Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 12:17 pm Post subject: Scared of children....is it too late to change??
As a few of you know Mojo isn't keen on children, even though I did my best to socialize her with them, one bad experience was all it took to put her right off them.
Today as we were walking in the country park we came across a family. They were catching butterflies and bugs in huge nets. Anyway Mojo spotted them and came back to my side (without me asking, this is just what she does). She was off lead and we passed them without incident (her looking at them suspiciously though). I jollied her along and once we were past I told her to run ahead which she happily did.
However, I was almost back to the carpark (and had both girls on-lead) and had stopped to chat to an elderly lady with an elderly Irish Setter, when on the horizon I saw the family coming my way. Mojo saw them too . I ignored her and carried on talking. As the family got closer (kids running, waving big butterfly nets about) Mojo started to look really worried. She crept behind me (me still ignoring her) and laid down, growling and shaking. Know I now been on-lead makes her worse, but I couldn't take it off as we were so close to the road. The kids came running past and said Hello to Tara and the old Setter, who were completely unphased by the whole thing, but I had to tell them not to touch Mojo (at this point she was hoping a big hole in the ground would open and swallow her up, shaking all over and grumbling under her breath).
Anyway, my question is: Do you think there is anyway I can get her to be not so scared of children (I'm willing to try anything)? I hate seeing her that terrified and I daren't take her out with Little Oyster incase this fear rubs off.
BTW she is OK with some children (dog aware ones) it's when they are loud, excited and running about (being normal children so to speak) , that really puts the fear of God up her. And Heaven forbid they follow her to try and stroke her, she's terrified.
That's the problem Sheena, the only kids I know are older or frightened of dogs, which just makes things worse . It was two terrified little kids that made her like this in the first place I think, she was only 4 months old and she's never forgotten.
Today was an extreme example of how scared she actually is. At GT's she just avoids the kids and plays with the dogs and the adults. She might get brave and take a treat from a child but she soon backs away after. I'm sure it all stems from her thinking she had caused these two kids to scream for hours (visiting relatives ). She soooo doesn't want to offend anyone...but I am always aware that a nervous dog can bite out of fear .
What ever is best, I know quite a lot of dog friendly kids, I stop having Grace in a couple of weeks as she starts school but I can always borrow her if need be.
As you know I have a very similar problem as you with Maia, she is coming along to the Hinchingbrook GT as I am sure the more I can expose her to kids the better.
Jane (behaviourist) did give me some tips on overcoming fear, but the problem is finding young kids who are willing to be 'guniea pigs' so to speak and you can trust to do as they are told.
I have just got some homeopathic remedy from a veterinary homeopath for Maia, its said to help overcome phobia, anxiety and fear, she has made it up especially for Maia, i am going to give that a go too.
If you want Dr Sam's details let me know, she is very well respected by IRR people. Their website is http://www.caninecaregroup.net
____________ Natalie x
LAB LINK RESCUE Co ordinator and Forum Administrator for my sins
Jack, Molly & Maia, watched over by Tara Banana from the Bridge
Ohh thanks for all your help folks. Yeah I'll be at the Essex GT. I'll take treats with me, so that all the kiddies can give Mojo one. Hopefully (eventually ) she'll realise kids aren't that bad after all. After all my Tara absolutely loves'em .
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. I ignored her and carried on talking. As the family got closer (kids running, waving big butterfly nets about) Mojo started to look really worried. She crept behind me (me still ignoring her) and laid down, growling and shaking. Know I now been on-lead makes her worse, but I couldn't take it off as we were so close to the road. The kids came running past and said Hello to Tara and the old Setter, who were completely unphased by the whole thing, but I had to tell them not to touch Mojo (at this point she was hoping a big hole in the ground would open and swallow her up, shaking all over and grumbling under her breath).
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