We had a lovely day at Midland Counties on Friday, after our class we went walking round the trade stands upstairs, there was a lady standing near the balcony with 3 or 4 welsh springers or springers just minding her own business.
The next thing this screeching child came bombing out of nowhere at speed screaming in a silly manner and totally startled these dogs, who reacted in a defensive manner, they snapped out at him as obviously thought they were under attack!
Everyone stopped and looked , the parents of this kid who was poss about 11 or 12 years old gave the woman a dirty look and didnt even tell their little brat off!!

I was really wound up about it and said quite loudly "fancy letting a child run riot like that at a dog show" people around all agreed but this could have easy have gone the other way with people saying "oh those dogs nearly bit him, dodgy temperaments etc.."
Why do people take children to shows knowing they cant behave themselves it just isnt fair on the dogs and on other people, there are a damn menace !

I too had an experience with a child at Midland Counties.  One of the Elkhound exhibitors was sat watching the ring and her daughter (who must have been about 4 or 5 years old) kept racing up to my crates and jamming her face against the fronts.  I asked the woman to stop her doing it but she was too lazy to get off her backside and stop the child so from then on all we had was her screeching (to NO effect whatsoever) at the kid for the next half an hour or so.  Luckily my dogs didn't react to her but one dog will one day.  I was also disgusted at the way she let the child drag her dog around on the lead.  If people can't be bothered to control their kids at shows they should either leave them at home or stay at home with them.

Debs

As a parent of a 10 year old and 8 year old I find inconsiderate parents very frustrating. My girls attend some shows with me and I ensure that they completely respect the dogs around them. They are allowed to look after the dogs benched next to us because they behave in the correct manner and are calm and quiet around the dogs. The lady benched next to me is always so pleased to see the girls because she knows she can leave her dogs safely. They know to ask owners to say hello to their dogs and do not charge around like hooligans. I take my responsibilities as a parent seriously when letting my children attend shows, I wish others would do the same otherwise children get tarnished with the same brush regardless of behaviour.

To be hones children of school age ought to be no problem and are old enough to know better.  I always found the toddler to school age category the hardest as you really do need eyes in the back of your head.

As usual, it is the few that get the majority a bad name. Roll on Crufts where its not just the kids who are a pain in the proverbial but all those who belive an entrance fee is a ticket to allow them to prod and poke any dog they see.  

The one thing I can't understand about Crufts is why the benching areas are not out of bounds to the general public. Most exhibitors usually leave their belongings on their bench when they are in the ring and if you are there alone with no-one to watch your things its a real worry. And they're narrow enough, without having to squeeze past a family of four to get to your bench! :D :D 

I remember being at a Champ show in the summer where an exhibitor had brought their child of about 3 years old and had them strapped into a buggy the whole day. Poor wee thing screamed her head off all day, obviously just bored to tears. With her mother yelling at her to shut up every two minutes. I thought that was horrid. I've missed shows because I couldn't get a child minder - I won't take my son to a show, I can't keep an eye on him when preparing my dog and actually showing him. Plus he doesn't share my enthusiasm for dog shows one bit!

I dont mind children at shows....IF THEY BEHAVE.  I actually love to see the junior handlers classes, because it shows that people of all ages can enjoy showing dogs.
I have also had bad experiences with kids at shows, when parents let them run rampid around the show arena, and the grooming areas.  I have actually seen a kid knock over a grooming table while a dog was on it getting ready for the ring.  Those kids should have been left at home. 
Kids that ask to pet dogs, or walk calmly around the arena, I dont mind at all.  But the ones where parents let them do as they please, I could just ring.  They get me so frustrated, especially having small dogs, I would hate to get my dogs trampled because of kids. 

I has similar experiences at shows - but i think the one that could have been the most frightening was a small child no more then about three coming running over to my dog and threw her arms around her.  Not only that but she tripped as well and fell on top of Emma.  Luckily the only thing that happened was that Emma gave the most distainful look (as much to say - what is it and get it off of me).  The little girl was very lucky that Emma (Irish Setter) had the most wonderful temprament but imagine what the outcry would have been if Emma had not and had bitten the child in fright or defence.  I know that she did not mean to trip as well but i shudder to think what could have happened.   

If they are not well trained and under control they should be kept on a lead

The child not the dog      ::rolleyes:

Or put in a crate :P

Now that I like the sound of!

Jill

lmao.  I liked that one. Maybe next time when an unruly child comes in, I will hand them an old leash and tell them to go ask their mum to use it.  LOL

Wouldnt that be a sight?

Good suggestions here!

Id go with crate them and leave them at the back of an empty hall where they can be no nuisance to people or dogs!

I think any adult who would have said ''Bad dogs'' in that sitiation should have been asked to leave the show!

Children are a nuisance at most events :rolleyes:, maybe children should be left in the car in a crate while the dogs get taken in! :d :d

Thing is, the children are not really the problem, its the parents who fail to keep them under control that cause the problems. For some reason, dogs are expected to be saints at all times, they must never object to anything, and must be fantastic with children whatever the child does to them . People seem to forget they are animals not fluffy toys, and they can be scared, feel pain, and react to that. When I was a child it was natural to keep a distance, because a strange dog may bite, because it dosent know you, it may be ill, it may not like children (and this was accepted, that not all dogs like children with no slur to dogs in general) and may be a guard dog. if you got bitten it was more likely to be your fault than the dog. if a child jumped on a dog it was more likely to be 'thats a lovely natured dog' because it accepted this behaviour, had it reacted it would be the childs/adults fault for that behaviour, not the dog at fault. I just wish people would accept that caution is needed around all animals.

I agree totally with your statement!
It just seems that parents are getting a bit lazy when watching their kids?  (just an observation, not saying all parents are like that)
When my girl was attacked by another dog (another post) we brought her home, and rang the vets.  Well, the vet wanted to know if she was able to put weight on her shoulders.  We took her outside, and walked her on the pathway.  My neighbour wanted her 2 year old grand daughter to pet the dog, and she didnt understand when my mom and I said no, she was hurt. 
What if she had reacted?  Then I know for sure it would be Casie's fault.  And not my neighbour sending her child anyways, after being warned. 
At shows, it is harder I think, to get kids to leave dogs alone.  In a way, I am kinda glad I have a breed, that looks like a smaller version of another breed which has bad press, so people tend to stay away.  Or they think she is a Chihuahua, and send the kids right over. 
When I was younger, my mom always told me to ask the owners if I could stroke the dogs.  And definately not to do it when at ringside or on the table grooming. 
I have heard parents say "go look at the pretty doggy's"  which ok, go look, ask if you can stroke. But that doesnt mean children should run rampid at a show, and possible hurt dogs, or themselves, or the handlers. 
In my head I keep thinking "OK IT ISNT MY JOB TO WATCH YOUR KIDS!!!!!"
/end rant lol

I have been taken to shows since I was a baby but I was good girl and just sat on the bench and did as I was told but I know the children who run around throw themselves on strange dogs and the owner of the dog gets blamed when the dog bites