[nagdu] How do any of you deal with small children wanting totouch your guide dog

[Julie McGinnity]

This issue is one I struggle with a lot.  Brie's problem is that she
loves the attention.  If I let one kid pet her, she will get it into
her head that every small person will love her and pet her.  I don't
think so.

A couple weeks ago I was in the mall shopping with my mom.  These 2
toddlers and their mom came up to me.  The mom encouraged the
little(girl I think) to ask me if she could pet my dog.  When she
asked I told her very politely and calmly that she could not pet my
dog because my dog has a very special job to do.  I just explained
that my dog helps me because I can't see.  At that point, the child
proceeded to scream as loudly as she could.  I was horrified.  I
really didn't want to make the kid cry.  I really didn't.  Thankfully,
the mom delt with it well.  She picked her kid up and started to take
her away, telling her that she was not to pet the dog, and that it
would be ok.  The mom said nothing to me.  My mom said that she didn't
even look surprised when I told her kid that she couldn't pet my dog.

Some parents really aren't all that bad.  I love it when parents tell
their kids funny things or things that just aren't quite right about
my dog.  I'm sure I whince outwardly.  I usually don't have time to
correct them.

Anyway, coming to the end of my long essay here.  (sorry)  This is why
I think it's so important to educate people.  Some say that we
shouldn't put ourselves out just to educate those people, but
unfortunately, that's what we have to do if we and our dogs want to be
treated with respect.  It is especially important to educate children.
 It's so refreshing to hear "Mom, that's a guide dog.  That dog is
working.  We shouldn't bother it."  I've only heard that once, and I
wanted to hug the kid who said it.

So...  The only way to get beyond the ignorance is education,
especially of the children.  Wow...  I think I just totally went off
on some kind of tangent.  Sorry guys.

On 4/7/11, Julie J <julielj at neb.rr.com> wrote:
> A long, long time ago, I was with a friend who had a guide dog.  We were on
> a city bus and one of the other passengers asked to pet the dog.  My friend
> told her politely that no she couldn't pet the dog.  the woman went off,
> threatening to call the police and I don't know what all.  Some people just
> have issues.  *smile*
>
> Julie
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Cindy Ray" <cindyray at gmail.com>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2011 8:58 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] How do any of you deal with small children wanting
> totouch your guide dog
>
>
>>I would say it is the woman's problem. That is presumptuous for someone to
>>think that their kid or anyone else should be able to pet your dog if they
>>ask. That's just ridiculous, and I think you did what you felt you needed
>>to do. Let it go. <Grin>
>>
>> Cindy
>>
>> On Apr 7, 2011, at 8:53 PM, Peggy wrote:
>>
>>> It's a personal choice, if you didn't want her to pet your dog, don't
>>> feel guilty for saying no.  Oftentimes I'll let small children pet the
>>> dog but explain why it's great that they asked.  Other people don't want
>>> their dog petted at all and it really is a personal choice.  If you
>>> explained that it was a service animal and was working and that you'd
>>> rather him/her not be petted at this time, then you did all you could.
>>> Some people will be irritated no matter what we do so I wouldn't worry
>>> about it.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message----- From: Brittney N. Mejico
>>> Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2011 8:29 PM
>>> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>> Subject: [nagdu] How do any of you deal with small children wanting to
>>> touch your guide dog
>>>
>>> Hi everyone,
>>> The other day this lady got mad at me for not letting her 4 year old
>>> touch my guide dog.  I kind of felt bad afterwards, do you think It was
>>> rong for me to tell her no?  I tried to be as polite as Possible.  Do any
>>>
>>> of you have any tips on what I should next time that happens again.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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-- 
Julie McG
 Lindbergh High School class of 2009, participating member in Opera
Theater's Artist in Training Program, and proud graduate of Guiding
Eyes for the Blind

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that
everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal
life."
John 3:16