Puppy Vent

[WhateverLolaWants]

I can understand the OP's frustration, but maybe because I'm a Chi owner as well. My family treats dogs as family members and we like to take her places if we can so that she's not locked up all day. Luckily for us, though, is that my dog has learned to push people's hands away so I don't have to be the rude one to say "I'm sorry, she doesn't like strangers."

On the other hand, I personally would keep the dog away from the soccer games. I don't feel comfortable subjecting my dog to kids (not being a meanie, but Chis and kids don't mix). I guess you're just pretty much darned if you do and darned if you don't in this situation. You can either choose to leave the dog at home against your own wishes, or potentially be branded the mean lady at the soccer games. Do what's best for yourself and your dog.

 

[C.Ann]

You might also want to consider that if these outings are making you as frustrated and anxious as you sound here, your dog is likely picking up on those feelings..

There's lots of places to take your little doggie that will be less stressful - for both of you..

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I am surprised that the dog is allowed at the soccer field. There is a strict no animals policy on all the sports fields here.

 

[C.Ann]

I am surprised that the dog is allowed at the soccer field. There is a strict no animals policy on all the sports fields here.

Same here..

 

[mhsjax]

Same here..

same here, but you how people are, rules don't apply to them, only others, so they still bring their dogs.

 

[JennaTX]

OP if you want your dog to get used to people and be able to socialize, then why don't you just invite your child's friends over to your house?

That way your dog can get used to people and you won't have to complain or get upset about kids paying attention to your dog. It will be your house and your rules.

 

[sunnyday123]

My biggest pet peeve is people who have to bring their dogs to public events.
No reason for it.
Especially a big fair or festival where they are walking amongst lots of crowded people-why do this?
To me all dogs should stay home-they dont have to shop for their dog food at petsmart either!

Because we are allowed to?
And the more a dog is socialized, the better behaved and less likely to bite they are.

 

[sunnyday123]

same here, but you how people are, rules don't apply to them, only others, so they still bring their dogs.

Wow...jump to conclusions much? I can tell you that here, there is a soccer field dogs are not allowed on. However, there is another soccer field that they are allowed on. Most of them are in large parks where, gasp, dogs are allowed.

 

[mhsjax]

Wow...jump to conclusions much? I can tell you that here, there is a soccer field dogs are not allowed on. However, there is another soccer field that they are allowed on. Most of them are in large parks where, gasp, dogs are allowed.

wow, I didn't jump to conclusions, I was speaking about the soccr park we attend. Did I say that this applied to the OP? I don't think I did. And we all know that in this world rules apply to others and not ourselves. Just making a generalized statement. And as far as I am concerned (and I am a dog lover) Dogs should NOT b allowed at parks where kids are playing sports because the families came with their other kids, a lot of the time it is smaller kids that run around the area and play and I never see the owners with bags to pick up the dog poop and I sure would be upset if I had a little one that stepped in dog poop. So go "gasp" somewhere else.

And as far as the more a dog is socialized the less he bites. I am sorry but this bringing your little dog everywhere is a new thing, IMHO started by the Hollywood nuts that carry their little dogs around in designer purses. The are dogs not accessories. this is what I think of when I see everyone carrying around little dogs. You can socialize yhour dog without taking him to a soccer park especially when you get annoyed that people are petting him. I have not ktaken my little guy to the park and he has been very well socialized.

 

[jrmasm]

OP if you want your dog to get used to people and be able to socialize, then why don't you just invite your child's friends over to your house?

That way your dog can get used to people and you won't have to complain or get upset about kids paying attention to your dog. It will be your house and your rules.

It's not just exposure to people that is good from him but also exposure to different places.

And BTW, the dog is allowed at the fields that I take him to.

Do you let your kids talk to other people in public places for hours on end?

Seriously??!!!

(not being a meanie, but Chis and kids don't mix

I have kids. That's part of why this is important to me. He needs to be able to handle them. Maybe I should take him to Walmart. He hasn't experienced screeching yet.

I guess you're just pretty much darned if you do and darned if you don't in this situation.

Pretty much.

All I'm asking for is a little respect for boundaries.

It's all good though. I'm completely prepared for his next outing to speak up with enough is enough.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Well to be honest I am not a fan of people bringing their animals to sports events but not because my kid will be petting them. Just because I think with that many unfamiliar kids etc. it is a recipe for disaster. YMMV of course.

BUT- if it makes you feel any better they do the same thing when you have a baby. I have been at the fields with babies and the kids want to come over and say hi, and try to touch them, and put their faces in their faces. It is so annoying. There are some kids that simply don't know when to stop and the parents do nothing. It is also not like I put the child in a stroller or seat on the ground. I would be holding the baby and from my body language (turning away!) it was fairly obvious that I was trying to be polite and let them know they were too close. Of course sometimes I would have to tell them politely to back up or enough was enough.
I think kids like things that are smaller than them!

 

[dogluva]

And you're also 100% correct, this dog doesn't get cold outside. Neither does my 12lb terrier. I just love them more than my larger dogs so that's why they have coats. 52

Aww, how sad. Aren't you supposed to love and treat your pets equally, just like your kids?

I hope she was joking. I love all my dogs the same just like I love all my kids the same. She has to be joking. If not, time to think about giving the larger dogs to a family who would appreciate them.

 

[Skatermom23]

The whole point of socializing your dog is that the dog should be able to behave well enough to NOT be noticed. QUOTE]

I agree with this. I take my little yorkie to outside activities every now and then and she is a true kid magnet! I just tell the kids that she is too small to play with and for the most part they tend to wonder off after a few minutes of petting her. I bring her with me so that she gets used to sitting on my lap while being quite and in a new situation. I don't try to engage in conversation with these kids and they don't particularly like to continue petting the dog if they can't hold her. I do expect her to draw some attention but I think if you don't respond "too friendly" the kids will leave after a few minutes.