Will it eat my friends?

[Davey Benson]

Originally Posted by Good_Karma

...

Apologies, this shows my lack of understanding of children. I assumed you could speak to them and let them know how dangerous it is to act like that in front of a strange dog.

It would depend on the setting I suppose. In a class room where they are already quiet, sitting up straight, looking forward, with their hands folded on their desks....a bunch of kids can be around a dog.

However, out in a playground, in a large group, not being your own kids... ("I'm not listening to this stranger telling me to be quiet around her dog... LOL.... Oh look, it squeeks when you pull it's ears.... LOL ) Good luck with that. A few at a time, (as in, one or two) woud certianly be less overwelming.

I know that when I first got my last bordercollie, my little neices and nephews traumatized her, and she never did like short people after that. They had too much energy and when one would ruy by her, she would reach out and try to grab them. She just loved little old ladies, but she wasn't to fond of children.

[DCluver33]

Originally Posted by Good_Karma

Apologies, this shows my lack of understanding of children. I assumed you could speak to them and let them know how dangerous it is to act like that in front of a strange dog.

i tell kids all the time to stand quietly and not look and talk to Dodger until he's smelled them. If they don't then they don't get to meet the dog. it sounds mean, but I'd rather educate them on how to properly meet a dog then have them startle him and possibly get bit. Kids are like sponges and will generally listen to you and follow directions. I hold his head while the kids pet his back. I never let them near his head, he'll try to give them kisses, but there's always that one chance he could nip.

[carmspack]

Apologies, this shows my lack of understanding of children. I assumed you could speak to them and let them know how dangerous it is to act like that in front of a strange dog.[/QUOTE]


It was my understanding that the children are invitees to the home , to play with each other , which gets loud and raucous and active . A dangerous dog should never be loose with kids present (obvious)
Carmen

[selzer]

When My older sister got her kids they were ten months and 1 year. Cujo was a crazy two-year-old, raised and NOT trained by old people, who did not have any kids. Kids were something that descended on the family at Thankgiving and Christmas, and everyone heaved sighs of relief when the ordeal was over.

But now there were two babies that would come over and spend the night about four times a year, and would be there maybe a dozen.

At first Cujo was afraid of them. He barked at them. He knocked them down and put his paw on them.

My sister had a big pet yard, and I suggested Cujo be put in it. My mom said NO. Cujo lives here. So the baby toys were put in the pet yard and the younger and more fearful of the kids would retreat to it, and spent a lot of time playing in there. Cujo would go to the pet yard and look at the kids, but never molested them or the fence (he is also called Gigundo Dog for a reason).

Dad was concerned, Mom was blind. I held my breath. My sister was brave. And the children became braver. Her elder is naturally good with dogs, and was NOT afraid of Cujo. The younger, would try to be brave, but felt better in the play yard.

Time passed. By the time the kids were two, the elder child would follow Cujo around, her hand on his butt. The younger watched warily. Cujo would turn and wait for her and then continue.

Time passed. The younger became more accustomed to Cujo and the play yard was abandonned. Occasionally she would seek him out and pet him. And she would often say he Kissed me rather than being fearful about his every move.

Cujo became calmer and was very careful with the little ones.

When they were three my little sister's baby was born. She pushed him mercilessly away, and he kept his distance. She yelled at him every time she entered the house, while he whined with excitement and happiness whenever she came over. (Cujo likes girls.) She watched like a hawk while the new baby began to play in the newly reintroduced pet yard in the living room.

Her baby began walking, and did not appreciate the benefits the pet yard offered. Difficult child! When she is not happy, NOBODY is happy. And having bad ear infections and diaper rashes from the meds, she was not very happy. Every time the baby fell down, Cujo would be in the vacinity. There were some clicking of tongues, but as no felonies had been committed, words were not spoken.

My parents did some baby sitting. Cujo is five now, and the baby is 15 months old, and my sister's kids are four. Cujo is stellar with them. He is like a big kid and CAN knock them down, and once in a blue moon that does happen. But then I knocked the baby down the other day. Cujo gets excited and wants to follow the group too. But he is really mindful of the babies, and very gentle. The baby stands up as tall as she can -- shorter than he is, and smacks him to get him to move -- and he DOES.

Cujo does see opportunity still with my older sister's kids, if they are eating a pretzel or a cooking he will go right up to them and take it out of their hands. My mom tells the kids not to let him. They weigh about 30# and he weighs 86, who will win? But I did tell them not to run, but to tell him NO. And made them practice. An hour or so later, their mom herd them telling Cujo No. And she told them to tell him to Go lay down! But they told her I told them to tell him No. So she agreed. It worked.

We are always right there, but we are not always paying 100% attention anymore. My mom has insisted all along that he WOULD NOT hurt the babies. And he has not. We remind him to be Gentle with the baby and he is.

The other day all three sister/cousins were here, and they had Cujo down and were covering him up with blankets. And he was letting them. That evening, when the elder of the girls was really tired, she grabbed her blanket and pillow and bear and laid down right next to and up against the big dog. I was watching from the kitchen. Cujo had been sleeping. Carefully he moved his neck and head and looked at the baby, and then he turned his head and looked at me, and I swear that he winked, and then lay his head back down.

[Jake71]

Our two dogs are good with kids so far, we even have a couple girls come over to play with the dogs.

However we are always with them and I dont leave them alone. Either my Gf or I are with them.

At night when my daughter (6) is staying with us, we close her bedroom door at night. Daisy our first GSD sleeps next to my daughters bed at night, we trust her. However our second GSD, Zeus, I do not know yet well enough to say ok.

He's only been with us about 10 days so he needs time before i'll trust him out of my sight at night with my daughter.

Always keep ANY dog under control til you know for certain how they behave. While it can change at any time... given enough time you'll know what they will/wont tolerate.

[shadow mum]

My heart dog, Smokey Joe, was adopted from the shelter. He did NOT like children, which at the time wasn't a problem as we didn't have any. If kids were around, he was either leashed, or put into a room where the kids weren't allowed. My children were born and from the time they could walk, they knew not to bother Smokey. He would sniff at them etc, but if they wanted to touch him, Smoke walked away. My children were trained, yes, trained, not to put their faces near a dog, to ask permission before touching, (even their dog), and to respect his space. If Smoke didn't want interaction, there was none. I never trusted that dog around kids, but then again, I wouldn't trust a poodle alone with kids. They are animals, and you never know exactly how they will react. Always supervise.