a questions

[banshee]

Hi

I'm having some concerns about Rosie.

She is absolutely terrified of kids and sounds of kids. If out on a walk and meeting kids or teenagers she will do what ever she can to get as far away from them as possible when passing them, even if they do not pay her any attention.

She will if in the garden and she hears a kid (the usual high pitched voice) run for the door and get in and hide if possible.

Any suggestions on how to get her past this ?

Thanks

[Deleted]

Pixie was like this she was terrified of kids & their loud noises, we got her over it by recruiting sensible kids we knew to quietly give her treats & fuss. She is fine now ;D

[Lisa]

Also ignore her. Just act like its the most natural thing in the world and carry on walking or allow her to dive in the house but carry on as normal.
Do not make a fuss of her or reassure her or you will reassure her there is something to be worried about.

[banshee]

thats what i been doing so far just wondered if there was anything else i could do...

as i don't know anyone with kids or well behaved kids, i do not have this option.

thank you for the answers

[Lisa]

Well as im only in Norton you would be more than welcome to meet me for a walk on the fields at some point and I can inflict my 14 year old son on her. Although he is much more dog canny than most adults ive met so dogs dont tend to act that adversly too him. ;D

[banshee]

that would be brilliant.... just need to get the vet to give her the jabs and stuff first, scheduled for the 13th...

trying so hard not to get her to close to other dogs

[Lisa]

I would imagine if she is an ex racer she will have been jabbed routinely from puppyhood until she came off the track she will have to start her jabs again but I wouldnt worry too much about her being around other dogs. She will have already built up quite a good immunity

[Jen Wren]

Have to say when kids make that awful high pitched screaming noise I can't blame them ;D

Goldie is terrified of kids too. The younger they are, the worse she is. It's just the unpredictability of them that she can't deal with. I was at the vets with her and there was a baby in a pram in the waiting room. It was being quiet, just making gurgling baby noises. She just stared at it suspiciously and cried non stop until the baby left The only kids I have access to are my nieces and they are getting a bit too old now and they are quiet and respectful to her.

If the local kids ask to stroke her I'll tell them to be very gentle and give them a treat to give her but it hasn't worked yet. I can't see me ever having kids as long as she is with me I couldn't put her though it. Before anyone says it, I know I need to find a man first

It is just a case though of exposing them to as many children as possible

[banshee]

she wont let kids near her, she wont even take treats from them. The other day when my boyfriend was out walking them, he met two kids armed with treats looking for Luke (he told them he had been found) they tried to give her some treats and she didnt want any.

i might try and lend one of the neighbours grand kids if everything else fails...

[Flaperoo]

Get the neighbours grandkids out

When Roo first arrived last christmas he was thrown in the deep end (on Lisa's advice) with lots of men, teenagers and toddlers. This socialisation did the trick. When they all left we decided to continue with the socialisation, despite having no young kids in the house, by walking him daily past the local primary school, when the kids were coming to school. He is now not bothered at all by them.

I would caution that in the beginning to muzzle her just in case she reacts and never leave her unsupervised. Treat the whole experience as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Your anxiety can be transmitted down the lead.

Good luck

Mx

And Jen - finding a man is useful if you want to have kids ;D