Can All Dogs be Trained to be Family Friendly?

Can All Dogs be Trained to be Family Friendly?

by James Tilly

If you’re looking to add a dog to your family, then you might be wondering how you can make sure that it’s going to be happy in a busy household. It’s important to acknowledge that not all dogs will enjoy being in a hectic family environment, even with lots of training.

While every dog is different, there are things to look out for to increase the chance of a great match. In this guide, we’re going to provide the tips that you need to help ensure that a four-legged addition is a smooth and stress-free process for everyone involved.

Family Friendly- Breed of Dog

When considering which breed to go for, it’s important to consider the role that the dog was first bred for. Even with the ever-popular poodle mixes such as a Labradoodle, you should take into account that both the Standard Poodle and the Labrador were initially bred as dogs to work in the field all day. That means that they are very trainable and good-natured, but they have high energy levels and will need lots of exercise.

Smaller dogs can be tempting but don’t forget that terriers were bred to be tenacious hunters who didn’t give up, even when hunting animals much bigger than they are.

Herding breeds such as the Border Collie are well known for their biddable nature, but they are also high energy. Many of these breeds also retain a strong instinct to herd and without a suitable outlet for their active brains, may end up herding the children!

Size of Dog

It’s also important to consider the size of your dog and who will be doing the work. An adult may be able to handle a large breed such as a German Shepherd Dog, but it can be dangerous for young children to walk them by themselves.

If you only have young kids in the home, then an active small breed such as a Jack Russell may be your best choice. This will also help to tire them out before bedtime!

Very small and lightly boned dogs may not be a good choice if you have toddlers. Clumsy handling or a young child falling onto them could cause serious injuries to the dog.

Family Friendly-Temperament

The way in which your dog reacts to situations is a combination of nature and nurture. That means some of their behavior is guided by their genetic make-up, and some comes from life experiences.

Puppies

If you are interested in taking on a pup, you should make sure that you meet the mum and, ideally, other relatives as well. This will give you some information on how your puppy might turn out.

Avoid any pups that are shy, reserved, or worried by new people; that’s not likely to be a dog who will be happy in a busy home situation.

Then you need to make sure that you carefully expose your youngster to a range of situations and people when they are young. These positive experiences will help them to cope with the world as they grow up.

Rescue Dog

If you are interested in taking on a rescue dog, make sure that you tell the rescue center everything about your family. That way, they will be able to make a good match for your circumstances.

Do remember that many dogs end up in rescue due to no fault of their own; it might be because of a marriage break-up, that their family becomes homeless, or the illness of their former owner.

Family Friendly-Training

All dogs, no matter their size or breed, benefit from training. A family dog should learn to walk on a leash, come when called, and greet people politely. These are all skills that can be learned in a basic training class.

Remember to watch a class before signing up. The trainer should be welcoming and friendly to both you and your dog. They should use reward-based techniques that your dog enjoys. If you see any methods based on hurting, punishing, or scaring your dog, then find another class; the last thing you want to do is to damage the relationship you have with your dog.

Our Final Thoughts

There are many dogs that make great family dogs and, with the assistance of some training, can become fantastic companions. However, not all dogs are of a breed, size, or temperament that make them a good choice. In that situation, it’s not fair on the dog or the family for them to be in that environment.