Do You Let Your Babies Play with Dogs?

It depends what you mean by play.
If you mean throw a ball for him, or give him a treat, or a brushing, then yes.
If you mean rolling around on the floor and wrestling then no.
I have a dog, he is 150 lb so my daughter can pretty much ride him and play with him pretty roughly and if he doesn't like it he can get up and walk away, but with a little dog like that he may get scared and nip.

My daughter played with both my cats (not declawed or anything), I mean she used to crawl over and lay ON them and they'd just take it. My orange cat would sleep with her (my daughter) sleeping on top of him... napping on the couch with me beside her (we had a huge sectional, she was a month old). I didn't have a dog but when she would be at my parent's house she'd crawl over and play with their cocker spaniel... I always watched/watch her around animals but I'd be fine with it as long as you know he/she is a kid friendly dog/cat/animal. If you see aggression then move the baby away.
My cats run away from her now that she's 2 and wants to pull their tails lol.

My DD is now 3.5, but as a baby, who started to crawl and grab, I let her have full access to our 2 pugs (except for when they were eating, or chewing a toy) - they are super-sweet and are have such stable temperments that I honestly was not worried about something happening. They are small too, but sturdy and have never shown an ounce of aggression. And DD has always been great with them - I made sure she understood how to be gentle with them. I would not have let her play with just ANY dog.

That said, any dog can bite, if they are grabbed too hard, pinched, startled, etc. I guess it depends on what your dog's personality is like, if he's been around babies and kids before and is used to them, or if he is high-strung and prone to nip. You know your dog better than we do. I would only allow the baby near the dog if you feel the dog is trust-worthy, and only with supervision. You can separate them if the dog is not tolerating it or if you get that sense that the baby is making the dog nervous,

Depends on the dog... We have 3 dogs. 1 of them will NEVER come near my son. I do not trust him at all. Another one, I might let get close enough to sniff my son... I might even let my son pet him. I'm not sure if I would put my son on the floor with him though. He's a wimp and would most likely just walk away... But he was hurt in a car accident a few years ago and his hind quarters are still tender. If my son accidentally hit him there, I'm not sure how he would react. The 3rd, I would let cuddle on the couch with me and my son. I would let him pet her and might even let him play on the floor with her.

Then my F-SIL has a beagle that I would let my son nap with. He goes through so much as their house with 4 kids, 2 cats, 3 other adult dogs (2 great danes and 1 lab mix), and 12 great dane puppies bugging him all the time that if he hasn't snapped yet... I'm doubting that he will. He's a lover, not a fighter :)

So ya... It all depends on the dog.

I let my baby play with our dogs, but I also knew they were kid friendly dogs ... lab weimeriner mix ... I would decide based on the dog's temperment, the dogs breed temperment ... I do not think they should ever be left alone always with supervision ... and I think the dog should also have an understanding that tugging and pulling (they will happen) and even patting and borderline hitting are still signs of affection and love.
And my son had to learn that OUR dog is not HIS dog and they have to be treated differently ... gmas got a small dog and they are now the best of friends but it took a few months for them to figure each other out ... kids have to learn that not all dogs are treated equal because they are animals and they all have different characteristics.

I have a 16 month old and he absolutely loves playing with our boxer, who is about 6 years old. When he first started crawling, he'd try to touch the dog but our dog wasn't too keen on that. Now that he's older and the dog can't keep running away all day, I usually sit and pet the boxer so that my little guy can pet her as well.

Our dog has never bitten anyone though. It all depends on how your dog handles children.

Of course we let our kids play with the dogs as babies. Our dogs are important members of our family, so everyone needs to get along and know each other. My dogs knew I when I was expecting. They with lay with their heads on my belly. Once the kids got here, my big girl dog would lay next to their cribs when I was in the other room and would howl if I didn't run if they were crying. In fact when my oldest was learning to crawl he started crawling underneath our tv stand to get to the cords. Well tewsy (big girl dog) grabbed him by the seat of his pants and pulled him out of the danger zone. Yep, my dogs are very important members of our family.

