I mentioned yesterday that August did really well meeting people and not barking. He is timid and gets startled easily. The problem is not that he startles easily, the problem is he doesn't recover from it. He will continue to bark, long after the fact. We have been working very hard on that, giving him lots of space between him and the world and moving slowly towards anything he is unsure of. We tell others that they can NOT pet him. His hair is soft and flowing and beautiful but it's not to be handled by anyone who just wants to feel it. It feels like hair, freshly washed hair!
We have walked into and out of many places because all August could take was a few minutes of the location.
I grabbed August off the ground and looked at the boy saying that I dont' know who ever told him that it was funny but it's not and how would he feel if someone who was a lot bigger than him got 2 inches from his face and began to yell at him. I told the boy that it was a mean thing to do to any dog not just little ones. At that I called Becke to me and walked away. It all happened in a matter of seconds. But it did happen to one little dog who has a problem recovering from being startled and this little boy did startle my little dog. By time I got to the car the little boy was off playing with his friend.
August didn't bite him which I'm glad about, but that could have happened. Would this boys parents then find it still funny? Most likely not and August would be blamed.
I told August that the outburst he gave, didn't count towards his great day!! He still walked up to many people letting them pat him. He climbed up a few of their legs and wagged his tail like mad!
He is a little dog, he is trying to recover from being startled and let it shake off his back. He is working hard and doing a great job. I see in him the ability to reach out to many. I see a bigger future for him.
So here is my Pet Peeve - Parents, don't let your kids yell at dogs, it's not nice.
OK I'm off my soap box now. Thank you for letting me vent. What is your pet peeve?
I agree that parents should teach their children how to go up to a dog and how to be gentle...but I think the bigger problem is parents who don't say "no" or "That's wrong" in general. I have met a few of them. They think their child is "so cute" and can do anything they want. Ggggrrrrr! Those kids are tough to be around and will most likely turn out to be an adult with issues!!
ReplyDeleteOne of my largest pet peeves is undisciplined, unruly children. It sounds like you may have encountered one on Saturday.
ReplyDeleteAugust is soooo cute, I can understand why someone would want to play with him But I agree, you have got to give them their space. I was with a friend and her 2 dogs the other day. They were very skittish. I would hold out my hand, but they would back away, so I knew to let them be or just to hold out my hand again later and see if they were ready. I try to have a healthy respect for all dogs and let them decide if they want to be petted or not.
ReplyDeleteMy pet peeve is people (adults or children) that think they can do whatever they want whenever they want and it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.
How frustrating for you,and traumatic for August. But as I read your story I couldn't help feeling a little for the boy and the parents in your story. Having a wild very excitable young boy of my own who happens to have a Yorkie whom he loves very much. He doesn't always make the best decisions when it comes to what is and isn't okay for his dog. We are constantly discussing with him that he needs to respect and care for his dog and treat him how he would want to be treated. I had a bit of fear and shame run through me thinking, "Oh no was he the boy in the story"? Am I the parent who seemingly doesn't care? I asked my boy and he said he didn't see dogs at give away day so I'm thinking no. My point is this: Having a 9 yr old boy who very easily could've been the boy in the story. I will come to his parents defense and say, No one taught him it was funny he more than likely came to that conclusion all on his own being a child and not fully understanding the impact of what he was doing. My son often acts before he thinks and we are still training him to think of consequences before he acts. But highly active children often act first think second. I really don't believe there was any malicious intent. I'm pretty sure in that little boy's mind he was "playing" with August. I know there is a high possibility that his parents don't correct these behaviors.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that happened and I am taking this opportunity to remind my boy of how to properly interact with his (and other) dogs. We discussed what had happened in your story and how that would not be okay. Thank you for the reminder.
Thank you so much for the reminder that some kids are being trained correctly but they forget and that is why they are still "in training". I had brought the dogs out to Giv-A-Way Day after most of the croud had died down because I knew that August could not function with so many people there. I thank you for talking and training your son. It could save your son from being bitten from a dog who is afraid and it will help those dogs as well.
DeleteHere's my pet peeve - adults who behave badly around my dogs.
ReplyDeleteI had a grown man bark in my former dog's face when she was just a puppy. Not only was he lucky she didn't take his face off, I almost bit this idiot myself.
I've been lucky the kids I've encountered with my dogs generally have much better manners around my dogs than grownups. Somebody's doing a great job coaching most of the kids I've run into.
My Remy is like August, small and very handsome with a long, soft coat which begs to be touched. However, he is so timid of strangers that he'd never allow them to pet him.
I've had to tell children that they couldn't pet him when they've asked and explained that he's very afraid of people he doesn't know. Even though they're disappointed, most children seem to understand and respect that.
But many adults are clueless at best, and just plain rude at worst. I've crossed the street many times with Remy to discreetly discourage strangers from interacting with my puppy who doesn't invite or appreciate their attentions.
Often, being subtle or diplomatic is not enough. Even with Remy visibly shaking and hiding behind my legs, I've had to hold out my hand and tell approaching people "Stop, don't come any closer." By then, my little dog is frightened, and I'm furious at their total disrespect for my choosing not to visit with them.
Last week my husband was out walking Remy and a neighbor who knows us, and about Remy's fear issues, started walking toward my husband because he wanted to talk to him about something. My husband asked him not to approach any closer because he'd have to put Remy back in the house if he did.
This man ignored that request and kept going towards my husband and puppy. My husband had to then pick Remy up and come home instead of finishing their walk together because this blockhead didn't respect a simple request.
So, my biggest pet peeve is with adults who consistently display selfish behavior just because they want to pet my dog. They don't care how much that will frighten my puppy, often laughing when they see him trembling.
What's funny about a terrified animal? Beats me, but these adult bullies think its hilarious.
Wow! I've not had the issue with adults. Kids hopefully can learn, I'm not sure about adults being able to learn. I'm so sorry for what Remy is going through, I know how hard you are working to help him become all he can be. I know how much work it is!
DeletePoor little August. Our Skye can be timid at times. I have some younger friends with children and we always meet at their house. As much as I would like them to visit here I'm just not sure how Skye would handle them. Actually I think she would be fine but not sure how the kids would act towards them. I know our grand dog isn't crazy about children. On the other hand I will not have them here and lock the dogs up, I wouldn't do that to them.
ReplyDelete