Doodles and small children

[Dayna Chung]

I have been researching English Golden Doodles for a while.  I live in the bay area, so was excited to see so many have been happy with their puppies from Almond Blossom Doodles.  I am wondering if anyone can share their experience relative to small children?  I have a 2 year old and 4 year old.  All that I've read seems to suggest that they are wonderful family dogs.  If anyone can share their personal experience - esp with an Almond Blossom Doodle - that would be great!  

[Linda and "Toby"]

My Almond Blossom doodle, Toby, absolutely ADORES my young grandchildren (ages 3 and 7). Having them handle him a lot (from the time he was very young) taught him to be very patient with children. He has never shown any signs of agression towards them.

FYI: When Toby was around 4 or 5 months old, he went thru a stage where he challenged my authority. Letting him know that being grumpy/snapping or resource guarding is not acceptable under any circumstances. I was able to nip the problem in the bud and I have never had a problem with this sense then. This is common with many young dogs, not just doodles.

My husband and I have had many dogs over the years (we've been married for nearly 30 years), and we have never had a dog that has given us so much joy. Goldendoodles (especially AB doodles) make wonderful family dogs. They are smart and loveable and will make you laugh and laugh and laugh. They are delightfully goofy dogs. And they know it! :)

[Dayna Chung]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience!!!! Did you 'pick' your puppy in person or did you rely on the breeder to match the temperament guidelines you gave them? Did you feel that the process for paring the puppy with the family was an effective one? This would be our first dog as a family. My husband and I have both had dogs at different times in our lives, but not since getting married. I've read in different places that some say having a puppy is just so much work that you're better off waiting until the kids are older. I'm torn between following that advice versus finding right dog (which seems to be an english golden doodle!) that would be a great family dog and 'grow up' with the kids. By the time they are "old enough to help" I'm not sure that I could truly count on them. As a stay at home mom, I sure a dog will ultimately be my responsibility - either now, or later!

Lastly, with regards to your thoughts on kids and dogs....would you be equally enthusiastic about a doodle and infants?

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

Lucca is Toby's brother....I agree with what Linda said about the "puppy authority" stage. You have to remain consistent but you already know that having a 2 and 4 year old:). I wouldn't leave an infant on the floor with a puppy but if the dog grows up with the children they will be great together and wonderful friends. Lucca loves little kids and will smuther them with licking kisses all over their face if they (or I) let him!!!
She is also right about their goofiness. They are very silly dogs. But remember.....puppies have VERY sharp teeth and you will have to be very due diligent regarding too aggressive play with your tots. When the kids run the pup runs and chases and alas grabs clothing and puppy teeth hurt. Puppy teeth fall out by 6 months so it's short term. I think 2 and 4 is a fine age. My youngest was 3 when we had our golden retriever and it was wonderful!! This go round Lucca is more for ME and I agree with you no matter what age your kids are the pup will ultimately be your responsibility!!!! Good luck and hope this helps.
Also....Almond Blossom Doods are GREAT!!!!!!

[Sandi & Kia]

Kia is Lucca and Toby's sister. We do not have young kids at home. However, Kia loves children. She is very patient when young children play with her, hug and/or pet her. But you should probably get opinions from people who have children at home.

[Kathie and the gang]

Winston is wonderful with children, but I do not leave him unsupervised with young/small children. Her is big (Winston is a standard) and could knock a child over. My children are grown, so he s not around small children much, but the other day at the mall a 2 year old came up to Winston joyfully yelling as she approached. Winston just stood there and really didn't react. He accepted the petting/banging on his back and then we moved on. He is going to go to Dog Therapy training later this spring, so we can visit in hospitals and nursing homes that is how good I think his temperament is.
The one thing to watch for is very sharp puppy teeth, they can hurt.
I had dogs before I had children, so I didn't have any puppies when the kids for very young. But there has never not been a dog in my house. It is work when you have a puppy but it is also fun. And yes most of the care will fall to Mom; it seems to be the rule. But my kids always did the feedings and helped with the walks. Walks were always a family time, which is nice. In fact my oldest son will still go for walks with me and the dogs on the weekend. Good luck.

