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Old September 16th, 2012, 07:51 PM
Etown_Chick Etown_Chick is offline
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Location: Edmonton
Posts: 597
Help! Neighbors are terrified of fluffhead!

Hey all
I have this awesome, medium-sized furball who is absolutely head over heels in love with children. All children, any size, any gender.
I take him everywhere with me, even to go visit the neighbors to drop off extra cukes and such.
When he sees kids, he just comes up to them and smiles, right into their faces. No barking, no licking.
Meanwhile the neighbor has two daughters, 4 and 6, who are afraid of him. The parents know Scruffy and they're very calm, but the girls freak out. They're just not used to dogs.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to how the parents and I could get teh girls less terrified? I'd hate to see anyone grow up afraid of all dogs. I just think of what they'd miss if they don't get over their fear.
Thanks in advance
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Old September 17th, 2012, 07:00 AM
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Marty11 Marty11 is offline
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I have a neice like that, she won't even walk pass the dog in the same room. My dog is the perfect kid dog too.
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Old September 17th, 2012, 10:26 AM
binkybuff binkybuff is offline
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Location: Alberta, Canada
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You could ask the parents help with a project.

Invite them and the children, then sit down beside your dog, holding it,
then talk to the children and explain the dog loves children.
You then show the children the proper procedure to approach a dog,
starting with
Asking the owner if they could pet it. Always ask first.
Show them how to put their hand down first, let the dog smell
then slowly pet the dog.

Remind them not to rush up to a dog,

and
finally, your dog should be on a leash when around children as some folks could get a wrong idea about it going right up to them. You need to controll it when around children, and allowing it to go right up to them is wrong.

this procedure worked for me many times.

hope it does for you
take care
binky
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Old September 17th, 2012, 04:09 PM
Etown_Chick Etown_Chick is offline
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Location: Edmonton
Posts: 597
binky
good advice. I will talk to the parents and see if they are up for it. Hopefully we can get the girls to stop screaming long enough to see that Scruffy is not going to eat them. If they're willing to try, he will definately be leashed.
I've had a young girl at a dog park come right up to him, grab a big handfull of cheek in each hand, and put her face right up to his muzzle. I was terrified she was going to lose her face, but Scruffy just stood there and let her do it. You never know what kids are going to do.

Marty my niece is the same - loves her kitty but terrified of dogs, including Scruffy. That keeps me from being able to include him in family activities, and limits time spent with them, but it's life.
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