Children Walking Dogs [ ramble ]

Sangmort

In my condo subdivision, the neighbors across the street have adopted an 11 month old Husky named Sasha. She is GORGEOUS, looks like a female Tikaani! haha

Poor girl was abused by her previous owners...& still has the scars to show it.

Now, Sasha is a pretty big girl! She is also VERY skittish. So the first day they get her home...they have her outside...with NO leash, NO collar. & Huskies, being like our precious nihon ken, wanting to run, she did so. They chased her for 40 minutes around the complex. Bare in mind, we are RIGHT next to a highway where the speedlimit is 55mph!

It's great that they rescued her...but really! They let their 12 year old son walk her, SHE'S BIGGER THAN HE IS! AND! NO leash!!!

I drove into the complex & almost hit them! Sasha BOLTED in front of the car pulling that damn brat, [ from the sidewalk to infront of me in 2 seconds flat! ] I stop the car & the kid yells at me, "LEARN HOW TO DRIVE!" [ oh man...If I still lived in Jersey I would've taught that brat a lesson! ]

Luckily, since I've been observing Sasha I made sure I was only driving like 5mph predicting poor girl would do something like that.

Really people, CHILDREN SHOULD NOT WALK DOGS!!!! Esp. w/out a leash!!! ESP. a husky w/out a leash! Esp. a nervous husky w/out a leash!

I mean, we have a very dog friendly neighborhood. My bf's neighborhood is even incredibly dog friendly. No breed restrictions or nething! BUT!~ All I'm seeing now are children walking dogs!! Like, some are 7 years old & shouldn't be out alone by themselves!

The whole point of leashing a dog is so that you have CONTROL over them! How can young children be expected to do this?!

Anyone else notice this? ~

Calia

Question, how was Sasha pulling the boy across the parking lot without a leash? was he "walking her by holding her collar, or was he using something else?

I remember when me sister was between 9-13 years old, and she decided to walk my aunts dog because he looked sad. It was some sort of holiday and with the hustle and bustle of a lot of people and cooking food, nobody realized that she had left until several hours later when a cop knocks on the door asking us if this was our kid and dog. Apparently, not knowing the neighborhood, she got lost and let the dog lead thinking that he knew the way home. Now to think if this was a kid who didn't think to ask the cops or got snatched by a stranger.

Seriously, children should only play a minor part in animal care, or some really bad things could happen.

Poor Husky, I hope everything works out alright for her, and that these people wise up

Sangmort

Yep! "walking by holding her collar."


I mean, it's one thing for a kid who doesn't know any better to slip away unnoticed...another to EXPECT children to walk dogs, you know? I saw a 7 year old walking a chihuaha, & her friend who looked a LOT younger walking a pomeranian....by themselves! at my bf's complex. Granted, these are small dogs, but the responsibility should not be left to them! Another girl, about 10 was walking a rambunctious lab pup who was bigger than she was!

I fear for the dogs, & the children running around by themselves! I mean, it's a safe neighborhood, but anything can happen. ~

Mylo

I've certainly had my own run-in with a kid walking a dog in my old area... Kid about 12 years old walking his dog (I'm not sure of the breed, but definitely as heavy and strong as a husky). Mylo and I walked by his house, and about 20 feet after we passed the driveway, the kid came out with the dog. Now, this already made me nervous because I ALREADY hate when people walk their dogs too close behind us (because Mylo is very reactive). This little kid didn't make me feel much more confident. I crossed the street in order to avoid any contact (the kid catching up to us), but it didn't help. No sooner had I crossed the street, I heard "OH NO!! Come back!!!!" and the dog was bolting for us, dragging her leash on the ground. The kid didn't even make an effort to run and grab the dog... Needless to say, she got too close to Mylo, and a fight ensued. I broke it up, and told the kid to come and grab his dog. I think he was a little shocked though, because he took the dog from me and started bolting back to his house. I felt kind of bad for him, because I was a little harsh when I told him to grab the dog... but at the same time, his parents shouldn't be letting him walk with the dog unless he can CONTROL it... which he clearly could not. It's probably the only time I've seen a little kid walking a large dog around here, but it's enough to understand that kids should be supervised with their dogs.

shimaurashibalover92

To quote George Carlin "People are fucking dumb!". It really is irresponsible to let your little disrespectful bratty kid walk your skittish just rescued dog. I give you a lot of credit for not flipping out on the kid. I would've been mad enough to see him pulled out infront of my car, but if he told me "Learn how to drive!". I would have totally lost it. Unfortunately they'll learn their lesson when their dog runs away or their child gets abducted. I really wish America had a state just for stupid people. Your neighbors and those people that Brad were talking about with their little unleashed Schnauzer would be the first residents.

