I think this is an important topic to discuss, I had a perfect example of how and why this should be a priority with parents of small children and with dog handlers alike to teach children how to interact with a dog any dog.

I was with my dog at the park yesterday and we were just playing ball, when I heard this mother tell her little girl "You have to ask first" I turned to look and the little girl was coming towards us. I told her she could come pet my dog. Turns out after conversing with them for a while the girl was run over by a big dog previously in this park, and now was afraid of dogs.

I showed the girl how to play ball with my dog and she had a great time, BUT here is what she did, she had a stick in her hand and was telling my dog to "Drop it" (the ball) while striking the ground with this stick. Well anybody who knows anything about how dogs tick or has a Schutzhund or protection dog, knows that the stick is a tool of bite work, or in pets a sign of "get the stick and throw it" invoking Prey Drives.

I promptly stopped her from this action, and told her that raising the stick to a dogs face (she was like 2 feet away from his head) can trigger an attack. I went on to explain to her whole family about prey and defense drives in dogs and a fast moving object such as a stick or running child can trigger the chase and bite.

I can't help but think, if it were any other dog except mine that was not well trained to be around children this action could have resulted in an attack or at the very least a hand bite, which would have scared this little girl for life. This is why we must all take an active part in teaching children how to act and read a dogs launguage and what to do in case of an aggressive dog. I see it all too often in the parks, dogs on leash barking at running children.

Parents must teach their children about dogs and handlers much teach their dogs to never never touch a child.

Education is key.

Me again Lonny!

I had a couple of instances with my dog a few years ago. Once when I was walking my dog along a public walkway by the beach, a toddler chased my dog and I for about 75 feet. The toddler was loose, my dog was not. I walked faster she ran faster. Her parents were right behind her. It was getting to the point that my dog was starting to look over his shoulder and was becoming a bit nervous. I had just decided to pull over and let them pass when she had a burst of steam and was almost upon us. At this point I thought it prudent to inform the mother that she should never let her child chase a dog, should ask if she wants to pet the dog, and she should respect dogwalkers as another form of pedestrian and obey the rules of the walkway. I got a scathing remark, after which she grabbed her child and gave me the evil eye. I allowed myself to be goaded and said "Well, at least my dog is on a leash and is obedience trained!". Bad idea. But a lot of people agreed I said the right thing. If my dog had not been as well trained....well he could have knocked her over or snapped at her.

Incidentally, I don't think she would have let her child loose if I had a GSD or a dobie. But I've been bitten by a rotti and a toy poodle. If it has teeth, the potential is there. Dogs are, after all, mainly creatures of instinct.

All the gates into my yard have a beware of dog sign on them. The kids in my neighbourhood know Max and have petted and interacted with him. If I want him outside with me in the front yard, I put him on a 15-foot lead and tie him to the garage. He doesn't like it, but I have peace of mind. I have told them they must ask if they want to pet him. They are never to go into the backyard, because they don't know if he is in there. The children have also been told to never come up to the fence and tease Max. I've watched, and they listen very well. I live behind a park that has children's soccer from May to October. I take him to games, etc. He is very well adjusted, but I still won't let him loose with children.

Despite their sissy reputations standard poodles make excellent natural watch dogs. Max once cornered a meter man in the backyard, did not bite but didn't let him leave either. The idiot didn't pay attention to the signs.

It's essential for dog owners to be proactive in educating the public. After all, we're the ones who choose to have dogs, so it's really our responsibility to make sure that we do all we can to promote safe behavior around them. The rest is up to the common sense of parents. Good parents teach their kids how to cross streets safely, they should also help educate their kids about dogs.

I found a website a while back that has printable dog safety activity sheets to hand out at schools, churches, community centers, etc. If I find it again, I can post the link, if that's OK. It would behoove folks to make an effort to get these things out in their communities! Also, I'm sure that most schools would welcome guest speakers from local dog clubs to give presentations in the classrooms.

My daughter was menaced by a loose dog on her way to school last year. It really scared her, but she did the right thing. She just calmly kept walking at a normal pace, not making any eye contact with the dog, and eventually she got out of the territory that the dog felt inclined to protect.

