When I took the dogs out tonight to do their business, I ran into one of our neighbors, her 3 kids, and their dog. The kids range from babe-in-arms to perhaps 5 years. The dog is an 8-year-old BC mix, Monty, who looks like he's 12.
Sadie growled once at Monty then decided she didn't care after all. The kids were enamored of both pups, and preceded to pet them both enthusiastically. I was quite pleased to see that they were gentle and didn't grab either dog.
Sadie ignored them, neither avoiding nor seeking the affection.
Maxwell surprised me. He kept four paws on the ground at all times, politely sniffed their faces without licking, and stood very still to be petted. He really seemed to enjoy it, gradually relaxing into a sloppy down with one girl handling his head, neck, and body. It was like he had been trained for this, even though he definitely has not. The kids were in love with him.
It was too bad Monty wasn't socially adept. At first Maxwell had wanted to meet him, and gave off strong play signals. He ignored Monty while be admired by the kids, then tried to interact again when they left him. Monty gave a funny nip/lunge/bark that was almost, but not quite, a rough play invite. It was too strong a move for my little guy. He fled to the far end of his leash and lay down facing, very deliberately, away from us.
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