Sangmort

Kyla, I don't blame you at all! You shouldn't feel bad! Sometime kids need to learn the hard way!

Joe, You have NO idea how tempted I was!!! I walked up to my condo cursing my head off, & told my sister [ who knows the boy ] She went & told the boy who responded "Well She almost hit my dog!" Kids, I HATE stupid bratty kids.

I want a state to send stupid people to. I think that's the best idea I've ever heard in a long time! ~

Kaddy

I love kids (not the spoiled bratty ones who can 'do no wrong' in their parents eyes... but I do teach for a reason ;o), but I would NEVER give a small child the responsibility of another life.

Heck... I'm even having a hard time letting my mom walk Keiko around our complex! I don't think I was allowed to control my Golden on my own until I was 15 and I was in 4-H showing class.

shimaurashibalover92

You definately took the high road. I love kids, only when their part of my family. Otherwise I like them as long as they go home at the end of the day. I see alot of kids these days and wonder how I wasn't murdered when I was a little punk 12 year old. I probably would have screamed at him till he peed his pants or cried. Who am I kidding he probably would have pulled a knife on me, and started quoting 50 cent.

Sangmort

haha Evan! Kids are...no. lol I've met some awesome little kids! Not all are bad! They're as bad as their parents let them be.

Joe, that was the main reason why I didn't say nething! I'm afraid the kid will key my car [ my babe! ] & then I'm going to do something I'll really regret. Little brat has actually kicked a soccor ball into my car, & his response was "Not my car, not my problem!" GAH! I wish I was his age...I'd give him the beating of a lifetime! ~

shimaurashibalover92

That's it me and Dawn are coming to you to lay a beating on this little brat. I've got a sock full of quarters with his name on it!

Mylo

Joe, your comment about the knife and "fiddy" cent made me laugh... and then I thought to myself... he might actually be right. And I frowned.

Sangmort

LMAO! You guys are more than welcome Joe!

Kyla...I did the same thing haha ~

ShikokuSpirit

I think it's fine for a child of 12 to walk their dog. So long as they are educated, responsible and in control of their dog. A dog gives responsibly to those who are already responsible themselves. Some kids are perfectly capable of this and obviously some are not. It really depends on the individual person. No child should be responsible for a dog if they are neglectful or incapable of handling the dog properly.


My true first dog was Rinnie, a Lab/Shepherd mix. She was given to me as a gift from my uncle for christmas. I was 11...then turned 12. Unfortunely, I didn't have a proper place to keep her at home so she lived at my grandma's house. I was very responsible for that dog. I spent all my time playing with her after school until I was forced to go home in the late evening. On weekends I would to PetsMart with Rinnie and my grandma. I saw a pamphlet on puppy training classes and BEGGED my father to enroll us in the class. And like a good daddy...he did! So every Saturday we would have an hour group session. After class, I would be teaching/practicing our "command of the week", as well as reviewing "old" ones. I had such a positive experience with that dog, that training class and even all the dogs in the class were already well-behaved. I LOVED it so much. I never did go on walks with her by myself (my grandma wouldn't allow it, unless she or someone else went with me), but I was perfectly capable of it. Usually, I would just walks by myself with Rinnie back and forth on the sidewalk in front of the house. The sidewalk itself consisted of about 4 or 5 houses.

I had ALOT of positive experience with dogs as a child...friendly dogs and even the so called "vicious" or "aggressive" dogs. Some were my relative's dogs and others complete strange dogs that bit everyone else, but for some reason they would never bite me. And I thought I did a lot of the same "motions" every other child and adult did -shrugs-. I've always loved animals though. I was fearless with animals & very careful. Come to think of it...I'd always pet or touch dogs on the side of their face or on their back. I never really hugged them (unless I knew them) or patted them on the head. I was never quick with my movements either. Always slow and calm, I don't recall ever staring them in the eye either.