The other day, I was out with my family at the lake, playing keepaway with our little family mixed breed dog, when a pack of about 6 Husky types ran right up to us (the lead male was intact, but I couldn't tell about the others). They all surrounded my little dog, who had the sense to stand still and allow them all to investigate her, then they stood and watched us for a little while, until their humans eventually came into sight. My daughter was very frightened by this, and hid behind by husband. The rest of us just continued our game of catch, ignoring the pack as best as we could; none of us wanted to give these dogs any idea that we were any kind of threat. They eventually went away, but I was pretty steamed at those people for having such a large pack running loose in a public park. It's people like that that make the rest of us look bad!!!! Arrgghhh!

Unfortunately, it doesn't always matter what size the dog is. I have a 100 lb. male GSD. Our neighbors are all aware that he is not friendly and will get nasty if he is approached. Even so, there is a small child in our building that continues to try to run up to my dog. His parents have NEVER tried to stop this behavior, even though we've told them repeatedly that they cannot allow him to do this. They will simply stand there and laugh about it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> I simply cannot believe the stupidity of some parents. There is a good chance that this child was part of the cause of my dog's fear aggression to begin with. When the dog was a puppy, this kid used to sneak up behind us and smack my dog on the behind. And you guessed it, his parents never said anything! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> Now the dog doesn't trust anyone but us and especially dislikes children.

Parents DEFINITELY need to teach their children the proper way to interact with dogs. They also need to be responsible and teach their children that they should never ever approach a dog without asking first.

All you have to do is go to a mall or grocery shopping and you can see the type of control some parents have over their children. ZIP! It's not only about control, but public manners, attitudes towards others, etc. Asking them to be responsible for teaching their children proper dog education is asking a lot.

I think this falls under the category of "Responsible Dog Ownership". We, as dog owners, have to make it our responsiblity to protect both dog and child. If it means putting your nasty GSD in a muzzle while out on a walk then so be it. It is unfair, but when every dog bite is scrutinized and publicized it is better to be safe than sorry.

Every little incident, from not picking up poop to the scary dog next door reinforces the public attitude that some dogs should be banned, dogs are dangerous etc.

Face it, it's always the dog that loses in a dog vs. child situation. Responsible dog owners need to take every precaution if they want their beloved animals to be accepted by Joe Public.

Of course you're absolutely correct, but as a parent, it just makes sense to me to teach my kids to respect others, including dogs. Who cares whose fault it is? It's the idea that I don't want my child bitten in the first place! How does that saying go? Something about how common sense is actually pretty rare..... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Caniche,

I am VERY responsible when it comes to my dog. He goes out muzzled when necessary, and he is always walked on a prong collar to ensure that he is under control at all times. I also never allow people to approach him, muzzled or not. This dog is ill, and although he is being treated, I take every precaution to make sure people do not come into contact with him. That does not change the fact that no parent should allow their very young child (about 3 yrs. old) out of the house and running around the neighborhood unattended! They do not watch this child EVER. They allow him to run around the grounds, the parking lot, anywhere he pleases and do not watch him. They have been told to keep an eye on him, but they choose not to do so. This is the act of irresponsible parents. And as I said in my previous post, my dog was ok around children as a puppy, until this little terror started sneaking up on us and hitting my animal. This sight of this particular child now scares the bejesus out of my dog. There is no excuse for parents who allow this type of behavior.

Yes, you are correct. Unfortunately sometimes common sense (in all areas of life) is sorely lacking in a vast number of people.

For every 2 or 3 good parents and children who ask if they can pet my dog I get at least 2X that amount that either totally avoid me like the plague because I have a dog, or assume because my dog is rather cute/attractive/friendly looking that they can run up to him and everything will be OK.

Incidentally, I've actually had people cross the street when they see me coming. Me, with a standard poodle. OK maybe it's the "black dog looks scary thing". At least I hope it's because of the dog!!!

I think it's important to differentiate between people/parents who simply don't know better, but are open to being educated, and parents who are just negligent. This three year old that you're talking about, Melissa, is obviously the product of the latter. This kid has a hard road ahead of her. Sad. But I think that the former are the vast majority. Most parents do take their role very seriously, and do what they can to ensure their childrens' safety.

Caniche, I know the people-crossing-the-street thing! I used to get that a lot with my 110lb GSD/Lab (who happened to be black). I'm a small woman, so seeing 6 foot tall men cross the street to avoid my dog was certainly entertaining! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />