Pet Advice

I have a 10 month old little girl and I have 2 shih tzus that are absolutely wonderful with her! I know of a great breeder that has a litter that will be ready right before Christmas if you are interested, please let me know. They are AKC with papers and everything.

Hi there, I am an animal trainer, but that doesnt mean that my adive is foolproof:) It sounds like your dog has some anxiety and of course at this time, he is directing it towards your son. First off, he was the baby and now there is someone else getting all the attention.. no matter how much you try:) Also he is challenging the pack order in your house. You need to let him know that that behavior is unexceptable., eg. place him in a time out.. in his cage would be best. That is his safe zone, so dont let your child play in there. He will go there if he needs too get away later. I would try to make time with the two of the together, playing with the dogs favorite toy.. and giving treats to the dog when he is close the child... that will help with the relationship bonding. he needs to find out that the baby is not there to hurt him, but he is actually fun and rewarding... when the growling starts, tell him no and if he continues, place him immedialty in the time out spot... just like a kid. He will learn that it is uneceptable. If you ever catch your child close to him and he is really good... immedailty reward him for great behavor.. these are small steps, and may take awhile.
If you are looking for another dog, I would wait until this one is better.. adding toomuch at one time and be stressful. But for down the road... labs are a great choice. I have one and he is wonderful.
Good luck

H.,
We ended up having to put a dog down because of this exact thing. I applaud you for being proactive. We screwed up because we kept making excuses for our dog's behavior instead of acting immediately when we saw a problem.

That said, typically smaller dogs tend to be nippier than larger dogs (but that isn't always true). Dogs that are bred to herd (like corgies, border collies, etc.) tend to nip out of nature...they also tend to be more vocal. I love the Dayton Humane Society. They are good with their animals and truly want to see the placement work so they won't push a dog on your family that they don't feel will work. I agree about staying away from pet stores. Places like SICSA and the Humane Society have some really great dogs to offer and will help you find the pet that's right for you. Our best dogs have been rescues - and it's probably the only way I'll go in the future.

Good Luck!!

Hi H.!
Well, we have alot in common! My name is also H. and I too am having an issue with my dog and daughter. I have a 5 year old Weimaraner that has been my baby before my daughter. My daughter is now 16 months old and trying to chase the dog and hit. My dog growls whenever she comes near, but runs the other direction. I've taken her to a trainer who claims she's very stressed because she's not sure where she belongs since the baby. It breaks my heart to have to think about getting rid of her but I have to do whats best before something happens. My husband really cant stand the dog in the first place, but tolerates her because I love her! We too are thinking of possibly getting a smaller dog once we figure out what to do with the other. You're lucky your in-laws are willing to take yours. I dont think anyone in their right mind would take mine!!! Toy Fox terriers are a great breed for children. My mom has one and she is fantastic with our daughter. My Uncle is a vet and still says Golden Retrievers are the best around children, but dont know if you're looking for something large. Goodluck to you!

Our German Shepherd was 4 when my son was born. She is wonderful with him. She would lick his face all day long if we let her. He loves her too, is always crawling after her. He did tend to pull her fur or tail in the beginning but we are lucky that if she has had enough, she just walks away and goes to a part of the house that our son can't get to. Of course we still watch when they are together as you should with all animals. She is very protective of both myself and the baby when a stranger comes around. My husband got her from the pound when she was about 1 year old. Why not take your son to the local animal shelter to pick out a dog? That way they can meet each other and you will be able to tell right away how the dog reacts. They have all ages and sizes. All of the dogs should have been checked medically, been given shots, de-wormed and de-flead if necessary. Most shelters will not let a dog leave unless they have been fixed. I know you want a small dog but I've heard that golden retrievers are wonderful with kids too. Maybe some kind of mix breed will do. Here is a web sight you can search as well. www.petfinder.com

I am a vet, so I just wanted to put my two cents in. I think that pets can be a wonderful addition to a home with children of any age. However, they do take a lot of time and money, so make sure that you are prepared for that. With that said, I am always hesitant in recommending specific breeds. I have seen chihuahuas that will tear your arm off and rottweilers that will lay in your lap like a teddy bear. The important thing is to make sure the dog is well socialized and comfortable with all of your family members. You don't want a dog that cowers in the corner and is afraid of loud noises. They can often be fear biters. You also don't want a super protective or possessive dog that might become aggressive. I would definitely recommend adopting a dog from a local shelter or rescue group, as they usually have info regarding the dog's background and temperament. Please stay away from pet stores, since they often get their puppies from puppy mills. Also, be cautious about so-called "breeders" that can't tell you all of the specifics about their breed, including problems associated with their breed. You might consider adopting an adult dog, since they often have some form of training and are usually calmer. Plus, the Humane Society of the US has some good info on choosing the right dog for your family (hsus.org).

