Neighborhood kids and my yorkie - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

mscat · 03-31-2009, 02:51 PM

Children are easily excited by a small dog. It is up to you to keep your dog safe. When you see them approaching, let them know to keep a safe disatance. you can be the one to put the limits on the kids. Such as, one at a time, with the gentle petting. If that is what you prefer. If the kids become too rowdy, simply scoop up your Marley, and let the kids know your done for the day.
Don't let the kids "run the show" Your in charge. Older kids can be worked with easier , however the younger childern just need more patience and a little more guidance. Your outnumbered, and when they follow you, just let them know that your giving Marley a potty break and she needs to be left alone to do her buisness, she we come back and visit anther time. Bye for now, see you later, guys! then turn around and wave to the children. They need to see you walk away . The kids will get the message.
It is cute and quite a compliment that they all want to follow you and your sweet little Marley, however, I can still see how much of a annoyance this is to you.

manolos mom · 03-31-2009, 03:02 PM

We went to a dog park last week and this little girl I guess 10 was throwing rocks at the small dogs in front of her mom. One of the guys with us ran up to the mom and was very direct with her...The little girls stopped after that. You need to be firm and to the point because these little guys can really get hurt.

MizMaRLeysMoM86 · 03-31-2009, 04:25 PM

Thanks everyone for the advice, i appreciate all of it! I know kids will be kids but the reason i got Marley is because i didnt want any kids at this point in time but i still wanted to be loved and give love to a little baby

All of the advice has been terriffic. I am going to try all of it, especially letting them give her a treat. I want her to be socialized by all means, i just want to do it correctly and not have her scared of anyone but my husband and myself.

wantayorkie23 · 03-31-2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MizMaRLeysMoM86

Ok, so I have another question. The other day these children saw my Marley and flipped out over her pink hoodie and how small she was and rushed over to her and I about freaked out on them! I live on a military base and We live in a tower full of apartments so there are always children around during the day when its nice outside. There is no way i can avoid them lol I had to tell the little kids ages 7-about 10 to stop running and to leave her alone because she was freaking out! I wanted her to use the bathroom and they wouldnt leave. The kids around my complex have even gone as far as to follow us on our walks around the building and just stare like they think im gonna ask them to pet her.. sorry im not!! I know that seems harsh but she is my baby and these kids get on my darn nerves with the way they act ( ive seem to notice SOME not all military kids are brats) Am i over reacting? I mean there are a few families in my complex with very well behaved children who are polite and I allow them to pet her and sometimes i even pick Marley up and hold her so they can pet her. But I am just so paticular about who even is NEAR her. Please don't worry about hurting my feelings. I need to know if i need to loosin' up

Ummm its not that serious. And if you was a kid you would be the same way

Nikitta34 · 03-31-2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkiesmiles

I suggest that if communicating patiently & kindly to these children doesn't work - go speak with the parents & let them know that you are trying to housebreak this little one & she is easily distracted and very fragile also.

Or with the kids - let them know you don't want them hanging on as you are out and about -- but, in turn invite them into your yard for 5 or 10 minutes - have them sit down and allow them to pet her for a few minutes & ask all their questions etc. This would be a great opportunity to explain to the children how fragile yorkies are and how they require special care. Most likely, doing this once or twice will help dissipate the interest of most of these kids. You don't even have to let them hold her, petting should be enough. If it overwhelms your girl then pick her up and say I'm sorry, I guess she isn't ready for this much attention yet.

In a perfect world, this would be a great solution. However, since I live on a military base as well (not a perfect world!), I know exactly what you are talking about. It would be great to sit down and have a chat with the parents, but the parents are NO WHERE to be found. I guess this is what happens when you live in a high-rise with a park just outside.

You've gotten some great advice already, and I do'nt want to just repeat what others have said, but.... Do not be afraid to be firm. If do not want the kids to pet your dog, I love the idea of saying she is afraid of children. Or if you want to let some kids pet your Marley (and socialize him), maybe try walking to a corner of the playground and tell the children that they need to sit on the ground (cross-legged, kneeling, or on their hands), then they can take turns and pet her one-at-a-time. Then you tell them whose turn it is. And they only get one turn before you continue your walk.

You can also tell them that your dog is just a baby, and that they need to be extra, extra careful. Or explain that there are too many children in the park and your dog could get hurt. Or hold Marley while the children pet him.... Or say that it's time for his nap or for his dinner, or that he needs to do his business. These are all things that I have to say when I walk around base! I feel your pain!

MizMaRLeysMoM86 · 03-31-2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wantayorkie23

Ummm its not that serious. And if you was a kid you would be the same way

It is serious to me when they are running around trying to pet her and could possibly step on her! I appreciate your input but the other posters are right , children need to know how to act around a yorkie beacuse they are fragile, and i can help teach them how to treat a yorkie with the advice i have been given.

Nikitta34 · 03-31-2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jemma

One thing I might say to the kids is, You can't follow me because I'm trying to get the puppy to go to the bathroom. If she see's all of you, she won't go.
Oh well I tried.

Great idea!

lgoodall · 03-31-2009, 05:20 PM

My five month old Yorkie absolutely loves children. Well he loves everyone, but seems to get especiaslly excited when he is around children. So far, he's only beern around grandchildren, and a couple of their friends. My rule is: no lifting him. If they want to pet him, they must sit on the floor. However, he wants to follow them wherever they go. I have to watch him all of the time. I tell them not to run when he's around.
Tucker's Mom

03-31-2009, 02:51 PM	#16
mscat YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hanford, CA Posts: 4,895	Children are easily excited by a small dog. It is up to you to keep your dog safe. When you see them approaching, let them know to keep a safe disatance. you can be the one to put the limits on the kids. Such as, one at a time, with the gentle petting. If that is what you prefer. If the kids become too rowdy, simply scoop up your Marley, and let the kids know your done for the day. Don't let the kids "run the show" Your in charge. Older kids can be worked with easier , however the younger childern just need more patience and a little more guidance. Your outnumbered, and when they follow you, just let them know that your giving Marley a potty break and she needs to be left alone to do her buisness, she we come back and visit anther time. Bye for now, see you later, guys! then turn around and wave to the children. They need to see you walk away . The kids will get the message. It is cute and quite a compliment that they all want to follow you and your sweet little Marley, however, I can still see how much of a annoyance this is to you. __________________ "No matter how little money & how few possessions, you own, having a dog makes you rich."

03-31-2009, 04:25 PM	#18
MizMaRLeysMoM86 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Misawa AB, Japan Posts: 582	Thanks for all the great advice! Thanks everyone for the advice, i appreciate all of it! I know kids will be kids but the reason i got Marley is because i didnt want any kids at this point in time but i still wanted to be loved and give love to a little baby All of the advice has been terriffic. I am going to try all of it, especially letting them give her a treat. I want her to be socialized by all means, i just want to do it correctly and not have her scared of anyone but my husband and myself.

03-31-2009, 03:02 PM	#17
manolos mom Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 7,982	We went to a dog park last week and this little girl I guess 10 was throwing rocks at the small dogs in front of her mom. One of the guys with us ran up to the mom and was very direct with her...The little girls stopped after that. You need to be firm and to the point because these little guys can really get hurt.

03-31-2009, 05:20 PM	#23
lgoodall YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama Posts: 260	My five month old Yorkie absolutely loves children. Well he loves everyone, but seems to get especiaslly excited when he is around children. So far, he's only beern around grandchildren, and a couple of their friends. My rule is: no lifting him. If they want to pet him, they must sit on the floor. However, he wants to follow them wherever they go. I have to watch him all of the time. I tell them not to run when he's around. Tucker's Mom