[mferg]

You won't have your child on the field while you are working your dog. If your child IS on the field while you are working your dog, you need to get control of your child. Naturally, when the dog is amped up, it can inadvertantly bite the child or another person if they pester the dog. But, that is not the case if the dog is casually hanging out and the child is around. It all goes back to be a responsible adult (be it dog owner, handler or a parent).

In my club, there's a woman, who has a very strong dog (GSD), and has a young child. The girl has been coming out to training since she was only a couple months old. She's 3 or 4 now. The dog is wonderful with the kid. The girl knows how to be around dogs since it's been her entire life. The only issue has been if the girl has pitched a fit because Mommy was on the field with the dog instead of being with her (toddler thing).

I know several dogs, mine included, that work energetically on the field, but when finished are content to sit in somebody's lap without issue. A stable dog that starts with correct and concientious training will remain a stable dog.