Any suggestions
Question:
BR> 2. Have 2 young children. 1st is developmentally delayed and has trouble BR> understanding gentle etc… Last dog bit him and he was frightened of her BR> since and climbed the furniture when she got near. 2nd cherub is wildly BR> active but only 2 and can be a bit rough. Getting a small/toy sized dog is asking for trouble in this case: either an injured dog or a bitten child, or both. .. nfx v2.7 [C0000] "Nature teaches beasts to know their friends."
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Gd’day all, > Have a bit of a problem here deciding on what type of dog to get, could do > with some advice on what breed will best suit our family. > What we need to consider – > 1. Small dog that can go anywhere basically with family in small car. E.g.. > Australian Terrier type. > 2. Have 2 young children. 1st is developmentally delayed and has trouble > understanding gentle etc… Last dog bit him and he was frightened of her > since and climbed the furniture when she got near. 2nd cherub is wildly > active but only 2 and can be a bit rough. > 3. Weather in Summer is VERY HOT and humid. > 4. Mother is agoraphobic and very rarely leaves house so won’t get much > exercise except on weekends. Back yard is good size though. > 5. Alert dog but not a overly barking type. > 6. Friendly breed but also good at warning possible intruders. > 7. Not long coated dogs that shed alot due to slight allergic reaction to > their hair. > I think that covers the main points. I was going to get an Australian > terrier but I was told that they don’t like little kids and would bite and > that most small dogs can be snappy. Our last dog was a Rottie so you can > see I don’t have much experience into smaller breeds. > If anyone can suggest a breed or even the best mixed breed type, I would be > EVER SO GRATEFUL. > Thank you > Bridget
Bridget, Before you even consider an Australian Terrier, (this is the breed that I have) and since you are in Australia, please contact Lee Sellick PO Box 541 Dubbo 2830, she is one of the best Australian Terrier breeders in Australia currently. She will be happy to advise you as to whether the Australian Terrier would be for you. Please let her know that I referred on, as we have been friends for quite a while. Also tell her I said ‘Hi’. Indrio — AKC all breed pedigree service see us at http://indrio.com
Response:
Gd’day, Thank you for your honest opinions, I too was nervous about getting a dog with the children and I think you are right. I dearly want another dog for companionship and protection also (neighborhood has lots of break-ins), but given the present situation I can not see how I could protect the puppy constantly from my cherubs. It’s not that the cherubs are overly rough actually, my 2yr old cherub loves animals but while running around I was more worried as they might step on the pup or they may hug the puppy too tight. I suppose I could put the pup in a snuggly basket when the cherubs are doing the kids things and running around. Our Rottie bit my big cherub because he was standing on her paw when he went to give her a hug and she had not long had an operation on her knee and was sensitive on that leg. He didn’t realise that he was, he stands on my feet all the time and it does hurt as he’s a big boy (He is 6 yrs old but the size of a 10 yr old and has the mind of a 4 yr old especially in comprehension). Anyway, I was not close enough to move him and so she bit him in the end, she didn’t draw blood so it was more of a nip really, but it gave my cherub a fright and he never went close to her again, yet he was happy to go to the bigger dog and they played well. This is very sad as I happen to love dogs very much and they helped me with my agoraphobia, but with a small dog and if my big cherub stands on a paw I don’t feel the puppy would fair so well. Was only going to get one dog this time, last time when we lived on a farm we made all day trips occasionally and so we thought it better that the dogs have companionship while we were out, this worked well and the dogs were great friends. I thought if we had a small dog the dog could come with us instead of leaving it home so it wouldn’t need for another pup for companionship. On the point that you made about dander which has got me confused. We had two rotties from different litters at the same time and our dogs were together since pups, when I brushed either of them down which was weekly, I got skin irritations (rashes) from the hair that came off if I didn’t wash the hair off soon after brushing, but when I gave them hugs and so forth I was okay. (unless they needed an extra brush and had heaps of hair loss). I thought long haired dogs would shed more, my err. Our dogs were happy dogs except when they got old and sick, even then we did the best we could to make their lives happy but age was against them so we did the kindest thing when the time came for each. That was the hardest thing I have ever had to do and when the time came it destroyed me completely to have to say goodbye at either time. It was losing a much loved member of the family after all. Anyway, thanks again for your help and I will give this some more serious thought. Kind regards Bridget
Response:
