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[quote=Anonymous]OP, I also have a 4yo, along with a large working breed dog that we've had since before she was born.  My 4yo has been trained from the time she could crawl on how to interact with the dog.  We took a class on how to prevent dog bites when I was pregnant to learn how NOT to "magnetize" your child to the dog (and therefore prevent dog bites).  The 4yo now has a healthy respect for his space, is very gentle with the dog, and we still supervise very carefully (probably easier for us w/only one kid).

My spouse works in a pediatric ER and sees dog bites fairly regularly.  In most cases, the dog has NEVER bitten anyone--but the child was left alone with the dog, sometimes just briefly, and boom, the child is in the ER with a bite.  I think most families haven't learned to recognize the cues that PPs have mentioned, and think it's cute to have the child falling all over the dog.

Another thing to consider besides risk of bites is that it may be overwhelming for some dogs to be around that many young children.  You may want to give it another year or two--and by then, your son may well grow out of this phase (or his touchy-feely behavior may get milder).  Having a dog is a LOT of work if you consider exercise, training, etc.--not anything to be taken lightly to provide an outlet for one of your kids' "annoying" behavior.[/quote]

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