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Dogs and Children

5K views 18 replies 13 participants last post by  Nicci 
#1 ·
Good evening!

I was wondering if you could give me some advice.

My husband and I are really really keen to get a dog - a labrador preferably as we've heard these are good family dogs.

Our major concern is the age of our children - 2.5 and 4 years old. Although we know there are a lot of rescue dogs out there, we would probably get a puppy, simply because you don't tend to know the past of rescue dogs and we can't take a risk with the little ones.

Other than the young age of the kids, we consider ourselves to be able to give a good home - the kitchen is closed off by a stairgate and has enough room for the dogs bed (so he can have some space away from the children), we have a garden (albeit smallish), I work evenings so am home during the day and we have a very loving home.

So really I am asking for honest opinions - is it an unwise choice to get your first dog when your children are so young? Our family are unsupportive because of all the dog attacks on children recently.

Honest opinions please....

Thanks

Vix
x
 
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#2 ·
Vix, firstly I must say that I have grown up around dogs, and by doing so, I honestly believe that they have taught me respect, and responsibility.

There is a common misconception that rescue dogs end up in shelters through bad behaviour. Yes, there are obviously some who have received no training and become unruly through no fault of their own. A GOOD rescue centre will NEVER re home an animal that has a bad temperament, and a range of tests are completed before they go up for re homing.

Most breeds will have a rescue section, including Labradors and Retrievers and a google search with give you the details of each one.

It is however, extremely important that children are supervised with dogs, especially young children and babies. Dogs do not understand when feeling pain, and may lash out in self defense. Neither do young children understand that pulling a dogs ears can result in a nip, which can end in disaster.

If you feel that you have the time to offer a good home to any breed, be it rescue or puppy, than I would say good luck, and your children will enjoy immense pleasure growing up with a family dog.
 
#3 ·
My two girls were brought up with the dogs, in fact without the one the youngest daughter wouldn't be alive today!!!

They are fine as long as there are ground rules, mine were never left on their own in a room with a dog (always supervised) and as long as the dog has his/her own space where they can get away from the children I don't honestly see a problem. Mine were always crate-trained and when they had had enough they would just take themselves to their crates and the girls then knew that they were to leave them alone.



 
#4 ·
i turn away people for pup with young children under 6
i found over the years people think its good idea then found they cant cope and the dog whos suffers
im not saying you would but its what i found
you got to think the dog is going to grow faster than your children and will bounce about may knock the children over will eat their toys and anything it can, and mostly a lab love its food they are a biggest dustbins going.
you will have to find time to train it. and take it to training classes,
not to be the put you off CHILDREN and dogs go great together.
these other dogs that attacks were proberly not trained right and were in some cases guard dogs
fact for you more people get BITTEN by SMALL DOGS than big dogs it only because they are a big breed they get in the news more often and the anti dog lot.
 
#5 ·
i personaly think that not only do you have to train the puppy but the children to, i have 5 children in my house and i do not allow any of them to miss treat the dogs i have in any way, as soft as they are any dog can get fed up with children noise and tantrums, my eldest son and daughter have grown up with dogs and from the begining they were taught to respect the animals, but i also have 3 children that were not raised with dogs and they sometimes find it hard to understand what not to do with the dogs, so in all it is good for kids as they can learn but it can be hard:D you do have to have the time for the dog and the children:)
 
#8 ·
Hi,
Not all dogs in rescue centers are there because of bad behaviour, more likely than not there they because of bad owners. I myself was born and bred into a family with dogs, so was my daughter with lots of dogs, including rescue dogs we cared for and rehomed. Its all about common sense and training, not just the dog but the children as well. Its very important that children are not just kind to animals but they have respect for them as well.
 
G
#13 ·
My kids have always had dogs around them since they were born,well the two younger ones anyway.They have been taught how to behave around dogs and how to treat them.They have never been left unsupervised ever,as much as I love my dogs they will never get 100% trust.
 