Being a dog lover can sometimes mean not having a dog. Ouch, but I’m afraid that there are just some situations that one cannot put a dog into and expect good results. For the vast majority of dogs just a few experiences of lack of gentleness will teach the dog things that are ultimately dangerous to the child. Dogs communicate with their mouths. If one dog is rude to another dog the rude dog gets bitten. The coat of the dog, and often tougher skin, mean that in a dog-dog interaction no serious damage is done. In a dog-human inteaction there is trouble. It isn’t fair to either the child or the dog to put a dog into a situation like that. I am familiar with children (and adults) who lack impluse control. I have a "visting dog" who has helped work with them. You not only can’t leave them alone together but I had to have "hovering hands". My hands hovered over theirs so I could make a quick grab when they tried to explore the inside of my dog’s nose, ears, eyes etc. Not intending harm isn’t enough to prevent it. Small dogs are more vulnerable than large dogs and even more likely to feel a need to defend themselves. Dogs are social creatures. They need to be in a social environment or they will suffer for it. A backyard is a wonderful place to play WITH a dog, but most dogs will not exercise in a yard alone. Some dogs do get exercise through displays of aggression e.g. fence running. This is generally not a good idea. You probably cannot identify whether a dog will stimulate allergies by the length of its hair. Most allergies are stimulated by dander, not hair. Shedding is not related to hair length. Some of the biggest shedders have very short hair. This is not the right time for a dog. That doesn’t mean not learning about and exploring dogs. In most places there are dogs that could benefit from a walk or a grooming with a caring hand. Doing this benefits the dogs and provides you an opportunity to evaluate the readiness of your children to live with a dog. It could be the dogs at the shelter who need socialization and prettying up to make them adoptable, or it could be a dog in the neighborhood who isn’t getting the time and attention it needs. As sad as it is to go dogless, the sadder thing would be to become attached to a dog then have to get rid of it because it has become a danger to your children. Given the honest information you provided bringing a dog into the household would not be the right thing to do. For more information on dogs and kids see http://www.dog-play.com/youth.html#safety Diane Blackman Play is necessary to the fullest development of any intelligent being. http://www.dog-play.com/
: Gd’day all, : Have a bit of a problem here deciding on what type of dog to get, could do : with some advice on what breed will best suit our family. : What we need to consider – : 1. Small dog that can go anywhere basically with family in small car. E.g.. : Australian Terrier type. : 2. Have 2 young children. 1st is developmentally delayed and has trouble : understanding gentle etc… Last dog bit him and he was frightened of her : since and climbed the furniture when she got near. 2nd cherub is wildly : active but only 2 and can be a bit rough. : 3. Weather in Summer is VERY HOT and humid. : 4. Mother is agoraphobic and very rarely leaves house so won’t get much : exercise except on weekends. Back yard is good size though. : 5. Alert dog but not a overly barking type. : 6. Friendly breed but also good at warning possible intruders. : 7. Not long coated dogs that shed alot due to slight allergic reaction to : their hair.
Response:
I would say that the only dog breed appropriate in your situation is a stuffed one. Sorry, but if you have two young children who are rough and wild with dogs you SHOULD NOT GET ONE. You would be doing both the dogs and the children a disservice if you do. When your children are much older and are mature enough to handle a dog appropriately, then I would suggest a beagle. But only if your backyard is securely fenced. Do not get a dog now. -Susan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Gd’day all, >Have a bit of a problem here deciding on what type of dog to get, could do >with some advice on what breed will best suit our family. >What we need to consider – >1. Small dog that can go anywhere basically with family in small car. E.g.. >Australian Terrier type. >2. Have 2 young children. 1st is developmentally delayed and has trouble >understanding gentle etc… Last dog bit him and he was frightened of her >since and climbed the furniture when she got near. 2nd cherub is wildly >active but only 2 and can be a bit rough. >3. Weather in Summer is VERY HOT and humid. >4. Mother is agoraphobic and very rarely leaves house so won’t get much >exercise except on weekends. Back yard is good size though. >5. Alert dog but not a overly barking type. >6. Friendly breed but also good at warning possible intruders. >7. Not long coated dogs that shed alot due to slight allergic reaction to >their hair. >I think that covers the main points. I was going to get an Australian >terrier but I was told that they don’t like little kids and would bite and >that most small dogs can be snappy. Our last dog was a Rottie so you can >see I don’t have much experience into smaller breeds. >If anyone can suggest a breed or even the best mixed breed type, I would be >EVER SO GRATEFUL. >Thank you >Bridget
