My Ddog is very very good natured (luckily) but he is small and children tend to treat him like a toy/teddy bear.
Recently I had visitors with older DC, who have pets of their own (who I have seen them around all was well and normal). I assumed that Ddog would not be too stressed as the DC are experienced around dogs. I seem to have been very wrong because I think the attraction of a small cute dog was too much for them and they spent the whole time trying to pick Ddog up, chase him, drag him around and trap him for cuddles. It started off as playing but when the dog would not do what DC wanted, they just tried to force the dog into it. Some people do not seem to notice when an animal doesn’t like something (trying to run away from you) which I can’t understand at all. I then spent the whole time rescuing Ddog from the DC or giving instructions on how to play with the dog without touching, then saying NO and looking to their parents to intervene - who didn’t at all and smiled on happily. After I had to intervene when I thought Ddog was going to get seriously injured I removed Ddog and put him somewhere safe and the DC whinged and whined about it trying to get me to change my mind. I tried to broach this with parents but they felt that it was all play and affection and couldn’t see the issue as Ddog seemed to be enjoying it!
Thankfully they then left and I will never ever invite them over ever again on this basis but I feel really guilty for Ddog who trusts me and I brought people into his house who mistreated him and took advantage of his size and nature. I know they are ‘only children’ but I don’t know how they haven’t been taught better. I also don’t want Ddog to become fearful of people coming to the house. I just feel really awful! I wish I had been much firmer at the time and less chances for the DC but it was so awkward
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The doghouse
I am feeling guilty re Ddog
25 replies
PookieDo · 30/07/2019 00:00
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