently petting them if Pepper and Poppy get comfortable. You really want to nip this in the bud! I've seen BC's that were never teased by kids, ever, they just were never socialized in the first few months... and they were both well-adjusted & friendly, but would immediately growl and snap if small, active kids were anywhere near them (and one almost bit my little brother -_- ). BC's are hyper-sensitive, and bad situations HAVE to be avoided. Next time rowdy kids are approaching, just walk the other way and/or threaten to tell their Mom's!

 

[Carolyn]

*sighs* not good. I hope your pups are ok. To alot of dogs, particularly puppies, children are a funny queer species. They are loud, unpredictable and have jerky freaky movements. These kids not being your own, makes you instantly at a disadvantage. It's a shame they are not taught proper manners around another living creature.

Then again they could be taught manners, but tend to not use them if mum and dad aren't looking. And mum and dad SHOULD be looking all the time. It's totally unacceptable for them not to be supervising.

All you can do is be more vigilant where your furkids are concerned and try not to let them get chased and harassed. I know its hard, and they have a right to the park etc or wherever this happend.

Hugs to the little ones

 

[moonchild1970]

I know. It just stinks not being able to run them until after dark...