Why are so many people here against yorkies in homes with children?

[roseylovestosho]

Originally Posted by HeathenFaerie

Most recently a lady asking for help with her stepson roughly handling her yorkie and several people seem to think a Yorkie should never be placed in a home with children.

But I have seen it in other threads in the few months I have been here. I usually just ignore it and in the most recent thread even kind of understand their argument but some of them seem to think it is an all or nothing situation.

I read that thread. The posters are more alarmed about the fact that a 1lb dog is placed into a home with a child that is unruly. I don't think you should feel insulted when the posters are responding with respect to the welfare of that particular dog.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by tinalove

I don't feel its anything wrong with small pets being in the home with young children. It depends on the child. Some children are gentle and know how to treat pets. Some children are rough and have to be taught how to handle a small pet. Some adults are meaner and rougher than a child.

How true: and they probably shouldn't own any dog!

[roseslevi]

Originally Posted by HeathenFaerie

Most recently a lady asking for help with her stepson roughly handling her yorkie and several people seem to think a Yorkie should never be placed in a home with children.

But I have seen it in other threads in the few months I have been here. I usually just ignore it and in the most recent thread even kind of understand their argument but some of them seem to think it is an all or nothing situation.

The example that was given was this was a "teacup" yorkie. This is a very small dog that most breeders would not place with small children. Also many terriers don't like children period, unless they are raised with kids. It is more stated this way to protect the dog from getting in a situation where it would be hurt, or rehomed because of nipping or aggressive behavior. More times than not...parents do not train children how to be kind, gentle animal lovers. It is very hard for rescues or breeders to hand pick which homes that have kids that know how to act appropriately with animals...therefore the "all or nothing" rule.

[Danirenae]

Originally Posted by roseylovestosho

I read that thread. The posters are more alarmed about the fact that a 1lb dog is placed into a home with a child that is unruly. I don't think you should feel insulted when the posters are responding with respect to the welfare of that particular dog.

I agree with you.

I have a toddler and 2 small dogs. Since day one he was raised with and around small dogs. There must be rules and boundaries. Even then accidents happen......accidents with adults too! We try our best to avoid them with the rules in place. Plus, my Bella is constantly supervised. I stay at home with my son and two dogs. She follows me everywhere so I can see her.

I agree that everyone here on YT is just looking out for the best interest of the dogs. We are their voice. We have to speak for them in order to educate others. They are in no way trying to bash yorkies with children. They are just looking out for the safety of the dogs.

wow, didnt mean to write a book. lol

[courtney1121]

This is obviously going to vary depending on the situation. Personally, I don't see anything wrong with a dog being placed with a family with small children as long as the parent is going to supervise the behavior of the dog and child. My niece is a little over 1 years old and she just loves Geno who is like 2.9lbs. However, I never leave them alone together. She is verrrrry clumsy since she just started walking about 2-3 months ago. Also, the one day, we were trying to teach her to pet Geno but instead she grabbed his snout. I quickly pulled her hand away so not to hurt Geno. I really don't think Geno would bite her or snap at her but you never can be too sure. Just ALWAYS keep an eye on them. Especially when baby and dog are both little. She will kiss Geno though on the lips haha It is so cute.

[Rhetts_mama]

I wouldn't call it looking down their noses so much as being cognizant of the behaviors and capabilities of both young children and small dogs. As much as we want to say with complete confidence that we know our small kids will always be gentle with small dogs, we really can't. We can train them to not pick up the dog or what ever, but the young brain is truly not capable of foreseeing consequences of certain actions. Really, they physically can't because that part of the brain doesn't fully mature until our 20's ( teenagers and driving...need I say more?).

Small dogs also react differently than slightly larger breeds to some things. Little Napoleans. While we all hear about big dog bites on the news, the actual numbers bear out that the greater percentage of dog bites occur with smaller breeds. Part of that is, in my opinion, because kids move fast and smaller dogs interpret that as a threat. The dog then barks, nips or bites, the child reacts (as they are wired to do) and hits or drops the dog.

