I am going to get a pup in the near future, I have two toddlers. It will be a family dog. I have always had working dogs and have always picked the hard, dominant puppies with very high prey drive. I would love some general information into qualities I should look for in a family dog. If it matters, I will be getting a doberman. Also I am a little unclear on the following: dogs and babies are kept completely apart, this would not be the same for the pup and the toddlers would it? What is everyone's view on allowing the toddlers to give a toy or food or throw a toy for the pup? Could this create dominance issues? Also wondering how others dealt with the following: pup on a long line running around in the yard (I guess this may apply in the house also), how do you keep the children from getting tangled or being tripped by the line?

Any general information, or personal experience with this would be really appreciated. I am pretty clear on the training aspects, but would welcome any tips or tricks that worked for others. Thanks in advance.

The majority of children killed by dogs is toddler age range to 4 years old, just as an FYI.

Hi Jan,

Welcome to the boards. Glad that you're here

Not every dog is a good family dog, kids make random movements that freak dogs out, are squeaky and excited which heighten prey drive, have limited motor control which can stress a dog, and are at the perfect height to take a horrible facial bite. I tend to err on the side of separation with kids as the #1 priority until I'm 110% sure that the dog is no danger to the kid and the kid is no danger to the dog. There is no reason that you can't select the dog whose drives suit you. The only reason not to is that with two toddlers the amount of time you have to work those drives free of kids might be limited.

There have been a few posts over the ages on kids and dogs. I would encourage you to read them.

This one specifically comes to mind.
http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/256085/page/1/fpart/1

Thanks Will, it is unsupervised toddlers and dogs that result in toddlers being hurt or killed.

 Quote: Jan Hughes

Thanks Will, it is unsupervised toddlers and dogs that result in toddlers being hurt or killed.

I remember when my kids were little. I was almost overprotective and supervised them everywhere. I had one of the kids, toddler age, with me in the bathroom as I cleaned the sink. Noiselessly, he opened the lower cabinet door under the sink and had a mouthful of Ajax by the time I was aware. I called Poison Control, he ended up being fine.

Cabinet locks went on, but it was remembered as a scary lesson in how fast something can happen.

 Quote: Jan Hughes

Thanks Will, it is unsupervised toddlers and dogs that result in toddlers being hurt or killed.

Most of the time that is probably the case but not always. When I worked for a vet several years ago one of our clients had a black lab. She was very responsible and never let her 3 year old play with the dog without supervision. One day the dog was laying in the floor and the toddler approached him with supervision from the mom. For whatever reason, the dog didn't want to be messed with and spun around to bite the toddler. The mom was right there beside them and the dog have never been aggressive before. Accidents do happen. I have a Malinois and two young children and they never interact unless I have the dog on a lead and my husband has control of the kids. We had a doberman when my first son was born and it was the same thing..they were never allowed to be together.

Two of my girls are playing outside at the moment and my pup is in the crate next to me. My children do not play with the puppy unless I'm around and right now I can see them from the window. I've used Aaron's advice in tiring the puppy out and she is sleeping after a long game of tug. The point is that in the act of separating the dog from the children I feel it establishes the pack structure. By not allowing the puppy to jump all over my kids it communicates to the dog, "these are my kids not your play toys." I'm the only one (for the most part) that gives treats to the dog.

I'm a big fan of a long line in the house when the puppy is out of the crate. I tether the pup to doors around the home because my wife will not allow me to spend any more money on an ex-pen for the dog (because of the money spent on Ed's DVDs). I choose places where the dog can't exactly run too far out and tangle herself. My dining room table has all of the chairs against the wall, and when my kids pet the dog I make the dog sit and then they approach it. Outside, even though the line gives me a lot of slack I still keep the puppy close. I often feel like a fisherman casting out a puppy and reeling it back in. Anticipate any entanglements and you will be fine. I'll have my kids play near the pup but act "aloof" like she is not there. The pup will lay and watch them quietly and I'll praise, mark, and reward.

My daughters are 4,5, and 7. I've taught them the way to behave around the puppy. I pretty much told my kids if they cant follow the rules the puppy will have to go. Don't get me wrong they forget sometimes. This morning I woke up to one of my daughters giving the pup a piece of ice in her crate, but things will go smoothly once the dog falls into the rhythm of your family and what is expected.

I know the "Dog Whisperer" recommends getting a dog based on energy level (I've watched those DVD's too). I have to concur that buying a dog based on the drives you wish to harness and control is a much better strategy. I picked Jasmine because she was plum ball CRAZY at 7 1/2 weeks. The downside to that is she has high in prey drive and little kids can easily put dogs into that mode. Anytime Jasmine gets mouthy the girls put their arms to their sides, say no, pout, and turn away from the pup. It's really cute sometimes.

Sorry for the long reply. I get long winded at times.

Michael Ellis on Dominance in Dogs
"This short video was filmed in Michael Ellis' Puppy Development Class at his school for dog trainers in California. In it Michael talks about some of the myths of dominant dogs and how many times people think their dog is dominant when in fact it is far from it." (Leerburg.com)