We have 2 pugs that are excellent with our children. Pugs are a very friendly breed that do not bite or growl. They shed a little bit but easy to sweep up everyday. There is a pug rescue in Ohio if you are looking for an older dog. www.ohiopugrescue.com It is such a good feeling to adopt a dog that needs a home.

Good Luck dog hunting!

H.,
I love dogs too and think that a home is complete with one. But your son is only 15 months old. Maybe wait a little for the dog. I know that if he was five and got a puppy he would loose his marbles over it. And be able to help take care of it! At that age it's a great responcibility builder. - just a thought.
Good luck,
S.

my parents have a lab and my aunt and uncle have one too they are great family dogs that is if size doesn't matter because they do get pretty big! my aunt and uncle have had labs the whole time they have had kids so i've grown up with them and my parents dog even though he's never really been around little kids absolutely loves my 15 mth old he's never growled or nipped at her and she crawls all over him and gives him big hugs and kisses. hope this helps!

God Bless
S.

My father and step mom have a Bishon Frise. They are small, white curly haired dogs and they are great with people. One of the other great things about them is that they don't shed at all. They grow hair, not fur so they don't shed. That's why my dad got the breed. He has 2 of them and just loves their playfulness, intelligence and gentleness. My step mom loves the fact that she doesn't have to clean up all the shedding hair! Good luck. I myself have a lab mix and a Siberian Husky as well as a 3 yr old daughter. The lab mix is wonderful because I lived in a neighborhood that had lots of kids so I trained him to be submissive around children for when I had one. He's the best around my daughter. The husky we adopted when she was 1 yr old already and had been abused. I don't trust her as much because of her size. If she doesn't trust something she isn't afraid to let you know.

After all that, I still highly recommend the Bishon Frise!! Best of luck!

H.,

My sister has the best dog on Earth and I would highly recommend this type of dog for any family. She's a Pembroke Welsh Corgi and has the most tremendous temperment, is highly intelligent, and is GREAT with kids! I looked online and found several websites that recommend these dogs as family pets. Here is just one of those

http://www.canismajor.com/dog/corgi.html

I hope you find this useful and I wish you luck in your hunt for an excellent family dog.

-M.

i have a border collie mixed my son is 2 and he will pull the dogs hair play rough with him and humphrey dont mind it at all when we got humphrey we got him from the animal shelter and he was there cause he used to be beat and left outside all the time with no food or water from his origional owner they had to many dogs and neglected him and when we first got humphrey he always had his tail tucked underneath him cause he was scared now today he is a happy dog very loveable doesnt have his tail tucked under him but i can say this type of dog is great

We have a beagle and he LOVES our kids... our oldest even hand feeds him and he loves it! They are very energetic though and need lots of exercise (a fenced area)... they're not very little either.

My mom has a schitzu and he isn't that nice. I've heard that others are good dogs, but it seems to be a breed that you can't rely on them being good with children. IMO I wouldn't take a chance on one.

I feel like some of the other ladies here that a home just isn't complete without a pet. We have had a mini-schnauzer for a little over 4 yrs and she is a great dog with the kids. When we first got her my children were 5 and 3 and since then we have had another baby who is now 2. She's always been great with the kids. We were pleasantly surprised with how wonderful she is with the baby, who's first word was the dog's name and has given the poor thing no peace since she could crawl.
Each breed has it's pros a and cons and the AKC's website is a great resource for looking up information to help you decide what might be a good fit for your family. I would also suggest that you contact a rescue society for the breed(s) you are interested in because they will be more honest with you about the kind of dog you are getting(as far as personality, maintenance) than a breeder who might be just trying to make money. One last thing-- please wait til after the holidays to bring a puppy into your home. This time of year is to stressful and hurried to really care for what is basically a new baby.

Well actually I was going to suggest a schitzue because we have one and he just loves our kids and he is a great dog. He hardly barks and is very playful so i would have to suggest a schitzue!!!!

Good luck!!!

