Ugg...untrained children...

[Rosefern]

Uggg…kids…

I was at a pet food store today with Sarge (new foster: lab/shiba) and these two kids, probably twelve-ish, run up to me, shrieking “Can I pet your puuupppyy?”, as their hands are reaching towards him.

Sarge cowers behind me, shaking, obviously scared sh*tless. Then the two…ahem…children…reach around me and continue petting him. I said “No, he’s really scared right now.” The girl said “He won’t be scared of us, we have dogs.” I said “Well, he *is* scared of you, please leave.” They continue petting, saying “Don’t be scared, puppy,” in high, shrieky tones of voice. I said “Stop petting my dog, and leave. Now.” They asked why, and I said “He’s scared of you. Leave him alone. Now. Go.”

And they finally left. Sarge was shaking the entire rest of the store visit.

God, people make me so mad – and these kids were old enough to know better.

-Rosefern

 

[IceyBlueSibes]

Wow, that's incredibly rude. I would have done the same thing you did!

Some kids just don't seem to understand.

 

[Dekka]

my dog has mange..if you dont' want it, don't touch him-he's highly contagious

 

[adojrts]

I feel for you, some people and children just don't have a clue, nor do they care if you make a request of them. THEN you are the one that is called rude.......
A couple of years ago, I was in town with Petie (jrt). We were standing on the sidewalk of the main street and chatting with a woman we know.
I watched as a guy of about 20 yrs and an older woman (50ish) approach with a very young toddler. The child was so young that he couldn't walk without holding onto both of their hands.
They were coming directly towards us, to speak to the woman I was with. I asked Petie to move from my rightside to my left and to sit.
I told the *father*, to just be careful, as my dog had never been socialized with such a young child before. I didn't think Petie would do anything, but I also didn't want to leave anything to chance.
You will never guess what this guy says to me!!! 'If your dog does anything, my kid will just bite him on the nose.' (direct quote). I asked him if he was serious. He replied YES. I then said, 'What? are you an idiot?????? in a not so nice of voice lol. I then informed him that I didn't appreciate the fact that he was willling to put his child at risk nor my dog. The guy turns to the woman with him, looking for support. She told him I was right lol. Man he was done, three po'd women at him lol.
I kneeled down, and took the childs hand in my hand. I then told Petie it was ok to approach the child. I let Petie smell the kids hand while it was in mine, then I guided his hand while it petted Petie on his back. Petie was fine, he turned sideways to the child and leaned against him for the kid to continue petting him (supervised of course). A sure sign that the dog was trusting and relaxed.
I turned a possible negative experience for the child and my dog into a postive one.
I then showed Dad my dog's canine's, showed him that with one quick bite, those teeth would competely puncture a hand, arm or face. Jrts have huge teeth for a small breed.
Hopefully that guy learned something that day............

It always amazes me how STUPID some people can be.

Take care
Lynn

 

[mrose_s]

i'd make sure he meets some nice people in that store aswell.

some people don't get it.

i've only had one kid run up and pat busetr and i was in uter shock i didnt react, he just came running up from behind, patted him on the head then ran back to his dad who was kinda calling him back.

i love bsuetrs reaction, completley ignored this kid, didn't turn around, didn't flinch, nothing. just ignored him.

 

[FoxyWench]

that happens with dodger boy all the time...its gotten so bad ive had to get real nasty about it sometimes. dodgers so tiny too that people assume because of his size he must be a "paris hilton dog" and a "teacup" and because of that they HAVE to pet him.

poor dodger is terrified of strangers.

 

[planet molosser]

You have the see the monsters on Sats when we have the Vet at Petco.

I choked when a herd of them headed for Neo that was muzzled with a cashier leading the way and i said NO NO NO leave the dog alone and herded them away the owner thanked me.

The cashier had that confused look?

Like why cant I pet the dog?

 

[Spirit2010]

Me being a kid, and you being an adult, I would have left. But, that is extremely rude!! This is one reason, kids get on my nerves. I got on my nerves all the time! But, one little girl, at Petsmart, asked if she could pet my dog, (Hershey) I said yes, because she asked. She was very polite about it, and she was a lot younger than 12! Sheesh, why can't all kids be like that? But, if she didn't ask, I would have told her to get away from him, nicely first. I'm sorry about this encounter though.

 

[Georgygirl]

I do feel sorry for the poor chis. Kids just can't seem to keep their hands off them. When I was in the vet hospital visiting Joey there was a lady with a chi sitting in the lobby. A woman came in to pick up her dog and she brought her two sons who were probably 4 and 5. THey were running around the lobby pulling things off shelves and chasing eachother. Of course when they saw the chi they run up to it yelling "let's pet the puppy!!!". Well the puppy started growling (who could blame him) and it's owner was able to scoop him up before the kids got what was coming to them. Then they ran over to Joey, but he's really good with kids. He licked their hands and went about his business snoozing on my lap. The kids went off to terrorize the other dogs waiting while their mom weakly tried to control them. Turns out they were picking up their dog a min. poodle. As the mom was paying the 5 year old leaned down to the ground and literally shouted in the poor poodles ear. The poor thing tried to squirm away and hide between the mom's legs as she was totally oblivious to what was going on. I felt sorry for the poor vet tech who had to clean up all the stuff the boys pulled off the shelf when they left. And I especially feel sorry for the poor poodle who probably gets terrorized everyday by those boys.