#14 ·
Hiya theres alot of people including my mother in law who have been a little worried to say the least since we have had so called dangerous dogs around our children. At the moment we have a border collie although as a family we are partial to a rottie. I have grown up around dogs my whole life different sizes and breeds,i think it teaches children respect for animals aswell as teaching them how to interact with something other than a human being. I think also as children grow up the pet no matter whether it be a dog or a cat becomes a confident and friend. Do not be mislead by all of these stories about viscious dog attacks i myself truted my rottie with my then newborn son 100% and i knew that he would defend him as if he were his own child. We unfortunately had to have him euthanised as a result of him having a serious physical disorder that could not be fixed, if this had not been the case he would still be a valued member of my family and in some ways he still is he is always in our hearts. You will know when you find the right dog for your family do not let others dictate to you how and when you should get one it is solely your choice! I have attached some pics of my son and our 2 rotties and let this be a warning to all those people who say rottweilers are evil and twisted beast that should be shot on site. In 2004 there was a reported 1,240 cases involving viscious dog attacks by rotties and these other so called dangerous dog but theres was and unreported 2,400 cases involving labradors alone but you never hear of these because people still want you to beleive that the rottie is evil and the lab isnt. A wise man once told me "YOU DONT GET BAD DOGS JUST BAD IRRESPONSABLE OWNERS!" No dog can be trusted at all times it is our responsability as pet owners to not put them in a situation that would cause them to have to act that way!
 

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#15 ·
I was born into a dog family too, as dog came first:p I see nothing wrong with having a dog with young kids, however... never leave them together unsupervised.. whatever dog you choose, for the dogs sake as much as the kids. Children dont always know when they have gone too far and its wrong to assume a dog won't defend himself...
Also I echo that not all rescues are there cos they have been bad, alot are there due to divorces, deaths, house moves, boredom etc... A good rescue will always match you to a suitable dog.
Good luck with your future dog:D
 
#17 ·
I was born into a dog family , I think animals should be around young children , so they can respect each other , Children wouldn't grow up being afraid of animals,I've had Pepsi when my first two kids were 1.5 yrs and nearly 2 years , she was a puppy they done everything together, now shes 10 well april 2 she still excellent with the kids and I now have five kids the youngest being 10mths , Pepsi knows when shes had enough and she will come to me nudge me with her nose and let me know she wants me time, The kids all respect her and have learnt how to react around dogs.It's not just train the dog , but train the children too.:).
Follow your own mind and think what you want to do , at the end of the day you have a big commitment.Good luck with what you deside
 
#18 ·
We have four young children aged (newly) turned two,four, six and eight. We also have a 'pack' :D of dogs. Four labradors, two English springer spaniels, a lurcher and a Jack Russell.

I have to admit they are all wonderfull with the children, esp the Labs who are very laid back and placid in the house, yet they are fun and exuberant when out walking. Our's are very highly trained as they are working Gundogs and we are very strict on manners with all of our dogs. I believe it has to be this way or problems are more likely to arrise, which is not good in any case, but a dominant or nervous dog around kids is an accident waiting to happen. I do have to keep a close eye on my youngest child as she is still too little to fully understand that dogs can be dangerous if you pull their tails and ears and i would never 100% trust any of my dogs even though they have never shown aggression.

I certainly would'nt be without our dogs, the main thing i would say is that ours get us out as a family on a regular basis. They are great companions and just love to please. And i think they do the world of good for children in that they teach them love, respect and compassion.

I have mostly had our dogs from pup's as i can focus them in the right direction and at least any behaviour problems that pop up can be nipped in the bud straight away. I am not against rescue dogs but many do come with dubious backgrounds and the reasons they end up in the centre's are not always straight forwards. I think its a bit of a hit or a miss. One of my friends took on a year old Lab cross and she is a wonderful dog a real sop pot :). Yet years ago i myself took a lurcher bitch who had apparently been raised with children, but it became obvious that at some point in her life she had had a bad experience and she was very nervous around my children and although it did improve i found it far too stressfull dealing with her anxiety and much as i loved her , i eventually rehomed her to an older couple as i felt it was unfair on her to keep her.

As regards mongrel and pedigree i personally would say go with a pedigree dog as you will have more idea of the 'nature of the beast' so to say, do your research and find a reputable breeder, make sure that all the health tests are in place and ask to see the certificates and that they are up to date, if you can meet both parents that is great although sometimes the stud used can be at the other end of the country so this is not always possible, but you will get a good indication of temperament from the dam.

All the best,

Ang
 
G
#19 ·
I've been around dogs as long as I can remember, always owned dogs since I left home at 16 (which now feels like decades ago!)
I had my first baby at 24 years old and at the time owned a Neapolitan Mastiff and a St Bernard, I was never worried or concerned about bringing my newborn baby home with my dogs as they too were part of my family :)
I think dogs and children mix extremely well, providing the dogs and the children know their boundaries.

A dog and children can be one of the best friendships in the world, so don't let what others say put you off whilst trying to make that lifelong decision :)

Here's my daughter with two of mine


 
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