Hi everyone,
I have noticed a few people on here seem to be against the idea of keeping dogs when you have young children. Would just like to hear more peoples opinions on this. Louise.

I think every child should be brought up with a dog as it teaches them so much . They have a faithful friend , it teaches them respect for animals plus they both have so much fun together . :)
Its such a special relationship.
Every one remembers their own childhood doggy friend with great affection but children must be taught how to respect a dog though and how to treat it right .
I always feel sorry for those children who are obviusly afraid of dogs :(
I have always had a dog in the family from when I was tiny and I have one now with my own family .
Some breedrs are reluctant to home pups with small children and they will probably pop on later to explain why.
Do yo have children yourself ??
Lel

When people with young children wanted one of my puppies, I always made sure I met the children and saw how they behaved, both with people and with the dogs. If the children were happy but well-trained, it seemed likely that the puppy would grow up the same way.

I firmly believe that children need just as much training as dogs, and the benefits to both are enormous.
:)

There is nothing worse than a child who repeatedly annoys a dog by prodding or teasing and the parents sit back and do nothing :(
It really annoys me!! :(
Then when the dog has had enough and it retaliates , it is the poor dog who suffers .
Sorry - I know this post isnt really about that but I do hate it ( as you probably gathered )

You have hit the nail on the head Lel.

That is the reason that I won't sell puppies to families with children under 5 unless I know the family personally.

Although all my buyers are interviewed relentlessly it is normally only for 2-3 hours at the most that I meet them and their children, and I cannot know for sure what those children are going to be like in their home environment.

I have seen so many examples of children abusing puppies by treating them as playthings that there is no way I will take that risk with any of my pups.

I have to agree that it is a shame that I have to have those rules, because all of my children were brought up with dogs as I was, but I put a lot of time and effort into rearing well socialised puppies and would be horrified if I found out that through no fault of their own they had bitten a child.

JMHO
Jayne

I have two children aged 4 and 2. We currently have 2 dogs, that were here before the children. We have never had any real problems, the children have been brought up to respect the dogs (and cat), it is an ongoing thing, we are always observant for any situations where problems may arise.

We are now in the process of finding a puppy to add to our family (I want a dog to work as one of mine cannot work any more and the other will be retiring by the time the puppy will be old enough to work). We have not gone about this lightly, have researched very thoroughly all the breeds that we have considered, and are only considering a puppy from a breeder that breeds for temperament first, followed by working ability and conformation. I have spoken to a couple of breeders (not in the breed we have chosen) who would not have let us have one of their pups had we wanted one, we felt this was totally their perogative (sp?). One of the breeders reasons were much the same as Lady Dazzle's, the other a little more obscure, but still her decision - and quite a popular breeder so she would have no problems finding homes for her pups.

My personal belief is that children and dogs benefit from growing up together, it teaches them companionship that is unconditional and loyal and my dogs I know would protect my children should the need arise, after all they are an excellent source of food!!! :)

Hayley

Partners in crime I think its called Hayley :D

Too right! :D

I brought all my children up with dog and they were taught that they had to respect the dogs and they would do the same for them, we only had small dogs then Lhasa Apso's, but as the children grew so did the dogs, I did not get my first big dog untill the youngest child started school full time so I had time for the puppy and the excercise,The Tibetan Mastiff's did not come untill my children were in there teens, I do not think that I would have had them when the children were small, to be truthfull,But now I have Savannah my 5 year old grandaughter that has lived with me just about all her life. It was a situation that could not be changed I already had the dogs, my daughter lives next door with her 2 children 3yrs and 4yrs they are in constant contact with all my 7 dog's and they each care for each other, Megan my newfoundland bitch is Savannah's friend confidant and they seem to understand each other moods when a cuddle is needed.She would never dream of hurting or teasing any dog, but I believe children must be trained as do dog's. They have a lot to offer each other

i live at home with my mum who is a foster carer, many of the kids that come in to care a petrified of dogs. after the first to boys came to us i got my lab, a year later our springer, (who we had to unfortunely rehome) and then 6 mths on a cavalier, as our springer was rehomed and we had a gap we now have a 6mth old sprocker pup.
due to limited space my mum only fosters young children, (she doesnt want anymore teens after 3 of her own) so its a case of watching the children when they first come to us around the dogs, some of the children although scared of dogs are abusive to them, both the abuse and the fear of dogs is soon overcome, usually tess the lab brings them round by showing some of her tricks off, we tell the children to hold a titbit and i usually stand behind them, we then tell them to ask tess for her paw which as they cant see me and tess takes her signal from me they think they have got her to do it, we then go on to the other one and then hi five, beg and at the moment we are learning to bow, it wins the kids over everytime, they are told from the moment they come into the house that when the dogs are eating they leave them alone, if i am telling the dogs something they are to leave alone, they understand these rules quicker than any others, by the time they leave us they love dogs, so much so we recently rehomed a gsd at work to the top of my road, the 4 year old girl we have with us is petrified of big dogs, while out i saw kai, he saw me and came bounding over for a cuddle, the little girl run to him and started pulling him about he took it all, big dogs are no longer a problem its horses weve got to overcome her fear of now.
for me kids should be with dogs
tanya

I have two children and childmind another four - I have a dobe and like the others have said it is all about teaching the children and the dog what is acceptable and what is not -so far so good :)
Liz:)

I dont have a problem with dogs and kids together. Only with people who think that there dogs are kids to and dont train them or there children to be able to integrate with each other in the proper manner.
Mick

It depends on the children - I wouldn't hesitate to sell myself a puppy :D because my kids are great with dogs...but some 2/3/4 year olds....NO WAY. They pull, drag, ride on the long suffering family pet...

My father had Staffs and Labs when he was a boys, my mother had mongrels.
I've always had dogs at home. When I was little ew had a Ridgeback. I was taught to treat them right. I walked him, showed him and he was my faithful companion, sleeping outside my bedroom door, or inside when he could get there.

I tried living without one for a while when I got my 1st flat, and couldn't bear it.

I currently have 3, and when Christopher came along, he just had to fit in. He's is now 3.5 and he knows not to drag, ride, etc. Evenings he can usually be found throwing a ball in the graden for them. If he accidentally hurts a dog he is made to apologise, and gets a sloppy wet kiss. If he comes out with me he he is usually being walked by Chester. It teaches them respect, patience and assorted other things.

However, I wouldn't let me BIL's step-son anywhere near my boys, cause he's a little toe rag.

It's all down to the upbringing.

Well said ! Just how I brought Florence up with the girls ! A very good and healthy repect of them and she in return has got so much from them !

Lucy