I have a tea cup poodle and wow my kids love the dog and the dog loves them. These kind of dogs do not shed and they are very smart. The only draw back is they are kinda expensive and hard to come by. I know someone that breeds them but they only do it twice a year and might get one or two. If you are interested let me know.

When my son was 2, I got a Lab mix (I recommend a female, they are calmer). They are now 12 and 14 years old. I couldn't imagine a boy growing up without man's best friend. The dog has always watched over, protected him and been at his side for playtime, sleeptime, 2 surgeries and numerous illnesses. See if you can get your husband to reconsider his decision.

H.,
It is normal for small animals to fear the boy. Dogs growl when they are scared. Is there any chance your in-laws could take the dog for a while? Chances are very good that when your son is a little older, the dog will be fine with him. Your dog is probably "acting out" because he feels threatened and neglected with a baby in the house.

Of course you must take care of your baby over anything else, but maybe you can give your dog a second chance. Is there a safe place where your dog can retreat to get away from your son? Does your son eat the dog's food (no, I am not being gross, but little kids do that)? If you can help your dog feel safe, the two of them can probably get along just fine. I have a Chihuahua who has growled at our son when he was small. I have a dog carrier in a closet where she can hide, though, and now that our son is 5, she doesn't mind if he pets her gently. Co-existence can evolve.

Also, as far as dogs to play with your child, small dogs are really not hugely recommended. Because of their size, they feel threatened more easily and already have a reputation for being yappy and nippy.

Best wishes,
K.

H., I was informed recently by a doctor at a childrens Hospital that cats and dogs are not good for small children to be around. They carry the germ that causes strep. The cat actually is worse than the dog. When we went into the hospital and all the doctors were checking my daughter every doctors first question was do you own a cat or dog. They said that cats and dogs are worse than you child being around a smoker. (Breathing wise) My daughter had breathing problems!

This is definitely something to check into when picking a animal. You sound like you love your dog very much. However you child is your main concern and I would hate for anything to happen to anyones child. I do not mean to scare you or sound crazy but this is what we were told and i did not know any of that.

Debbie

Hi H.,
We have four kids and are the proud owners of a miniature schnauzer. He is great with the kids. There's also a plus he doesn't shed! He is a wonderful dog and are currently looking for a little girl schnauzer too. He was very easy to train. They are very smart dogs as well. I suggest no matter what kind of dog you decide to go with to do some research on the internet. That's what we did and we couldn't be happier. Good Luck!

L.

Hello H.,
Its sad that you have to give away your dog. But it is best for your son's saftey. At least he is going to a family member. I am a mother of 3 kids. I have a 3 year old son and 2 twin girls 6 months. My husband and I got a Shih Tzu right after we got married six years ago. She is a wonderful dog. And is so great with the kids. The little ones are just starting to touch her which is usually pulling on her hair and she just sits there. My son and her will play with her little toys and run around the house together. Great excersise for the both of them. Growing up we always had Shih Tzu's also that it was just a givin that that is what I would get. Here is another tip. The girl Shih Tzu are alot more laid back and easy to care for. The boy Shih Tzu are very hipper. Hope this helps.

Labs are known to be great with kids. If you get a puppy and raise it with your son they will be best friends, the dog will also protect your son to the end. My girlfriend has 3 labs and a 15 month old son. She had the dogs first, but they love the baby like no other. Good luck!!

First, talk to your vet. They will be able to give you advice about how the dog may develope with your child. If it is possible even. If you do look for a new dog this is my two cents worth though...

I have had three dogs around my six month old and all have been great, however if you want one that is really lovable and great with kids the beagle is the one we liked the most. They are small, short haired, very playfull, but not dangerous.

The only thing with them is if they get out they are gone! They will come back, but their noses take them on adventures that are made for movies!

I do suggest one thing before you make any moves. Talk to your vet. They know of all the options. My sister is finishing her residency now and she is my go to girl for advice on animals.

Just so you have some other info.... The other two dogs we have in our family are an American Eskimo (cute fluffy w/ curly tail long haired)-They are pack family dogs. Which means they will do anything to protect their family. Great with your kids, will bite other kids though.

And a Husky mix- Great with all kids.

Also I bet your vet will tel you muts are great. At least with physical ailments themselves. It's good to know what breads they are so you can tell if they are good with kids though. Of course you can't go wrong with a golden retriever. Females are smaller than males.

