I am a stay at home mom of 3 kids, 2 of which go to school. However I do often have other kids in my house, so the dog must be good with kids. I have 1 dog and 1 cat, my dog is good with other dogs but might bark loudly at yours until she is comfortable, which is generally only a few minutes. She is getting older and could use a playmate :) My cat is is not the friendliest but she stays out of sight most of the time. I have volunteered at the Dearborn Animal Shelter, and I have worked at the very large independently owned pet store. Not one that sold dogs, but I am very comfortable with them.