I have a 6 year old daughter, and 7 year old son. We got Tiger and Rhapsody a year ago. But both my kids have been raised around animals. All of our other dogs were getting on in years (and were larger breeds), when the kids were really, really little, so they learned early to be gentle and careful with doggies that could take a little rough and tumble, but the dogs were mature enough to know when to take shelter, lol.
When Bandit and Max (our golden retriever and Yorkie-Poo) passed on is when I decided on finally getting the breed I wanted, Yorkies. The kids were prepared before we got the dogs, I know a few people that had Yorkies, so we went visiting. Rules were laid out, and when the pups first came home strictly enforced. Also, explaining that the pups were like Humpty Dumpty really got through. Even now that the pups are grown my kids still treat them as though they could delicate and easily breakable. The only problems I run into are Rachel's little girlfriends who of course love the tinny little girly girl dogs. But I just watch carefully, and let them know the rules of the house kindly. The girls who come over regular know now, and I've really not had any problems. . . . 'Knock on wood.' Another thing I stressed was 'free will', the dogs should be allowed their free will and not be forced into staying anywhere they don't want to be. Again, I related it to how they would feel if. . .
Good luck!