Small dogs like to be underfoot, they are hard to see. We see story after story about adults stepping on these small pups. Kids are even more prone to not looking down and
either tripping over or stepping on them, leading to potential injuries for both.

I do think that kids and small dogs can get along beautifully. But I think it requires extreme diligence on the part of the owner to make sure that both are always, always supervised. Unfortunately, I don't think the average pet owner is up to the task.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by HeathenFaerie

Most recently a lady asking for help with her stepson roughly handling her yorkie and several people seem to think a Yorkie should never be placed in a home with children.

But I have seen it in other threads in the few months I have been here. I usually just ignore it and in the most recent thread even kind of understand their argument but some of them seem to think it is an all or nothing situation.

It is way simpler for a breeder to say; my rule is to not place a Yorkie puppy in homes with children under the age of (pick an age) 10yrs 12yrs 8yrs old.
The justification you have read in here and other threads. And really the breeder needs no justification to say "no" I won't/can't sell to you. The reality is (which is not highly visible to the public), small dogs get inadvertenly hurt by children and yes adults frequently.
The YTCA does not recommend Yorkies go to homes with small children.

The sad fact that is clear to me when I walk my dogs in Toronto, is that generally speaking adults and not surprisingly children have no idea how to act/behave around a dog.

You mentioned how you've read stories in the paper about a "nice" dog biting children, as the reason you don't let your children play unsupervised with a dog. But have you read about how dog's get inadvertenly hurt by humankind; in particular puppies and even adult toy breed dogs? So a fuller stance would be to protect all parties.

A responsible,ethical breeder, does spend an incredible amount of time and love, in the whole process of breeding. Each breeder must weigh in their own minds, how they stand on placing puppies in homes with children. Never; only with children +a certain age; maybe with children of a young age (then the given amount of time to screen, the whole family and see, if in your opinion this puppy will be reasonably safe here).

I hope that helps you to understand an all or "nothing" stance that some folks have.

[chachi]

Originally Posted by courtney1121

This is obviously going to vary depending on the situation. Personally, I don't see anything wrong with a dog being placed with a family with small children as long as the parent is going to supervise the behavior of the dog and child. My niece is a little over 1 years old and she just loves Geno who is like 2.9lbs. However, I never leave them alone together. She is verrrrry clumsy since she just started walking about 2-3 months ago. Also, the one day, we were trying to teach her to pet Geno but instead she grabbed his snout. I quickly pulled her hand away so not to hurt Geno. I really don't think Geno would bite her or snap at her but you never can be too sure. Just ALWAYS keep an eye on them. Especially when baby and dog are both little. She will kiss Geno though on the lips haha It is so cute.

Im sorry but your child is way too young to be around a 2 lb dog. Im sure you do your best but your breeder should have never allowed a yorkie pup to go into that situation. I know this isnt going to be a popular post with families with tiny pups but it needs to be said because too many people read these posts members and nonmembers. I dont blame the puppy buyer but the breeder that places pups with children too young.

[concretegurl]

As a parent & animal lover I fully agree with Chachi.

[Ahis_Mama]

Originally Posted by Rhetts_mama

I wouldn't call it looking down their noses so much as being cognizant of the behaviors and capabilities of both young children and small dogs. As much as we want to say with complete confidence that we know our small kids will always be gentle with small dogs, we really can't. We can train them to not pick up the dog or what ever, but the young brain is truly not capable of foreseeing consequences of certain actions. Really, they physically can't because that part of the brain doesn't fully mature until our 20's ( teenagers and driving...need I say more?).

Small dogs also react differently than slightly larger breeds to some things. Little Napoleans. While we all hear about big dog bites on the news, the actual numbers bear out that the greater percentage of dog bites occur with smaller breeds. Part of that is, in my opinion, because kids move fast and smaller dogs interpret that as a threat. The dog then barks, nips or bites, the child reacts (as they are wired to do) and hits or drops the dog.

Small dogs like to be underfoot, they are hard to see. We see story after story about adults stepping on these small pups. Kids are even more prone to not looking down and
either tripping over or stepping on them, leading to potential injuries for both.

