Would you stay somewhere if a kid kicked your dog?

I would have left in this situation, actually before you did. The kid's parents should have put a stop to it after the first kick. When they let the kid do it again and said nothing, I would have been out of there! Allowing a child to abuse a dog with no consequences is madness, I would not allow my dogs to stay in the same home as this kid ever.

I don't think that the kid would have gotten a second kick in if it was my dog. My first concern is that your dog is so young still and a child doing this could encourage him into taking a set against children and even becoming aggressive towards children.

I don't really know how I would have handled the situation only that I would have made sure the dog was somewhere where the child couldn't get near it. I guess if that means taking it home then I would have done so.

As for the family being upset with you for leaving then I guess maybe if you explain to them that you don't have to put up with the kind of behaviour exhibited by this child and the lack of discipline and guidance from her parents. The fact that the child's parent did nothing to prevent her from being cruel to your dog gave you no choice but to remove the dog from the situation and it was unfortunate that as you lived so far away you were unable to return.

I would have stayed.... After I KICKED the kid as many times as she got away with kicking my dog!.... Okay that's my obnoxious answer, and not by any means do I advocate doing that for real....

BUT....

That child sounds like a menace or as I tend to call children of such behavior "spawn of SATAN". Don't get me wrong I have a child of my own who treats our dogs the same way I do with the regard that they are part of our family. But in your case I would have left too and I would have separated the brat and your dog after the first kick. You dog showed great restraint with only a nip. If they are mad then they should have reprimanded the child for being such a brat and taken her home. Since they didn't appreciate the effort you made by traveling such a distance to visit with them they should be mad at themselves for being such jerks!

aww did a little girl frighten you :( get a grip

I would have left and been miserable. There is no way I would have allowed that child to keep kicking my dog, she's lucky she didn't get anything more than a nip on the bum.

You did the right thing, your family should have understood the position you were placed in.

The gathering being at your mom's place makes all the difference. You should have taken a leash over, hooked it on the kid's belt loop and handed it to her father-informing him that if she gets away again, you'll have to ask him to take the child and leave. There's no excuse for raising a brat and letting a child that age behave that way at someone else's home.

If she didn't stop, why did you leave you dog anywhere near her?

If it were me, I promptly would have taken my dog, announced that I would not be around a psycho child with trashy parents, and I would have left. Then, I would have called children's services for the child.

Ok, maybe not depending on the situation. If it was close family, I would have taken my dog, pulled the host aside and explained why I was leaving. I also would have spread word within the family that the child is a psycho.

I think I would have stayed but kept myself between that little brat and the dog. I would also have lobbied to get my mom and others on my side if possible. Additionally, I'd have gotten between the brat and dog before the dog got kicked numerous times. Shoulda woulda coulda...

If someone is mad at you about it be sure to let them know exactly why you left, name witnesses if necessary

You were right to protect your dog, he depends on you to keep him safe. It's unfortunate that your family would not step in and teach the girl how to treat animals. Her behavior was atrocious and your family allowing her to act that way is not doing her any favors (in fact, it places her in danger). After things cool off, hopefully you can call your family and agree on a mutual set of expectations for your next visit to ensure the safety of the dog and the child.

well if that happend to my dog things would have happend a bit differently..seeing as how my dog is a full grown pitbull..his nip would prolly have taken half her *** cheek!! lol thats besides the point though..

back to your Q, i would have explained that the dog is a family member and that we dont KIK FAMILY MEMBERS. then if it proceeded i would sternly told her that a time out was in the future if she did not stop. if all else fails i would have gone to the parents and explained the situation to them and reasonably asked that they keep their little tirant chained up before i teach my dog that we may not kik family members but in some cases we do EAT THEM!!

too harsh? i think not!! :)