I think I also would try to learn a bit more about aggression, find a good trainer to help, and work with the dog before just giving it up.

BUT that's only if I knew I was able to keep an eye on my kids when they are with the dog, and if my kids were 'trained' to treat the dog properly (so it's just the dogs behavior I'd need to address).

Even figuring out what kind of aggression you are seeing may help, here's some reading for you:

Children, Aggression and your pets

Canine Aggression

Children and Dogs

Have you attended any regular obedience classes with this dog? Even that may help because you'll be able to really spend some good quality time with the dog, and the dog will learn to respect and look to you for guidance and it's place in the 'pack'.

Sarah, just to let you know, attempting to change behavioral issues is far different than what most dog trainers consider to be "dog training".

Almost any dog can be trained to do obedience exercises, etc., as long as you're patient.
The success rate for modifying severe canine behavior issues is dismal.

Sarah, you most certainly can isolate the dog from children that age or any age, it's just more difficult when children live in the same house. don't let your guard down, because if something bad happens, it'll be quick, AL

Just a little side note before I bail out of this one is it is going nowhere..

I am 32 (I think) yrs old,catch my face in the correct light and you will see a scar going all the way down the side of my face, kind of looks like someone scraped my face with a fork .. or at least that is what the kids at school used to tease me with "fork face"! When actually it was from the teeth of our family dog from when I was around 3. Sweet dog, loved everyone, had never showed any aggression before.. was I screwing with it? No, he was laid on the floor, I was sat on the sofa looking at him telling him a story. Guess he didn't like the story because out of the blue he came up and bit me in the face.

Moral of the story: even dogs with a seemingly GREAT temperament can turn around and bite.. why risk the face of your child with one that is already showing signs of aggression?

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Moral of the story: even dogs with a seemingly GREAT temperament can turn around and bite.. why risk the face of your child with one that is already showing signs of aggression?

Well said!!!

U.S. Centers for Disease Control say that from an epidemiological stand point, the #1 public health risk from dogs is bites to the faces of children requiring medical attention including plastic surgery.

The Karen Delise text on "Fatal Dog Attacks" shows that babies under one year are especially vulnerable to fatal attack. so easily killed. often so provocative to a predator.

Goldens are good dogs but there are plenty out there that have sharp temperaments and thin nerves, that are aggressive and bite.

When my boy was one he was quite capable of a "fur grab" that could shock a dog.

He was also capable of waving his hands in a dog's face.

He was mostly capable of falling on his butt when a dog brushed past.

So my dogs get virtually no housetime when my infant/toddler is around. they get access in morning, late night, and nap time, as well as outdoor training.

Almost all dogs require hyper vigilance around this sort of situation.

Outside is much easier than in the house. Controlled games with the child in one's arms and a well trained dog can be vastly entertaining for both baby and dog.

I can't imagine any scenario where it makes sense to let a 2 year old lead a dog around.

I can't imagine any interaction between a one year old and a dog that is not minutely "intermediated", not merely observed, but participated in by the parent.

Good luck with this dog. I presume you have a crate. you need one.

rgds andrew may