Ask:
I hope I am not being too harsh, but my friend's almost 3 year old is here and will be for the next week with his sister. He knows me, my kids, our house, everything is familiar to him.
My problem: he is afraid of dogs! We have two dogs. One is a Sheltie who is almost 16 and just lays around most of the time. The other is a little terrier/beagle mix who is about 2 and is friendly with everybody. She does not jump, she might jump on the couch to see him, but that would be it.
Usually when he is here, we put the dogs in my room for the period of time he is here, but since he is going to be here for a week, it is a pain! His sister is now 6 and used to be afraid of dogs, too, but I used to watch her and she slowly came out of it by us introducing the dogs slowly. And that was when we had a big lab, too!
I started letting the older dog out and showing him that all he would do is lay around. He seemed ok with that. Today I let the little dog out and was holding her. He even pet her and seemed fine! He still seems a bit afraid. I can't keep them locked in there for six days! This is their house, too, and it is too hot to keep them outside. Plus, my older one has been sick and I want to keep an eye on him. And, my kids let them in from outside without thinking about it half the time. They are used to letting the dogs in/out, too.
He is also a bit freaked out about his mom not being here and he is getting over an ear infection, too. He has not been sleeping well at home I know, too. I know all of that is playing into this.
Any ideas on how to get him used to them? Or am I being too cruel? If he is going to be here off and on this summer it would really help to just let them have their normal routine.
Answer:
Show him how to have fun with the dogs. Maybe show him tricks the younger one can do or let him give them a treat. When my son was afraid of dogs I think it was due to no real knowledge of dogs since we don't have one. We now have a Pug who lives in our building that he loves to pet and play with since he knows she's safe. My son was even afraid of her until we had him sit down and showed him first how the grownups had their hands sniffed and it was okay for him to do so to. Just be patient and work with him slowly.
Answer:
Maybe you can keep them put away right when he get's there, and introduce them, like you said, slowly. When he takes his nap they can be let out, and roam again. I'd say after a day or so, he'll be used to them, and you won't have to worry about it.
Answer:
I don't think your being cruel, but IMO, the kid needs to get used to your dogs, it's not like your dogs are snarling, threatening beasts, if so that would be a different story. But, consindering that they are house dogs and from the sounds of it well behaved dogs, they(the dogs) shouldn't have to be 'punished' b/c of the kid. Ultimately he needs to get over this fear, being around your dogs should help him get over it.
I think easing the kid into being around the dogs is a good idea, who knows by the end of the week the kid might be begging his mom to get him a dog!! lol!!
HTH