Adopting a Rescue Dog with a Young Child?

foreign_correspondent

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... some rescue dogs have a known history, be great with kids, and will have been kept in a foster home, perhaps with children, whilst a new home is looked for - so they may well have proved they are nice fmaily dogs, good with children etc.. still, most rescues will look for a family with children over 5. All dogs are capable of defending themselves if hurt or scared, and rescues have a responsibility to the families they rehome to, as well as the dog. Of course, you can find breeders who are perfectly happy to sell pups (of any breed) to families with tiny children and busy lifestyles... very often this does not work well, but sadly some people are more interested in money than ethics.

Very young children are incapable of understanding that other beings exist in their own right, and experience feelings etc.. they are by nature egocentric, and at 18 months old the child is very much in the sensorimotor stage of development (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Piaget#Stages)

Also, a lot of dogs get taken onto rescue because people find it impossible to balance the needs of small children and dogs.. so rescues are rightly wary of people being over optimistic about what they can cope with. This is no fault of the dogs, but a misjudgement by the owners.

foreign_correspondent

Gem_ wrote: »

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

Gem, it may well be worth posting a message on here - explain as much as you can about your circumstances, your current dog etc and see if anyone can suggest a likely rescue/dog...http://www.dogpages.org.uk/forums/index.php?showforum=3

hethmar

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?

Its a combination of both possibilities travis but even a dog with no known problems would likely react aggressively if injured by a toddler.

catlou

passthewine wrote: »

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:

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'm glad to see that it's not just me....I was going to post and say the same as passthewine :rotfl::D

Can you all Please stop posting links to dogs on dogsblog I keep looking at the site I already have a dog and half a cat and as much as I would love to have lots more dogs there really is no way that I can have another one.........so I MUST STOP looking!! But so many of them look so sweet and the sob stories too.....

It's like the doggy equivalent of "property !!!!!!" IYKWIM!! :eek: :rotfl: :rotfl:

jackieglasgow sounds like you are going to need therapy.....or a big extension so you can keep your kids and hubby and to fit all them doggies in too!! And you might need to learn Spanish for them adorable staffy cross pups!!! lol!

Good luck Gem really sorry to hear about your dog and I hope you find the right dog for you out there.......:)

Gem_

Norbertsmum wrote: »

Both.

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

Thanks, I didn't know we had a dogs trust and will get in touch with them.

MINMOUSE

We got our dog when my ds was 4 and dd 18 months. She was a rescue puppy from SSPCA and although was tiring for a few weeks it was the best thing I have done as she grew up with the children until she had to get pts a few weeks ago. Our new puppy was from Dogs Trust. My children are now 16/14/6, They told us that they do home dogs with young children although we were specifically after a pup. i can not recommend Dogs Trust enough they have been excellent.

hethmar

Just checked, theres a Dogs Trust in Ilfracombe - is that near you?

catlou wrote: »

I'm glad to see that it's not just me....I was going to post and say the same as passthewine :rotfl::D

It's like the doggy equivalent of "property !!!!!!" IYKWIM!! :eek: :rotfl: :rotfl:

.......

WARNING, more dog !!!!!!:

http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/carl1046609.aspx

Couldnt you just cuddle him to bits (and he is in Devon ) but it says he needs a quiet home.

Gem, the photos of the process of adopting show a woman with a kiddie aged about 3? looking at dogs

littlerat

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?

A little of both, a lot of the small percentage of idiots who think leaving their kids and dog along for 2 hours so they can go shopping is safe and approrpiate.


Actually only a relatively small amount of rescues have behavioural problems overall, most dogs are abandoned as people "can't afford" vets costs, don't have time for the dog, can't be bothered with it, want a new puppy (yes really), things like that, not something that's the dog's fault.

Gem_

I saw Carl at on the Dogs Trust website after you mentioned him and it was love at first sight ... you are all very bad people to tempt us with doggie !!!!!! :rotfl:

I am going to go up to Ilfracombe tomorrow to get my face known as a responsible dog owner to be. Will report back on any cute dogs spotted.

Gem

moomin5

It might take a bit more hunting, but there are rescues that do home to people with younger children and can assess on a more individual basis. I know my local greyhound group has homed to people with young children so, breed rescues and smaller independent rescues maybe a better option as they probably have more flexible polices. As you already have a dog it's probably easier to prove you can to cope with the challenges children & dogs bring.

My local RSPCA branch has a child age guide for each dog's profile, the youngest being 3+ so maybe policies vary branch to branch.