Mixing Poodles With Young Children

Poodles make wonderful family pets and they absolutely love all children! Poodles and children can be excellent companions. The well-bred Poodles good disposition makes him a trustworthy playmate, and his sense of humor makes him a child's favorite entertainer.

Also consider the Poodle size when it comes to the dog's safety. The diminutive Toy Poodle is much more delicate than the Miniature and Standard, thus less able to withstand the rough and tumble antics that are inevitable with children.

For the most part, if you have kids, a Poodle is a good choice. But be prepared to supervise all Poodle-child interactions. That's the key to any successful dog-child relationship: Adults must supervise to ensure the safety of both child and dog.

The degree of supervision varies, depending upon how old the child is and how old and well socialized the Poodle. Babies and toddlers need constant supervision when with pets. Never leave toddlers alone with animals (or another child). As the child grows and shows maturity, supervision may be decreased. While babies and young children should never be alone with the Poodle, older children (ages seven, eight, or nine) can, for example, play in the yard with the Poodle. Parents need not be right in the midst of the game, but should stay close by.

Along with supervision, parents should provide ongoing instruction for children in how to treat a pet kindly. Kids are not born knowing how to pet nicely; they must be taught. The best way to do that is for parents to model the desired behavior. Show the child how to pet with an open hand and not grab. Talk to the child as you demonstrate, explaining what you're doing and why. Keep your lessons short and simple. Kids will be kids, though, and will forget your instructions. That's where constant supervision comes in. You can observe how the child interacts with your Poodle and correct as needed.