Do you let kids pet your yorkie?

[loveshay]

I will let children pet Shay (bella hasn't been out yet)...BUT I say he is really fragile so be soft...

My grandchildren are absolutely wonderful with Shay...they are so gentle and know they have to sit when holding him.(they havent met Bella yet)

I did have a lil boy here, while hosting my sons wedding last august, I could tell he was a hyper kid and heard he was mean, so I had Shay in his kennel. what did this kid do? called Shay over then poked him in the eye, I was like in slow motion, I couldnt get there fast enough... as the parents just laughed, I moved Kennel to my bedroom, only to see this kid out of corner of my eye, run into my bedroom to start kicking and screaming at the kennel, laughing! when I told them they said "it is just a dog maggie! (laughing) relax, he will get over it" lets just say, I am sure they wished they hadnt driven 600 miles to the wedding, when I was done with them!

[Rachael1983]

I have a 7 year old and usually there are kids at my house all the time. I do let the kids pet and interact with Troy but only with a supervision and a lecture first. When we are out Troy of course ears up the attention but I only let kids touch if a parent is present and they ask first.

Troy is not a toy or accessory, he is a dog that's little and I try to keep the fact he's a dog in mind. I have the philosophy that if he's not socialized with lots of different things, encounters, people, handling and I if I "baby" him he will eventually have a dislike for certain situations that I need him to be ok in.

[Reese1]

Crosley I do, because she LOVES kids!! She loves everybody actually!

I don't with Wrigley & Camden, except my niece & nephews and even with them, I tell them to sit down and let the dogs come to them!
Wrigley & Camden are both shy & get nervous and our experience with kids wanting to pet them has been kids running up and getting in their faces or wanting to pick them up!
I would hate for either of them to get scared and bite someone!
We don't have children that live in the house and they are just not used to them!
Having said that, the neighbor behind us has grandchildren and the little boys love to run back & forth the length of our fence & Camden will run with them, all day if you let her!! She's in 7th heaven!!

[Darlene68]

For me it depends on the child, and I always tell them to be gentle because Bailey is so tiny. So sorry you had a bad experience!

[Britster]

I do. Jackson is very shy when it comes to strangers in general. He's not mean or aggressive, he usually just kinda backs away like "I don't know you! don't pet me!" It's almost like he thinks every stranger is like a vet or something, lol. Now my little brother and sister, he adores. They can be all up in his face, doing whatever and he could care less, he just wags his tail and kisses them.

When it comes to stranger kids, he's definitely a lot more reserved and weary. So I generally will pick him up first and then show them how to pet him. He's more comfortable with them petting him under his chin rather than their hand going overtop of his head. I usually have treats on me too that I ask the kids to give him.

He's gotten *much* better with kids in general. The other day we were visiting over my dad's house and this little girl, maybe 8 years old, just moved in across the street. Jackson went up to her voluntarily and allowed her to pet him! He also seems to like little girls better than little boys. Another thing... when we're at the dog park, he is sooo much friendlier to people and will go up to them by himself and ask for a petting. Maybe because he sees the other dogs doing it?

Overall, he'd much rather be around dogs than people but with some practice, he's gotten better with people! I think it's an important part of socialization to get them used to kids and strangers.

[hugz4all4]

Well since I have 4 kids and run a small daycare in my home the answer is yes, I allow children to pet my dogs. My kids know how to handle dogs very well, the daycare kids are taught as soon as they come into my house and will ask first if they can pet or hold the dog. Im always there when they are doing so. If we are outside of the house. I allow it, if they ask.. I ask them to hold thier hand out first so the dog can smell them then after a few seconds they are allowed too. I dont let strangers, adults or children hold my dogs. If someone tries to pet them without asking, I turn the dog away. I think its rude for an adult or a child to pet a dog without asking first.

[shodanusmc]

When we are out with both dogs, (the 125 Pound Cane Corso and the Yorkie), kids always come up and ask if they can pet the little dog. We always tell them no, not the little Yorkie, but to pet the big Dog...

