my girl is so scared of little kids....what to do?
 

Ok, it started when she was a wee baby, Zoe was traumatized by our neighborhood kid Natalie. This little girl was about 2 years old. She would come up to us while we were taking a walk and would yank at her tail and would literally slap the poor dog! I was upset at this but couldn't yell at my neighbor's dog. I just picked Zoe up and say no, be gentle and I even tried to teach her to pet gently but it didn't help. She would continue to yank at her legs and tail. Zoe used to love all people, adults and kids. Now, she just trembles at the site of a child. Eg. we were waiting at the vet and was just so charming and friendly to all adults and pets in the lobby. A kid comes in, she runs under the chair and starts trembling so badly that the woman next to us said 'is she ok?'. SHe is frightened and traumized by that terrior Natalie. Now on walks, when we run into Natalie, we run ourselves and turn the other way or I'd pick her up.

My husband and I said what are we going to do when we have kids in a few years? Will she live in this anxiety state? What can we do to ease her fear. She will happily approach an adult and lick them but will back away and hide and even scream when a child comes near. Help?

This is so sad when parents don't teach kids good gentle manners around dogs, esp the little ones... The only advice i can think of is slowly exposing Zoe to a nice gentle kid (maybe family or friend's?) who knows how to treat a dog. Have them stay in one room without really interacting, after a while Zoe should stop paying too much attention to the child,then maybe have the child throw some special yummy treats? Without petting. After a while I hope Zoe would start trusting the child to let her pet her.... I don't have that problem, I hope my advice was a little help?

I agree with slowly exposing her to small children (well-mannered of course). Also, be there holding her and assuring her it's okay. God bless!

i would have said something the 1st time that little girl was mean to the dog otherwise they won't learn and the parent should correct them immediately! maybe hold her and let her associate with kids letting her know she's safe do it a little at a time until she overcomes it but she may never over come it!

By allowing this to happen over and over, she may be traumatized for life. You can't really say for sure yet. I would ask friends to bring one or two very young children over once or twice a week for awhile and work on the problem by allowing them to pet her and then sit and hold her. Just do it all gradually.

I don't care who it is. I won't stand by and allow anyone, child or adult to mistreat a puppy. Too bad if it hurts their feelings. I know you were trying to be nice. I totally understand that, but look at the problem it creates. Your little one is paying the price for it now and perhaps in the future.

Thanks everyone for all your advice! it really only happened once where she was yanked and slapped. Beleive me, I wouldn't allow it more than once, I love this little girl way too much! I think once was all it took to traumatize her. I will continue to expose her to kinder, more gentle kids. THanks again!

My girl is timid around kids too and i have a 6 year old so i have kids in the house all the time. She does better with being petted if i hold her while she is being petted by children