So, I was just curious if any of you have had puppies raised around the same neighbors and if so, once the dog was grown, what their attitude towards them was. Did I make that complicated?
Basically this is why I'm wondering. We have some new neighbors that moved behind us a few weeks ago that have 2 small girls (4 and 6 I think) that adore the puppies. The adults seem to love them too. Whenever the adults are in the yard, they will come over and give the dogs pets and everything. Whenever the kids come out, which is generally unsupervised, they run straight to the fence to look for our dogs. If the dogs see them, they run straight to the kids and stand up on the fence to be petted. When hubby and I have talked about how they will be when grown, he seems to think the dogs will view them like us and not like intruders, but I really don't think so, seeing as they aren't part of their pack or their family. I can't see them really being protective of neighbors, at least that's not at all what I've read about the way Pyrs or other guarding type dogs do..but maybe it depends on every situation. I know they are just puppies now and they go to anyone for love but I think that will change eventually (especially when we aren't around). Tonight when their kids went out in the yard, I was watching through the window and the youngest again ran straight to the fence to call the dog, and she automatically puts her whole hand and arm through the fence to wait for them. I saw that and had to think hmm.. is that such a good idea? As they mature I mean? It just made me wonder and ask you guys what your experience has been with dogs that know your neighbors.
I know Pyrs are supposed to be excellent with kids..I also know they are supposed to be well socialized with them because they could also view them as a threat. Just didn't know if one day in conversation I should bring up maybe asking that their kids don't stick their hands and things through the fence. I'd like to think they'd never hurt a child or someone that wasn't a threat to us, but I know that dogs will be dogs. What's your opinion?