Our Yorkie just does not like kids, even though she has been heavily socialized. Better not to have her try to nip one...now the big dog loves the kids, and the older folks....he is just so gentle with them. Sort if funny in a way. I am just so glad that the Yorkie is not 125 pounds...could you imagine a 125 pound Yorkie with their big attitude.


The Yorkie never had a bad experience with a little kid before, but she does warm up to them after a while if she sees them more than one time

[ARCHIE]

Buddy enjoys being around kids and allows them to pet him, that was
never a problem. He adores my two young granddaughter's and gives
them kisses and cuddles with them. We had one accident, a bite but
that was regarding guarding what he thought to be his while he was
sitting at the table which should have never been allowed.
In general he loves all kids and people especially when they come to
the house. Outside he still loves being approached by kids but
adults he seems to back off. I would never allow anyone to pick him
up neither would he.
I think it's important for dogs to be friendly with people and kids,
while being watched that is.

[misslissa]

i do but i pick Gatsby up first and hold him i tell people its because he jumps up on them (which he dose not) but in reality im afraid they will be mean i always have the kids ask there parents first because once i was at a sort of street fair and a little brown haired chubby girl walks up and asks to pet him and her mom standing a few feet away nods her head they little girl gets a pet or two then she calls over another little girl who was also brown haired and slightly chubby and that little girl starts petting them and i assumed they wear sisters and it was okay then a woman comes up and yanks the secound girl away "dont touch that dog you do not know whear its been" okay i understand but then she yells at me for not asking hr prmission and had security ask me to leave i said no and they could not force me so she left instead

[OwnedByJezebel]

I absolutely let children pet my yorkie, she LOVES everyone, adults and children, friends and strangers. I want her to be well socialized and be comfortable, not nervous, around people. I just keep a close eye on them and supervise.

[Arzel36]

Sometimes!

[ArmaniMan]

Yes, I want them to have as many experiences as possible.

I will usually bend down to the childs level and pick up my dog... I then let them pet the dog but if they get too rough, it is easy for me to just stand up and then the dog is out of their reach.

[MommysBabyRoxy]

I also, like many of the YTers, use my best judgement.

Usually, if the child seems mild mannered (and clean, I usually take a quick look at their hands, God knows whats on them) I will tell them that its okay to pet her, and I will hold her tight so they cant pull on her or anything. I always say "let her sniff your hand first so she can get to know you", and if Roxy seems alright, I let them pet her a bit, all the while holding her and her leash.

So, for me it depends on Roxy's response and the child and the parents. I know Roxy has an excellent temperment... at least with people... lol, not necessarily Lexi at all times...

[JenniferLeigh]

Yes! I encourage it (as long as it is supervised) but its great socialization for Lexi and a good lesson for the child to learn if they don't have experience with small dogs.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by RemydeHaviland

yes, but depends on my impression of the kid and the parents

yesterday we met a toddler on our walk. the little guy was probably 2, just adorable. he kept reaching for Remy. I actually got down on the ground with Remy and held him by his halter so he would not scare the little guy. They were both really good - the kid got one good pet in on Remy's head. Then Remy wanted to jump up on him...so we parted ways

I do the same. Kaji is just so fearful of kids. As soon as he sees one he tries to dart in the opposite direction or find a bush or car to hide under. Scary because he doesn't care if the car is on or off! I try beating him to the punch by picking him up before he has a chance to react, or walking him far far away from them. I don't want him to be fearful of kids but I much rather pick his experiences. Like the above story. Kaji was out with my family in a crowded area, which is a lot for him, and this cute toddler saw him and was going nuts. His mother quickly held him back and asked if it was ok for her soon to meet my boy. I picked up Kaji, kneeled down to the boys level and allowed him to pet Kaji's back. Kaji wasn't nearly as scared and after a few seconds I could feel him relax in my arms. The mother was so nice, holding her son and guiding his little hands gently as they petted Kaji's back. It was a great experience!

Not so great experience... my mom's friend was visiting with her toddler. Kaji was going to the living room to pick up his ball when the little girl saw him and screamed her head off. Kaji didn't know we had company and that was no way for him to find out. He peed all the way back to my room. He was so scared he didn't even eat until they were long gone. I think I have to be choosey, I want him to associate only good things with people.