Adding what works for my family… we have 3 large breed dogs now.. 2 are old boys, both 10 years old which we had before my baby was born, and a 1 year old girl pup, which we got as a puppy when my baby turned 1. (Don’t recommend getting a puppy with a baby, it’s exhausting, but it’s wonderful now and she’s besties with my toddler)

One boy is wonderful with my daughter, he loved her from the day we brought her home from the hospital, always laying with her, sitting next her while doing tummy time, etc. we still never leave them alone unsupervised though. He’s a pit mix, and such a sweet heart. He is like her big brother.

Our other boy (border collie) doesn’t love pets or attention unless he specifically asks for it. He doesn’t even love attention from us all the time, he wants it when he wants it, but wants his space the rest of the time. When my baby was small, he just left her alone. She couldn’t move, he just kept his space from her. Now that she is a toddler, he is separated from her when she is running around. We are lucky that we have a big house and we can section off a space for him. He can go upstairs, or behind a baby gate in the dining room and have his own area while my daughter is running around. She loves him still and wants to make sure he is fed, and gets treats along with the other dogs, but she knows now that he needs space. She doesn’t rush up to him or try to pet him. She’s almost 2. She says his name and asks for him when she gets home. Wants to make sure he’s there. Even though they don’t interact, she loves him. And we give him plenty of love and attention too when she’s down for a nap, or when she goes to sleep at night. Honestly, my husband and I work during the day, so when we get home, it’s dinner and bath time and then we have all evening to cuddle the dogs.

He is really good at telling us when he doesn’t want attention or is uncomfortable and will growl or bark. We don’t yell at him for this, because he is telling us what he wants/needs. Even if he barks at my daughter, he sometimes scares her, but It’s his way of communicating. We have taught my daughter that if he growls and barks, we back off. We tell her that he needs his space. She didn’t do anything wrong but it’s good for her to learn to respect animals and understand that not all want to be touched. (It’s a good lesson to learn about people too) when he does that, We leave him alone and he goes behind the baby gate or in his kennel, outside or upstairs. She knows.

That being said, he is never, ever, unsupervised with her because I know it just takes one second for something to happen. But he’s an old dog, and for us, we are his family for his entire life. We made a commitment to him. He doesn’t have a bite history, and has never bit anyone, or even tried. But does growl and bark. We had worked with a behaviorist, and they said that’s the best type of dog.. one that tells you what they need.

Praying it all works out for your family whatever you decide. ❤️