Right. And I should mention, when there are young children over, children that are too young to fully comprehend "don't pet the little dog", then Pepe is kept upstairs in my bedroom - he doesn't like children, and I don't want him getting stressed and take the risk of anything happening.
I also agree. Cole has been raised in a home full of dogs that will tolerate anything and everything from children and most adults. However, I've worked hard with him to understand that we don't sit on dogs and try to ride them, that we don't pull ears, that we don't mess with feet, etc. Now, does he like to play with their "piggytoes"? Sure does. And does Carson inadvertently pull on ears? Yup. However, it is MY job as a parent to not just teach my children these are not acceptable behaviors and that just because our dogs don't react to it doesn't mean another dog won't react, but it's also my job to watch my children at all times when in a new environment, especially one with animals.
And be honest, how many people can say that they can sit back and engage in a conversation with a friend while keeping their eyes on their children at all times and are able to prevent, within a flash, any negative interaction that might be about to happen? Not many. I'm an anal person when it comes to watching my children, but the fact remains that Cole can run up to a dog and grab a snout faster than I can get my butt off the chair and stop him. And he's just 2-years-old. A lot of people like to pretend that a 2-year-old knows better and a "well-trained" 2-year-old would never do such a thing, but wake up. Toddlers are toddlers and children are children.
I can't count how many cases of dog attacks I've read about that occurred when a visitor didn't pay close enough attention to their child and the child wondered out of the room into a room/basement where a dog was being confined at and got bitten. And I even have a friend whose dog is normally the happiest, friendliest dog on the planet, but he left approx. 15 stiches in a kids face when a accidentally tripped and fell on the dog's tail. The "kid" was 3.
Maybe I'm paranoid, but I will always tell someone at the door to hold on while I put the dogs up before opening the door because at least I know my dogs will never
accidentally bolt out the door. And if a family member I love wants to come visit but isn't a fan of the dogs, then I'll put them up. And if we have a huge party, I'll put the dogs up (especially since my friends think my dogs like Budweiser
).
Now, if I don't like you and you think you are going to invite yourself into my home and I have to put my dogs up because you are the Queen, guess again. And in that case, I hope one of my males pees on your leg.
EDIT: I want to mention that the "person-at-the-door" thing is when it's someone I know who wants to ask me something or talk to me for a second. If it's a stranger, I will keep my dog's collar in my hand and just crack the door to see what the hell they want. And a barking dog will back me up in case of trouble (well, not the APBTs but Butch & Annabelle like to pretend to be guard dogs at times
)
