Think Gambit has a problem :(

[Lucy]

During the school holiday, I invited my son's friends from his class over for the day. They're twin girls (couldn't invite just one haha) and I took them all over to a big park and out for lunch. They were really excited to come back and see the dogs and I won't lie, the girls are a bit of a handful so I told them they have to sit quietly while I get them out of my room and bring them into the living room.

Anyway, long story short, one of the girls got a little rough with Gambit. Not to hurt him but she was pulling him a little bit because he was trying to get off of her lap. When I saw, I told her to not do that and let him go if he wanted to otherwise he might snap
at her (should say now that he's NEVER bitten anyone, but if you panic a dog, obviously the instincts will kick in!). Her mum was here at that point and was trying to back me up but the child turned in to a brat, which totally shocked me, and started throwing a fit. Gambit jumped in to my lap and wouldn't move

Anyway, he's fine with my son, totally loves him, but when we were on the bus today, a little boy got on and Gambit started barking at him Then I remembered that when we went to visit Rachel last week, he was barking at her children, which at the time I thought was just because they'd come home from school and he thought they were strangers.

I'm now thinking he associates children with that fear of the little girl pulling him? I could be wrong but he has never disliked anyone, he's usually the first to run up to them and give them kisses. He doesnt bark at adults, only children except my son.

If this is the case, I'm thinking to start off slowly and build up his confidence again? I could start taking him to school after a few weeks to drop off my son to see how Gambit goes but think we might get swamped by children and it might just make it worse.
I don't want him to be like this and feel so bad for him and guilty that I let the little girl do that

[Lowenchi]

He sounds like baby I don't know what happened to her before I got her but she goes crazy barking at young children and babies, its to bad to even risk correcting and now the others copy her, but are ok with kids if she's not there.

[Kristi]

Bryco barks at kids too but its b'c he doesn't know what they are hes excited and wagging his tail but he just can't figure it out. So I am trying to do what you are talking about -- slowly building his confidence around them but its hard since we don't know many kids. Gambits probably a bit confused what the wee mini girl creatures are...even if hes used to your son they can def tel a difference between male humans and female humans so may just be girls or it may be both he has an issue with. TBH it'd surprise me if one single incident changed his behavior...so it could have just been the icing on the cake for Gambit and he decided ok you loud little creatures with your grabby hands I do not like you!

[Elle]

So far, Harry loves kids. Bit I am a bit paranoid about who I let near him, lol! I think there's a reason that the Chi books advise ppl not to mix Chis and kids less than 9 yrs old. They (little kids!) can be unpredictable and easily scare a little Chi, and I actually think girls are worse than boys at that, lol! I think you are probably already doing the right thing Lucy, just let the little guy see other kids from a distance and only let the really quiet shy ones near him until he gets a bit more confidence around kids. Cesar Millan's got some good suggestions in his books... maybe a trip to the library?

[Sarah]

Lucy do you want to try with abi first?! She older andvery calm around dogs (regardless of how she behaves here haha) louises' baby was ok with her too? Omg I could rend er out lol


Anyway yes I'd start taking him on the school run definitely. Although with denai being in reception it could be hard will they let you hold him
In the playground? We are leppers and stay outside
The gate

[Paula]

Good idea to try with Abi. Did you say you could rent her out? LOL. Mine love kids, Pip loves absolutely everyone though. Roo can be a bit shy with adults at first, but she generally likes kids. Good luck, Lucy!

[Sarah]

Yeah of course will pack her up on a plane lol

[Lucy]

Thank you all for your replies! ;D


Ok, so Gambit used to love kids! Last summer we practically lived in the park and always had loads of people coming up to us, especially children and Gambit would always be the first to run to them.
Rachel's children (think we only met two of them?) didn't go near him, in fact, her son was just standing there and Gambit was just in front of him barking!

Maybe its because after The Incident, the only time he's really been in close proximity to children is at Rachel's and today on the bus?

Sarah, yes I'd love to borrow Abi hahaha. Also, I can take them in to the playground if I'm carrying them (only one at a time) Woohoo but in the afternoon I can't take them because I have to go in to the building to collect him. Only problem is, is in the morning we get surrounded by children so have to be careful because they're all hands!

I must say though, that I think its down to each individual child. I got Kiki when my son was nearly 3 and a half years and he was and still is very gentle and considerate towards them. He never chases them and waits for them to come to him (which they ALWAYS do haha) but maybe its just the way he's been brought up whereas many children don't come in to contact with dogs, especially smaller ones.

The twin girls were hard work during the day but they did listen to me so I was shocked when she flipped out and started going nuts!

I will have to keep trying and I won't give him. He is such a good boy and I don't want him to be afraid