Should I Get The Kids A Dog?

[Sakeopete]

Hi all I need advice about whether I should get a family pet. We will be moving into our new house that is large and has 2 lots fenced so plenty of space. I am an animal lover and my boys have been on me forever to get a dog but we have been waiting for our house to be completed. My biggest concern is having someone poison the dog and it breaking my children' s (Newborn, 2, 6 & 12) hearts. I know dog poisoning has happened in our city and I'd hate for our family to get emotionally attached to the dog to see it poisoned.

Also if we do get a dog should we get a puppy or would it be safe to get a gentle adult dog to have around our young children?

Thanks

[sbk]

First rule --this will not be your kids dog, it will be yours or your wife. They will play with him and love him (or her!) but you and your wife will be the one that takes 100% responsibility.

[geriatrickid]

One of the advantages of getting an older dog is that it may be more patient with a kid. Some of the Dog rescue organizations here do put some effort into fostering and screening. You might wish to consider having a talk with one of the ladies at a place like http://www.scadbangkok.org/ (I'm sure there are other good places, but this was the only website I had handy.) No idea why, but women seem to have a very good sense as to what the most appropriate doggie is when kids are involved. Another advantage of an older dog is that you don't have to worry about diseases or serious defects as they will have usually presented by year 1. (By disease I mean puppy illnesses.) Nothing breaks a kid's heart faster than a sick dog where dad/mom can't fix it.

[elfe]

i would recommend to get a dog of about 6 months of age. the most dangerous phase to become sick of the deadly diseases is over and teething is finished. these dogs are still 'puppylike' in behaviour but already strong enough to cope with kids and don't need so much baby care anymore. an older dog COULD also have some underlying aggressions if handled roughly by kids, due to some experience, which we don't know of. so the people who give away such dog really have to know it well.

[Nienke]

If you may consider giving an older dog a good home (which would be absolutely great as those are so difficult to place, just BECAUSE they are a bit older), than I also would suggest to contact SCAD. They have some very knowledgeable people on dog behavior there and a school program running that includes dog bite prevention. In other words, they know what they are talking about.

Just give them a ring first and tell them your family situation.

If you have your garden fenced of and train your dog properly (if I'm not mistaken you're fairly close to macb, who was a dog trainer), then the chance someone will poison your dog will decrease considerable.

Good luck in finding yourself a wonderfull new pet!

Nienke

[Old Man River]

First rule --this will not be your kids dog, it will be yours or your wife. They will play with him and love him (or her!) but you and your wife will be the one that takes 100% responsibility.

No truer words have ever been spoken on TV! My kid has two dogs. One of them is sitting at my feet now, the other one waits outside for me to go play with her. It will be YOUR dog(s). Still, if you love dogs, don't hesitate and your kids will bug you anyway until you do.

[Sheryl]

See this thread http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=194697

If that doesn;t pan out then as suggested, SCAD.

Re the poisoning angle, keeping the dog within your yard will help as long as he does not annoy the neighbors by incessant barking (which would be what might motivate someone to slip oisoned food through your fence) so look for a dog who is not prone to excessive barking and don't let the dog run loose beyond the ocnfines of your yard.

With regard to the barking issue this is wheer a somewhat older dog may be an advantage as it is easier to tell their character and likewise how well they do with kids. Also they tend to have more natural caution than an innocent puppy. So personally I would go with an older (ie. 1-3 yearish) dog. Aso they are the least likely to get adopted so you're doing a doubly good turn.

Of course some will say you should get a puppy bevause it is easier to train a young dog. I can't speak to that because I have never trained a pet to do anything, my pets train me. (and are very good at it!).

[Sakeopete]

See this thread http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=194697

If that doesn;t pan out then as suggested, SCAD.

Re the poisoning angle, keeping the dog within your yard will help as long as he does not annoy the neighbors by incessant barking (which would be what might motivate someone to slip oisoned food through your fence) so look for a dog who is not prone to excessive barking and don't let the dog run loose beyond the ocnfines of your yard.

With regard to the barking issue this is wheer a somewhat older dog may be an advantage as it is easier to tell their character and likewise how well they do with kids. Also they tend to have more natural caution than an innocent puppy. So personally I would go with an older (ie. 1-3 yearish) dog. Aso they are the least likely to get adopted so you're doing a doubly good turn.

Of course some will say you should get a puppy bevause it is easier to train a young dog. I can't speak to that because I have never trained a pet to do anything, my pets train me. (and are very good at it!).

Thanks for the advice if my wife agrees I was already planning on contacting Joe about his Golden as they are great family dogs. My kids know I love animals and we even stop to save snakes and toads from getting run over so a dog will be in good hands.

[roygsd]

Hi all I need advice about whether I should get a family pet. We will be moving into our new house that is large and has 2 lots fenced so plenty of space. I am an animal lover and my boys have been on me forever to get a dog but we have been waiting for our house to be completed. My biggest concern is having someone poison the dog and it breaking my children' s (Newborn, 2, 6 & 12) hearts. I know dog poisoning has happened in our city and I'd hate for our family to get emotionally attached to the dog to see it poisoned.

Also if we do get a dog should we get a puppy or would it be safe to get a gentle adult dog to have around our young children?

Thanks

No Adult dog and no puppy without seeing both of its parents.

On Balance I personally would not keep a dog in LOS

roy gsd

[F1fanatic]

And keep your dog IN at night. It's a lot easier to slip something through the fence at night than during the day.