If you and your spouse are thinking about getting a puppy for your family, you might be completely confused and overwhelmed by the number of options you can choose from. However, if you are looking for a breed that is loving, fun, and loyal, getting a Goldendoodle might be suitable.
However, if you have a baby on the way or if you already have one, you might be wondering – are Goldendoodles good with babies and toddlers? Fortunately for all parents searching for an answer to this question, this article can help. Let’s take a closer look at the things you should know before adding a Goldendoodle puppy to your family:
So, Are They Good With Babies?
To put it simply, yes, they are good with babies and they are also known to be perfect with kids since they are quite gentle and patient. If you did some digging, you know that intelligent breeds can be difficult or extremely easy to train, however, Goldendoodles are smart, yet completely willing to please their owners, meaning that it is easier to train them.
Naturally, each dog will have a different character and temperament, but, most individuals that introduced their babies and kids to Goldendoodle claim that they had a stress-free and positive experience. Nonetheless, you also might be wondering what will happen when your baby becomes a toddler, which leads us to our next point…
Are They Good With Toddlers?
Generally speaking, dogs are good with toddlers as well. Goldendoodles are famous for being extremely tolerant of toddlers and in most situations and families, it is quite rare that they become aggressive or lash out. Now, keep in mind, a puppy will probably be excited all the time and they might “bite” when they are playing. This means that they might try playing with your kid and in the process hurt them or scare them.
To avoid this, it is best if both your child and puppy have their own space. As long as they have their own areas and feel safe, they will get along quite well. In order for you to guarantee that everything goes well, there are various tips that you can remember and utilize, which we’ll discuss in this article as well.
How Can I Introduce The Puppy to My Child?
In some situations, a puppy will join a household that already has a baby, on the other hand, a baby could also join a household that already has a dog! These life changes are normal and both you and your furry friend will be able to adapt. But, there are some things that you need to do in order to ensure everyone’s happiness.
According to the experts from We Love Doodles, the very first step that you’ll need to take is understanding the physical and emotional needs of your dog and child. When you think about it, they both share some common traits such as the need for playing, resting, and quality time with the adults. In order to ensure that your dog gets what it needs, you should ensure that it has its own space.
It can be a playpen or a crate, and whatever you choose, the dog can use it for retreating if they want to be left alone. If you have an older kid, you should ensure that they do some things for the dog, but without it being present. For instance, they can prepare food for them, teach them that their furry friend needs some rest alone, and they should also pick up their toys so that the dog doesn’t get to them.
What Should I Do When My Kid Starts Growing?
When your child or children start to grow and when they already have a strong connection with your Goldendoodle, you can give them tasks in order to teach them how to look after their four-legged friend. For example, they can walk it, replace their water, give them food and treats, as well as train them.
Keep in mind, when they are just starting out, it is important for you to monitor both of them in order to ensure that everything is going according to your plan. This will ensure that your kid and dog connect even further, but more importantly, it will teach your child that they need and can take care of someone else.
Are There Any Problems That I Should Know About?
One of the most common problems that people run into with this particular breed is the size of the dog, as well as their endless energy. They are full of life which means that you’ll need to play and exercise with them every day in order to ensure that they are happy. If your dog starts being lethargic, you should know that there is something seriously wrong with it.
As we mentioned earlier, puppies almost always love biting things – which is the case with all breeds – and if you want to avoid them biting your kid in a playful manner, you can teach them to bite their toys since it will help them get it out of their system in a matter of weeks.
Your child will probably not know how to react if the dog gets mouthy, which is why you should ensure that there is a separation system such as a fenced off area. If you do not do this, you’ll need to monitor them all the time and it will probably create negative feelings in your child – which is something you’ll want to avoid.
Conclusion
Goldendoodles are a suitable breed for families that have small children or babies, however, in order to ensure that they get along, you should utilize all the tips mentioned above. By doing so, you’ll make the entire introduction process easier and you’ll also make sure that everyone is happy.
So, now that you are aware of all the things you need to know and do before and after you get a Goldendoodle puppy, you might not want to lose any more time. Instead, you might want to do open up your browser, do a bit more digging on the breed, and then determine whether or not it will be suitable for your family, more importantly, your kid.