Your dog’s genetics: These are unchangeable ingrained responses to the world surrounding them. There is nothing you can do to change them. Not all breeds of dogs are good with children, especially small children. Within a selected breed there are individuals as well. Just because you bought a Golden Retriever does not mean that the particular puppy or adult you selected is going to live up to the famous "Good Family Pet Seal of Approval". Taking the time to select an appropriate individual for your family situation is one of the keys to having a successful "marriage" of kids to dog.

Your dog's past experiences with children. If your dog has had only previous experiences with kids that were pleasurable, then chances are he will enjoy their company. But if he has had several unpleasant, painful or frightening situations occur with children then he probably is going to be apprehensive around them; possibly to the point of being aggressive.

Socialization of your pet. Households with kids are noisy, unpredictable, busy and therefore, stressful. Animals who have received lots of positive socialization at an early age will be much less fearful and less likely to react to family life.

Parental Supervision and Guidance for both your dog and your children. Carry, a seven year old Labrador Retriever, had bitten 18 month-old Jason in the shoulder. The little boy needed over thirty stitches and as he was being treated in the hospital, Carry was taken to be destroyed. When the veterinary technician was about to remove the body from the table, she noticed something in the dog’s ear. It was a pencil stub that had penetrated Carry’s ear drum. Supervise your children at all times!

Click here for more guidelines for Families with Dogs