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Post by marc on Dec 9, 2010 12:54:47 GMT -5
Hi folks. recaching out for some best practices for socializing with children, what to look out for and what is considered acceptable.
note: Jackie is just learning her polite sit for greeting adults...b/c she's a ball of wiggles & jumps in meeting new people...and even if she meets them...10 mins later wants to greet them impolitely again.
So I had a 10 & 9 year old come over last night and it was hard to get her to sit/listen to me...she eventually went down into the little excited creep walk.... Could never get her to totally calm down..but was able to get her to a point to where the kids would sit and she calmed down a bit.
Here's a question... the the kids went to play with her(after intro and treating her)... Jackie rolled over on her back while they petted..but looked to me like she was rough playing at their hands with her paws...and i couldnt tell if she was sniffing or trying to mouth them.
thoughts? advice?
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Post by maryellen on Dec 9, 2010 13:02:49 GMT -5
i wouldnt let them roughhouse with her, but instead have the kids work on obedience with her, sit, down, etc.. this way she learns that children are not to be mouthed/rough played with and played with gently..
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Post by marc on Dec 9, 2010 13:07:46 GMT -5
i wouldnt let them roughhouse with her, but instead have the kids work on obedience with her, sit, down, etc.. this way she learns that children are not to be mouthed/rough played with and played with gently.. Thanks. Although rough, what she did was friendly, until we teach her otherwise, correct? My niece of 9 she would actually sit, down, wait for for treats. My nephew of 11 she wouldn't really listen to, |
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Post by maryellen on Dec 9, 2010 13:42:01 GMT -5
oh yeah it was friendly, she was probably just over excited and was never taught how to behave around children... some dogs just dont realize children are breakable lol... and if your 11 year old wanted to play with her that might explain why she wont listen to him she might just think he is a rough and tumble playmate, whereas your 9 year old niece probably commanded more respect (girls always do lol)..
you can work with her with treats/praise for any children she might meet .. you can also do the "if you dont behave we walk away" routine.. basically she jumps on a child you turn and walk away with her on leash.. then try again, she tries to jump, walk away again... etc...
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Post by loverocksalot on Dec 9, 2010 14:28:31 GMT -5
We don't encounter young children much anymore. When I got Rocky my youngest son was 10. and My oldest 15. Rocky and the 10 yr old had a few issues with each other and to this day that son who is almost 16 gets the least respect from Rocky.
If children of that age came to my house I did not allow him to play rough.
I taught him tricks. which the kids love and stops him from being too silly.
Out in public socializing with children has been a completely different situation.
He would get nervous when the slew of kids came off the school bus because the whole group would come right up to him. Also he would get so excited that his boy was home. Soon as he saw the bus he shivered.
Children approach him all the time. They think he is a dalmatian LOL.
Anyway I would ask them to come one at a time and place their hand out. Rocky loves children since their face is right in his face.
If the children that approach have food I ask them to pass it off to an adult. He will try and has stolen food from little kids who unexpectedly come to close.
Once stuck his nose right into some kids pop corn bag kid came out of no where while at a public event and pet Rocky while I was looking away.
Once a little girl walking past at a car show was holding out a hot dog and in a second he went for it. Did not get it thankfully.
I do not let little kids out in public give him treats. I could be asking for disaster if he accidentally get their little fingers.
For me socialization in general was hanging out in front of post office which also happens to be in a lot with other stores. We just people watch and allow for people to come say hello if they wish. It has been the best socialization. We have come across all kinds of people even people who are willing to let their babies touch Rocky. People with dogs who Rocky is to ignore. Their are some people who actually tie their dogs up outside and go in and get the mail. When that happens is a real good socialize opportunity of ignoring dogs who are going off. Rocky has become well known in the community.
I remember being where you are like it was yesterday. On a forum asking the same questions you have been asking. Some things I figured out on my own but a good amount came from others experiences. I never thought I would be here telling others. You are going to have a wonderful well behaved dog.
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Post by marc on Dec 9, 2010 14:52:50 GMT -5
Jackie shivers at a lot of different things at different times. Is that dog nervousness? excitement? both?
Also, we will get out starting tomorrow to as many stimulating environments as we can.
They both actually wanted to play with her b/c they are used to playing with my sister-in-laws 4 dogs.... I however want polite manners and the right sort of play. Just in general she takes to females more than males.
Am taking her to meet my other, younger niece and nephew tonight, so we will be doing the oops and reintro until she calms down...
Thanks everyone!!!!
We'
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Post by maryellen on Dec 9, 2010 15:07:04 GMT -5
honestly i would go slow with her with stimulating environments... the shivering can be a sign of nervousness, and you dont want to overstimulate her.. i would start out at parks, where there is limited people, so that she can see people from afar and not be nervous.. work your way up to closer people/children and places, like parks first, small pet stores where there isnt many people there, and GRADUALLY build your way up. as far as kids playing with her in a rough house way, i wouldnt allow it ever, but thats just me, i want the right sort of play like you, and kids are not smart enough to not play rough.. hell i am just NOW playing rough with rufus at 8 years old, he is a slug personality wise, not hyper, but figured i would see how he plays with roughhousing and he does fine. my german shep no one could roughhouse with her, not even me as she got way too stimulated by the play and got way too excited too fast and couldnt control herself.
so i would not let any children or adults play rough with her at all, since she has not learned manners yet besides what you have taught her, and since she is new to your family i would concentrate on socializing the proper way and not bother with rough/tumble games with kids or adults for now.. throwinh a ball, fine, flirt pole , fine, throwing kong toys around, fine, but nothing physical for now since she is new to your house and you are both figuring each other out..
