Nervous children and dogs

[naturelover]

Originally Posted by Tinkerbell

I grew up with dogs in the family - they were just always there and I enjoyed their company.

However, I now have 2 small grandchildren who are both terrified when there are dogs around. They both enjoy walking in the countryside and natural parkland, but many canines are also exercised in the same environment. The children's nervousness is nothing new, but was compounded recently by an overfamiliar large dog approaching them at speed, and as per usual was not on a lead (which I appreciate is commonplace in such circumstances). It's almost as though dogs can sense the nervousness of some folk and it encourages the dog to approach them. I don't know how the initial 'frighteners' were experienced.

But how do you overcome this problem? I attempted to pet 3 Westies in their presence on Sat. to illustrate that there was nothing to be afraid of, but this did nothing to change the situation. Has anyone else been faced with this and how have you overcome it?

Tinkerbell

hi tinnkerbell i grew up always having a dog in the family so i was never afraid,in fact i had three of my own since i have been an adult,i too have grandchildren and one of them is petrified of dogs,she is seven and i think she would rather go under a car to get away from a dog,i think us humans give off a smell when we are scared and that is what the dog picks up,stems back from stone age i am afraid, all you can do is hope they grow out of it.

[m1.carson]

Hi,

I'm one that walks a staffy off the lead, I know he's great with kids, they can chase him all day and he chases them, but, when I see adults or children nervous of animals I call him to heel and sit until they've passed, one or three children now can just about give him a quick pat, it's a start anyway.

Max.

[FlyAgaric]

Originally Posted by m1.carson

Hi,

I'm one that walks a staffy off the lead, I know he's great with kids, they can chase him all day and he chases them, but, when I see adults or children nervous of animals I call him to heel and sit until they've passed, one or three children now can just about give him a quick pat, it's a start anyway.

Max.

Good on you Max.

Doesn’t it anger you all the demonising of dogs that the media have been doing of late? Its almost as if they are trying to manipulate the publics opinion using emotional black mail, so a ban can take place on some breeds.

[Ukwildlifeo]

I used to be nervous about dogs, mainly from dogs barking at me through fences and large dogs of leads jumping up at me. But once I got to a height abover that of most dof
gs normal reach I was fine. So maybe its somnething theyw will grow out of eventually anyway, but obviously its worth trying other techniques in the first place

[JennyS]

Hi tinkerbell - could you get a dog yourself and get your grandchildren used to a dog from puppy size?
I think scared kids (and adults) make dogs nervous around them, and the wrong dog is more likely to get aggressive in response.

My neighbours kids were scared silly of my big soft Lab, partly because of her size, but now they've a terrier themselves and are bigger they are ok.


And I'd agree with Fly Agaric's comment....
'Doesn’t it anger you all the demonising of dogs that the media have been doing of late? Its almost as if they are trying to manipulate the publics opinion using emotional black mail, so a ban can take place on some breeds.'
Should be some owners get banned, not the dogs!

[FlyAgaric]

Originally Posted by JennyS

Should be some owners get banned, not the dogs!

Yep, spot on, it makes me so mad when the dogs have to suffer because some ignoramus brought a dog with no idea about being responsible. Many people should be banned from keeping dogs in my opinion. Dogs will act in accordance to how they were treated, treat a dog aggressively and it will be more likely to be aggressive, treat it lovingly and it will be more likely to be a loving dog, the same is said for humans, they act in accordance to their surroundings and up bringing.

[Tinkerbell]

Thanks everyone - food for thought in your replies. The introduction to a puppy may be the answer, so I shall see if anyone near me can accommodate this idea - not likely for me to acquire a dog myself though. I shall look out for the doggy books as suggested too.

Thanks once again.

Tinkerbell

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

My springer is very friendly but she growls at the vet. She can sense the vet is frightened of her. She is fine with the dog groomer.
.

A vet that is frightened of dogs? Gordon Bennett, they need to look for alternative employment!

Regards, Chris