It is our usual policy not to adopt dogs with unknown histories to a home with young children under 5 years of age.
We do this for the safety of the children in the home as many of the dogs that come into our rescue organization come from unknown or even abusive pasts, making them unpredictable around youngsters. Not every dog is right for children, and not every child is right for a Boston Terrier. Bostons can be exuberant, and can topple a toddler in play.
A dog can be a child's best friend, and the Boston Terrier breed is no exception. Properly socialized and trained, the Boston makes a safe, reliable and fun-loving companion. Nonetheless, a dog is an animal, and in some unfortunate circumstances dogs can and do bite. As we value the safety of your child and of our rescued dogs, we feel this policy is in everyone's best interests.
In the instance that a dog comes with a positive proven history around children, or has lived happily with children in their foster home, we will place them in a family with dog-savvy children.
Whether or not they own one, parents need to ensure their children know how to behave around dogs. Even a friendly dog may bite if threatened, angry, afraid or hurt. Dogs protect things they care about, including their food, favourite toy or members of their human family. They can also protect spaces – their own and their owner's. Children need to understand that dogs are protective by nature, and to recognize situations that may frighten or anger a dog.
Kids and parents can visit http://www.dogsandkids.ca for more information about safety around dogs.