I do think that kids and small dogs can get along beautifully. But I think it requires extreme diligence on the part of the owner to make sure that both are always, always supervised. Unfortunately, I don't think the average pet owner is up to the task.

I totally agree. BUT I'd like to add it also depends on the energy level of the children and their behavior.

Originally Posted by chachi

Im sorry but your child is way too young to be around a 2 lb dog. Im sure you do your best but your breeder should have never allowed a yorkie pup to go into that situation. I know this isnt going to be a popular post with families with tiny pups but it needs to be said because too many people read these posts members and nonmembers. I dont blame the puppy buyer but the breeder that places pups with children too young.

I don't think the child lives with her. She said it was her niece. Not sure though.

[chachi]

Originally Posted by Ahis_Mama

I totally agree. BUT I'd like to add it also depends on the energy level of the children and their behavior.



I don't think the child lives with her. She said it was her niece. Not sure though.

Oh I thought she said it was her child. But still I dont think a clumsy 1 yr old baby should be anywhere near a 2 lb dog.

[courtney1121]

Originally Posted by chachi

Im sorry but your child is way too young to be around a 2 lb dog. Im sure you do your best but your breeder should have never allowed a yorkie pup to go into that situation. I know this isnt going to be a popular post with families with tiny pups but it needs to be said because too many people read these posts members and nonmembers. I dont blame the puppy buyer but the breeder that places pups with children too young.

Well my niece doesn't live with us and she only sees Geno when we bring him over to my mom's house so the situation of her being with Geno can always be avoided opposed to her being with us at all times, which is why the breeder did let her puppy go to us. Our breeder doesn't let her puppies go to families with small children which my boyfriend and I do not have (thank god! a puppy is about all we could both handle haha). Geno lives with me, my boyfriend, and my boyfriend's room mate.

I would never put my dog in a situation that I would think would cause harm to him. My niece mainly just gets really excited when she sees him. She is really hesitant to touch him so I was surprised she grabbed him like that and kissed him but I am very cautious with the two of them. Either I, my boyfriend, my sisters, or my mom is holding Geno when my neice is russling around the place so there isn't a chance she could accidentally fall on him. Geno likes being in someone's arms when he is at places he isn't used to anyways. Plus, my niece has only seen him, I wanna say 2-3 times.

[chachi]

Originally Posted by courtney1121

Well my niece doesn't live with us and she only sees Geno when we bring him over to my mom's house so the situation of her being with Geno can always be avoided opposed to her being with us at all times, which is why the breeder did let her puppy go to us. Our breeder doesn't let her puppies go to families with small children which my boyfriend and I do not have (thank god! a puppy is about all we could both handle haha). Geno lives with me, my boyfriend, and my boyfriend's room mate.

I would never put my dog in a situation that I would think would cause harm to him. My niece mainly just gets really excited when she sees him. She is really hesitant to touch him so I was surprised she grabbed him like that and kissed him but I am very cautious with the two of them. Either I, my boyfriend, my sisters, or my mom is holding Geno when my neice is russling around the place so there isn't a chance she could accidentally fall on him. Geno likes being in someone's arms when he is at places he isn't used to anyways. Plus, my niece has only seen him, I wanna say 2-3 times.

I am sorry I completely misread your post and thought it was your child and I was concerned.

[tinalove]

We grew up with dogs. I can understand anyone's concern about handling a small animal but I feel children should be taught to handle and respect any size pet. They also need to be taught that sometimes a pet needs rest and space. A family pet will not feel like being held all the time. I think a young child should be watched while handling a pet but it is the same with their holding a younger brother or sister. You wouldn't leave a 2 or 3 year child alone with an infant. We can't watch children every minute but I think some adults should do better watching and training their children. I taught my children that our pets had feelings and to handle them with care. I also taught them just like they have moods, our pets have moods too. Having a family pet can be a great learning experience. It taught my teenage daughter about caring for a puppy and she realizes that caring for a human baby would be even harder (glad she knows this ).

[courtney1121]

Originally Posted by chachi

I am sorry I completely misread your post and thought it was your child and I was concerned.

It's ok!