about the breed
Australian Labradoodles Are Good with Children — Is That True?
Not every dog of this breed is automatically a good match for a family with children. Temperament, observing the puppy, socialization and responsible involvement from everyone at home all count.
Not every dog of this breed will suit a family with children
Australian Labradoodles are good with children. I hear this often. Let me correct that: no, not every dog of this breed will be a good match for a family with children.
We cannot treat all dogs as if they were the same simply because they are supposed to be friendly. Every litter contains different temperaments, and a breeder should observe the puppies as they develop.
A behavior professional can also help with temperament assessments. These indicate a puppy's tendencies and help us assess whether a particular family can meet the puppy's needs and whether the puppy is likely to be happy with them.
Assessments are not predictions set in stone
I want to emphasize that these assessments identify certain tendencies and suggest how to work with a puppy. They are not prophecies. We must understand that the dog our puppy becomes is in our hands. Chasing, leash pulling, hyperactive behavior or anxiety will also depend on the owner — assuming, of course, that the puppy comes from a good breeder who handles socialization appropriately.
We need to understand that both what we do and what we fail to do will influence our dog's future temperament.
Our own involvement and socialization are another part of the picture.
A child at home, through a dog's eyes
Imagine a puppy who has never met children at the breeder's home. The new owner has not done much about it either. Then a baby arrives, and overnight the dog faces restrictions that never existed before.
Suddenly, the dog is no longer allowed on the couch or in the bedroom where the newborn sleeps, and cannot sniff the baby, even though those new smells are fascinating. The dog's mind begins to connect the baby with everything unpleasant.
Ever since this little squeaking creature arrived, my life has changed — for the worse. Fear may also play a part: I have never seen anything like this before. Is it safe?
The little squeaking creature starts crawling, pulling the dog's coat and stepping on the dog's tail. The dog soon discovers that no, this is not safe. What can I do? I will move away and escape this unpleasant situation. But if I have no escape, I will have one last option: bite. I will make the danger move away and feel better, at least for a moment.
I will not go into all the details here, because this deserves a substantial article of its own. Your breeder's support is extremely important in this area — do not be afraid to ask for it.
Labradoodles, children and everyday life
Continue exploring
Temperament — Is This the Dog for You? — Personality, needs and a good match for your family.
Puppy Socialization — How we prepare puppies for life with a family.
How I Choose a Puppy for You — Matching a dog's temperament with the right home.