NO and would never, under any circumstances. When i was pregnant I let my little chi-hua-hua play in the park with a husky, which was held on the leash by his owner. The two doggies seemed to enjoy each other, when, all of a sudden, the husky pulled the leash away from its owner's hand (a big, strong man that could do NOTHING to hold it because it was unexpected), broke free and attacked my pup...my then hubby threw himself at the husky to open its mouth and liberate our dog, who was in shock and totally bloody.
The E.R saved my pup's life on that day. I still remember the shocked face of the husky's owner who was only able to whisper "My dog, is good, he would never do that..." when it had already done it. I never EVER wish to live that experience again, much less with my son as the occasional prey/freak accident. I don't care about what other dog owners have to say.

Ok if I had a dog, that dog would be curled up with my son while they sleep.
A. The dog isn't going to know how to react when a child is rough with it if you keep separating them.
B. You child wont know how to act around animals when they are around, and could either get scared or accidentally be mean to them.
C. I want my son to have a best friend at home (other than me, of course)
There is nothing like a dog for a best friend. So cute.
But yes, I agree with Ana, it depends on how the dog reacts to children.

We don't have a dog, but my son LOVES dogs. When we visit the park, he's thrilled to meet dogs and always has been. He's always been very gentle with animals, but of course dogs don't know that so I have to train my son how to interract with them.

I think it would be fine to allow your child to play with your dog IF it's supervised play and if the dog has a temperment where he would tolerate the baby. Some dogs interact, some dogs just "take it", some dogs hate it. You have to find out how your dog feels about it and train your son to be gentle with the dog.

Only with you right there, typically small dogs can get hurt easily and nip, but you cam start teaching him how to pet and be gentle. I have never allowed my kids to hit, pull, pull, or try to pick up, and they got it at an early age. As the kids get older its really cute to watch them play together and bond. We have 3 dogs and soon to be 3 kids.

Only if you are right there, sitting on the floor with them, to supervise. You have to think about the safety of your baby, and also of your dog.

D.:

(love your name by the way)...

I would let my boys play with our dog - but ONLY while i supervised. Babies don't realize they are pulling or petting too hard - which can upset a dog.

Smaller dogs tend (NOT ALWAYS) to be more nippy and protective of themselves because they are smaller!

Don't make the dog "taboo" that will only make your son want him more - sit with him while he "plays" with the dog. Reassure the dog that all is well and that you will protect him too!!

Take care!

My dog, yes, my son plays with... and our dog is huge. Our dog doesn't have a mean bone in him, and we reward him by dealing with the baby by letting our baby feed him treats; he's so gentle!

Other dogs, NO NO NO. I don't know other dogs, not even our best friends dogs, the way I know mine. All it takes is that ONE TIME for the dog to be in a cranky mood, and you've got a trauma on your hands. I've always told my kids that unless it's our dog, you stand back, don't approach the dog, and if a dog comes up to you, don't make any sudden movements or loud noises, just stick your hand out low, palm up, and let him sniff you. Don't try to pet another dog.

My 7 year old, when she was 4, got bit by a dog at her dads house; a dog that had a history of being grumpy, but never biting (why they left her alone with that stupid mutt is beyond me, but whatever). My point is, even a dog she'd known for 4 years had noooo problem taking a nice size chunk out of her arm.

I don't worry about this with MY dog, just other dogs. It's always okay to play it safe if you have any indication that the dog may not behave.

It depends on the child and the animal. My older child was a little rough on our elderly cat (she hid when she had enough) but my daughter is calmer. We never had dogs but I played with the cats in the house as a toddler and never got hurt. My mom taught me to gentle at a young age and watched me until she knew I understood. I was nipped by my grandparents' dog when I was 3 because no one was watching me with him (a black Lab but not that well trained). I'd say supervise closely and see how it goes. Teach the baby to be gentle a little at a time (but don't trust him to do it until he is much older).

Hi D. it is good for baby's/children to play and be a around animals my daycare kids play with both our dogs and their parents think its cute. All children and animals should always be supervised when around each other. But my 3 were always playing with our dog, cats, rabbit. J.

Only if I am sitting there with the baby and the dog. I can then help the baby to play nice and make sure the dog is not getting nervous. Our toddler daughter LOVES our dogs and our dogs have never hurt a baby or child and are very sweet. But still I never let her crawl on them or play with them without me there with her.

are you afraid for the dog's safety or your sons? just curious because small dogs like that are not often very kid friendly. especially at 9 months when they don't know "soft touch" or "be gentle". make sure you are always right there when the two of them are in the same room. all he has to do is (literally) rub the dog the wrong way one time, and get bitten. by the same token your son could easily hurt the dog. no, i would not let my 9 month old loose with a dog, in general. i would only allow them to "play" together if the dog was known to be baby friendly. and then i'd still keep a close close eye on them.

