Well Charlee is my first yorkie...but when I was three the
family dog was a Chihuahua, and I remember my father bringing her home one Sunday when I was about 3. I remember because I got to sit with my Dad in his chair and think of names for her. (She was named Judy...but don't ask me why
) What I remember growing up with her was 1. She was my Dad's dog...first and foremost...although we spent lots of time together. 2. I learned that if you stick your face in the face of a dog (we were both down on the floor), you might get your nose bit...and then your parents will say, "Give the dog space"
3. She became my best friend, although she always preferred my father, that dog would let me do anything to her...she was incredibly tolerant...I put her in my old dresses, I took her down the slide on my lap, I took her for bike rides in the basket of my bike...I could tell her anything...4. She was brave...she chased a German Shepard off our property once, and when accidentally left at a picnic area during a family road trip, she waited patiently for us to realize she was missing and turn around and come back for her. She was only 6-7 lbs, in a time when dogs didn't go everywhere (and Chihuahuas didn't need to be carried everywhere), and no one socialized them to other dogs...she went to the vet and she lived with us (with no formal training). But as I write this post, I keep tearing up, because she taught me all I know about how to treat others, and dogs in particular. Chi's are also not known to be good with kids, but my opinion will always be that in any family with small children, the
dogs belong to the adults, and if the adults are prepared to do the work to manage both the dogs and the child's behaviours (supervision constantly), then there is nothing wrong with bringing a dog into a house with children, or in having children in a house with a dog...
but always always always it is the responsibility of the adults to keep everyone (dogs and kids) safe.