Adopting a Rescue Dog with a Young Child?

littlerat

I really recommend posting on dogpages - some of the rescues on there don't bother with age policies.

Actually a puppy isn't a great idea at all, they need a lot more attention, work and training than an older dog, plus an older dog you can tell the temperament straight off. It may take some work, but so long as you understand the child and dog can't be left together there's no reason the right dog wouldn't do fine, obviously you have to teach your toddler not to pull tails etc, but an even temperamented older dog will put up with a bit of it or move. Likewise a bigger dog can often be a good idea, a labrador isn't so easy to hurt with a tug as a small dog for instance! They are more likely to knock a child over by accident though.

I personally grew up with a completely nutty small collie, she did send us flying a few times, we were a bit rough with her a few times, she never cared, and neither did we!

passthewine

jackieglasgow wrote: »

9? Amateur!! I spent about an hour and a half last night looking, and so far have a blind dog, a dog with three legs, one who's had seven homes, and seven staffie cross puppies, amongst others which will be all coming to live with me just as soon as I kick the OH and the kids out!

I wasn't looking for long though, give it time and we will take the whole lot between us:rotfl:
Those staffie cross pups are just soooooooooooooo cute, can we share?

Gem_ Have you tried some of the breeders? I know someone who got her dog from a breeder who was planning on getting rid (her words!) because she didn't have the right temprament in the show ring:mad:

foreign_correspondent

You can search dogsblog for dogs that are tagged as being 'good with children' ... (there is a 'search by criteria' option on the blue bar just beneath the woman modelling the t-shirt on the right hand side of the page) - it may be worth contacting individual rescues and asking their policy - they may be flexible if they have a suitable dog, especially if you can show you are an experienced owner who can supervise or seperate the dog and child consisitently, and understand (and have contingency plans) for the potential difficulties that may ensue.

http://www.dogsblog.com/tag/good-with-children/

*Chattie*

passthewine wrote: »

Under 12:eek: Surely it depends on the temprament of the dog! My parents recently got a rescue dog and he came from a family home with kids and he is brilliant with kids. Same as my recent rescue, although he had been in kennels for ages he has just fitted in and stands by the door and whines.

Could I ask you all though to please STOP posting links to dogsblog so far I have chosen 9 more dogs that I will take. The rest of the family will have to move into the shed:rotfl:

presumably though your parents don't have young children and that is why they were allowed to have their rescue dog. easy to say the dog came from a family home with kids and is brilliant with kids as you have to ask why is it a rescue dog. I guess it depends too on the type and size of dog. why does your rescue dog stand by the door whining?

*Chattie*

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

You can search dogsblog for dogs that are tagged as being 'good with children' ... (there is a 'search by criteria' option on the blue bar just beneath the woman modelling the t-shirt on the right hand side of the page) - it may be worth contacting individual rescues and asking their policy - they may be flexible if they have a suitable dog, especially if you can show you are an experienced owner who can supervise or seperate the dog and child consisitently, and understand (and have contingency plans) for the potential difficulties that may ensue.

http://www.dogsblog.com/tag/good-with-children/

interesting link I'll need to look at it later.

travis.b

so is the issue with the dog not being suitable for such a young child ie the danger of a rescue dog which presumably might have some behavioural problems attacking the child, or is it that a child so young is more likely to poke it in the eye?

Gem_

Thanks so much for all the suggestions so far. We do actually have a dog at the moment and I would never be so daft as to leave the dog alone with my son, the poor dog does not deserve to be ever put in a position where she could get hurt (and I am pretty fond of my son as well!).

My current dog is going to have to be put down very soon as she has a tumor on her spine and there is nothing the vet can do to treat her. The idea of being without our dog is just devastating to us all and we have been crying floods all week). She was a rescue with some very serious behavioural issues but 9 years later is my angel. If I hadn't taken her she would have been destroyed. I really want to offer that second chance to another deserving dog and hope people are right when they say rescues might make an exception if they think we are the right owners and they have the right dog.

Any other suggestions welcome
Gem

jackieglasgow

Aww GEM that is awful, your poor wee dog. {{HUGS}} for you.

Sagz_2

travis.b wrote: »

so is the issue with the dog not being suitable for such a young child ie the danger of a rescue dog which presumably might have some behavioural problems attacking the child, or is it that a child so young is more likely to poke it in the eye?

Both.

All dogs are different, have different past experiences and likes and dislikes.
All children are different, have different past experiences and likes and dislikes.

The skill of the rescue is matching one to another!

A blanket policy by a rescue is harsh on experienced owners but I can understand why some of them feel they have to have one. They have to err on the side of caution when children could be at risk.

Have you tried Dogs Trust..... Sabre might fit the bill

gratefulforhelp_2

Dear Lord, Gem that is soo sad and sounds so much like our naughty GSD who we loved to bits.

The problem is that the rescues are so litigation conscious, to protect themselves against the idiots, and so you, and the dogs suffer, because of a few idiots who would leave the dog to babysit the kids.