When
the average person thinks of a child and a dog, a Labrador will
appear in that mental picture 90% of the time. Labs are known worldwide
to be accommodating, well tempered, loving companions. They stand
alone in being the perfect child friendly dog.
Age
of Children
Deciding
when to introduce a Labrador into the family depends on many circumstances.
The age of the child is not nearly as important as your comfort
level in handling children and Labs at the same time. Generally
speaking, however, the younger the child, the better. Younger children
have lower likelihood of developing allergies to the dog when introduced
as babies or toddlers. They also learn to accept and celebrate the
company of the Lab early on. Fear of dogs does not have time to
develop. Children that grow up with dogs from an early age are shown
to have remarkably increased social skills, including the ability
to express themselves and get along with others.
 Temperament
of Children
Breeders
that have worked with children will be more able to assist in this
area.
Your breeder should ask you about the temperament of your son or
daughter, as this will be important when selecting the right litter
to choose from. (If your child is under two years of age, your temperament
will be more important).
The
temperament of children can range from that of the outgoing, sports
playing gregarious child that never knows a stranger, to the more
intellectual bookworm that is just as happy curled up by the fireplace.
Matching the temperament of the Lab to that of the child will make
a better bond.
If your child has challenges, such as a learning disability, mental
handicap, or behavioral problem, make sure to let your breeder know.
This information is invaluable.
Behavior of Children
This
may be the most difficult area to talk about, as your child's behavior
is usually linked directly to how you as parents discipline or love
him. Make sure you spill the beans to your breeder, and be completely
honest. Remember that children, like puppies, are works in progress.
Your breeder (assuming he has an interest in helping you with training
issues in the future) should be taking notes, as his future advice
will be strongly influenced by these facts.
Discipline of Children
The
psychology of raising a puppy and a child are very much the same.
For example, the message that you are the leader and they are the
follower should be strong.
Let your breeder know how you discipline your children. Non-spanking
parents (those that would not spank their children even if they
were kicked in the shins) present very different puppy training
challenges than those parents that will turn the backside up for
a roasting. If your puppy sees your child getting away with murder,
they will follow suit.
Children Picking Puppies
For
the most part, it is not a good idea to rely on a child to pick
the puppy, or even the color. Respect their expressions of desire,
but realize that your breeder (assuming he is a good one) will be
much more successful in making suggestions. Young children almost
always pick yellow, as it is a vibrant, eye catching color. This
is an excellent opportunity to teach your child that there is more
to picking a Lab than the color.
There are exceptions to this, of course. If you have a calm, reasonable
child that latches onto one puppy and forms a bond, then your breeder
will most likely suggest they stay together, unless some underlying
circumstances prevail.
Children Training Puppies
Children
that have good discipline themselves can certainly benefit from
being involved in training their Labs. Keep your child's age (and
attention span) in mind as much as the puppy's. Your breeder can
help you set up a training syllabus that you can follow. Repetition
and consistency are key. You should be present to make sure the
puppy is not receiving mixed signals. Keep it fun for both your
child and the puppy. Setting goals helps. For example, when the
puppy learns to sit and stay for ten seconds, you may wish to do
something special with your child. (The puppy will receive his reward
in praise. Never let your child reward your Lab with treats).
If you are receiving training at your breeder's location, bring
your children with you. Your breeder can involve them in the process.
Children sleeping with their Lab
Here
is an area where you are sure to get plenty of advice from friends
and relatives. Half of the advisers will tell you to never let the
dog in the bedroom, and the other half will tell you to let your
child use the Lab as a pillow.
The real question should be whether the Lab and the child will benefit
from sharing the room. In most cases, once the puppy is housebroken
and can sleep through the night, there is great benefit to allowing
the two of them to share at least the room, if not the bed. Children
usually sleep better knowing their friend is watching out for them.
(Use caution in children under five, as the Lab may use the child
as a pillow).
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By Tripp Wood