Response:
Gd’day all, Have a bit of a problem here deciding on what type of dog to get, could do with some advice on what breed will best suit our family. What we need to consider – 1. Small dog that can go anywhere basically with family in small car. E.g.. Australian Terrier type. 2. Have 2 young children. 1st is developmentally delayed and has trouble understanding gentle etc… Last dog bit him and he was frightened of her since and climbed the furniture when she got near. 2nd cherub is wildly active but only 2 and can be a bit rough. 3. Weather in Summer is VERY HOT and humid. 4. Mother is agoraphobic and very rarely leaves house so won’t get much exercise except on weekends. Back yard is good size though. 5. Alert dog but not a overly barking type. 6. Friendly breed but also good at warning possible intruders. 7. Not long coated dogs that shed alot due to slight allergic reaction to their hair. I think that covers the main points. I was going to get an Australian terrier but I was told that they don’t like little kids and would bite and that most small dogs can be snappy. Our last dog was a Rottie so you can see I don’t have much experience into smaller breeds. If anyone can suggest a breed or even the best mixed breed type, I would be EVER SO GRATEFUL. Thank you Bridget
Response:
>Gd’day all, >Have a bit of a problem here deciding on what type of dog to get, could do >with some advice on what breed will best suit our family. >What we need to consider – >1. Small dog that can go anywhere basically with family in small car. E.g.. >Australian Terrier type.
I suppose any small dog would do for this requirement if trained properly. >2. Have 2 young children. 1st is developmentally delayed and has trouble >understanding gentle etc… Last dog bit him and he was frightened of her >since and climbed the furniture when she got near. 2nd cherub is wildly >active but only 2 and can be a bit rough.
After reading this part, I would say no dog for your family at this time. Your children are too small and can and probably would, hurt a small dog. Has already happened so that should be a clue as to your family’s suitability for a dog or any size actually. It is not fair to the small dog and a larger one will probably injure you children far worse than your last dog did. >3. Weather in Summer is VERY HOT and humid.
Assuming that you wait several years before aquiring any breed, many dogs fair quite well in summer heat in many parts of the world if they have proper shelter, lots of water at all times, and of course they would be in the house during most of the warmes times anyway. >4. Mother is agoraphobic and very rarely leaves house so won’t get much >exercise except on weekends. Back yard is good size though.
The amount of exercise needed is directly in relationship to the breed and individual dog. >5. Alert dog but not a overly barking type.
Most dogs are alert. Some are more barky than others. Involves training. >6. Friendly breed but also good at warning possible intruders.
Individual dog and your good training. >7. Not long coated dogs that shed alot due to slight allergic reaction to >their hair.
All dogs shed. Allergic reactions are from the dander from the dog’s skin not the hair. Its all according how much grooming you are willing to do. For eg. Labs have a shortish coat yet they are big time shedders. >I think that covers the main points. I was going to get an Australian >terrier but I was told that they don’t like little kids and would bite and >that most small dogs can be snappy.
The only reason some dogs don’t like little kids is because the little kids have not be properly supervised. Some dogs dont like them because they move fast or yell or scream. Many kids are rough with dogs. And sadly after the dog defends itsself, it is the dog who pays by a trip to the pound or a new home or worse.You already have one child who you know will do this. No dog should have to put up with that. I wouldn’t want to be pulled about either. Any child left alone with any – repeat any, dog, is an accident waiting to happen and it is seldom the dog’s fault. About a month ago I had a rescue dog to place, and some super nice people came along to see her. However, their son is also developmentally handicapped, and after seeing how he behaved with the dog I had to say "No". I could not subject any dog to that child and he was 10 years old. I know any dog they get is going to get some very rough handling and they are in for trouble some time in the future. >Our last dog was a Rottie so you can >see I don’t have much experience into smaller breeds. >If anyone can suggest a breed or even the best mixed breed type, I would be >EVER SO GRATEFUL.
I really don’t think any dog is suitable for you at the moment. But you might start going to dog shows with the family and with a firm grip on the children start introducing them to the world of dogs. No doubt you will see a breed which appeals to you and you can then start doing your homework on the breed and in a few years find the dog you want. With mixed breeds you have absolutely no idea what the dog’s traits will be. >Thank you >Bridget
The kindest thing you can do at the moment for any dog and your children is notto consider one at all I’m afraid. Liz
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