Do any of you leave the Dog and children home alone?

[Skuly]

In reading all of these attack stories in the news section, I was wondering if anyone here feels that it is safe for their dog to be home alone with the kids even if they are old enough to take care of themselves.
I either take Skuly with me or put her up in our bedroom until I get back. I have a 15 year old boy (she takes commands from him) and a 10 and 8 year old.

Also, what age would you feel comfortable leaving the dog out with the older kids?

[Burnsway]

Psyche is always put up if I leave my daughter home alone. She is 12. But I do the same even when it is a guest or adult friend. Psyche can be left alone with no one but hubby or myself. If the occasion arose I probably would be OK with her being out with my Inlaws.

I also do not go to bed unless Psyche is under lock and key in my room with me. I just feel better knowing at all times where she is. I'm so careful that I will not even allow her to be out when hubby is at home with my daughter........lol!

And this is a dog that hasn't tried to bite. I read these post on some of these dogs that have tried and even succeeded and the owners still do not confine.........

But this is not a breed thing with me. I have been that way with all my dogs.........always. Even with my past Pomeranians........

[Judi W]

I would say it depends upon the child and upon the dog and most importantly that the responsible adult know the character and behaviors of all.

[greywolff]

once my daughter is old enough yes i probabbly would. but then Jordan lets her drag him around the house and she's only 3 :) and thats quite a sight to see a 3 year old pull a full grown rotty through a house. he loves the play. and jordan doesnt mind either when she puts a blanket on him during his naps hehehe.

[Wally31]

I really wouldn't leave our dog home alone with our child unitl she was an adult unless she proved to be extreamly responsible and our dog grows up to be extreamly reliable himself. Our dog bit our girl about a month ago so I really don't want to chance it right now and will play it by ear when they get older. I will never leave him alone with a stranger or even a good family friend, you never can tell how he/they will react and behave. I Personally would not like to take the chance for something to happen. I feel myself that anyone but myself or girlfriend should have an "attendee" of the dog with them at all times to reduce the possibilty of error. I really have a hard time picking an age because he is still a pup, I may feel different when he is an adult and around our girl. I am however, very possitive he will never be alone with a friend or stranger.

[ladycricket]

Of course my kids are way to young to be even in a room alone with Jake, let alone left with him. The only people I trust to be alone with him are myself, AJ, his foster dad (who kennels him if we go away), my friend Kathy from the rescue. No way would he ever be left with my parents, my dad's training methods are undesirable and my father in law thought his heeler was cool because he only liked him and his kids. I miss Mass for Christmas and Christmas Eve because I couldn't leave him with my MIL and her husband.
When the kids get older, maybe. It depends on their maturity level and the dog's disposition.

[Sansano]

Originally Posted by Judi W

I would say it depends upon the child and upon the dog and most importantly that the responsible adult know the character and behaviors of all.

Yep, I know somw 18 year old's I would never trust alone with my dog and I also have trained on the Schutzhund field with some 14 year old's that I most certainly would trust.

[ZeusMommy]

If I were to leave my girls home- they are 11 & 3 I would leave my rott with them- he has never shown any agression to them at all and he loves to be in the house by the front door and he just sleeps- he isnt a wanderer or a loud dog- he barley barks as it is- but he is trustworthy and confident and i feel very comfortable if he is with my girls- at night is another story- we put him in the bathroom and the staffordshire in her crate in the LR by the girls bedroom- I hate to say this cause I love my rott- but my Staff is a much better guard dog she is a baby but she is just very protective and very voicy- though her i would not trust right now- she is a rescue we just got her so i need to get the feel for her-

[StephanieandToby]

I never left my dog alone with children or strangers...(never even tied him up outside Starbucks when I went in for my Grande Valencia extra hot Latte... )It is not worth the risk. Even if you leave the dog with your 15 year old, he could have friends over....you just never know...it could be a liability.It is your decision!!

[Urika]

I have one 10 year old and two 8 year olds. I would never leave them alone with Diesel and they are only allowed to walk him if I am present.

[Squeaky2004]

Well, I do not have kids but once in a while we will get my brother to watch Squeak. He is just turning 18 tommorrow. If I had kids I would def wait until they were much older (17-18) before I would feel safe enough to leave them alone. My dog will listen quite well to my brothers commands and I dont think anything would happen.

[lblax]

Originally Posted by Judi W

I would say it depends upon the child and upon the dog and most importantly that the responsible adult know the character and behaviors of all.

my children have always been very mature for there age and have been coming and going from school alone and staying while we go out since they have been 8 or 10 every dog ive had have been very respective of my high value items such as my children and both children always put a large degree of faith in my dogs protecting them while we were gone how many can say they left there kids at home to go out and at midnight you come home and they are all in bed..ive had 2 unfortunate happenings with dogs over the years and both happened while i was home..

[frontierrots]

Originally Posted by Skuly

Also, what age would you feel comfortable leaving the dog out with the older kids?

Never

In my house if "I" am not home the dogs are crated (except the 13 year old who sleeps in the kids laps - step daughter and nephew). Unless I am going to be gone all day long, even my husband does nottake them out

If "I" am not home the dogs do not mingle with guests of any age (again except Angelica, the old lady who mingles with ADULT guests without me home)

I do not want anyone else to be responsible if something happens (dog fight etc) and since they are dogs anything is possible. If something happens when I am in control then there is no one to blame but myself

My family is in full agreement

[Denise L.]

I don't have kids of my own but on Thanksgiving my cousin's little girl (11 years old) wanted to take Cyrus for a walk. Of course I said she couldn't but if she wanted to come with us while I walked him we could do that.

Because Cyrus is such a sweetie my cousins and aunt thought I was being "over protective" of Rachel. After a quick explanation they easily understood.

Years ago my mom and dad would leave our Doberman with me while they went to the upstairs neighbors to play cards! I was about 4 years old and they trusted Chichi more than a human babysitter. Very scary as Chichi was extremely aggressive. I consider myself lucky!

[Sargeant_C]

I have 5 children and I trust two of them to handle Sarge. They have worked with me to a degree that they know what to do. Also they know if they have friends over and I am gone then Sarge gets locked in either his kennel or his playroom. But the other three no way do I trust them to handle it. I see them making too many mistakes of their own and I am not about to let them make mistakes with Sarge.

So I agree it depends on the dogs and the children.