children & yorkies
 

I am new to the forum and asking alot of questions but one more question.

What is the best way to teach young children to approach yorkies or any dog. Most people say hand with palm face up is most non threating.

Never rush up to pet a strange dog. Always ask the owner if the dog is friendly, and then ask if it is okay to pet their dog.

Approach slowly and quietly. Beware that a child's high-pitched squeals and uncoordinated movements can disturb the dog.

Approach the dog at an angle. Make sure the dog see you and your hand that is approaching it. Watch for signs for fear or aggression.

Try not to lean over the dog or stare directly at a dog. It is a sign of agression

Slowly extend the back of the hand and allow the dog to sniff the hand before tickling under the chin or the side of the chest.

I recommend extending the hand with the palm up, for the same reasons it is a custom in humans. The dog can see you have no threat (or treat) in your hand..Don't aim for the top of the head bt wait til the owner says it is okay to pet and gently scratch under the chin. If someone starts to pet without asking, I say to them that I prefer to be asked before anyone pets my dog(s). I have a sign that says "STOP. MY MOM SAYS ASK BEFORE YOU PET US!!!!
That is not rude, it is protecting your baby. If someone is offended it is only because they are accustomed to being rude.

Are you talking about your own Yorkie that you described in the previous post? If you are, I would not recommend letting ANY YOUNG child near your dog until you have the behavioral issues sorted out. At this point, it could be very tramatic for both the child and your dog. You said your dog has bitten you and snaped at a ?nephew? when he pursued her in the "Retreat" position. Under the watchful eye of an experienced dog person, preferably a trainer or dog behaviorist, you could use the method described by Yorkieagility with an OLDER child (a child that is old enough that you would trust as a baby sitter!) but do not trust your dog with a small child at this point. You may do a lot of harm that will be hard to undo.

If your question is more generic - please note my comment in the previous post on a general basis and then less general:

All the advice above is correct. I'd only add, that you should avert your gaze and not make direct eye contact. For dogs, direct eye contact is a threat. If you want to show you are strong and in control but dont' want your dog to think you are picking a fight, you can look at your dog but blink - don't hold a stare. If you see the dog is a little timid and unsure, you can turn your head away to show you are not a threat. Which you choose will depend on how the dog is reacting.

from the previous thread
 

i will say this...i learned from watching coco interact with my kids as well as the kids i watch and one thing i will advise you on is make sure to let the children know not to ever grab the dog at his rear end to try and pick him up etc etc...coco is the friendliest dog in the world but he does not like it when kids do this to him, he gets irritable. so i asked my vet about this and he says that dogs do not like this at all especially with children. even if your dog is the friendliest in the world when touched this way they might strike so just be careful and enjoy your baby!