 

[squirtsmom]

I am not going to the store with Baby for a while, but will takae her for walks at the park. will probably still have problems with some, because she is so cute.

 

[bittervanityx]

I would have started squeeking at them and petting them. see how they like it....

 

[noludoru]

Where the heck were these kids parents?? And why haven't they been told that someone else's dog is NOT your personal petting zoo?

 

[Rosefern]

Where the heck were these kids parents?? And why haven't they been told that someone else's dog is NOT your personal petting zoo?

No freakin' idea.

Another thing that I hate is when children come into the dog park unsupervised and without a dog. It's pretty easy, since the dog park is in a regular park with lots of biking trails. Kids leave their bikes outside the gate and waltz right in.

I mean, I don't mind children being in there with their parents and a dog, as long as they are respectful, and know how to act.

A dog park is not a petting zoo - dogs that are in dog parks are good with other dogs, and with adults...you can't gurantee that they'll be good with kids, though - Pepe, for example, is not.

-Rosefern

 

[otch1]

Just had this problem at a weekend fun match! An unsupervised little boy 8 to 10 yrs of age was wandering around the Dobermans and reaching out trying to touch the dogs on the rear after being corrected by someone for rushing up and petting one without permission. I was warned about him when I got there because he was still hanging around out side of the ring. Parents really need to realize how serious this is, leaving children unsupervised around any dog, anywhere.

 

[MafiaPrincess]

It's not just kids.. Kids listen to me better when I say no, it's not a good idea, or you can try, but if she doesn't let you, you cannot force it.

We were in home depot early this week. Hottest day of the year so far I think. I have never taken Cider in anywhere but a petstore before, but I was truly afraid of the heat.. All I wanted was to return some pvc pipe.. I sit Cider between my leg and a pallet of junk while we wait in line.

A man comes up behind me and reaches forward. I say please do not touch my dog, she's from a puppy mill. What does he do, oh that's okay *touch* And we have a pee puddle.. Okay.. I am so embarrassed I'm going to have to ask for paper towels..

Closer up the line waiting infront of the cashier. Another man hand out like a toddler SHES SO CUTTTTTE!. Please, do nto touch my dog. *touch* Pee...

Cashier has seen all of this. She then does it too, and goes eww your dog just peed. You think? Give me paper towels...

I should have been mean scary.. But at that point I was embarrassed we'd made a mess.. So the sad part is, home depot is dog friendly.. but I don't think I'd ever attempt it again even with loud scary attitude. Though Cider might improve if we got to do this more often.

 

[ToscasMom]

And people wonder why I prefer pets to kids.

 

[ToscasMom]

Parents are no smarter either. No wonder their kids are stupid.

LOOOOOOOOK IT'S LASSSSSSSSIEEEEEEEEE!!!! Issssss thattttttttttttttttt a Colllllllllllllieeeeeeeeeeeeeee?
No lady, it's a freakink pot bellied pig.

Howwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Comeeeeeeeee she's not browwwwwwwn and whiteeeeeeeeeee?
Because she's ingonito.

 

[meco]

This has been a major problem with parents for years.. They allow their little brats do just anything.. I believe in rules and by that I mean all kids need to be trained and have structure.. most and for most (((((((((( RESPECT )))))))))

For others especially ((((((( PETS )))))) no matter what type of (((( PET ))))

I feel so very bad for you and the rescue is he/she doing fine now??

 

[Julie]

I just wanted to add my thoughts on these brats...
Not all kids are brats, and not all kids will run up and want to pet your dogs.
If you ever see me and my kids in a store, my kids are the ones that are ignoring your dog.
They are not allowed to pet any dog that I am unfamilar with... And they know that. I have had owners tell my kids "you can pet my dog" and they don't even look at me for the answer.. They already know that answer will always be NO. And it isn't to make your dogs feel comfortable... It is a "safety rule" in my family.

When I can take 2 small boys to a week long police K9 seminar and expect them to behave accordingly... then I think they can pass on everyday contact with strange dogs.

The only people that make or allow kids to be brats are the parents... Let's put "blame" where it belongs.

Edit: Kids are not trained.... They should be "taught"

 

[Rosefern]

I feel so very bad for you and the rescue is he/she doing fine now??

Thanks, and he's doing well now - he and Flicka are cuddled up together on the couch as we speak. But there's no telling what he'll be like with kids now. One of our volunteers is bringing her twelve-year old with to the meet and greet tomorrow - I'll have the kid spend some time with Sarge, just gentle talking, some treats, light petting - to show him that not all kids are bad.

-Rosefern