Need Suggestions

[IrishMist428]

A co-worker brought her niece's to meet Akira and Chance. Well, smack me silly, we need to practice because their sit/stay was way off. No jumping on the kids or pawing, but a bit exhuberant in their welcome. Both love kids and behind the gate were jumping and hopping around. Hailey, 6 yrs old, was terrified at the mere site of them and left in tears. I felt aweful.
I was wondering if anyone knew of a childrens book I could buy her to help her relate to the breed, temperment. I feel aweful, it's been 2 weeks and I called Hailey to say hello and she is still startled. Any help suggestions ??

 

[Kodiak]

Patty, is this little girl terrified of just Akira and Chance or does she respond this way to all canines, large or small? I've known children that have been afraid of dogs no matter what size they are and the older they got, the more fearful they were. None of these children were ever bit by a dog or ever had any bad experiences with them. I can't relate to this fear, because I've always loved dogs and cats. I'm sure there must be books written how to introduce a child to a pet. You might have to ask Toni or Brian Kilcommons!

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

Don't feel bad, Patty, some kids are afraid of dogs, but you do have a good idea to buy a cute book. Any of these books on Newf Emoorium would work great : http://www.newfemporium.com/store/merchant.ihtml?id=37&step=2

I would go with "New-Found-Friends" since it is funny and a picture book.

 

[Jeannie]

Patty,

One thing we learn in Pet therapy is to have the dog go into a down when greeting children. Get down on the floor and look at the dog's from a child's point of view. It can be terrifying. A downed dog is much less frightening.

Anytime a new child comes we leash the dog's and put them in a down. Now some kids are just afraid of dogs...period so don't let that make you feel bad.

 

[Annie Milliron]

Jeannie's right. And I hope your friends will help their daughter overcome her fears. It would be so much better for her to conquer them now than to continue being afraid of dogs as an adult. And, Lynns right too! Any of the books at Newf Emporium should help.

 

[mudji]

Try to get ahold of Newf by Marie Kililea. She is the one who wrote the Karen and Love with Karen books in the 60s. Her daughter is Karen, who had CP. She had a newf and actually showed the dog.

Newf is the story of a newf and a white kitty. It's a great picture book. I used it in kindergarten and in 1st grade to introduce Angus and newfs to these kids in SC. Some kids were TOTALLY afraid of dogs, let alone big black ones. By the end of our session, about 1-1 1/2, they came up and pet the dog. Angus ended up the hit of that year.

hannah

 

[IrishMist428]

Hello and thank you for the replies. The funny thing is Hailey is not afraid of dogs. She has a Golden and he is pretty big and spunky. He is 3 and has many doggie friends they have over to play with. So she has known dogs since she is 3. I guess I will follow Jeannie's advise and have them on lead in a down/stay if and when she ever comes again.
OK question???? I spoke to her Mother also, and Hailey really feels bad that I feel bad. Wants to come to our next playdate. She will be behind the fence and safe. She can see all the Newfs playing without contact. Good or Bad idea ???
I ordered a few books too thanks!!!

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

Great idea, Patty, to have Hailey come to the playdate! She will feel safe behind the fence and may even want to join INSIDE the fence when she sees other children having fun with the big dogs.

 

[newfloverqc]

There are some kids who are like that....

Even my Ian was like that in the beginning. We have some camping friends who have two dogs, a German Shepherd Mix and an Irish Wolfhound. When we first met them, Ian wanted nothing to do with either of them. Sake (the GS mix) was, and still is, an exuberant dog and greets with much tail wagging and kisses. Ian wasn't crazy about that. Shredder (the IW) was calm and quickly became Ian's favourite of the two.

But after seeing them a few times, Ian is now OK with both of them.

As for Ceilidh, well that lucky puppy has her own Boy Toy who is always ready to play and who laughs whenever she does something goofy....

 

[Prdmary]

You know I've noticed that Turner will lay down on the ground whenever he meets children! I wonder if he kind of instinctively knows to do that? Hum.....

Anyway, he gets more excited meeting a kid than when I feed him! Now what does that say? Ha!

 

[KittyKat]

Some of my favorites are:

Good Dog Carl, by Alexandra Day. It's about a rotti who takes care of a baby. It's really cute.

Clifford the Big Red Dog. Newfies aren't red, but it may help.

PeterPan. Nanna was based on a newfie, what a good babysitter.

Mostly children who are scared of dogs just need to be reassured and have plently of visits. They will come to realize their is nothing to fear.

Hope this helps.

Kittykat

 

[KittyKat]

Oh and I forgot, these are all about newfies but are a little more advanced about 100 pages or so:

Wreck of the Ethie. by Hilary Hyland

Seaman: The Dog Who Explored the West with Lewis and Clark. By Gail Langer Karwoski

Star in the Storm. By: Joan Hiatt Harlow

And this one is really cute only 32 pages:
Seaman's Journal: On the Trail with Lewis and Clark. By: Patricia Eubank, P. Eubank, Patti Reeder Eubank

 

[IrishMist428]

Thanks kitty Kat I will look into them !!