Childrens fear of new lab puppy

Question
We purchased a seven week old yellow lab two weeks ago.  He is a wonderful puppy and eager to please us.  My children who are 8 and 11 are afraid of the puppy and climb on furniture, run out of the room, etc. when the dog comes near them.  Will this fear pass in time, or did we make a mistake bringing a puppy into our home?

Answer
Hi Christine,

This is more of a child behavioral question than a dog or puppy question. Your puppy sounds great, it's your kids that are the problem!

My expertise is with dogs, not children, but it seems to me if you give the puppy up, your kids won't learn to appreciate animals. A 7 week old puppy is too young to go to an obedience class, which is something that may help your kids to participate in. Your children would learn how to gain control over the puppy, and not fear it.

Because it's such a young puppy though, I'd say if you were going to give him up, do it now, so that he'd still be adoptable by another family. Work with your children and help them get over this fear of animals. They would benefit greatly by pet ownership.

Perhaps an adult dog that is more settled would be a better first pet for your kids. You can browse adoptable pets here:

http://www.petfinder.com/

At PetFinder, many of the dogs have been evaluated for temperament, and are already trained.

Best of luck,
Patti