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Post by loverocksalot on Dec 9, 2010 16:16:51 GMT -5
The shivering can be excited, nervous, Petrified and last just cold.
Rocky trembles at times. Sometimes I dont know why. If anyone in the house gets upset raises voice he trembles.
And as Maryellen said go slow with socializing. When we stand in front of the Post Office it is a good place to go slow. People do not usually just walk up and pet him especially if it seems like I am training him or talking to him not making eye contact with the people. Most people will just say cute dog and keep going. Some will ask to pet him. We fixed the bus stop trembles by me distracting him as the bus is about to show up I would start with sit, down just doing basic training and rewarding keeping his focus on me and not the bus. Or the kids.
I have found the best way is to desensitize.
An example. Our hot water heater broke and was making a hammer noise. When our sprinklers come on the pipe hammers and he is petrified because he knows that damb thing that sprays comes on. so he will hide behind the cofee table. So when the hammering noise was going all day he could not find a place to hide and was trembling.
So I brought him to a spot where he did not like to be since the noise was loud there. I waited there treating him when the noise happened. I continued to do this and he eventually tolerated the sound with out running and trembling. Now if the pipes hammer he will pick up his head and give a look but he does not try to hide in another room.
I am sharing this with you as you may be able apply this since it seems she has some nervous ways.
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Post by marc on Dec 9, 2010 17:09:56 GMT -5
honestly i would go slow with her with stimulating environments... the shivering can be a sign of nervousness, and you dont want to overstimulate her.. i would start out at parks, where there is limited people, so that she can see people from afar and not be nervous.. work your way up to closer people/children and places, like parks first, small pet stores where there isnt many people there, and GRADUALLY build your way up. as far as kids playing with her in a rough house way, i wouldnt allow it ever, but thats just me, i want the right sort of play like you, and kids are not smart enough to not play rough.. hell i am just NOW playing rough with rufus at 8 years old, he is a slug personality wise, not hyper, but figured i would see how he plays with roughhousing and he does fine. my german shep no one could roughhouse with her, not even me as she got way too stimulated by the play and got way too excited too fast and couldnt control herself. so i would not let any children or adults play rough with her at all, since she has not learned manners yet besides what you have taught her, and since she is new to your family i would concentrate on socializing the proper way and not bother with rough/tumble games with kids or adults for now.. throwinh a ball, fine, flirt pole , fine, throwing kong toys around, fine, but nothing physical for now since she is new to your house and you are both figuring each other out.. i think we're going slow. we go to shopping center parking lots for a little bit when its not busy. we go to PetSmart/PetCo parking lots and don't go in. We "sit" at a distance and watch people, pets, cars. She does well. not nervous in these situations..but gets the wiggles when she gets attention at a distance. we do go to meet family/friends at their home. Other than the wiggles to get petted, she doesn't shake or anything at all. |
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Post by marc on Dec 9, 2010 17:11:27 GMT -5
The shivering can be excited, nervous, Petrified and last just cold. Rocky trembles at times. Sometimes I dont know why. If anyone in the house gets upset raises voice he trembles. And as Maryellen said go slow with socializing. When we stand in front of the Post Office it is a good place to go slow. People do not usually just walk up and pet him especially if it seems like I am training him or talking to him not making eye contact with the people. Most people will just say cute dog and keep going. Some will ask to pet him. We fixed the bus stop trembles by me distracting him as the bus is about to show up I would start with sit, down just doing basic training and rewarding keeping his focus on me and not the bus. Or the kids. I have found the best way is to desensitize. An example. Our hot water heater broke and was making a hammer noise. When our sprinklers come on the pipe hammers and he is petrified because he knows that damb thing that sprays comes on. so he will hide behind the cofee table. So when the hammering noise was going all day he could not find a place to hide and was trembling. So I brought him to a spot where he did not like to be since the noise was loud there. I waited there treating him when the noise happened. I continued to do this and he eventually tolerated the sound with out running and trembling. Now if the pipes hammer he will pick up his head and give a look but he does not try to hide in another room. I am sharing this with you as you may be able apply this since it seems she has some nervous ways. Thanks. i used the desensitization with her and trash cans...and now she's fine with them on the street. We still need to work on sewer grates and manhole covers  |
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Post by loverocksalot on Dec 9, 2010 21:46:49 GMT -5
Sounds like she is adjusting well. The wiggles I have never figured out how to calm. Especially around certain people. Rocky just looses all self control. Going totally passed the threshold. Especially around my dad. It is a battle I have chosen not to fight. My dad just ignores him eventually he calms.
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Post by marc on Dec 10, 2010 7:09:25 GMT -5
Update: She did very well with a 6 & 4 year old(or however old they are).
She was sitting and taking treats from both of them after a little work. Then i gave her a toy and she went and played...
More to come and thanks for the support on the forums!!!! Has to be one of the only forums where i dont see flames and such. On the motorcycle forums i hang out on, there is just too much BS.
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Post by loverocksalot on Dec 10, 2010 7:22:22 GMT -5
I love this forum. This is the only pit bull one I hang out on now.
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Post by marc on Dec 10, 2010 7:49:39 GMT -5
I love this forum. This is the only pit bull one I hang out on now. yup...and i dont know how much Pit is in Jackie but i hope i can stay anyway  |
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Post by loverocksalot on Dec 10, 2010 9:23:04 GMT -5
well in that video you posted she definitely had a pitty whine. LOL
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Post by marc on Dec 10, 2010 11:20:26 GMT -5
well in that video you posted she definitely had a pitty whine. LOL yup...and she makes this weird shrill when she gets excited too... |
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I look forward to learning much here