04-27-05  22:32, Ardith Hinton told James Bradley about Dogs & Kids

 How do, Ardith?

 JB>  own a dog.

 AH> Sounds like a fine idea to me!  We had some friends years
 AH> ago...  both elementary teachers... who couldn't see the 
 AH> similarity, however, when we pointed out that if we 
 AH> expressed disapproval about something a dog or a kid was 
 AH> doing we also made it clear what else we'd like them to do 
 AH> instead.  These people had two dogs but no kids of their 
 AH> own at the time, as did we.  And we got quite a lot of 
 AH> static from people who didn't approve of putting toddlers 
 AH> on a leash.  They felt it was undignified to treat human 
 AH> beings like dogs.  Now, I suppose there may be various 
 AH> reasons for using a leash... but from our standpoint an 
 AH> important factor was the physical safety of the animal(s) 
 AH> or person(s) in question.  I don't want my canine 
 AH> companion(s) dashing impulsively across a busy street to 
 AH> talk to a dog on the opposite side, and I didn't want my 
 AH> own daughter doing it either....  :-)

Hey.. And some toddlers just don't understand when running into traffic is
going to hurt them, you, and the person that hits them. I have *no* hangups
about leashes.

I have little experience with kids, but I did have a terrier-spaniel cross,
that exhibited some traits of both breeds. The terrier part would find him
tear off at any moment he pleased. As a pup, he was VERY good on a leash,
and he was introduced to regimented training on it. As he became
proficient, the leash got longer. When he started to obey voice commands,
he would have freedom. If he abused that freedom, he was back on the leash.
I suspect a kid that wonders is much the same ball of wax. As they respect
the responsibilities of freedom, and practice good judgement, they get more
of each.


... James

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