Again, I personally would NOT use an e-collar to proof off of children.

I wouldn't want the correction to be associated with the children.

For me, other then a "nope" that would be entirely reward based for the dog ignoring them.

Hey Melissa,
Inga sounds like a fascinating pup and a very bright one too. She hasn't been socialized to children earlier (no blame... life happens ), so her response to them as something new in her environment is normal. I'd caution against the methods you are using below since you are pairing a strong aversive to something she is already wary of; that is not going to create a safe dog around kids.
Listen to Bob, even though he is old and falls asleep in the middle of his posts; he is brilliant.
I know you are not a fan of food but I would think in this case making an exception to change her mindset about children is a worthy cause. Notice what Bob said about his JRT and kids as food dispensers, because he paired the kids with food the JRT loved, his mindset changed from defensive to acceptance and even feeling positive about their presence. Much better than what MIGHT(not saying it is) be happening with Inga when subjected to a level 10 correction; every time there are kids around something really bad happens. I know lunging at anyone is a HUGE, UNACCEPTABLE offense but like anything else it needs to be trained and proofed before you should be using a level 10 correction. Of course, this is just my opinion and my 2 year old boy doesn't know half of what your little girl does but, I did think for the safety of all it was worth mentioning.

Where's Mike Arnold? I need some of that coffee.

 Quote: melissa bishop

Thinking back, I can remember two other occasions when Inga was 7 months old that she lunged at small children. Once in a Farm and Ranch store she jumped at some little kids in an isle, I think she wanted to play. Another time we met a mother with two small kids on a trail coming up from a river. That time she lunged to the end of her leash and barked ferociously. All these times she got a size 10 prong collar correction.

 Quote: Sheila Buckley

Hey Melissa,
Inga sounds like a fascinating pup and a very bright one too. She hasn't been socialized to children earlier (no blame... life happens ), so her response to them as something new in her environment is normal. I'd caution against the methods you are using below since you are pairing a strong aversive to something she is already wary of; that is not going to create a safe dog around kids.
Listen to Bob, even though he is old and falls asleep in the middle of his posts; he is brilliant.
I know you are not a fan of food but I would think in this case making an exception to change her mindset about children is a worthy cause. Notice what Bob said about his JRT and kids as food dispensers, because he paired the kids with food the JRT loved, his mindset changed from defensive to acceptance and even feeling positive about their presence. Much better than what MIGHT(not saying it is) be happening with Inga when subjected to a level 10 correction; every time there are kids around something really bad happens. I know lunging at anyone is a HUGE, UNACCEPTABLE offense but like anything else it needs to be trained and proofed before you should be using a level 10 correction. Of course, this is just my opinion and my 2 year old boy doesn't know half of what your little girl does but, I did think for the safety of all it was worth mentioning.

Where's Mike Arnold? I need some of that coffee.

 Quote: melissa bishop

Thinking back, I can remember two other occasions when Inga was 7 months old that she lunged at small children. Once in a Farm and Ranch store she jumped at some little kids in an isle, I think she wanted to play. Another time we met a mother with two small kids on a trail coming up from a river. That time she lunged to the end of her leash and barked ferociously. All these times she got a size 10 prong collar correction.

100% AGREE with Bob & Sheila on this...

Going back about 20 years, I can still remember one of my obedience club trainers teaching her Puppy SOCIALIZATION Classes the following:

"Kids come out, STEAK comes out !!! Kids go away, steak goes AWAY"

Only GOOD Things should be associated in the dog's mind with kids -- Similarly, I never use punitive corrections on a dog in its CRATE for any undesired behavior ... Just positive-motivation-only while a dog is in one of its "safe spots", IMHO.

Since those incidents with little kids at age 7 months, I have taken Inga many times to big box stores where running screaming children are seen or heard, she must Down and Relax (that is one of her commands) and quietly observe the children from a distance. No correction given, just praise for relaxing and then heeled away. Kids are not allowed to approach and pet. I like this idea
"Kids come out, STEAK comes out !!! Kids go away, steak goes AWAY" smiley for

Well, the calf and cow are now out of the pen but today I am avoiding them with Inga due to high anxiety level of the cow. She knows theres a wolf around here. I will wait until cow settles down before I use the Do Even Not Look At e collar method I have been using with the chickens. I understand how with kid proofing is a different situation. Thanks for your instruction.

About the vultures......

http://www.thecomicstrips.com/store/add.php?iid=151877

Coffee? Did someone mention coffee?

An interesting thread.

I wish I had a pithy comment or even one of my needlessly verbose and tedious ones. Alas.

I might opine that the only children I ever cared to socialize my dogs with are mine, and they are no longer children. And that's all I have to say about that.

Happy Holidays to all, and to all a good night.

Mike, I agree for the most part about not caring to socializing with outsiders but for the vast majority of dog owners it's probably a necessity.

I am taking Inga today to Lowe's. Home Despot and Academy for a big exposure to running screaming children who will no doubt be throwing things. WHen she glances toward them she will be jack potted with fajita meat- a first for me. Children =steak. No children= No steak.

About the calf- I will tie up the cow for this cow calf exposure because I suspect this cow will probably charge the dog-an un needed distraction in the learning phase.

Chickens- doing well with the not looking at them while on leash. Later she was out running and scared up a flock of Meadow Larks and crittered after them. One No! and she instantly quit chasing and came back.

"HOW" she looks at them can be critical.

Be sure that you completely understand her body language and you not rewarding more of an alert then just a look.

She is not allowed to look at all. In the last two days she has quickly learned to replace a low level stim with the word No, on both loose chickens and cow/calf. Now, tomorrow when she is on long line and they run this may change.

On top of it she is in her first heat, just coming out of full on estrus. But she has been focusing on these lessons.