Dog for a Grieving Kid?

I don't suggest trying to displace grief by replacement. Yes he would probably love the dog, but the grief is then only suppressed and very likely to affect him later in life in some way.
It also teaches a person that if someone dies, the grief process is not necessary, just replace them.
There are solutions to help and support his grief process resolve quickly and effectively, rather than suffer and be stuck in it.
You can give him a 2-3 doses over 2 days of homeopathic Ignatia 30C to help him resolve the grief. It works at a deep level, with no side effects. There are other remedies and higher potencies that are sometimes more fitting for a person which you can get from a homeopath if needed. But usually Ignatia is all a person needs, especially children.
Then he is not stuck in grief, nor 'robbed' or diverted from it's very necessary process for humans. :)
Be well,
Liz

I think its a great idea. its a distraction and put them in obiedience class so they will bond more and he would have to train it ievery night so it will keep him distracted so he can't feel sorry for himself. let him get an inside dog so it can sleeep with it. He can focus on teaching it to fetch if you get him a pure bred he could do dog shows if the idea is feasable. If your town is big enough. He could put him in parades and show him off.
I think its a very ideal situation for him. all kids need a dog and if you were thinking about it anyway now would be an ideal time. He could take it to the park and keep his mind off of the death. take it for a walk. I think you just had an amazing brainstorm that is brillant.
you can find one on petopia thats where i got my cat

Labs are good dogs, very playful, yet loving. You could probably sit on one and it wouldn't attack you. Your son could cuddle with the dog and it might make him feel good. We have a black lab, he can be hard to take care of sometimes, and also a little playful, but he's a good dog and i suggest that you get one because it WILL help!

There are so many dogs waiting for a home and a little boy to love them, you really should have no problem. Here in Northern VA there is an organization called HART that has tons of dogs up for adoption, dogs of all ages, sizes, you name it. If you find a dog that is in a foster home, that foster person can tell you everything you want to know about the dog's personality. Of course you can go to the shelter, but the foster person sees the dog in a family situation, which is what you want. Their website is hart90.org. You can go and see the dogs at adoption fairs and then go see the dog in its foster home setting if you need to. Good luck, I think you are doing the right thing.

S.

Getting a dog is a great idea. However, caring for a dog is a lot like caring for a kid. Both need attention, exercise, consistency, and boundaries. If your son is young, YOU'LL be parenting the dog, not your son. So please consider that.

Also, know that dogs from a good AKC breeder cost the same as an adopted dog. Most adopted, rescue, and Petco (etc) dogs come from puppy mills. You'll have no idea of the parentage or health history. A good breeder WILL take the dog back at no charge if it doesn't work out. A good breeder WILL also answer the phone and help you with questions about how to properly care for, groom, etc. the dog.

Folks who adopt are VERY good intentioned, but in a way, aren't they supporting puppy mills? I know that there are pets out there that are perfect and wonderful and came from an adopt-out place, so this is not a blanket statement. I'm just asking you to consider a breeder because it's a much safer bet for a first-time pet owner (if you are one). Try the Minnesota Purebred Dog Breeders Association web site. They'll help you fgure out if you should get an adult vs. puppy, the right breed for your family, etc.

Good luck with your son and god bless you for helping him cope with his loss. That's tough...

I think it's a great idea, pets have been scientifically shown to help people deal with grief and trauma.

HOWEVER, having a dog is a huge responsibility and a lot of work for YOU. Even if you were to get a fully trained animal, you must keep up with his training every day or he will "forget" how to behave. Keeping a service dog trained is part of why they are such effective companions, it takes a lot of commitment and a loving connection with the dog and keeps your mind off negative thoughts.
In addition they need to be properly exercised (depending on breed this varies), walked, groomed, fed and don't forget the vet expenses.

So yes, if you are ready for a dog, it's a great idea.

I think it is a great idea! We have two dogs that are very important family members. My husband is on full military disability, cannot work, or do many of the things he used to. The dogs keep him from succumbing to depression and make him get out of bed. The dogs love us unconditionally, they comfort my husband when no one is home, and they comforted me and the kids when my husband was in the hospital for a year. The older dog actually saved my husband's life! The dogs are so worth the expense and the inconvenience, we can't just up and leave, but I wouldn't trade our "boys" for anything.

How old is your son?
Unless he is over the age of 10 or 11, he will not be able to train the dog. YOU will have to do so. AND discipline (maintain the training).
Unless it is a small dog, YOU will have to do the walking as well.
Please make sure that you are up for the work/time/expense and that you are committed to being a pet owner, BEFORE you make the leap. It is a great idea... but to take care of and be a good dog owner, is a lot of work and expense. Annual vet visits, flea and heartworm preventatives, food, bedding, and illnesses (even a bought of food poisoning by getting into something they shouldn't on occasion, lol) can all rack up (flea/tick and heartworm preventatives cost us around $250 annually for our dog, plus annual vet visit/rabies shot, etc and food)... not to mention what you do when you go on vacation. Will you take your dog with you when you go out of town? Where will you board it or who will care for it? For every trip we take out of town, I pay $20-$22 a day for a reputable kennel to keep her... and she is always depressed by not being with her pack.
Dogs are not temporary... they can live as long as 14-15 years, depending on the breed.

I am NOT saying it is a bad idea. It probably is a GOOD idea... IF you know what "you are signing up for"...

We found our dog at the local animal shelter. I found him listed on adoptapet.com. He's fantastic! Our shelter has a trainer that comes in once or twice a week to work with the animals, so he was already trained. I would really encourage you to look into your local shelters. Most of the dogs are wonderful loving pets. The people that work there should be able to tell you the temperment of the animal you choose.

try petfinder.com & put in your zip