Our GSD that we're getting is 3.5 year old and has been living in a house for the past few months with a child. One of the reasons he seems like a good fit for us is that we wanted a dog who had been around small children. We don't have kids but my 6 yo and 9 yo niece and nephew are around frequently.
With our new guy coming, I will do all the things that i've read on this forum -- let him get used to me and my fiance first before introducing the kids, take him out to pet stores, parks, etc to get a sense for his confidence with people and other dogs but always on leash, and of course be in the room with all of them at all times.
But here's my question: if he seems like he's calm and happy around kids (which I'm assuming he is since he's been spending time with one for the past few months) **has anyone ever experienced a situation where a their dog just got impatient (or whatever the appropriate word is) with the kids and snapped at them?** I know that everyone has their limits so I'm not talking about stuff like finger in the eye, poking with sharp object, etc because that would piss me off too but more just general kids stuff like if the kids plop down next to the dog too closely or if the kids are excited and jumping up and down or being to loud etc is more what I'm wondering.
The thing is, we'll probably get our guy and I'll realize quickly that he's either great with kids (although I'll still make sure to be attentive when everyone is together) or he's not going to be great with kids and I likely won't allow the kids around him...but I thought I'd ask..
Thanks!
With our new guy coming, I will do all the things that i've read on this forum -- let him get used to me and my fiance first before introducing the kids, take him out to pet stores, parks, etc to get a sense for his confidence with people and other dogs but always on leash, and of course be in the room with all of them at all times.
But here's my question: if he seems like he's calm and happy around kids (which I'm assuming he is since he's been spending time with one for the past few months) **has anyone ever experienced a situation where a their dog just got impatient (or whatever the appropriate word is) with the kids and snapped at them?** I know that everyone has their limits so I'm not talking about stuff like finger in the eye, poking with sharp object, etc because that would piss me off too but more just general kids stuff like if the kids plop down next to the dog too closely or if the kids are excited and jumping up and down or being to loud etc is more what I'm wondering.
The thing is, we'll probably get our guy and I'll realize quickly that he's either great with kids (although I'll still make sure to be attentive when everyone is together) or he's not going to be great with kids and I likely won't allow the kids around him...but I thought I'd ask..
Thanks!