Children trying to pet your yorkie

[citygirl123]

Oh my goodness!! Cute picture of the yorkie in the pouch and cute picture of you as well! Love the pouch. Funny story!

The other story above with the young boy....wow! I am not one to lash out at anyone either, but in your circumstance...I might have said something to the parents about their undisciplined child!! What a horrible experience.


I have been watching Copper carefully since I originally posted this thread. He is actually very friendly to most people. I'm thinking it depends on the child's approach. The boy he snapped at first approached him from above with his hand outstretched to his head like he was going to pick him up. I babysit my granddaughter a couple of afternoons a week. She always approaches him with an open hand at chin level. He responds well to that. The difference seems to be in the approach.

I told my husband, I'm not sure I want to train him to be friendly to ALL people. He only weighs 4 lbs. and his growl is one of his ways to defend himself.

Loved all the stories!

[Foster Mom]

I had a bad experience once. A kid (about 12 - 13 years old) said Oh can I see your dog. I said sure. She looked at Pixie said Oh I don't like this one then smacked her in the face. Well I lost it!!! I put Pixie in the car and grabbed this kid and asked where her mother was, her mom at the same time was coming out of the store and asked what was going on, I told her and all she said to her kids was Oh that was not very nice!!!! really?!?!?!?

[steph_bella]

Originally Posted by citygirl123

What do you do about people wanting to pet your dog? Do you let them?

I walk Copper in the park every day. Because he is little and cute people, especially children, want to pet him. Today a boy, about 12 reached over to pet Copper and Copper snapped at him. I know Copper does this when he is scared. The next child that wanted to pet him (same trip), I quickly said, "Don't, he bites." The dad was right there and I explained that we are working on this, but Copper is young and when he is scared, he snaps. The dad was very supportive and of course told his child that he should not reach out to a dog...etc. It was all positive. Copper is very loving and friendly normally in his home.

Anyway...do you train your yorkie to be friendly to strangers? How do you respond to people when they want to pet your dog?
Just looking for some feedback.

my bella does this to every strange dog and stranger! its so saddening for me i just want her to be nice she even growled at 2 police men walking past!

[CouversMom]

When children come up to us, I usually tell them that Couver does not like children but Khloe is very friendly. I let them pet Khloe andn let Couver watch. He has been known to bark and growl at kids, so I try to keep him away from other peoples kids. However, I allow my neice and nephew pet him because I know I can control their behavior. Not so much with other kids.

[Teresa Ford]

I have diff. reactions from diff. dogs and it depends on the child as well. I pick up the dog when ever poss.before the child gets to pet it. None of my dogs have ever snapped at a child. But, Gracie is picky about who, she lets pet her. If the person is loud, excited or grabby, she tries to climb my leg to get away from them. So I scoop her up and say something like, 'OH darn, she is afraid of you now. Would you like to pet her ? You have to be quiet and gentle.'

[ASTPhi877]

Originally Posted by Foster Mom

I had a bad experience once. A kid (about 12 - 13 years old) said Oh can I see your dog. I said sure. She looked at Pixie said Oh I don't like this one then smacked her in the face. Well I lost it!!! I put Pixie in the car and grabbed this kid and asked where her mother was, her mom at the same time was coming out of the store and asked what was going on, I told her and all she said to her kids was Oh that was not very nice!!!! really?!?!?!?

What a horrible experience for you and your baby! Some children are just brats, because their parents have made them that way. It sounds like you and I both encountered one of these unfortunate children. Unlucky for us. I hope that one snotty little girl has not scarred Pixie too badly! Poor sweet Pixie!

[KazzyK810]

Originally Posted by KazzyK810

I'm taking ZoE to a dog festival this weekend and am anxious to see how she does with people. She's great with my friends & family and thinks anyone coming to visit is here to see her, but because my kids are grown, she's not really been around lil kids much. I want her to be well socialized and am hoping outings like these will help the process.

ha! quoting myself

I took ZoE to the dog festival this past weekend. She LOVES little kids! She was happy to let any little kid she saw pet on her and if they didn't see her, she stared at them & gave a lil yip so they looked her way. Every child we encountered asked first if they could pet her and we had no problems with people. Dogs on the other hand... ZoE seems to like big dogs...the bigger the better...like huge GSDs and Great Danes. But, she didn't like the little dogs. She hid behind my legs when they came near, and when a very small chihuahua just walked by her & she cried and couldn't crawl up my legs and into my arms fast enough.

[gardengirl77]

That's always been more my problem -- how other people behave with their dogs instead of their kids.
So far I can guide the kids, but people seem to think I should have no problem having their big dogs (GSD, pit, labs, etc.) walk right up to Heidi, then act offended because I immediately scoop her up and head a different direction.
They insist "the dog would never hurt a flea" -- I'm not taking the chance.
And she's afraid of them on top of it.

[gardengirl77]

Addevo, I agree that would feel uncomfortable people petting them in the pouch. That'd be too wierd feeling for me I think. When we go for a walk, I always have to end up carrying Heidi on & off. Does your dog like the pouch? I always worry those look uncomfortable on them, like it might hurt their back but I don't really know anything about it.