for those of you without kids

[charliebbarkin]

How excited does your dog get to see them, and how did you practice getting your lab used to kids?

Archie ADORES kids.

I'd really like him to be able to meet kids on walks - he would love it, the kids love it. Despite all the practice with polite greetings, it seems kids are his focus kryptonite - it's too bad, he loves them so much

Haven't read all the responses so this might be repetitive.

I started the boys when they were puppies, invited friends over who had kids or taking them over to houses where there were kids. You could also wait at the bus stop or something, but usually this goes over better with a puppy rather than a large excitable dog.

To introduce to kids as an adult, I would do it all on leash, have some treats and be ready to both reward good behavior and correct behavior you don't want. The more you practice the better Archie will get. It helps to be sure the kids are nice and calm too, not waiving their arms all over and running in circles around your dog. They should also approach politely and offer an nice neck scratch or something non-invasive and not inviting them to play but rather to just say hello. "Pass the pup" is a fun game you could do as well. Get some kids together, sit in a circle, and have each kid call your dog's name, ask a command, release and the next kid repeats the process. It's great for practicing recall and commands while also socializing and working with kids.

Good luck!

[Archie]

Oh we do practice any chance we get, there just aren't many chances between my shyness and the lack of kids in my life. But we will keep working on it!

We went to the dog park Friday night and there were some kids. Archie completely ignored them, too engrossed by playing.

It appears his priorities go like this: 1. other dogs 2. kids 3. food

Not the easiest order for training, but we're working on it. Loved hearing all your stories and experiences!

[CatNSadie]

Sadie loves little kids, but if they just run up to her and don't ask if they can greet her, I tell them to leave her alone. If they ask if they can pet her, I first have her to sit and then let them approach. She seems to know that they are little beings and she always lays down so they can get to her.

[PATEX]

If you have a friend or neighbor with kids who would be your assistant trainers, that would be great! We had dogs long before kids. When my neighbor wanted her baby to meet Holly, she plopped the baby down next to Holly, and I was nervous! Holly just gave the baby a little lick on the hand, and she was an angel. When our first two-legger was born, I knew I'd have no problem with her! One of my current dogs is an over-greeter, and kids can get her wound up, so I usually put her away when kids come over for play dates until she can get used to them being there, then she is fine. But if the kids are afraid of dogs and keep shrieking and climbing around on the furniture to avoid them, she won't settle down. That seems like play. Depending on the dog, it can be tough! I think the best thing is practice with kids who are big enough to listen and want to help you.

[niknak]

Reese loses his mind with excitement around kids. He LOVES kids, and is awesome with them. It shocked us because we don't have kids, so his exposure to kids is almost nothing. When he is around my nieces, he follows them everywhere,is so gentle with them, and lets them do anything to him. The nieces favorite is to put him on a leash, and walk around the house with him. He is wiped out at the end of the day, but rarin' to go the next day