Do Labradoodles Get Along with Kids? Socialization & Training Tips
By Grant Piper
Updated on
Labradoodles are known for being good family dogs, but do they get along with kids? Finding a dog that is safe and comfortable around your kids is one of the most important parts of choosing a new puppy. A great family dog is safe around kids, friendly, and one that you trust to leave with your family. Family dogs are not aggressive or anxious and show little signs of willingness to bite. Labradoodles have the potential to fulfill all of these things. Labradoodles do usually get along with kids, but that is not always the case. Here is everything you need to know about Labradoodles, their temperament, and whether they can get along with your children.
Labradoodles Are Great with Kids
Labradoodles are often described as the perfect family dog. They typically do very well with kids. That is because Labradoodles have a very similar personality to a small child. They are inquisitive, curious, energetic, playful, and happy. These traits make them great with kids, and many people choose Labradoodles specifically because they are good with children.
Labradoodles frequently have good interactions and get along very well with children of all ages. They will often play with kids. Even if they don’t want to interact with children, they will usually leave them alone or ignore them if they don’t want to interact.
Why Are Labradoodles Good with Kids?
Labradoodles are good with kids for a number of reasons. First, they have a personality that does great with children. Labradoodles are not aggressive or protective, which prevents them from getting too rough with children. Labradoodles are a combination of two breeds that are also great with kids. Labradors and Poodles have long been considered to be great family dogs. The Labrador was America’s most popular dog for decades because they are such great family dogs. Similarly, Poodles are intelligent and gentle and also do well with children. It is no surprise that the mixture of these two also produces a dog that can get along with children.
Playmates for Life
Kids and Labradoodles have the chance to bond and become playmates for life. Labradoodles love playing with kids and getting a Labradoodle into your family can give your kids a playful companion that they can cherish for years to come. Labradoodles are smart and will learn how best to play with your kids, whether that is by playing fetch, chase, or something else. They are also often gentle and will not bite or harm children. But that is not always the case. Some Labradoodles can still be a little edgy around children.
Be Careful with Toddlers and Small Children
All dogs have the chance to be aggressive with small children. Small children sometimes do not know the boundaries, the body language, and the acceptable behavior around dogs. Small children might play too hard, go for the dog’s face, corner them, or crowd them. This can cause a dog to act defensively or anxiously, no matter what breed they are. Toddlers often do not know that they could be stressing out a dog which can lead them to get bit. One dog bite on a toddler is often enough to cause a major problem for the status of your dog, and that is something no one wants.
Even the loveliest dogs can become stressed by toddlers, and it is never a good idea to leave a small child around any dog unsupervised. That is a general rule that should be followed for all children and all dogs, including Labradoodles.
Not All “Kid-Friendly” Dogs Are Good with Kids
It is also important to know that even the most kid-friendly dog breeds can still produce dogs that are not good with children. That means that while Labradoodles might generally be good with kids, not every individual Labradoodle will be. Dogs, like people, are shaped by their environments, their experiences, and their past traumas. Some Labradoodles might have had bad experiences with kids or people in the past that make them sketchier around children than usual. That goes for all breeds. Some individual dogs will be more anxious, more aggressive, and more unfriendly than others, no matter the breed.
Before getting a new Labradoodle for your kids, it is a good idea to seek a trial period to see if the dog will get along with your family. You can also try to seek assurances from the shelter or breeder regarding the dog’s typical behavior and disposition. The safest thing to do is to let your kids play with and around the dog under heavy supervision to get a good glimpse of the dog’s behavior.
Socialization Is Key
The trick to getting any dog to be good around children is to socialize them properly. Socializing a dog is a process that is best started when the dog is young. You need to introduce your dog to a number of different people and different situations. You should calm them when they are anxious, show them that people are friendly and not scary, and dissuade aggressive or defensive behaviors. Labradoodles that are not properly socialized can end up not getting along with children.
Breeds that are considered kid-friendly often socialize faster or easier than other dogs, but any dog that is unsocialized can have problems. Similarly, even the most scary-looking or aggressive breeds can be socialized at a young age and be fantastic around kids. Socialization is a big piece of the puzzle that makes dogs like Labradoodles good around kids. Labradoodles are bred almost exclusively as companions for families, so they are often raised and bred around people and children.
Final Thoughts
Labradoodles are typically very good with children and families. They get along with most people, including kids. All dogs have the potential to be anxious around kids, and even “kid-friendly” breeds can end up biting kids in the wrong circumstances. The best way to vet a dog is to try to get a trial period with them and your family. You should never leave any young children, especially toddlers or babies, unsupervised around any dog.
Featured Image Credit: Piqsels
