If you’re looking for the perfect family pet, you may be wondering whether golden retrievers are good with kids or babies. Well, in this article, not only are you going to find out whether they’re good with kids and babies, but you’ll also learn the best ways to make it possible, things to avoid, and how you should teach your kids to be around them.

So keep reading to find out everything you need to know!

Are Golden Retrievers Good With Kids?

To answer the question, YES, golden retrievers are fantastic with kids! In fact, PetMD recommended them as the number one dog to keep as a pet if you have children!

They’re king, loving nature combined with their high levels of patience are just a couple of reasons they make such great dogs to keep with children.

However, remember, this is the majority of cases, there are always going to be rare examples of golden retrievers that act aggressively or don’t get on with children at all. That’s why it’s so important to make sure that you’re keeping an eye on your golden retriever whenever they’re around your kids.

Are Golden Retrievers Good Around Babies?

If you have a baby, you may be wondering whether a golden retriever will be good around them as well. While they are boisterous dogs, generally they’re still a great choice if you have a baby. You should just make sure you train them properly, otherwise they may end up getting too excited.

Golden retrievers really don’t realise how big they are, and there’s a chance they might jump at a baby, if they get too excited. And ESPECIALLY if they’re young still.

If you plan on keeping a golden retriever with a baby, you should always be supervising them, and ideally socialising them beforehand so they know exactly how to act.

How To Introduce A Baby To A Golden Retriever

If you have a golden retriever, and you’re bringing a baby home, then there are a few things you can do to help warm them up to your baby. While they’ll most likely love the baby regardless, doing this can help prepare them and keep them calm.

Play The Sound Of A Baby Crying

Playing the sound of a baby crying is one of the best ways to introduce them to the idea of your child. They’ll begin to get used to the sound of a baby crying and it won’t startle or excite them. When they hear that noise, make sure you’re keeping them calm and reward them when they are. This way they’ll learn to be calm and patient when the baby is around.

Socialize Them Around Other Babies

If one of your family or friends has a baby, it can be a good idea to begin socializing them around this baby. Keep them on a leash to make sure they don’t jump up and then tell them to be calm. If they remain calm, let them get closer to the baby, making sure you have full control the whole time.

Let Them Smell Your Babies Clothes

If you already have a baby, you can bring your golden retriever some of their clothes or a blanket, etc. Doing this will get them used to the scent of your baby and make them more comfortable when you introduce them for the first time.

Why Are Golden Retrievers So Good With Children And Babies?

Now you know that golden retrievers get along well with kids and babies, you may be wondering why they’re so good! Here are a few of the most common reasons golden retrievers are the perfect family dog!

They’re Loving And Loyal

First of all, golden retrievers are extremely loving and loyal. Not just to you, but to everything member of your family (including your cats!) As well as this, they’re also great at reading people. So they can often tell when they need to be calm and when they can play. (However, this isn’t the case as much with puppies.)

They Love To Play

As well as being loving and loyal, golden retriever’s absolutely love to play! They’re full of energy and if you have young kids, they’ll spend most of their time playing and having fun with them. In fact, the chances are your children will become tired for your pup does!

They’re Patient

One caveat to this is an older golden retriever. When golden retrievers get older, it’s less likely that they’ll want to play as much. But even then, they’re still extremely peaceful. Although you should never let a child do it, golden retrievers, are a lot more resilient to being pulled around compared to other dogs.

And when they’ve had enough, they’ll just leave the room and find somewhere quiet they can be by themselves. Just make sure if you notice them doing this, you make sure your children stay away from them.

They’re Very Gentle

Golden retrievers are often referred to as mouthy dogs because they’re so gentle. They’ve been bred not to bite hard, and they have great bite inhibition. So even if they’re playing with your kids and they become too rough, they still won’t be as rough as some other dogs.

How To Make Sure Your Golden Retriever Is Good Around Children

Even though golden retrievers are naturally great with children, it’s still a good idea to train them to make sure they’re being as good as they can be. Here are some of the ways you should teach your golden retriever to make sure they’re being good around your kids!

Make Sure You’re Giving Them Plenty Of Exercise

This is one of the simplest ways you can ensure that your golden retriever is going to behave well around your kids. If possible, you should be giving them two hours of exercise every day. This includes walking, running, swimming, and games like tug of war.

When you’re exercising your golden retriever, it’s best to get them into a set routine they can follow every day. Generally speaking, it’s best to exercise your golden retriever in the day too help make sure they stay tired for the rest of it.

Train Them Properly

Training your golden retriever is THE best thing you can do to make sure that they behave properly around your child. And with the right training program, not only will they behave around children and babies, but they’ll also behave in every other setting as well.

The training program I love and highly recommend is Brain Training For Dogs.

With Brain Training For Dogs you’ll save yourself a ton of time and effort. Instead of banging your head against the wall trying to figure out why your golden retriever won’t listen, you’ll follow a path that has been tried, tested, and most importantly, that’s given proven results. Not to mention the fact, you’ll be able to fit the course around your schedule, not fit your schedule around a trainer or obedience class.

