Torment, intentional or not, definately changes dogs! My next door neighbors have a fenced in yard and a day care. The neighbors next to them have a large Boxer mix who attacks the fence trying to get at the kids. The kids don't tease him, they are just there BUT the dog has become HUGELY aggressive and goes after them if he gets off leash and the kids are in the front yard (as recently happened while the kids waited for the bus one morning.)
My big dog, a GSP, doesn't like teenage boys, men in hats (until he figures out who they are,) or the color day-glow yellow. All of this stems from casual, passing, long ago "torment."
I'm with the others, do NOT let your dogs out without you, ESPECIALLY if the kids are out and YOU need to report the KIDS every time they cause trouble. Also, talk to the kids if you get the chance, they may not understand that what they are doing is harmful to the dogs. They may just want to play with them or look at them or whatever and not understand that it is really bothersome to the dogs. Tell the kids the dogs names so that when the dogs bark at them they can call them by name and tell them that everything is ok. Seriously, sometimes it's just those little things that make a huge difference.
GOOD LUCK!!!!! =D
__________________ Amanda  |