Do you like dogs?
No matter how you feel about canines, with the tiniest prompt (“What kind of dog do you have?”), many owners will pull out their phones and begin sharing photos of their furry family members. Some can’t help bragging like parents of child prodigies.
Where do I stand on the matter?
Show me your photos, and I’ll show you mine!
Dog People
My family members and I are very much dog people. Just ask my husband or me about our best friend’s intellect. You’ll learn that he knows (among many other things) how to put his toys away in a basket! He’s also a good watchdog—to a fault. Any perceived invaders of his domain—i.e., his home, yard, and adjacent properties—will be barked into oblivion.
That said, he is a joy. Consequently, my husband and I recently vacationed at a resort on a beach that welcomes canines. We further dined out at dog-friendly establishments so he could join us.
Thankfully, when we’re out and about, he is incredibly gentle with little tykes, including obnoxious ones who do not know the meaning of boundaries. His demeanor is a blessing. Small and adorable with silky fur, he is a magnet to young children.
Up for Grabs
To our frustration, many parents today let their toddlers touch our dog without first asking permission. Moreover, even upon saying, “Be nice,” the adult in charge doesn’t always intervene when little hands tug or pound rather than pet.
While on vacation, for example, we were seated on a bench by the pier one evening, just enjoying our ice cream, when a little girl (I’m guessing she was between two and three years old) came running over with her mom. Without asking (I don’t think the cheerful lady spoke English), she allowed her child to “pet” him. The toddler wasn’t hurting my dog, but he tensed as her closed fist rubbed his back.
No doubt, the mom only wanted to please her little girl. We didn’t want a confrontation so simply picked him up and stood to leave. In turn, the smiling woman directed her child to wave goodbye.
Along with treating our dog like a free attraction, we encountered people who displayed zero concern over intruding on our personal time.
Uninvited Guests
Although we’re often seated close to other patrons at restaurants when our dog is with us, on one evening, we offered a long table with extra room between us and the nearest party. Still, we kept our dog on a short leash. The family at the next table would not be bothered by him. In fact, he quickly settled down by our feet.
In no time, however, one of the children—a boy of about five—twisted in his chair to face us and ask questions about our dog. We love little kids and didn’t mind answering a couple of times, but the boy wouldn’t stop. I did my best to end the chat in a gracious way. Taking note, the parents, who seemed like good people, nudged him to turn around. Unfortunately, since their soft approach was ineffective, we finally had to ignore him.
Meanwhile, their little girl, about three years old, crawled under our table and began playing with our dog. He didn’t mind her company, but we did. Although she was not brushing against our legs, her presence was annoying. My husband and I couldn’t believe they let it happen and then persist. Our children, now grown, never would have crawled on the floor of a restaurant, much less under anyone’s table—dog or no dog. Good grief! Our dog was better trained!
Eventually, the mom lured her daughter back. But when I looked down, I saw the bedazzled pink Croc she’d left behind. Since we were both eating, neither my husband nor I wanted to pick up her shoe. Instead, I got her grandfather’s attention and told him it was there. He said they’d collect the item and began asking the boy to fetch it. That meant we could anticipate one more under-the-table invasion … whenever the kid decided to obey.
My Dog Exposes a Training Failure
Each time my dog encounters a little tyke who has no concept of boundaries and a parent who does not correct the obtrusive behavior in an age-appropriate manner, I’m frustrated with the adult, not the youngster. I feel sorry for undisciplined kids who are not developing healthy social skills during their formative years.
Yes, some children have complex emotional issues. Some are incredibly defiant. Such concerns do not prevent a responsible adult from saying, “He is not your dog to pet,” or “You must ask permission to pet him,” or “You must be nice to the dog,” and, if needed, physically separating the child from animal. Children and dogs can be unpredictable. Obviously, enforcing boundaries is in everyone’s best interests.
Wild yet Tame
I love to see children who are wild about dogs and other animals. They can gain so much from connecting. For one thing, studies show that youngsters who bond with animals are more empathic towards their fellow humans.
Learning to respect the space of others and gaining self-awareness go hand in hand. The sooner such training begins, the more empowered children will be to exercise self-control when they interact with all kinds of pets … and people … while growing up and throughout their lives.
Sallie W. Boyles, a.k.a. Write Lady
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