My friends think I'm overreacting by not allowing my dog to be around there kids.

I have been following your training advice with my 18-month-old English Lab, gently starting when he was 8 weeks old. He is doing pretty well and we continue to work on commands and manners daily. I don't like for visiting, screaming, small children to have access to my dog, and definitely don't leave him unattended should family members bring kids. In fact, I remove him from the chaos when the kids enter the house. Friends with bratty kids believe there is nothing wrong with small children getting into a dog's personal space and they have mentioned that I am overreacting. Please address this one more time for me.

Leerburg's Answer

I 100% agree with your decision to protect your dog from chaos and kids that do not behave appropriately around dogs.

My job for my dog is to protect him from situations that could put him in a position where he makes a mistake or is treated unfairly. I absolutely put my dogs in a safe area away from kids when we have them visiting.

Dogs are often expected to put up with way too much rudeness from kids and oblivious adults and then when the dog reacts because the humans don't respect their cues that they are uncomfortable the dog pays the price.

You are the kind of owner I wish all dogs had.