In general our organization does not adopt to families with small children *under 6 years* but exceptions have come up. We also do not like to adopt ACDs with unknown history (shelter dogs, strays) to families with children. Even if they pass all of our screenings there is no safe way to really know what their past may have been like with kids.
Since we have become a 3 human family, my view on dogs and children has changed just a bit. I do believe that with adequate supervision, dedication and training (of both dogs and kids) it is possible to live happily with ACDs and children. It is important to understand the whole dynamic of kids and dogs when considering adding a new dog to a family with children OR when thinking of adding a new human to an already existing family with dogs.
Some suggested links to educate about dogs and kids are -
http://www.sfspca.org/adoption/Kids-and-Pets.pdf
Our ACD Sydney really seems to like our friends little kid and always liked to play with Casey’s nephew who at the time was around 3 to 5 years old.
I agree that it should be a case by case situation and discussion.
I love the fact that you say you should think of adding a human baby to a family too. Yes they are higher up the food chain, but like they campaign in Australia, “A dog is for life, not just for Christmas”.
We had a 4yr old red Fe. ACD when my daughter was born. It is so important to ensure that all house pets are well behaved and accept their place in the family (pack) when a new baby is brought home. When my daughter was 5, we got her her own blue Fe. ACD puppy and it has been one of the best things we have ever done. We have shared many wonderful moments as a family and are all the more fulfilled and happy for having the vibrancy of children and ACD’s in our home.
My heeler cross, came from a home with a 2 yr old girl. Mia my dog, will try to cross the road to greet children. She walks around in circles licking a crawling babies face. A little while ago, my friends baby lay on the couch with her crawling all over her. She didnt mind at all. I believe each dog has its own way of interacting, and understand why some dogs have challenges with kids, kids are much like dogs, unpredictable. Well, arent we all. Maybe thier is no right answer. I know I was surprised with her kid play skills because of all hte horrible stuff i heard about cattle dogs. Such lovely creature though.
matty
We adopted our 4 month old blue heeler, Allie, when our son was 3 years old. We immediately began setting the pack hierarchy as her below all of us, especially our son by training her to be last entering/leaving the house and car, rooms, doorways, etc…, giving her a command for dinner, etc… Equally critical was that we constantly ‘talked’ for Allie, helping her ‘explain’ her behavior to our son, from jumping, to barking to how she felt about him not having the best manners toward her to being nervous in certain situations. We also made sure to provide constant supervision of the two of them together in those early months to immediately redirect or correct any problem behaviors from either one. It was a match made in heaven. The time investment was well worth it, as we are now a family of four and can’t imagine life without Allie. It requires deeply committed owners, committed to training both child and dog, but with that covered, can be truly amazing.