Labrador Retriever: From your experience How well are they with young children 3 and under?

Answer 1

labs are great with kids! the only problem with labs is that they are VERY crazy the first 2 years. after 2 years as a puppy they become the BEST dogs EVER!!! they train quickly and they are great with kids.

Answer 2

My brother and sister have both had labrador retrievers and they are excellent with young children.

No dog should ever be trusted alone with a young child, not because the dog is dangerous, rather the child does not know how to treat an animal and may accidentally pull too hard on the fur or even an ear. This could cause the dog to react in an unfavorable manner.

All dogs should receive proper obedience training, and the children should be taught how to respect the dog. The bonds formed will last a lifetime.

Introduce your pet to the child slowly. If you are having a new baby, let your dog sniff the new clothes and familiarize itself with the new surroundings. When the baby is born, bring home a blanket with the baby's smell and allow the dog to have it to acquaint itself with the new arrival. When you get home, let someone other than the primary caretaker of the dog carry the new baby into the house. This will help to avoid any rivalry. Praise the dog when he does good behavior and quickly correct bad behavior.

These tips will help you to enjoy your pet and have a safe relationship.

memererita

Answer 3

Most Labs are great dogs!!!!

But your kids are so young! You must consider them.

Labs are happy and enthusiastic and big and clumsy pups!

Puppies will jump up, puppies will bite. A big, enthusiastic pup is powerful and will knock little kids over.

Labs "mouth" a lot...the retrieving thing.

I would say wait until your youngest is maybe 6. Your children will be able to appreciate a puppy better by then, and can help in taking care of it.

And you have spent the most formative years focusing on your children.

Spend the time "training" ;-) your children how to deal with puppies. Spend the time finding a good Lab breeder anad preparing for the day!

Answer 4

I have 4 labs ranging from 6 months- 6 years. I have 3 children 4 years old and 20 month old twins. My dogs are wonderful. My kids, especially my twins, have "tortured" all the dogs and they just deal with it or get up and leave. NEVER had any bad experience. They are even so good that my kids can sit on them and the dogs will wait until they get up before they get up so tehy don't make them fall. They love playing with them and are not to rough. You just have to make sure that you make it clear to the dog that they are little and they need to be easy around them because Labs are hyper dogs but they are also very smart and easily trained. As long as you train them right the are the #1 best dogs for children of any age!

Answer 5

Depends on the dog and if its a rescue its background, remember that a puppy no matter what the breed with go through all the phases....ie chewing, play biting, jumping up etc. every dog needs time, patience and lots of training so be prepared to give it before getting any dog. Labs can be very bouncy and will knock small children over without them realising it, Generally they are very good with children and highly socialble but will become distructive without the proper training and attention.

Answer 6

They are wonderful, especially when raised from puppies. Any child under 3 is potentially at risk, as they must be supervised. They can hurt a dog or pup without meaning too, and this can lead to a bite. Many labs are 60-70 lbs. and very energetic. They could knock a small child over quite easily. Depends on the childs temperament, the dogs temperament, and how much training and supervision you are willing to do.

http://www.siriuspup.com/about_founder.html

Answer 7

Labs by nature are gentle dogs & very protective of little ones especially. Hubby had one when he was little that they could pull on it's tail & everything else and it wouldn't do nothing. But he & his siblings had to be taken to another room to be spanked or it'd attack his parents. Not hurt them bad just enough to make them stop.

For a child that young I wouldn't get anything small because most of your small dogs are high strung. But if you're thinking of getting a lab or any dog already grown it depends more on it's temperment & how it was raised than it's breed.

Answer 8

It would seriously depend of the Labs age. They are generally protective and fun for a child, but if the lab is still in high puppy mode they will constantly knock over the child. The stress you will feel keeping them apart will be intense. It can be done..but you will not sleep. If the Lab is a well trained adult..all is well.

Answer 9

I had a black Lab who was like a Kangeroo on speed most of the time, and destructive with it. When she was 18months old I had a baby girl and it changed my Lab overnight. She became gentle, caring, loving and was a totally different dog. She was fantastic with my baby and over the ten years they spent together they had a bond that I never even had with my dog. Labs are the best with kids and babys.

Answer 10

hey!
there adorable my grandma had a Labrador (i was a baby)
and she was the sweetest thing ever,wouldn't hurt a fly.
i grew up with her but unfortunately she died last year at the age of 12,they are the gentlest breed of dog i know and perfect for being with young children
good luck
<3 sarah x

Answer 11

Labs are great dogs for kids. When I was one month old my parents got a black lab who was two months older than me. We grew up together and he was my best friend and protector right up until his very last day at the ripe old age of 15. To keep them from being too hyper they need to be excercised a lot as they have a high energy level.