Lies, I had a few problems with Gracie and kids in the past. They are small and move differenly/more quickly than adults and that freaks them out when they aren't used to being around them. The problem I had with Gracie is that kids want to run and scream (gracie's mom doesn't care for this either...) and she feels the need to herd them. Of course in the process she knocks them down. No biting but it scares the little ones!
So we started going to the park where there are lots of little kids running and screaming and just being kids. We stood far enough away that she could hear and see them but the kids wouldn't be running near her. We played the "Look at that!" game (you've seen us do this in class?) for awhile and then I just let her watch them, treating anytime she would look away from them and to me. That was it for the initial sessions. Then we moved closer and closer after I felt she was more comfortable with the kid activity.
She will now let kids pet her but it doesn't matter if it is a kid or adult, she doesn't like strangers coming over top of her. She never has and probably never will. So when kids ask, I always make sure I tell them it's ok to pet but that she prefers to be petted on the side of her body or neck. Half the time the kid doesn't listen and still goes over her head but she will just back away.
I would start by going to a park were kids are just to get her used to seeing them. She trusts you and doing the whole "see? nothing to be concerned about" game, she'll catch on quickly. Just look at all you've done with the men issue!
Lu
So we started going to the park where there are lots of little kids running and screaming and just being kids. We stood far enough away that she could hear and see them but the kids wouldn't be running near her. We played the "Look at that!" game (you've seen us do this in class?) for awhile and then I just let her watch them, treating anytime she would look away from them and to me. That was it for the initial sessions. Then we moved closer and closer after I felt she was more comfortable with the kid activity.
She will now let kids pet her but it doesn't matter if it is a kid or adult, she doesn't like strangers coming over top of her. She never has and probably never will. So when kids ask, I always make sure I tell them it's ok to pet but that she prefers to be petted on the side of her body or neck. Half the time the kid doesn't listen and still goes over her head but she will just back away.
I would start by going to a park were kids are just to get her used to seeing them. She trusts you and doing the whole "see? nothing to be concerned about" game, she'll catch on quickly. Just look at all you've done with the men issue!
Lu