Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and the Yahoo Answers website is now in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.
Trending News
socializing tips please? specifically with small children?
i have a 9 mnth old shar pei, rat terrier, pug mix. (cute as a button btw but i dont suggest mixing these breeds) the problem is that he was taken from me for about three months... and while im not certain what he went through i know it was just altogether wrong. when i got him back it was clear he has separation anxieties and that he had been secluded and physically abused. hes been home for just a little over two months now and hes gotten ten times better. hes gone from full out aggression with strangers (specifically tall men) to simply barking at them and when given the correct command he will approach strangers and check them out before deciding to come sit with mom or play with the new guy. however it became clear to me the other day that he is now absolutely petrified of small children. this is a HUGE problem seeing as my 6 year old god daughter is supposed to come spend a week with me this summer. how do i go about socializing him with small children? it breaks my heart to see him this way, especially seeing as snoopy and jamie used to be the best of friends! i have a picture of them when he was only three months old digging a hole together in the back yard... i want more!
it depends on the scenario. if its a new kid in his territory he reacts very aggressively until he gets used to the idea of them being in the house. he does well with kids around 10 and up as long as hes introduced to them slowly. but with kids jamie's age he tries to avoid them.... but when hes forced to interact he growls and trembles all over. iv seen him go to nip... but it seems like hes bluffing as his aim was miles off. jamie has been here to visit recently and i had her give him a treat (to which he followed her commands to sit and shake) but he still is obviously very wary of her (as he has to follow her whenever she leaves the room and watches every move she makes) and he still growls at her when she tries to pet him. also he showed signs of aggression when jamie tried to sit next to me. i got him a simple mesh muzzle for safety when kids are around... but he cant wear it for a whole week. also hes very contradictory. he avoids kids if he can... but he still protects them
2 Answers
- 9 years ago
how does he act around the children? Does he bark and growl? or does he shy away from them?
If he shies away from them:
Keep him on a leash. A tight leash. Maybe even invest in a harness. Then, on a sunny day, take him out for a walk through the neighborhood or even a park (not dog park, there's not enough children there!). Hopefully, he'll soon acclimate himself with little children.
If he barks and growls:
Keep him on a really tight leash connected to either a harness or a choke collar (the ones without the prongs, just "'chains"). And maybe introduce him to younger kids (10, 11 year old kids). Every time he behaves, give him a treat. Slowly introduce him to young kids. When he barks, give him a yank. Not too hard, but enough to draw his attention.
If he barks and growls AND knows commands:
Like I said before, tight leash, choke collar/harness, and have a treat out in front of you. Keep his attention on you and try to train him through practice with young kids. Repetition is the best way.
Tell your daughter that he doesn't recognize her. It's difficult because she's so young and may not understand!
ALSO, you seriously need to find out what the hell happened when he was away from you. That will help isolate the problem and help you to actually attack the problem as opposed to the symptoms.
Hope this helps, and Good luck. Really, good luck.
- dorothy sLv 79 years ago
He has obviously had a bad experience with kids. Take him to the school gates when the kids are going in and again, when they are leaving at lunchtime and in the afternoon. Have a pocket full of tasty treats and give him a treat if he reacts favorably. If he growls, ignore this and don't correct him. After a few days, it may be possible to allow the kids to throw him a treat.
When Jamie comes to your house, put him into another room before you let her in. Get her to sit on the table and throw your dog treats, don't put him into a position where he is forced to interact with her.