I think its fine to pet the dog etc. when you are present-but not to ever leave them alone, even for a second! Get your baby used to the dog by holding him while you bend down to pet the dog etc. Or give the dog a treat. Start slow and work your way up-GL
M

My daughter came "home" (my parents' house) to a house of 4 dogs after she was born. I most certainly let her play with them :)

As a baby, we wouldn't let her around the dogs without being watched, as of course she could pull fur or a tail & cause the dog to bite or nip at her. And we know our dogs, so we make sure she doesn't do things such as put her face in their face, bother them when they are eating, etc.

She is 5 years old now and absolutely LOVES dogs. Well, all animals really lol Her current career goal is veterinarian :)

I allowed my daughter to play with my dog when she was a baby - just not without supervision.

never without supervision.
khairete
S.

I have a bigger dog and my girls played with him from the time he was a pup and my youngest was a baby. He wasn't always gentle with them because he's big. He had a bad habit of getting overexcited and knocking them down. It was never on purpose though. He's MUCH better now.

I honestly think it really depends on the temperment of the dog. If the dog is a high strung and nervous, then no. If it's a calm dog, then sure. The only way to know for sure is to let your son play with the dog when you're right there. Observe the way they interact together and then make your decision.

I have a 10 month old. We have lived with a Maltese (probably very close in size to your shih-poo...) and a Miniature Alaskan Eskimo. The Eskimo is a known biter, but acts very protective toward my DD. We don't let her play with him though, just in case. In the couple of cases where she got past us and was pulling on his tail, he just stood there giving the adults a pitiful 'help me' look. lol. The Maltese is quite a bit friendlier, and we will let her play with him... but we are literally RIGHT THERE -within arm's reach- when she does play with him. It keeps her from doing too much fur-pulling or face-smaking from her. And if the dog happens to get pushed to far, we are there to protect our baby. :)

I have 4 cats. DD (1 yr) loves them & is very curious. We let her "play" with them, but constant close supervision, as they are animals, and are unpredictable. even our biggest suck, Rover the Romantic feline, who is ALL about love and gentle as a lamb.. we stay close, b/c she pulls his fur (&tries to eat it!) pokes his ears, moth, & eyes, and you never know if she might hurt him, making him defensive. I would hate to see an eye swatted, both for her and for him. If he hurt her, I would feel obligated to "get rid" of him, something I dont want, nevermind I wouldnt want my daughter disfigured or blinded etc. Animals are animals, with animal instinct. Supervise the play, but allow it, I think.

totally depends on the temperament of the dog. Usually no.

Yes, to an extent. I am RIGHT there, in total control of the situation. I know my dogs and I know dog behavior. If I sense ANY discomfort or irritation, playtime is over.

Has your dog ever been around children? Does your dog run away scared, or hide behind things? Does it's body language get very stiff? His tail should be wagging right in the middle. Low, means it's scared. High means it's feeling pressured and trying to be dominate. Is your dog skittish for any reason about noises and toughing? Try very gently tugging on his ears and tail, see how it reacts. If there is any reaction, that's not a great sign...unless the dog is being playful. Mess with all paws and see that reaction.

no.
no.
no.

I let my daughter "play" with our golden. The dog nipped her hard and broke skin. Babies & dogs generally not a good pairing until they understand "GENTLE" and "QUIET"...

Good luck

Yes. I refuse to let my children grow up being afraid of animals. I teach the common sense (don't pet a dog you don't know, approach slowly if we know they're friendly, etc...)

My oldest was mauled by my parents dog when he was 6 weeks old. The dog had his face in his mouth - thought he was a squeaky toy. Extremely traumatic for me. Until you've seen blood pouring out of you child, you can't fathom what that does to you. But....I refuse to let MY fear created by that situation cause fear in him.
We are around tons of friendly dogs daily. Those we know, he plays with. He's not afraid of them. My DD is 7mos old, and she gets up close and personal with them too.

If you teach your children to respect animals and teach them common sense on which to interact with, they'll grow up understanding that animals can be parts of the family that require love and attention.

But when you teach them that they are scary and "unknown", you're building a fear in them that can only lead to bigger issues as they grow.

JMO.