Puppy jumping on kids

[Sophie45]

This post is for my neighbors, who have an adorable, sweet, friendly well socialized 7 month pit bull puppy, Serena. My neighbor told me that the other day they took her to a local playground where a lot of people take their dogs, and Serena was doing great, but once she sees a kid-BOOM! She's off like a light to go to the kid, not to hurt them but because she LOVES kids so much. The problem is, she knocked over a little kid because she was too excited and jumped on him trying to kiss and lick him, and he started crying. He wasn't hurt or anything, but probably scared.

Serena still jumps on everybody, and I have been encouraging them to cross their arms and turn around, giving her no attention whatsoever until she stops, but I think they are somewhat inconsistent with this. Also, she is getting a lot better with adults, but not with kids because she just gets way too excited.

Any suggestions for them???

[Rivsky]

Are these just "strange" kids at the playground - and not part of Serena's family? If that's the case I wouldn't be letting her off her lead around areas like this - instead I'd probably be more inclined to leave her on a lead and let kids approach her and ONLY pat her when she's in a sit - it's too unpredictable leaving kids and an over exuberant dog to sort it out for themselves and way too easy for someone to accidentally get hurt as well.

[CdnRottieMom]

I agree with Rivsky's comment. Have your neighbours keep Serena on a leash when out in public. Even though she's just playing and excited to see children, she may not know her own strength and a child could get injured. Not only that but because of Serena's breed and the stereotypes against pitts, I wouldn't want to see your neighbour's end up with a law suit against them and something bad happen to Serena, by a parent mistaking her playfulness for aggression. Have they enrolled her in obedience classes? If not, it would be something to suggest to them.

[Cassiepeia]

Taking her out to socialise specifically with children might be a good idea too. Get them to take her out every day (as part of her regular exercise perhaps) to places where she will encounter children (on leash) and do as Rivsky suggested (only allow her to interact with them when she's quiet and calm).
If it's possible, it could be a good idea to have them invite people with children over to their house (or have them meet at a quiet park) specifically to socialise and train her around them.
I agree with Cdn about the obedience classes too, that's a great idea. And I wouldn't be letting her off leash in any area where there could be children either. It's just too dangerous (because she's so excited and the kids can be so small).

Cass.

[Sophie45]

Thanks, guys! Good advice. I'll pass it on....

[Doglover1988]

I agree when I first got Lucy she would bowl down small children all the time. Now with lots of training and patients she is very gentle with children but tends to still jump on adults. lol

[aquarian215]

I am having this problem with Dudley, its usually people that come over the house. He won't jump up on us, but visitors he does, something we are trying to work on. The other day I was so proud, I took him out in the woods, with lots of different trails, he tends to walk ahead, but will stop and wait for me, but there was a mom and daughter ( maybe 9 ish) and Dudley took off to say hi and kinda jumped around all hyper and you could tell the little girl was scared. I was about 10 feet away, I said "hey", he stopped looked at me, I told him to come and he ran back, without ever jumping up on her.