Border Collie Trust GB
« Dogs are not toys »

Welcome Guest. Please Login or Register.
Dec 22, 2009, 12:23pm

[Home] [Help] [Search] [Login] [Register]



Border Collie Trust GB :: Collie Behaviour :: Collies & Children :: Dogs are not toys
   [Search This Thread][Reply] [Send Topic To Friend] [Print]
AuthorTopic: Dogs are not toys (Read 1,529 times)
Sammie
Regular Member
***
member is offline





Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 33
Dogs are not toys
« Thread Started on Jul 1, 2005, 11:53am »		[Quote]
::) I have just rehomed a BC cross named Mollie from the local rescue as company for my BC Sammie. She has been rehomed before but returned by the family because they said she was boisterous with their several young children. Take note anyone who is thinking of rehoming a dog because you've been watching Lassie films! Border Collies, even the most sweet tempered, don't enjoy being mauled by children. Don't have a dog just because you think it would be good for your children. Think as well about whether it would be good for the dog! The law can require your dog to be destroyed if it attacks a child, but there is no law to protect your dog if it is tormented by children. From my experience, most BC's are nice natured dogs with a fairly placid temperament. I would say that in nearly all cases where dogs have turned on children, it will have been because the dog was tormented or provoked in some way. I was told a story several years ago about an elderly Alsation which was destroyed for biting a child at the insistence of the parent. The old lady who had owned the dog for over 12 years knew that there must have been something wrong with her gentle and placid pet, who had always had a lovely temperament, and so asked for a post mortem. The vet found a small pencil lodged deep in the dog's ear canal, after having been rammed down there by the horrid brat he then bit!! How sad that the dog, and his anguished owner, had to pay the ultimate price for something that was not his fault. I would never trust any child with my dogs because I have never been able to forget that story. Dogs and children can make wonderful companions, but children need to be taught respect, and sadly, so few these days know the meaning of the word. People take on dogs for children without teaching children basic lessons in respect for animals. Some people for egotistical reasons take on dogs which are large or aggressive and encourage them to be aggressive, then whine if the dog turns on a child in the household. The media always blames the dog, the owner often blames the dog, and in the end, the dog pays the price. It is down to you whether you have a problem combining dogs and children in your home. It is for you to take responsibility for training the dog and the child. My new dog Mollie has met children whilst in my company, nice children who have been taught that dogs are not there to be prodded and poked. She has been lovely with them, but I will not be taking any chances. What do the rest of you think on this subject. I would certainly be interested in your replies to this one!!
Link to Post - Back to Top  IP: Logged
Emma
Guest
Re: Dogs are not toys
« Reply #1 on Jul 5, 2005, 2:30pm »		[Quote]
What a sad story, both for your collie x and the lamented alsation. I hope Mollie has a far happier home with you.
Howeer, I would like to say that my extremely boisterous BC Max (aged 2) appears to have been very lucky in the children he has met, always sits down to greet them, and gives me a look when he has had enough fuss (apparently it is occasionally possible for Max to have enough fuss). Any cry of doggie (or goggie) is enough to get his attention.

In the damp lake district last year, we loaned him out very successfully to distract fractious toddlers who didn't want their raincoats back on and he got a round of applause in one restuarant for managing to quiet a screaming, hungry tiny baby! (he did get a trifle big headed that day). I'm having a child myself in September, and hope that both baby and Max learn to get on with each other - any tips out there?

I worry more about children who are prepared to run into the road to avoid my dog, when firmly attached to me by his lead, because they are so terrified.
Link to Post - Back to Top  IP: Logged
Sammie
Regular Member
***
member is offline





Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 33
Re: Dogs are not toys
« Reply #2 on Jul 12, 2005, 11:24am »		[Quote]
Sounds like you have a great dog there. I don't think you will have any problems with Max by the sound of things. Dogs and children can be great together, but children must respect the dog (not fear him) and the dog must respect the child. That involves training and encouragement on both sides and it is down to us as animal lovers and parents. Sometimes it doesn't happen and the result can be tragic for the child and the dog. I raised my daughter to love and respect animals from a young age, and she has carried that respect through into her adult life. Good luck with your baby, I am sure Max will be his/her best friend!
Link to Post - Back to Top  IP: Logged
mazzymoo
New Member
*
member is offline





Joined: Sept 2005
Posts: 2
Re: Dogs are not toys
« Reply #3 on Sept 30, 2005, 2:56pm »		[Quote]
im 13 and my border collie passed away a few years ago and she was a young adult when I was born and she mainly ingnored me but as I grew up I took her for walks 3-4 times a day and feed her in the evenings and when I was walking one day a group of older people started to tease me and my dog growled at them and scared them off. So i think that having children and Border collies depend on the temerment of the dog obviously in my case my parents Knew our dog s temperment before I was born and luckily she wasnt very aggresive
Link to Post - Back to Top  IP: Logged
mazzymoo
New Member
*
member is offline





Joined: Sept 2005
Posts: 2
Re: Dogs are not toys
« Reply #4 on Sept 30, 2005, 2:59pm »		[Quote]
i add on to my past reply the way dogs and children are brought up are very important I have grown up with a love of all animals and want to be a vete when i get a job but i dont think im clever enough so..... ill see what happens in the last 2 years of my school education
Link to Post - Back to Top  IP: Logged
trypist
Member
**
member is offline





Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 13
Re: Dogs are not toys
« Reply #5 on Nov 25, 2005, 10:50pm »		[Quote]
My wife had a basenji who had a litter. She was a very good mother who would allow no-one near her litter - except, that is, for our youngest child, who was allowed to climb in with the puppies and do whatever he liked. We had to be a bit more careful.
I have yet to receive my first border collie, but there are no children in the house now - just visiting grand children.
Philip Tarbuck
Link to Post - Back to Top  IP: Logged
Philip Tarbuck
Guest
Re: Dogs are not toys
« Reply #6 on Dec 13, 2005, 1:26pm »		[Quote]
Mazymo: (sorry - that may be incorrecty spelt).
Make up your mind to become a vet. and you can become one. Make up your mind to be a good one and you will not be able to keep customers away.
My own vet just determined that my springer spaniel had a low sodium level and pumped sodium into him. He was, I think, in a very bad way, but he is getting better every single day. It really pays to have a good vet - doesn't it?
Philip Tarbuck 13 Dec 05
Link to Post - Back to Top  IP: Logged
kevbaines
Member
**
member is offline



A dog is for Life. A Border Collie, is a way of life



Joined: Jan 2006
Gender: Male
Posts: 20
Location: Brotton.North Yorks
Re: Dogs are not toys
« Reply #7 on Jan 7, 2006, 8:40pm »		[Quote]
Re.Dogs are not toys. by Sammie.
I totally agree with your sentiments.
About 10 years ago when I lived in a large town,I took our Blackie a 4yo BC male out for a walk and decided to tie him up to a lamp post while I popped into the newsagent for a morning paper.When I came out a small boy (who was the same height as our sitting Blackie,to give some sort of indication of his age)was poking him in the mouth with a small sharp branch from a privet hedge.Luckily for the boy that he picked on a dog that had such a patient temprement. Since that moment I never ever left him unattended for HIS safety,in fact , these days of kidnapping and theft (and P Injury Claims!)I am amazed at the number of people who still leave their beautiful dogs tied up outside Tescos/Morrisons etc.
regards
Kevin
Link to Post - Back to Top  IP: Logged
Sammie
Regular Member
***
member is offline





Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 33
Re: Dogs are not toys
« Reply #8 on Jan 26, 2006, 4:37pm »		[Quote]
;)Hi Kevin - thanks for replying to my post, and I am glad that you agree with me. I have never tied my dogs up outside any shop ever and I am glad that your experience has meant that you no longer do it. I do not trust people around my dogs, and particularly children because if they taunt my dog and my dog bites them, it is automatically my dog's fault. Because dogs can't speak up for themselves, they are often at the receiving end of rough justice, and there is little in the law to protect them. My dogs are lovely with children but it is just not worth the risk! Unfortunately it is a sad indictment of today's society that many children are raised without basic respect for anything, but particularly for animals, and children are the perpetrators of many instances of animal cruelty. Because they are children, the law protects them, but not the animal. On the other side of the coin, there are the adults who raise dogs to be aggressive because they think it gives them a status and an image as somebody tough. The dog then has an increased propensity to be vicious around other dogs and children. This is animal cruelty plain and simple, because one day, one way or another, the dog will pay the price, not the human. There is no such thing as a bad dog, only a bad owner, isn't that what they say? And the same goes for parents and children. Shame not everybody in today's society takes their responsibilities seriously! :D
Link to Post - Back to Top  IP: Logged
trypist
Member
**
member is offline





Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 13
Re: Dogs are not toys
« Reply #9 on Feb 13, 2006, 12:25pm »		[Quote]
After I had agreed to buy a bc pup I became a bit worried over a piece in a book that they need to be watched a bit on their first contact with small children.
Mine, fortunately, didn't. He loves children, although we do keep an eye on them.
We think he is being taught by the whippet (one year old) and she loves children - she also chases cats, but the bc doesn't - at present.
Philip Tarbuck
Link to Post - Back to Top  IP: Logged
trypist
Member
**
member is offline





Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 13
Re: Dogs are not toys
« Reply #10 on Feb 13, 2006, 12:30pm »		[Quote]
Mazzymo I didn't tell you the full story. I went to a school where we were not allowed to take g.c.e.'s. Idid alll my studying at evening schools and eventually I qualified as a Solicitor, and as a Chartered Secretary, and got the usual clutch of g.c.e.'s. In addition I was also a shorthand-typist. It is all a question of motivation. If I were to come back again I think that I would like to be a vet.
No, I don't have a university degree (very few solicitors are in that position). However, I strongly recommend that you get one (they are invaluable). A good vet really is worth his weight in gold - ask any customer (or patient) who has been treated by one, and they will readily agree.
Philip Tarbuck
Link to Post - Back to Top  IP: Logged
cassie
Guest
Re: Dogs are not toys
« Reply #11 on Apr 14, 2007, 8:16pm »		[Quote]
hi i have just taken on a border collie who was never taken out and kept in a kitchen with another puppy cassie is just over a year old since we ve had she goes out twice a a day across fields which she loves cassie was very scared when she came to us now shes a total differant loveable dog
Link to Post - Back to Top  IP: Logged
   [Search This Thread][Reply] [Send Topic To Friend] [Print]

Click Here To Make This Board Ad-Free


This Board Hosted For FREE By ProBoards
Get Your Own Free Message Boards & Free Forums!