| Ready for a puppy? Great! If you are looking for a | | | | mean spirited because of the parents. That said, |
| dog that will work best with your family, consider the | | | | there really are some breeds better than others for |
| fact that dogs between the ages of 1 and 5 are | | | | homes with children. For example, the sporting breeds |
| best with children. This is because dogs in this age | | | | of retrievers and spaniels are known to be gentle. |
| range aren't as excitable and wanting to play rough | | | | They enjoy to be touched and their bite is generally |
| as puppies do. Small dogs at this age aren't old | | | | soft. They are high energy, however, and as puppies |
| enough to suffer health problems that make older | | | | can have sharp teeth that can hurt when they nip. |
| dogs cranky. The best way to find a puppy good | | | | As the world now longs for toy breeds, believe it or |
| with kids is to adopt one from an rescue center. And | | | | not, these aren't the best with children. The are more |
| there you can ask them what kind of temperament | | | | self-preserving and can get hurt much easier than a |
| the puppy has. Many shelters test puppies to see | | | | large breed. Dogs that were bred to herd, like border |
| how they react to a child environment. Puppies from | | | | collies, can chase children and bite them. If you are |
| shelters normally live with volunteers who train them | | | | serious about finding if the dog will be best with your |
| to get used the experiences they'll find in their | | | | family, you can employ the services of a professional |
| permanent home. Ask for a pet that has lived with | | | | dog trainer in your area and have them run a |
| children. When at the shelter, test for yourself how | | | | temperament assessment. They charge around $75 |
| the small dog reacts to a gentle touch to his ears. | | | | an hour - but it may be worth it. If you use the |
| Touch the paws and try putting your finger in his | | | | trainer later with your dog, they will probably do the |
| mouth to see what he does. On the floor, try running | | | | assessment for free. In a 2006 study on dog bites |
| around and make some noise. Watch the reaction. | | | | by Pediatrics, they recommend that parents wait until |
| You are looking for a puppy that accepts the same | | | | children are of school age before getting a dog. |
| behavior you will have around your house. Did you | | | | Babies were the most likely to be bitten by dogs |
| know you can adopt dogs from guide-dog training | | | | they knew. Always supervise interaction between |
| programs? These are pups that didn't make the cut | | | | dogs and kids. |
| as a seeing-eye dog, but make wonderful pets. If | | | | Did you enjoy these tips? There are many more at |
| your heart is set on a purebred dog, my advice is to | | | | my site about the Three Best Dogs on the planet. As |
| look at the mother and father of the puppy you're | | | | always, do your due diligence and find the puppy that |
| interest in. Their temperament will tell all. If they are | | | | is right for your lifestyle. Please visit Dave Jackson's |
| sweet, the puppy will be as well. It would surprise | | | | look at the best dog for you. |
| you to find many dogs considered good with kids are | | | | |