Need Some Advice (long post)
Submitted by Sams74 on April 2, 2012 - 4:55pmHi-
So I am having an issue with Molly and need some expertise. Molly does not do so well when she is around children. There seems to be a certain age/height of a child that she is fine with but when they're pretty young (under 5), she will bark and jump on them if given the chance. I obviously don't allow her to do this but this is how I realized she is scared of children the first time (my opinion is it's fear). The thing is I socialized Molly with everyone and everything as soon as I got her. We spent so much time just sitting outside and obviously a 10 week old bulldog puppy drew so much attention that everyone wanted to pet her. She was great with everyone up until around 6 months old and this is when I notice her issue with kids. She is still great with everyone, others dogs (except chihuahuas for some reason), and new situations. She's even great at the vet despite being through some not so fun tests and hospitalizations. She will occasionally be weird with things like umbrellas popping open or if there is something new in the apartment, but all she does is circle it and do the slow sniff to make sure it is "safe."
Obviously this really concerns me as there are children everywhere and one day I plan to have kids myself. I would rather figure it out now than wait and hope that she either grows out of it or she is just good with my own kids one day! Everything I've read says you need to desensitive a dog that is fearful of children but that is not as easy as it sounds considering she barks and scares kids/I wouldn't just let her go up to children just in case. She is fine if we are near a park where are children are playing or if a kid is in the distance. She will just watch them play or walk by. The issue is when they approach or get too close. Any advice would be much appreciated!! Thanks!
Look at this little face! She really is SUCH a sweet girl in every other way so it kills me to see her act like that!
fear
I agree, it is very possibly fear. Kippah started being afraid at 6 months, and is just coming out of it..and she just hit 9 months yesterday. We continued socialization, as I feel it is very important. The only thing she is afraid of now as far as people are those that stand still and just stare at her, it freaks her out and she will bark at them. And of course her bark is pretty intimidating....so thats not good.
It could be the height, or the speed that they move, or even the tone of their voice, you may never know..........I would suggest to keep her out there inthe public, reassure her that she is safe, and when you can sit down on the floor with a child you know and have prepped...and let her "circle" with your supervision,
Loves and Smooches, Kippa and Mama (Annette)
How old is she now?
And do any of your friends or family have small children?
Lynn King CPDT-KA
Just a thought
I'm in no way one who can give good training advice. But I'm wondering if she sees the kids as another dog? We have two girls who just turned 6 and 3. Jack sees them as littermates and treats them that way. If they have food, then he thinks they're "above" him. They play great together but we are working on getting him to take commands from them. If you have friends with children, I'd borrow the kids to help with the socialization. I'd get the kids to give treats so she can see them in a different light. Maybe start with slightly older kids and work your way down. If you were closer to us, I'd let you borrow mine. :-D
Nakina
Thanks
Molly just turned 10 months yesterday. The only children that I see consistently are too young-1 1/2 and an infant! I do think she sees them as another dog or at least some type of animal! I just dont understand why she went from actually loving children to being scared. I will try the treats with older kids in the neighborhood. I wish that molly and I lived closer too that would be a real help!! Thanks for the advice!
Under a very controlled situation
you can work with Molly and her behavior around small children. I would put a leash on her for better control, no one has to be holding it-just easier to grab. . While you are standing holding a child, have Molly sit/down/stay etc., and calmly reward her with really yummy treats. Keep all sessions very short, especially in the beginning. Start at 1 to 2 minutes and slowly increase as she shows more self control. Then work with you sitting with a child, but only if she is solid with her stationary skills. Any barking/jumping earns her a time out, have someone calmly pick up the leash - "too bad" and crate her.
You want her to learn that she is to be calm around children and with rewards, she can learn that it is beneficial to do so.
Some dogs are never comfortable around small children. Proper socialization helps but it's not fool proof, individual personalty has a lot more influence.
Good luck
Lynn King CPDT-KA