I'm on the "boyfriends come and go, but you chose to bring this dog into your life, forever, not just as long as it was convenient" bandwagon. Maybe this is offensive or rude, but I can't see giving either of my girls up for ANYTHING. Callie has the most even temperment, and has never ever met a stranger. Lola can be snobbish about people, and she has to sometimes get to know them on her terms. Once they are friends, they are friends for life, but it is my responsibility to ensure that every person she meets is a good experience. I know she is scared of children, which has to do with her "breeder" not socializing her properly and allowing her to come home with me too early. So I never ever force her to meet children. Instead, when I know we will be somewhere where we will likely run into children, I take treats. Anytime little kids run up to her, I stand in front of Lola, and explain to the children she is scared of them. I instruct them how to politely introduce themselves to Lola, and I give them treats or kibble to let Lola eat out of their hands. Thus, I control Lola's interactions with children so they are always positive experiences, and she comes to associate "big scary monster children" with "yummy food and soft pats on the head". It is a slow process, and I have to respect that some children are too little to understand how to interact with her politely. In those cases, I hold Lola & tell the children she isn't feeling up to company at the moment. Each situation is unique, and there are just some children Lola doesn't feel comfy with, so I don't force the issue too much.
I guess my long winded soapbox is to say, have patience, take baby steps, and do what's best for the being that you committed to caring for.
Basenji teaches a toddler to walk
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My first basenji (Sundance Liberty Bell - Bell for short - born in 1976) was such a good dog with kids. My sisters family lived with us for a few months while looking for a house. My niece was just old enough to learn how to walk. Bell was so patient with her - she would let Liz (my Niece) grab onto her pliable basenji skin and pull herself up. Then Bell would slowly walk along with Liz getting her to take her first steps. When Bell had had enough, she would just crawl under one of the soft chairs that had a skirt around it so she could disappear. She never bit any of the kids, but was always patient with them. Just make sure they have some private space to escape to when they have had enough.
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I thought my guy was the only one who did this! I love how they are just the right size for a toddler learning how to walk.
Rocky would walk slowly beside my daughter and when she fell down, he'd patiently wait until she got up again. When he'd had enough of it, he'd quirm away and go to his kennel or bed.
And people say they aren't family dogs….
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OMG!!! :eek: that is so incredible!!! I pray & pray that one of my dogs will be good with kids. We hope to have them one day & they are so incredibly spoiled with us now…