I thought I would tell you about something that happened to us last night. We went to the local pub for a meal with the dogs. My dogs are used to going out with us and after having a sniff around (to collect crumbs from the floor) settled down and lay on the floor to watch the hustle and bustle of the pub. A few people walked by and bent over to say hello to the dogs, no problem.
However, over the course of our meal a young toddler, around 2yrs old came over and hugged (or tried to) the dogs FOUR times. He was sat with his parents but was allowed to wander about a little.
FIRST time took me by surprise, I was deep in conversation with the family and suddenly the little boy was beside me hugging Poppy around the neck and kissing her on the head. I immediately put my hand on Poppy’s head and muzzle and guided it away from the boy and moved him off. Parents apologised and retreived the boy.
SECOND time, I caught him from the corner of my eye running over and blocked him with my hand. As the parent approached, I said “be careful, it’s not a good idea to let him approach unknown dogs”. Parent laughed and said “sorry, he just loves dogs”.
I now decided to move Poppy (much to her consternation) to the other side of the table. I was worried that her being deaf and almost blind, she may react negatively if she was startled and left Chester in situ.
THIRD time he was being led to the bathroom by his parent, as he walked by us, he broke free and pounced on Chester, leaning on his back and hugging him from behind. I got hold of the boy’s arm and pulled him off. I then moved to different tactics and said to the parent “my dog may bite, please do not let him do that”. Parent apologised.
FOURTH time, he went up to the bar to get a drink with his parent. He was being carried, so I took my attention away. The parent then put him down to carry the drinks back to the table. The boy immediately ran over shouting “doggy, doggy, doggy” and pounced on Chester again. Parent apologised and dragged him away.
Because of the work I do around kids and dogs which includes, fear of dogs, safety around dogs, building a bond between dog and child etc, I have trained my own dogs to be comfortable around all children because I often use them for the fear around dogs programme. The dogs trust that I will rescue them and will look at me for guidance before they react. Of course I ALWAYS step in and help the child to interact appropriately with Chester or Poppy and so the dogs always know I have their back.
Poppy is almost blind, deaf and 15yrs old, I retired her from duties a few years ago and Chester is 13yrs and only helps me now with the fear of dogs programme.
But what would have happened if one of my dogs bit the child on the face. Would it be my fault? Would it be the parent’s fault? What is the parent’s responsibility in this versus mine?
And this is why I do so much work on the Kids Around Dogs protocol because I am not only teaching children how to interact appropriately and safely around dogs. I am also teaching the parents what is safe and what is not safe when allowing their children to interact with dogs.
There is still much work to be done it seems…….
To follow up or make an appointment or find out more information about Ringwood Dogs, Ashley Heath on the Dorset, Hampshire and New Forest border, please contact Isabelle Adams-Papé by clicking on the Contact Me tab.
I look forward to meeting you and working with your dogs.
Teaching Owners – Training Dogs. Happy dog training.
Isabelle Papé IMDT, ISAP, KAD
Ringwood Dogs, Three Legged Cross on the Dorset, Hampshire and New Forest border.
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