I got a toy poodle after moving out of my parents' house to go to college. I had him for a year before getting married. Then it was 4 more years before we had our first daughter. I sincerely believe that my two girls growing up with a small dog has taught them how to handle small animals. I've really never worried about them treating him (or now our Yorkie) with anything less than loving care. As for how HE reacted to the babies..... for us, it was wonderful. He was definitely a spoiled little mama's baby but he adjusted very easily to the children. For one, although there were family members trying to tell us "oh, don't let that dog lick on that baby", we played it our own way and let him investigate each baby as much as he wanted. He loved those babies so much and was very close to them his whole life.
I think you have to be careful, yes, but people have raised dogs around children for eons now. It can be done.... and your children will be all that much healthier for having a good relationship with a dog. It's the kids that have never been around a dog and are scared to death of them because of this that I feel sorry for (I know, I have two close friends whose kids are scared of my little Tatum because they've never experienced a pet before).
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~ Angie |