Friends DD (10yo) has asked if she can walk puppy when she is finally allowed out next week. My nice side says let her, my sensible side is screaming nonononono there are too many roads/cars/other dogs out there for this to be a good idea! She hasnt got a dog of her own, so would have no idea what to do if puppy meets other dogs and things go well, I would be terrified of her letting puppy off the lead to play and her running off, puppy lunging into the road etc etc.
Am I being ridiculously over protective? we were never allowed to walk my dog as kids as he was too strong, and aggressive towards other dogs, I'm hoping I will be able to train my dog not to pull, and that she wont lunge murderously for anything on 4 legs that passes, but even assuming I succeed, would you allow her to walk puppy?
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The doghouse
friends daughter asking to walk puppy - how do I let her down gently?
rogersmellyonthetelly · 23/05/2011 21:53
I am mean. 
I never allow my own DC, let alone anyone else's (I doubt they'd even dare ask, I am pretty strict about children even saying hello to my dogs... ) walk any of my dogs until they are properly and completely trained to walk nicely on a lead, which means keeping the lead loose, paying attention to the person holding the lead and not getting distracted by smells/people passing by/other dogs.
The result is I now have adult dogs who lead anyone's child can hold, even really little ones in pushchairs as the dogs don't really need the lead as such and know to walk where I ask them too.
I would just explain that she needs to be walked by you for training reasons, but show the child how to do some basic training with her instead, teaching easy commands like 'sit', 'down' 'high five' etc. It's much harder to go wrong with that and she'll be thrilled she can make the dog do something.
I let DD (10) walk our dog on her own, but on a route that involves no roads. Dog is a big greyhound but not bouncy. However she is nervous and will try to leg it if spooked. The dog has come home several minutes before DD on a few occassions. 
I think you need to get a feel of how your dog behaves first over a period of months. Let this girl come out with you during this time. Then go with your gut feeling after seeing how she and the dog are.
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