Jenn'sfirstBC

Thank-you all for the great adivce! I read the article and WOW is my perspective ever changed. I will not ever again force him to interact with kids when he is so obviously afraid. I will instead try the 100 yard method and give him treats whenever he calmly looks at a kid. For the question as to why I want him to interact with children it is not just because I live near schools. I am 18 years old and I am hoping that when I marry and have kids of my own I will not have to choose between the dog and my children. I know I am thinking in the far future but I figured this problem needs to be corrected now while he is young. And I would very much like to have my border collie until he is old. I will probably have to start futher than 100 yrd. Even when we are walking toward the schools and we are 10 blocks away, he will direct me to alternate routes with pointed looks and tugs on the leash so as to avoid walking directly in front of the schools. I can't believe how smart he is. Once again, thank-you for all your tips and personal stories and I'll let you know how things work out.

Hello border collie enthusiasts! I've got a bit of a problem, my 7 month old border collie puppy is extremely afraid of children. And to make matters worse, I live near two schools that need to be passed to get anywhere. He has never had a bad experience with children and when he was about 3 months old he would play with them in the park. Then, one day he just went beserk when he saw a kid and ever since has never been comfortable with them. This is a border collie who NEVER barks; he has only done so on occasions during training when he gets frustrated or really excited. And even then it is only one, loud woof. So, I suppose first I should describe his reaction to kids. If the child is about age 0 to 16, he first becomes very still and his body gets all tight as he keeps his eye fixed on him/her. Even if they are across the street where they are no threat, or on the other side of the park, he will still react the same. Then all of a sudden he rushes them and starts barking and snarling. He won't get nearer than a metre and then he begins to circle the child while barking. The peculiar thing is that while he does this his tail is wagging. I have been hanging around the schools when they let out for the day to get him used to their noise and unpredictable play. When I encourage him to get close by carrying him in my arms toward an interested kid, or asking the kid to come closer while I hold him in place, he does not bark but flattens his ears back, tucks his tail and cowers. He often shakes with fear and even if I talk to the kid and make myself calm, this does not make him feel better. I never fear that he will bite a child because this is not his intention, he is just very very afraid. When he meets adult strangers, the reaction is the exact opposite. He is so happy to meet them his whole back end wags and he goes up to them with no fear and plops down in a sit to be petted and loved. I can not fathom why he fears only little people and can't even begin to understand how he can tell children and adults apart. Even if a kid is tall and mature and acts like a 20 year old, he can still tell that they are only 16. I would love to know what he is thinking and perhaps why he does this. Also if anyone has tips on how to familiarize and get comfortable with children please share.