Doodles and children

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Does anyone else have a child-obsessed doodle? Noah LOVES children. He gets so excited whenever he sees a kid. He prefers to follow them around the park than play with his doggie friends. He is usually very gentle with them and likes to lick their faces - although there's always room for improvement as he still wants to jump on them. He loves kids of all ages and he even really likes toddlers. The other day a man was letting his toddler crawl on the patio at the dog park and Noah followed the toddler around and kept gently licking his face. Sometimes I feel sad for him that he didn't go to a home with children, because he is happiest when he is around them.

Other than therapy work, are there other opportunities for Noah to work/play with children? I think I saw something about volunteering with your dog in boy scouts / girl scouts, but now I can't remember where I saw this.

[Mommy2Max]

Max really likes children. Unfortunately, he gets hyper and likes to jump on them. That doesn't sit well with many children and most parents - I understand why. So, I have them apprach him calmly. He is just happy go lucky puppy :)

Our neighbors have three children and one on the way. Max adores her son. When he is playing in their backyard, Max takes one of his toys and walks to our back sliding door and stares at the boy through the fence. Sometimes, Max will sit on the sofa's arm to get a better view of the boy. Max then looks back at me as though to say "hey, why can he go out and play and not me?"

~Danielle

[Mary Beth Sancomb-Moran]

Many public libraries will have a Read To Me dog program - children literally read to dogs. It's proven to be beneficial for children that have trouble reading, since the dog listens without judgment. I would check with your local public library and see if they have the program - or if they'd like to start one!

[Kyoko]

I wonder if there is an organization dealing with children with Autism near you... Because it is very difficult for the kids with Autism to build relationship with peers, some parents and organization look to help kids by teaching them to build relationship with animals. It may be even better if Noah can get CGC certificate because they may worry about liability.
Or foster care agency, little kids' shelter, battered women's shelter, etc... When the kids are in a difficult life situation, it is very helpful for them to build relationship with animals.... Sorry, it took some serious turn... I'm a licensed social worker :)

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

Ok Jane it is time for you to have a baby! ;o)

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

If you had children running around your home, he probably wouldn't be as obsessed with them. Yankee loves kids too but he has my grandchildren around. He still likes to lick their faces when they come up to him. We walk my grandson to school so he gets lots of opportunity to taste children on the way.

What is a CGC certificate?

[Kyoko]

It's AKC's Canine Good Citizen Program certificate.
This is what they say about the CGC certificate on their web site.

AKC’s Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) Program
Therapy Dogs
Many dog owners complete CGC training and testing as a prerequisite to therapy dog certification. While the AKC does not certify therapy dogs, we are very proud that so many CGC dogs and their owners volunteer their time to improve the lives of other people. There are national therapy dog groups (and in some cities local groups) that certify therapy dogs. Therapy Dogs International (TDI) uses the AKC Canine Good Citizen test as a key component of its therapy dog assessment. TDI can be reached at www.tdi-dog.org

[The Berry Oaks Doodle Ranch]

We have the same problem with Guinness,he loves children and wants jump and they get upset because he's jumping and they want to pet him.

[Sandy]

Toby is incredibly patient with children when we meet them on walks. He will sit and accept praise quite willingly, and eventually lay down and let them keep petting him.

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

Connor adores kids - has since he was a baby. To my knowledge he had never been around children before he came to live with us and my daughter is grown. Even when he was 4-5 months old, he would sit very still or even lie down when a very small child/toddler would approach. He does the same thing with toy breed dogs and puppies.

Since he seems to enjoy children so much, I started him in obedience training last summer and he has completed beginner, intermediate and advanced training and will be taking his TDI therapy dog test on June 1st and CGC June 14th. (I know that sounds backwards, that's just how the testing dates fell) We'll be able to use those certifications to go into schools and our county libraries to assist children who have trouble reading. I am also going to look into programs working with autistic kids.

How cool is that - Connor can do something he likes and it will help little kids.

Gotta love my doodle! :-D

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

Connor adores kids - has since he was a baby. To my knowledge he had never been around children before he came to live with us and my daughter is grown. Even when he was 4-5 months old, he would sit very still or even lie down when a very small child/toddler would approach. He does the same thing with toy breed dogs and puppies.

Since he seems to enjoy children so much, I started him in obedience training last summer and he has completed beginner, intermediate and advanced training and will be taking his TDI therapy dog test on June 1st and CGC June 14th. (I know that sounds backwards, that's just how the testing dates fell) We'll be able to use those certifications to go into schools and our county libraries to assist children who have trouble reading. I am also going to look into programs working with autistic kids.

How cool is that - Connor can do something he likes and it will help little kids.

Gotta love my doodle! :-D