Mom, Can We Have a Dog???

I think every parent has heard the question. "Mom, can we have a dog?" Admittedly, having grown up with dogs and being in the dog training profession, I'm biased. I think kids should have dogs. But, I also know that a bad match between dogs and families can have unfortunate results, both for people and pets.

One of the problems with bringing a pet into the home is that most people choose the pet based on some great reasons, but reasons which might not lead to that great match. They get the cute dog that resembles a long lost childhood pal, or the shy dog they feel badly for sitting at the back of a shelter cage, or the "hypo-allergenic" dog that won't trigger sneezing fits and red eyes. But, the cute dog may not have been socialized as well as the dog they remember. The shy dog may growl or snap when solicitous children want to hug it. The dog that doesn't trigger allergies may be too large and rambunctious and knock a toddler over.

The funny thing is that most people never call a dog trainer until they have a problem, yet so many problems could be avoided by getting some pre-purchase, or pre-adoption, advice from a qualified professional with many years of all breed experience.

The very first consideration, in any home with children, is the dog's temperament. It should be rock solid. So, you don't want an overly confident or overly shy dog. A "middle of the road" sort that isn't bothered by noises, flurries of activity, or body handling, is a good bet.

When it comes to size or breed, there are so many choices. But, let's take our hypoallergenic example. Labradoodles are one of the breeds that come to mind. They are generally large exuberant dogs, and may well be too much dog for very young kids. But, a Lagotto Romagnolo or a mini-Goldendoodle is also considered hypoallergenic, of similar coat type, yet smaller and more manageable.

As we see, there's more to choosing than meets the eye. A qualified trainer can help with this aspect of education as well as helping the new dog learn to co-exist in a human family, so don't be afraid to call ahead of time. At Paws for Praise, in Danvers, we help parents who have children that want a dog to understand breed group differences as well as what to look for in an individual dog. But if you're reading this online and aren't in our area, check the trainer listings at the Pet Professional Guild. Remember, handsome is as handsome does - looks aren't everything (studies have shown that most people choose a dog based on the "cute" factor). Get some help and insure a better chance for a lifetime bond between your new canine friend and your child.