I thought I'd start this as a new thread, since the other topic seems to have got somewhat confused.

I have been reflecting on my recent home visits, all to families with babies or toddlers. Lots of these families have dogs of various types and ages, and the dogs and children/babies appear to co-exist quite happily together.

In fact one of the funniest incidents a while ago related to a manic kitten - who jumped in my weighing scales and instantly shredded the paper in it, then jumped all over the baby, knocked a coffee table off another one, then for a finale ran up the net curtains. While all this Disney-like performance was going on the large German Shepherd lay placidly on the floor and did not bat an eyelid....So, does anyone suggest not selling kittens to people with young children? Perhaps it would be equally - or more - pertinent. :D :D :D

Cathy.

I am guessing youare a health visitor.

the one I had with my son and daughter was distinctly anti dog. she had the cheek to say to my friends daughter in law (it is her and son and daughter in laws house jointly) that maybe they should rehome the dog now that they had a small baby!

she never had the nerve to do that with me, but made me shut the dog outside!

I think it's wonderful to have a pet in the house with young children. I just prefer to see the dog as a trained adult [$ comfortable before the babies come. Trying to deal with a demanding baby, a needy puppy, & a hubby who's sometimes feeling quite neglected, could just be too much for a new mother to handle :D I realize that this isn't always so, but that's just my ideal vision of how things should be :D Time for the dog to gain that mature calmness as you described ])
toodles

Well folks I think it can only be a good thing to have children & animals together
respecting each other,My grandchildren are very nice to my dog and in turn respect
other peoples dogs outside the house.

I have 2 small children, 16 mths and a 3 yr old, we have a rescued rotty who is about 7, a shiba inu who is nearly 8 mths and in a weeks time we will have a rotty pup! so far the dogs haven't eaten the kids and the kids don't terrorise the dogs, well apart from looking for the poor rottys tail! I think it works quite well as long as everyone knows their place. Most people think I'm mad, but I work at home so I have time for all of them. We did have a GSD before we had the kids that I'd had when i was young free and single, but because I had spoilt him and treated him as my baby he didn't take to the babies at all so we had to rehome him, After spending a lot of time on this board and reading books I know the mistakes I made with the GSD.