Growing up, my parents always had dogs. Of course the one most special to me was our GSD "King". When I was 4 years old, the dog must have been around 5-6 years old. This dog was not trained at ALL but I remember he used to listen very well. My mother and I still talk about him to this day. I also remember I would crawl on the floor with him, when I got too close to his food, he would grown, I would get yelled at by grandma or mom. I would pull his ears and push on his bad hips, he would growl and I would get yelled at.

Thank goodness for me, and the dog, nothing ever happened. Maybe I am nieve' but, I trained a fabulous lab from 5 weeks to 4 years old, I recently gave him as a gift to my older brother who has a 2 year old. They are 400 miles away, I get daily reports of how great he is, how well he listens, and so on. I trusted that dog 100 percent when he was in my home, and I trust him in my brothers home with my precious 2 year old nephew, 100 percent.

I see all of your points, and you do offer wise advice, much wiser than me, to trust that dog, that much. I don't trust all dogs like that, he was mine, I raised him, I know him in and out. Doesn't anyone else feel like that? I know they are animals, but didn't you ever have a special one that you just KNEW what, where, when and how a dog was going to act?

The problem isn't whether an individual dog is trustworthy or not... most good pet owners love, and understandably trust their pet dog around children. That's fine. But make no mistake about it, that loving, patient, forgiving, cuddly lab you gave your brother, is still a dog. And as such, it has on some level, all the drives needed to survive in the wild. That means it has a drive to hunt, chase, and kill prey items. It has a primal drive to defend itself against anything it feels is a threat. It has a drive to climb the status ladder and take rank over smaller or less aggressive members of the pack. You just never know what can put a dog into drive and in a moment of indiscretion, do something that cannot be undone. It only takes a moment and it is a very real possibility. Watch the news. Lots of people “never thought he had it in him.” That's a foolish delusion that often ends up with a severely injured child, and a dog getting the needle. ALL dogs have the ability and the capacity to be dangerous around children.

I trust all three of my dogs around kids… when I'm around. I trust all 3 of them to be lose in my house… when I'm home. I trust all three of my dogs not to take food off my plate… when I'm there. I trust all 3 of them to not bolt out the door if it's left open… when I'm there. See the pattern?

On another note… I grew up with a lab that I think of much the same way you think of King. And I made plenty of mistakes in the way I handled her as a kid and nothing bad ever happened. But just because nothing happened to me doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Why take the chance?

I realize that this is an old post,but with that said..I was the kennel manager for the no-kill shelter on Eglin AFB for a couple of years,as well as having been raised and trained around dogs and horses my entire life..so while there are more qualified experts i willadd my 1/2 cents worth.
I am also the parent of a 4 year old.

I had a geriatric german shepherd and a standard poodle when my daughter was born..both dogs had strong obedience skills..while pregnant..i stopped fussing over them as much,reschooled crate training,worked them and set up my baby stuff 3-4 months early,including toys,lotions,noisy things,smelly things, strollers..etc..so that they could see,sniff,get used to them..for the most part other than lesson kids ( i teach riding lessons..but i do not usually take kids under 7-8 years old) they did not have a lot of exposure to children. When I brought the baby home, we stopped at the door.. I sat in a chair.. dog was muzzled,alpha dog ( gsd) was allowed ( leashed with a helper) to approach, made to sit essentially in a heel position sit) and then allowed to smell.. she was praised for no reaction.. she was corrected with a prong collar for anything perceived as assertive or alpha.. she was then crated and the beta dog allowed using the same technique.. I sent blankets and her sleep shirts home from the hospital prior to coming home so that both dogs could smell them..

Then the dogs were never allowed alone in the room with her.. never.. not for two seconds.. if they were loose and i needed to leave.. the dogs came with me.. or were crated.. no exceptions.. to this day.. taht is how we handle things...
I have three greyhounds as well as the standard poodle.. and have a german shepherd that I am going to pick up in a week or so..
My old GSD has passed on.. she was exceptional..
Anyway, the greyhounds were not accustomed to homes ( with one exception.. the old girl who was originally a foster.. was in a home for 5 years.. but she was rehomed due to a marriage where the husband refused to allow the dog to stay-me the dog would have stayed and the guy gone but hey) Anyway,since greys from the track can have very severe space issues and sleep issues due to being crated and not ever having anyone bother them in their space.. i had to use extra caution... one is a special needs dog.. ( sight impaired) we used the same introductions.. crates are a big part of our life, as well as every dog, has to be obedient.. my daughter is alpha to the dogs.. even at 4.. we have worked at this. She has worked the dogs with me ( 4 foot leash for her-6-7 foot leash for me) and can put each dog ( except the old dog.. who i did not insist on sitting..as she was almost 13 when i got her) she can put them in a sit, down, stay, and kennel up- which is our word for get in the crate .. they will turn and stand , wait for her to close the door..
Training children is no different than training horses.. and while there are differences than training dogs.. the boundries are set.. there are no exceptions.. because the first exception means that you start to let things slide, when things slide.. accidents happen..
and almost all dog bites involving children and the family pet are do lack of supervision first and foremost, lack of training the child and lack of training the dog.. all three must occur.. and there is no such thing as just this time while i go answer the door, or while I grab the laundry and bring it in here.. and fluffy can and will bite when provoked, woken from a sound sleep, scared, poked or prodded.. and it wont be the dogs fault..

Nicole

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I realize that this is an old post,but with that said....... the dogs were never allowed alone in the room with her.. never.. not for two seconds.. if they were loose and i needed to leave.. the dogs came with me.. or were crated.. no exceptions.. to this day.. ...my daughter is alpha to the dogs.. even at 4.. we have worked at this. ....and almost all dog bites involving children and the family pet are do lack of supervision first and foremost, lack of training the child and lack of training the dog.. all three must occur.. and there is no such thing as just this time while i go answer the door, or while I grab the laundry and bring it in here.....

Yep, that sums it up well!