Some breeds are born with an extraordinary love and a protective instinct with children, as is the case with the Bobtail, but in general it depends a lot on the early socialization, on the training of the dog and on the education of the child towards the animal. It is very important not to keep the dog isolated from the presence of children.
Many people turn their lifetime pet away when a baby arrives in the family; this prevents the adult animal from sniffing and becoming aware that it is one more member of its human herd. Always under our supervision we must let the animal satisfy the curiosity to recognize the new member of the family so that progressively it can became a great protector of the baby.
The situation is complicated when before the arrival of a child to the family the dog is banished to the garden or to a cage, losing at that moment all its privileges, relegated to oblivion and loneliness. He will never get used to the sounds emitted by the new tenant nor will he recognize his clumsy movements, nor will he be corrected by the leader (the owner) when he tries to exceed the established limits; in these cases, unfortunate situations may arise.
In conclusion, we must place each one in the place that corresponds to him; the dog has imprinted in its genes the acceptance of the established hierarchy without ever putting into question the place that has been designated, will maintain its position without any rivalry and accept its place, but we must also educate the children in respect and the good treatment to the animal, we must not consent inappropriate behaviors with him and in the moment in which it has capacity for it will be also the one in charge to collaborate in certain tasks for the maintenance of the dog. Children of a certain age are able to assume leadership in an innate way and can also transmit it to the dog. But despite all this, we must always be aware and oversee the behavior of both to avoid problems.
