Which Puppies Are Good With Kids?

Article Title: Which Puppies Are Good With Kids?
Author: Dave Jackson

Ready for a puppy? Great! If you are looking for a dog that
will work best with your family, consider the fact that dogs
between the ages of 1 and 5 are best with children. This is
because dogs in this age range aren't as excitable and wanting
to play rough as puppies do. Small dogs at this age aren't old
enough to suffer health problems that make older dogs cranky.

The best way to find a puppy good with kids is to adopt one
from an rescue center. And there you can ask them what kind of
temperament the puppy has. Many shelters test puppies to see
how they react to a child environment. Puppies from shelters
normally live with volunteers who train them to get used the
experiences they'll find in their permanent home. Ask for a pet
that has lived with children.

When at the shelter, test for yourself how the small dog reacts
to a gentle touch to his ears. Touch the paws and try putting
your finger in his mouth to see what he does. On the floor, try
running around and make some noise. Watch the reaction. You
are looking for a puppy that accepts the same behavior you will
have around your house.

Did you know you can adopt dogs from guide-dog training
programs? These are pups that didn't make the cut as a
seeing-eye dog, but make wonderful pets.

If your heart is set on a purebred dog, my advice is to look at
the mother and father of the puppy you're interest in. Their
temperament will tell all. If they are sweet, the puppy will be
as well. It would surprise you to find many dogs considered
good with kids are mean spirited because of the parents.

That said, there really are some breeds better than others for
homes with children. For example, the sporting breeds of
retrievers and spaniels are known to be gentle. They enjoy to
be touched and their bite is generally soft. They are high
energy, however, and as puppies can have sharp teeth that can
hurt when they nip.

As the world now longs for toy breeds, believe it or not, these
aren't the best with children. The are more self-preserving and
can get hurt much easier than a large breed. Dogs that were
bred to herd, like border collies, can chase children and bite
them.

If you are serious about finding if the dog will be best with
your family, you can employ the services of a professional dog
trainer in your area and have them run a temperament assessment.
They charge around $75 an hour - but it may be worth it. If
you use the trainer later with your dog, they will probably do
the assessment for free.

In a 2006 study on dog bites by Pediatrics, they recommend that
parents wait until children are of school age before getting a
dog. Babies were the most likely to be bitten by dogs they
knew. Always supervise interaction between dogs and kids.

About The Author: Did you enjoy these tips? There are many
more at my site about the Three Best Dogs on the planet. As
always, do your due diligence and find the puppy that is right
for your lifestyle. Please visit http://www.ThreeBestDogs.com
for Dave Jackson's look at the best dog for you.

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