[Azure & Muppet]

Dayna, our dog Muppet is from Almond Blossom. We do not have any small children in our home at this time, but my husband and I both work as psychologists for local school districts. We do therapy and other work with children of all ages, including preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and secondary. We got Muppet with the intention to use him in our work with children at schools as a certified therapy dog. This was the reason for seeking a smaller size and an allergy friendly coat. Because many of the children I work with have special needs or disabilities, including severe intellectual, emotional, or behavioral issues, it's important that the dog have an exceptional temperament. I did a lot of research and found that doodles in general are great with children and make good family dogs (but I believe with the right environment, most dogs can be). Muppet is not old enough to become certified as a therapy dog yet (minimum age is one year), so we are currently in a therapy class working on his CGC (Canine Good Citizenship). As part of his socialization and training program, we bring him to visit children at schools where we work. Muppet is 10 months old, and it is still a challenge for him to behave appropriately. He is extremely friendly and LOVES children, so he gets very excited and exuberant when he's around them, which can be overwhelming for some young kids (he can easily knock them over). Also, he is a retriever, so he still gets mouthy when he's excited. Although he is mouthing, not biting, kids don't distinguish so they think he's biting and it scares them. Muppet is 10 months old and these are issues we are still working on. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's important to have realistic expectations. Having a good dog is a process that requires a lot of time and work, especially puppies who have a lot of playful energy and very little impulse control. It's easy to underestimate or forget how much work they really are (potty training, teething, chewing, etc). After having just recently gone through the puppy stage again, I can definitely say I would not choose to try and raise a puppy and an infant baby at the same time. However, that's just during the puppy stage. Having been born and raised in a family with dogs, I can also say I grew up with dogs and I wouldn't want it any other way, for myself or my family. I think children and dogs belong together and can be so wonderful for each other. They were one of the best things about my childhood. That's a long response, but I hope it helps.

[Dayna Chung]

This definitely helps! I'm encouraged to know that after weighing your options for finding a dog that would double as a therapy dog for children, you choose this breed!

We may need to consider the timing, and may opt to wait until our kids are a bit older! I know that kids and puppies are BOTH a lot of work, and I wouldn't want to deprive either of the time and attention they need.

Again, thank you so much!

Dayna

[Liza, Halle and Finn]

These dogs can be very challenging as puppies, and I would never have trusted Kachi around small children when he was younger. But now that he is older, I'm sure he would be a great member of a family with smaller children! as puppies, they tend to be a little snippy, and can have an attitude, as they sort their way through the pack hierarchy of your home. But once they learn, and adjust, to where they fall in the lineup, you won't be able to ask for a better dog! They are so sweet, smart, fun, and loyal! We love our doodles soooo much (we have two, now)! But when Kachi was a puppy, there were times when I was quite frustrated because he would challenge us so much! You may not have this with a female (our female puppy has never had the dominance issues that Kachi did), maybe its just the male puppies, I don't know. But we love our big, fluffy, boy soo much, and we can't imagine our lives without him, or his baby sister, Halle!!

[Dayna Chung]

Do you think that the dominance issues with your male puppy are typical of males and that females are generally less prone to these issues? On average, how long did that most difficult period last? A month? Two months? Six months? More?

Also, from your own experience, what would you say is the best age in the life of a child to get a puppy? You said you wouldn't trust your dog around smaller children (without supervision). While I believe that's generally the right approach, it's also hard to be everywhere at once... (one kid in another part of the house needs you or the door bell rings, etc.). So, I'm thinking that maybe we need to wait until our kids are at least thru the toddler years???? Would you have trusted your female puppy more, in terms of leaving the puppy unsupervised for brief periods?

Thanks so much for sharing! It really helps!

Dayna

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

In reading all the responses - even though we had a puppy when my daughter was 3 I also had older kids (10 and 12) that helped me out a lot. You also never specified what size - mini, medium or standard size (Lucca is a medium size -40 lbs). These dogs are all the wonderful things they all say above but in total honestly puppies are A LOT of work. Lucca mellowed quite a bit at a year old but he is also a pretty mellow dog normally. But that first year is WORK. Yes they are cute, etc but you still have to potty train, discipline train (formally) and socialize them. You have to make sure the house is puppy proof regarding small toys, objects, paper, kleenex!!! etc. Just like kids!!! For your sanity I would wait until your children are out of toddler stage. Maybe next year when the older one goes to kindergarten. Then you would have only one at home and more time to spend with the puppy. Like children, puppies need attention and if they don't get it they act up. I hope I didn't burst you dream I just think another year or 2 would make it much easier on you and your family.
Carla

[Dayna Chung]

That's been where my head as been lately...waiting just another year or so. My son and daughter will both be at school next year (preschool for him and kindergarten for her). But, I see your point about the advantage of having older children who are more capable of helping a little (I'm not counting on their help, but a little assistance would certainly be nice!).

As for size...yes, we were thinking medium. I like big dogs, myself. But, with smaller children I think the medium would be a nice in between size.

Again, thank you so much! I really appreciate the time that so many are investing in helping other owners/potential owners! True testimony to your own affection for your dog, which is awesome!

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

Medium is a WONDERFUL size. Good luck to you