Good Dogs To Own If You Have Children

There is no magical breed in which all products of this breed will do well with children. Whether or not a dog will good well with children will depend on a number of other factors beside breed including temperament, training and previous life experiences. Even the most good natured dog may be fearful or aggressive towards young children if the dog had a previously negative experience with a child. This may include being tormented by a child, being reprimanded harshly for approaching a child or even having a child accidentally fall on the dog. While there are some breeds that are known to do well with children it is far more important to introduce children to new dogs carefully and to evaluate the dog’s temperament thoroughly before exposing a child to a particular dog. In this article we will discuss a few breeds that are generally known for being good family dogs but we will also discuss how temperament, training and past experiences can factor into the equation.

The Labrador Retriever is perhaps one of the best known examples of a breed which is considered to be a good dog for a home with children. This is because many of the breed characteristics of the Labrador Retriever are characteristics which make a dog suitable for interaction with children. This breed is often described as being loving, affectionate, patient, loyal, good natured and eager to please. With so many positive traits it is easy to see why Labrador Retrievers typically do so well in homes with children. However, there are some traits which may make a Labrador less well suited for a home with very small children. Exuberance and size are just a few examples of the traits which can create conflict in a home with young children. Dogs of this breed may be good natured but their size and playfulness can result in harm to a child if they are not closely supervised while interacting with children. In particular dogs that like to jump up and give kisses can knock down and step on a young child by accident. The dog may be well intentioned but he still may hurt the child in his excitement. Similarly the Golden Retriever shares many of the same qualities and can therefore also be an excellent family dog. However, the Golden Retriever is also similar in size and playfulness so may also be prone to hurting a child accidentally and should not be left unattended with children for specifically this reason.

The next breed may surprise many readers as a recommendation for an excellent family dog but the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is also an excellent breed for families with young children. This can be surprise because many people who are not familiar with the breeds here stories of children being attacked by Pit Bulls, otherwise known as the American Pit Bull Terrier, and assume all of the bull breeds are naturally aggressive. However, this is not true these dogs may be naturally aggressive towards other dogs but typically do not display aggressive behaviors towards humans unless trained to do so or trained through the use of harsh techniques which create a distrust of people. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is often described as being loving, obedient, courage and loyal all of which make this breed ideal for families. The breed is also highly intelligent which can greatly simplify the training process. Another characteristic of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is hardiness which makes the breed extremely durable and capable of withstanding rough play with children. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is also very enthusiastic by nature and as a result often enjoy the company of young children who share their enthusiasm for life and play. A Staffy Bull, as they are often affectionately known, will delight in playing with children for hours on end and enjoy activities such as fetching and playing Frisbee. Most children will wear out before their canine companions.

Introducing a dog to children should be a carefully planned process. Dogs that are acquired as puppies typically do well with children if they have grown up in a home with children and have been exposed to children in a number of different training scenarios. However, when acquiring an adult dog with an unknown history, the parents should take care when introducing the dog to the children in the household. The owner may even wish to have the dog professionally temperament tested before the initial introduction to determine whether or not the dog is likely to do well with children. If the dog passes this test, the parents can proceed with the introduction cautiously. The initial meeting should be with the dog on leash to prevent an incident. The child should approach the dog slowly and cautiously with an adult present and should be instructed to present a hand to the dog to sniff before reaching out to touch the dog. When the child does attempt to pet the dog, he should avoid the head as many dogs may be naturally head shy and instead pet the dog on the side of the chest instead. The rear legs should also be avoided in case there is any sensitivity in these areas. If the dog has any known injuries or areas of sensitivity the child should not touch the dog in these areas as it may trigger a reaction. If the only leash meeting goes well the dog may be let off leash but should remain within arms reach of a responsible handler and the interaction should be closely monitored.

Introducing a new baby into a home with dogs should also be done carefully. Dogs in the home may be jealous or apprehensive about the addition of a baby into the family. Parents can prepare for this introduction ahead of time by purchasing a realistic doll which makes lifelike noises such as cries and giggles and should carry the doll around the dog and allow the dog to see the doll but not interact with the baby too much. The parents can also have a friend or family member bring a blanket used by the baby home from the hospital before the parents bring the baby home from the hospital. This will enable the dog to become accustomed to the baby’s scent. Once the parents arrive home with the new baby the introductions should be done immediately so the dog’s curiosity does not grow and the dog does not feel as though he is being excluded from interacting with the baby. The baby should be held by one of the parents during the introduction and the dog should be on leash at this time. Allow the dog to approach while one of the parents kneels while holding the dogs. Encourage the dog to approach slowly and quietly and allow him to sniff the baby but discourage more aggressive or even overly enthusiastic behaviors from the start. However, try to refrain from reacting harshly as this type of behavior can cause the dog to become fearful of the baby. Instead simply say, “No,” in a firm voice similar to the tone of voice you would use if the dog was jumping up on a guest or attempting to steal food off of a countertop. The tone of voice should be firm but not mean.

Finally, any parent or person responsible for a dog should realize it is not safe to leave a young child unattended with any dog even a trusted family pet. This is because even a seemingly docile pet that has interacted numerous times with a child without incident may have the potential for behaving violently in a situation where he is reacting to an action by the child. The dog may also inadvertently harm the child during play if left unsupervised with a child.