I took Roo to the vet this early morning because he has been itching for about a week. He developed a hairless spot on his front left wrist. Also he has been using his hind leg to itch his chin which it became inflammable. My concern was manage so the vet had done a skin scrap. It came negative so we suspect he is allergic to outdoor environment.

Anyway.. When my dad, Roo, and I were sitting in the waiting room with other people and their dogs, a little girl who is about four years old got a golden retriever puppy for her birthday. (My dad overhears the conversation) I have been watching her how she interacts with her puppy so there was a young woman who just came in with her small yorkie puppy.

The little girl decided to walk up to pet her puppy. I don't know if she has asked for a permission, but I didn't like how she was petting the yorkie puppy. I think she was being too rough on a small puppy. The little girl was speaking to the owner then she turned around and walked back to her parents.

After the yorkie's owner was called in the examine room, the little girl decided to walk up to us. Roo was sitting on the floor and observing the whole thing. When I saw her coming up, I didn't say or do anything until she got too close and tried to pet Roo. I didn't want her to pet Roo so I couldn't speak politely to the girl.

I had to put my hand in front of girl to tell her stop, and then I turned my head from left to right and said no. I guess she found it offensive so walked back to her parents crying. Because I didn't let her pet my dog, I felt kinda bad, but I had to.

My dad was like Lindsay, what did you do! I explained to him that I didn't want kids to pet my dog if I didn't have treats with me. I told him that I was actually protecting the kid and my dog. I don't think Roo is that "kid" friendly because I have seen him barked and attempted to charge at kids many months ago. He hasn't bitten, barked, or charged anyone in a long time because I have been working with him to desensitize around kids and dogs. Now I was able to keep him calm and neutral with kids and "nonreactive" dogs.

I guess I felt kinda bad that I had to make her cry because I said no.

As a father of 4, I can support your actions. Kids (particularly young ones) often try to cause a scene to get what they want. It's just about all the power they have. Disappointment isn't something that most parents help their kids learn to deal with.

You were right, Lindsay. I agree with Doug 100%.

 Quote: Lindsay Janes

I guess I felt kinda bad that I had to make her cry because I said no.

Don't feel bad Lindsay! You did the right thing. Her crying was her own choice

I've stopped kids at the vet's from petting Luc before, and for the similar reasons. ....Nobody ever wants to pet Teagan. It's a mystery to me

Storm is fine with people and kids but I still say no if I don't like the look of the kid or whatever.
I personally think it's good for kids to hear the word NO and also to understand that not all dogs should be petted (the easy way rather than being bitten).

 Quote: jennifer mullen

Don't feel bad Lindsay! You did the right thing.

Ditto! I've turned down many a child from petting Oscar before - I've actually physically held back a straining little kid wile simultaneously holding Oscar away in the opposite direction! It sucked, but Oscar doesn't automatically love attention from anyone under 5 feet tall, so I take extra care to keep our distance and I NEVER feel bad about saying "NO", even if the child (or adult!) ends up walking away disappointed/frustrated/upset with me. It's our responsibility not just to protect our dogs from the world, but to protect the world from the potential danger of our dogs - if you can do that, you deserve THANKS, not guilt!

~Natalya

I have a newly 5 year old son.

Kids cry because they don't get their way.

She would have cried if you'd stopped her from running with scissors.

Would you feel bad then?

What you did was right. Don't let a few tears make you feel bad. Kids cry- they don't know whats safe and what isn't.

Ditto to all comments; good job protecting your dog (and the child, too)

Come on guys...this is a 4 year old toodler. Toodler's minds are still pretty reactive instead of reasonable. There is no time in their lives when their minds will absorb knowledge like the toodler years. It is like your puppy at a very young age, if you have to correct for the puppy's protection you then talk nice to it after the correction.

If you have to correct a toodler right away for her/his own protection, then after the correction you explain your reason for the correction in a kind way. You can't assume that the child cryed because you said no. She could of cryed because of many reasons: she got scared at the reaction given, she is given a bad control at home, who knows.

Don't expect a parent to automatically explain to a toodler why you gave a correction because either the parent doesn't parent or the parent doesn't understand why you gave one. If you give a correction, it would be kind to explain to the toodler why.....it is just the right thing to do.

 Quote: Anna Anderson

Toodler's minds are still pretty reactive instead of reasonable.......If you have to correct a toodler right away for her/his own protection, then after the correction you explain your reason for the correction in a kind way......If you give a correction, it would be kind to explain to the toodler why.....it is just the right thing to do.

So give a reason to a toddler who isn't reasonable?