So instead of worrying about whether they’re going to be well-behaved or not, you’ll only have to worry about how much fun you’ll have with them!

And in most cases it’s still going to be:

• Cheaper than hiring a professional.
• Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
• And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone.

Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to leave your retriever around children without having to worry about how they’ll act. Instead, you’ll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them, will always be there, EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT. 

And the best part is it also has a 60-day money-back guarantee! So there’s no reason not to give Brain Training For Dogs a try!

So if you’re tired of your dog’s bad behavior, or how they react around other people and pooches, then give it a try! You’ll be amazed by the results!

(You can also check out a full review here, to learn exactly what the course has to offer!)

Always Reward Them For Good Behavior

It’s pretty normal for people to scold their retrievers when they’re being naughty. However, it’s much better to reward them for positive behavior. Not only are they going to love you more, but they respond better.

When your golden retriever is being good around your child or baby, make sure you reward them! Give them a treat and lots of attention. It’s best to do this when they’re doing it naturally too! This will reinforce the behavior and help them learn how they should act around your kid.

Get Your Children Involved In The Training

If your children are old enough, you can also get them involved in training your golden retriever. For example, getting them to give your pup their dinner and treats. When you do this, you’re helping to establish to your dog where they are in the pecking order.

This sounds harsh, but it’s how dogs see where they fit. Knowing their place is going to help them stay calm and good with your children!

As well as this, getting your children to play games with your pup will build their connection.

Teaching Your Kids How To Act Around Your Golden Retriever

As well as training your pup, it’s a good idea to teach your children how to behave around them. No matter how well behaved your retriever is, if your kids aren’t treating them correctly, they may snap as a warning.

Here are some of the best things to teach your children.

Never Pull Or Tug At Your Dog

The number one thing to teach your kid is to never pull on your golden retriever. Young children have a habit of grabbing and pulling fur, ears, tails and paws. While golden retrievers are patient, this would drive anyone crazy.

And even with patience, if they get yanked around too hard they may instinctively bite or growl if they’re in pain.

Don’t Let Them Chase Each Other

You also want to make sure that your children and golden retriever aren’t chasing each other. While it looks like fun, and it probably is, your retriever is too big. One of the big problems with retrievers is they don’t quite realise how big they are.

If they’re constantly chasing each other, eventually, your golden retriever is going to knock your child over. Especially if they get overexcited.

So it’s best to avoid this kind of game altogether.

Make Sure They Give Your Golden Retriever Time Alone

Sometimes your golden retriever is just going to want to be by themselves. They won’t want to play or be clambered on. Make sure you’re paying attention to your pup to see when they want a break. Also teach your children what to look for, so they know when to leave them alone as well.

You can also show them times when your pup does want attention. Like when they come over and lay on you etc.

Teaching your children to notice when your dog wants attention and when they want to be left alone is one of the most important parts of owning a dog.

As well as this, you can also show them the times when your golden retriever does want attention. Such as when they come over to you, lay on you, or rest on you.

Don’t Let Your Golden Retriever Lick Your Children

Also make sure that your children know that your golden retriever shouldn’t lick them. Golden retrievers literally eat everything, so they’re mouth aren’t the most hygienic places. Because of this it’s best to make sure your kids avoid being licked!

Make Sure They’re Not Screaming And Shouting Around Your Pup

You also want to make sure that your kids aren’t screaming and shouting around your pup. And there are two reasons for this. First of all, it’s going to rile your pup up and make them way more excitable than they need to be.

Second of all, they have extremely sensitive hearing. If they’re constantly exposed to loud noises it could cause hearing damage, scare them, or even make them angry.

Make Sure They Know Not To Pull Things Out Of Your Retrievers Mouth

You also need to let your children know that they should never pull things out of your retrievers mouth. This is one action, that some dogs instinctively react too. Especially if they’re rescue dogs. Dogs will often see this action as a direct threat and may react in turn.

What Should You Avoid Doing

As well as all of the above, there are some things you should ALWAYS avoid doing. Doing any of the following can often cause long term problems and bad behavior in your dog.

Make Sure You Never Hit Your Golden Retriever

The first thing you want to make sure is that no one is hitting your golden retriever under any circumstances. If your pup is getting hit they’re going to become scared and in a lot of cases, may act aggressively in return. No matter what bad behavior your golden retriever is showing, make sure you never hit them. It really is the worst thing you can do.

Don’t Yell At Them Either

As well as hitting them, you shouldn’t yell at them either. Dogs never do anything to be spiteful, and they won’t understand what they’ve done wrong if you shout at them. In fact, they’ll just begin to feel insecure, and unsafe in your home.

Recap

Now you know that golden retrievers will make great pets if you have children! In fact, as far as dogs go, they’re some of the best dogs you can keep. Just remember, that you’ll need to train your dog how to act around children, and teach your children how to act around a dog!

With that being said, doing so isn’t hard and if you do, your children will have a great friend for years to come!

If you liked this article make sure you check out the rest of the website! Otherwise, have a great day!