Quote: steve strom

 Quote: carol boche

Bounette,

I do not see where any of us are saying "never, ever". I think what we all are saying is "never around a new dog". All of us have posted pictures at one time or another with kids and dogs in them. But we know these dogs well.

I was.It's not just the dog but the three boys are likely to forget the proper rules right away if its not in stone and never compromised.

Absolutely agree here too....

Bounette,
You have beautiful kids , you seem like a great mom, just remember that not knowing the history of a dog is like not knowing how to dissemble a bomb, you must take it slow (don't rush him and your kids) observe,establish your leadership, and see what makes him tick and what will make him blow up and work those issues before you allow your children to play with him and have their face so close to his . I think you are rushing a relationship that takes caution and time.Yes you can have him around your children but you must be in charge and have your full attention until he has earned your trust but mostly you can trust him . Good luck, I think it will work out , just look at the big picture...follow good advise.

I was not trying to use a scare tactic, so if what I wrote came across like that I am truly sorry. I really do wish you the best in this situation and I really hope that it works out for the best for you.
I personally don't allow children on a regular basis to be on the floor with my dog. If they are seated on the floor coloring or whatever, I just relocate the dog to a different area so the dog can nap undisturbed. If I am not able to devout 100% of my attention to my dog, it is in it's crate. Not to punish it, but to prevent a situation that is unnecessary. And the kids who are around my dog all know that the crate is off limits to them.
I am not saying no interactions with kids, ever, I am saying appropriate interactions. For every example of "bad idea" (lying on the floor with the dog, hugging the dog around the neck, etc) there is a very appropriate substitute. Would you still be horrified at the idea that your kids cannot hug the dog around the neck if you knew that most dog don't LIKE this? It is a sign of affection for us, but for them it is something altogether different! Your dog's aloof behavior is telling you a lot - he is uncomfortable.
Unfortunately, it is hard to try and learn all this stuff when you already have the dog, but not at all impossible. It sounds like you have a great dog, and the kids are beautiful. There is no reason at all that you cannot find a balance in your home, you will just need to do a bit of research. Finding a local trainer to work on obedience with the dog (NOW before it settles in)and limiting interactions with the kids for now will buy you some time to do some reading and develop a plan. Breathe, it does get easier!