I could talk all day about animals. I think they add a level of compassion to kids that you can not teach them yourself sometimes. Just my thoughts growing up with all sorts of animals.

Just be careful of the cute fluffy ones. Really be careful. The dog trainer would not touch the American Eskimo, saying it is one of the ten most deadly dogs in the world. You'd never know it looking at the cute fluffy pup.

Note:
Ask your vet how the temperment is as the dog ages. The Chow is another cute fluffy dog that actually gets more agressive as they get older.

Good luck!

How about a chiuaha (sp) my cousin has one.
Really small. Or, since you said Jack, how about a Jack Russell Terrier. Although, all dogs, no matter what, will take up your time. Make sure your son is potty trained before you get him or you won't know who is peeing on the floor.

Hi H..

I actually have 2 shepherd mix dogs that were my babies for 12 and 6 years respectively until my daughter arrived last year. When I got both dogs, I made a point of doing special training with them for things that kids usually do to annoy dogs (pulling on ears, grabbing whiskers, pinching, etc) and would take them out to where they were around other kids. The last thing I wanted was a dog that was afraid of kids or bit when a kid did something to them like I mentioned, and then I lost my dog. I highly recommend this if you do get another dog in the future.

Needless to say, I have had NO problems with my dogs in regards to my daughter. They both love her dearly, to the point that if I correct her, they give me attitude!

Those that are telling you that small dogs are a bad idea are correct. Statistically, smaller dogs are more apt to bite than larger ones. Why not get a medium sized dog? I would actually suggest a mutt. They seem to have the best disposition.

Good luck. You're very lucky that you have someone to take your dog and that you'll still be able to see it. I couldn't imagine getting rid of either of my girls.

M.

We had the same situtation with our boston terrier who was about 4 when we had our first son. She also ended up living with my inlaws so we can still see her. When my youngest was almost a year, I NEEDED a dog! A big reason was to clean up under the table after meals! and something to talk to while the boys were sleeping in the afternoon. We got a pug/boston mix and she has been the best! She was 8 weeks when we got her, so she "grew up" with the boys. She's never growled or snapped at any child even though they have played too rough. They can hug her and snuggle on the couch and she lays in bed while we read stories, sometimes she stays all night. I think older dogs just get used to ruling the house and don't adjust well with kids. I would try a puppy if you need a dog like me. I didn't want my kids to be afraid of animals and I've read that kids with animals have fewer allergies. Good luck winning over your husband!

Terriers are usually not kid friendly. In fact, most smaller breeds (terriers, poodles, yorkies etc) aren't. Imagine being 10 lbs and under and having a wobbly, loud child coming near you lol. There are exceptions, but stay away from the smaller breeds until your son is older. I think your husband is right. What if you get another dog and the same thing happens? I would really wait until your son is older. There is no reason you can't get one down the road. It's silly to say no dogs ever just because yours isn't dealing with it very well. In fact, it's a great way to teach your son compassion and responsibility. As for your dog, my mom has a wire haired terrier and he growls too and basically hates kids, even my 8 yr old cousin. I just know to keep my daughter from getting too close to him. No matter what kind of pet you have, children need to learn boundaries early on and should never be left alone with them, no matter how friendly the animal is with kids. Really, it's not your dog's fault, it's just how he is. Bringing a new baby into the home when your dog has essentially been your baby for so long is really rough on most animals, so of course he is acting out. I just don't think it's right to get rid of one dog, then get another one. In the future, find a dog that is more kid friendly, like a lab or golden retriever, or even a mutt. If you really have your heart set on another dog right now, try going to the pound or a rescue group. That way you can test it out to see if the dog will get along with your son. The great thing about rescue groups is that you will know upfront if the dog likes kids or not. Like I said though, just because your mom's smaller breed dog loves your son, doesn't mean another shitzu will. We had poodles when I was growing up and one hated me, while the other one could have cared less and actually used to let me dress her up in doll clothing,(that poor dog lol)yet the other one (same litter) was always trying to bite me. So, it really all depends.

Get a pug!!! They LOVE kids! We had one for many years and even though he could be scary to the kids (he had allergies and would breathe in a scary way because of it), he always loved them and would walk up to them to be pet. Never did he ever growl or try to bite another kid. He loved my nephews (they were quite young at the time too) and really enjoyed snuggling with them as well as rough-housing.

Good luck with your decision!