[Dailydrool] Kids & dogs

[Dawn Gardner]

Just wanted to put my two cents in about dogs who don't like kids.  She is
probably never going to love them, but she may learn to tolerate them if
they are taught to be calm and gentle around her.  Crating her or putting
her in a separate room is an option - but I would suggest when you do that
you do it before the kids get there and you give her the most wonderful
treat / toy in the world when the kids arrive.  This way she won't associate
her confinement with children, but she might associate the wonderful nums
with them.  You will probably be able to desensitize her to children to a
degree, but I would never trust her alone with them, and all interaction
should be carefully supervised.  If the children are able, you absolutely
must teach them the proper way to be gentle with the dog before they
interact with her, and stick to those rules.  For every step forward you
make with this sort of thing, one bad event can set you back dozens.  

To desensitize her, take her somewhere where there are kids in the distance
and you can control the situation.  Give her lots of nums.  Play with her.
Fun near kids.  Gradually get a little closer.  Then get a little farther
away.  This yoyo movement will keep her from catching on.  Two steps closer,
one step back.  Three steps closer, two steps back, mix it up so she doesn't
catch on.  Always keeping it positive.  If she is a shy / fearful dog, watch
her body language and don't overwhelm her.  Work where she is comfortable.
If she starts panting, freezes, does flat basset - any signs of stress you
stop and take her away from the kids gently and with lots of positive
encouragement.  Make sure nothing negative happens around kids.  If a child
starts approaching you immediately LEAVE!  I have an aggressive basset, and
kids thinks she is a doll to look at, but I don't know what she would do.
Yelling at the child or parent doesn't always work, and it will upset your
dog.  Just very calmly leave and do not let your dog be upset.

All that being said, never trust her 100% - not for a second (which is
plenty of time for something bad to happen).  It is not her fault she is
afraid.  Something happened to make her afraid.  She is just defending
herself.  Don't allow her to be put into a situation where she feels like
she must bite someone.  If you get to the point where you think she is okay
and she growls at a child the interaction  is over!  Yes, this reinforces
her growl as a tool to get rid of the child, but it's better than a bite,
which is what comes next.  Any signs of stress that she gives you results in
the child backing off (read Turid Rugaas book on calming signals and watch
for signs).  Respect her boundaries, even if you don't like them.  It's the
only way to keep the children and the dog safe.

My two cents, anyway.

Willow is drooling for Elder Clara... finally some drool after all that
coughing!  CJ is still coughing a lot, but he is feisty as ever.  Thanks
everyone for all the words of encouragement, and the drool!



Dawn Gardner
Behavioral Consultant & Trainer
Happy Hound Pet Services
336-432-8715
www.happyhoundpetservices.com