Hmm...I honestly trusted every dog I met as a child...I had no reason not to. Of course, I'd always ask the owners of stranger dogs that famous question, "May I pet your dog?"

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I'm glad your car is okay, Osy! Oh and thank goodness you didn't hit the dog, lol. You always gonna watch out for these things. I see loose dogs following their people all the time, pups, young dogs, seniors. I'm like anticipating them to run into the street! Unfortunely, we become held responsible for their irresponsiblity. So we gotta pick up THEIR slack -sighs-.

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I've had my share of experience with 2 kids, 1 on a skateboard and the other on rollar blades. They couldn't be more then 7 and 10 years of age. And they had this GINORMOUS dog...it was some kind of Akita/Chow/Malamute mix. They had the dog on a leash (very considerate kids). However, the kid's strength was no match for this dog, no way. Something happened and she (10 year old) lost hold of the leash. Their dog ran off and came after my black, female, German Shepherd, De-Vil. They were chasing after their dog and of course finally got him before he could take a 2nd blow at my dog. They appolygized. I know they didn't mean for it to happen. They seemed like good owners, but they weren't in control of the dog, it was TOO BIG for them. I'm sure even an adult would have a difficult time controlling this dog should he not allow it. I just can't believe a parent or guardian allowing these children to take off alone with a dog of that size. I could understand maybe a Chihuahua or even a Husky...something more their size. It has to be a dog they CAN control AT ALL TIMES.

ljowen123

As you guys know, I had a gorgeous Siberian who was nowhere near the standard and was huge!! We trained him to pull a wagon and a sled and he was really great at it. I was his primary walker and he could pull you off your feet quickly. When I was looking at getting another dog, I took that in to consideration. I wanted a dog that the kids could walk and work with. When we got Jazz, the kids in the house were 8, 12, 15. Each of them walked Jazz daily. Their walk is a half mile total but can be seen from the front yard. Jazz responds differently to each of the kids, but walks extremely well with all of them.

Once again, this is a case of irresponsible parenting (human & canine) that you've presented, Osy.

KFontaine04

Is there any way to contact the rescue where they got Sasha from and let them know what is going on?

Kenshi

If this was the first day they brought the dog home, maybe we can cut them some slack. Is it inconceivable that they will learn the neccessity of using a leash, and realize that obediance training will not only benefit the dog and the family, but also be lots of fun?

tsukitsune

Thats a good idea, Kristin.

KFontaine04

I have owned Huskies and anyone who walks them without a leash, especially a rescue (you just got and your don't know their personality) is just asking for that dog to bolt into traffic and end up as roadkill. Most Huskies, Like Shiba's RUN AND RUN AND RUN and won't come back for anything.

Sangmort

No this wasn't the first day...they've had her for about two weeks...

Absolutely no idea which rescue they got her from, there are none close or even remotely near this area. ~

KFontaine04

Casually ask what rescue it is(fake interest in getting a Husky) and report them.

Kaddy

Kristin we think so much alike ;o)

I was just thinking about calling Verizon to tell them I was paying the early cancellation fee and moving over to AT&T to get an iphone - just to see if they'll offer to let me do the blackberry upgrade I wanted to do lol.

Nekopan

I don't think there's anything wrong with a responsible child walking a dog that they can handle. I walked my dachshund at 7-8 years old. My 13 year old sister and 14 brother walk Jack on a semi-regular basis. My youngest brother begs to walk him, but since he's only 5, he's not allowed to (since he'd obviously be overpowered).

I do agree that not all children are responsible enough, nor are certain dogs of the right temperament to be handled by children alone. I just wouldn't say NO CHILD EVER should walk a dog.

Darwin67

Under close supervision, my kids have both walked Kahlo, but under very controlled circumstances. I think it's very important from an early age to learn how to handle a leash and dog. With that said, no way no how would I turn them loose with her to take them for a walk around the neighborhood.

It's ironic you mention the kid factor...just the other day as we drove to a friends house the kids watched a young boy of maybe 12 walkin his golden-doodle...the poor kid had no control over the dog who was lunging at joggers and passer-bys. My 7 year old pipes up..'MOM! did you see that kid trying to walk that dog?!?! He's Crazy!"

Mylo

LMAO "He's crazy!"