OES with toddlers and a dog
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| Perhaps someone on this forum who has OES and toddlers will reply.
There are certainly mixed opinions on how well OES get along with small children. I think most folks are in agreement that effort should be expended to provide formal obedience training for the OES and education for the children in how to approach and play with animals. I am coming from the standpoint of Rescued OES. I have had 6 rescued OES in the last 25 years. 4 of them ended up in a rescue program because they were too rambunctious and energetic with small children. So my experience is that of someone who has raised OES that were not a great match with toddlers (for a variety of reasons). As you know, OES are a herding breed. Put in a situation where there are folks (or sheep) running around and playing, they tend to join in in "herding mode". Without sufficient obedience training, the herding behavior can include knocking little folks over, or nipping at heels. How well your other dog accepts the OES depends on the dogs. They usually have to work out their "pack order" for a while to decide who is "top dog". Your current dog may feel protective of your children and may not like an interloper. Having said all of this, it could work, depending on how much effort you want to spend in training the OES. A 90 lb. unruly, enthusiastic dog would be a nightmare. Would I try this combo myself? Maybe. But then again, I have 25 yrs. experience with raising and training OES. I am pretty familiar with the breed. No matter how you cut it, OES are high maintenance, from their exercize/entertainment needs to their grooming needs. I hope you have raised or lived with OES before, since you'll have to sort out some issues between the OES puppy, the children and your resident dog. In any case, best of luck. |
| Fritzi's comments are right on target. I have a one-year old OES, GUS, and an 18 month-old nephew who have spent much time around each other. Gus is very friendly and is not bothered at all when my nephew tugs on his hair or playfully wrestles. But Gus's hearding insticts come through when the toddle tries to run to another room. To prevent him, Gus will encircle, knip and sometimes bark. Gus has a tendency to heard my nephew into walls as well. While this behavoir has been harmless in our case, a less athletic (wild) child could find it too rough or scary.
You may have hear the OES nickname "Nanny Dog" or the "Babysister", which I heard was given for their ability to keep a child in the same spot by hearding. Another explanation for this nickname is that and OES will allow a toddler to grab its hair for ballance as it learns to walk. This, too, has proven true my nephew's case. One more thing, just like all puppies and OES puppy will play bite with very sharp puppy teeth which could be dangerous. |
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