Margaret Tyler
Posted : 10/27/2006 6:45:54 PM
ORIGINAL: maremma_sheepdog
I am just so frustrated because I felt like we were making progress with socialization with children and now a setback. I just cannot believe how stupid some parents are. And Jojo, those kids who are running thru your yard sound old enough to know better. If I were you I would pop out and surprise them and give them a lecture. I would even consider calling their parents if you know who they are although I hate doing things like that! I would never have taunted a dog as a child; I knew better. Ugh.
I have yelled at them, twice. They've stopped teasing him, but they still walk through my yard.
The first time I caught them they were making faces at him, just far enough away, so that Joey's tie out couldn't reach them. I tried to be nice. I asked if they would like to pet him. That he would much rather be petted than teased.
The second time, I scream at them..."What's wrong with you. Do you want to be teased? One of these days he's going to bite you." Which after the moment, I realized I shouldn't have said that "he's going to bite you." You never know with children. They can always lie.
A couple weeks ago, I heard Joey barking more than he usually does when he's outside. I opened the back door to see him loose, out of his tie out. The latch broke. He was standing 6 feet away from a kid, barking. The kid just ignored him and continued walking, through my yard. I called Joey in. He came to me with his head towards the kid, barking and gruffing. Like, "That's right, get out of my yard. My mom's making me come in, but if I catch you again, I'm going to bark some more. Gruff!"
They are old enough to know better. And I have thought about sending letters to the neiborhood, asking them to tell their children to stay our of other people's yards. But I haven't had the guts yet.