| Advice re Dogs 14:05 - Apr 21 with 5791 views | JacksDad |
Hello All!
My boy, Jack is 7 - has downs syndrome, autism and sensory processing disorder. Over the last 9 months we introduced him to a kitten slowly but surely bonding them to such an extent that they would sit next to eachother and Jack would stroke him. Which was amazing. However 2 weeks ago we took the cat to the vets and it escaped from his carrier and did one. Occasional sightings since then but no definates - lots of leaflets and posters and even an article in the local rag but no joy.
We said to our 10 year old that the chances are that he is now gone for good, and she suggested that Jack would probably have been better off with a dog anyway. So we have been "introducing" him to friends/family/neighbours dogs and he is fantastic with them. It is amazing the affect it has on him.
Although there are wonderful organisations such as Dogs for the Disabled which specialise in providing dogs for our kids the waiting list is horrendous, so I am throwing it out to you guys .. any suggestions .. please be aware that in the words of Mick Hucknell, Moneys too tight to mention.
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| Advice re Dogs on 14:17 - Apr 21 with 4067 views | essextaxiboy |
What about the Dogs Trust ? There is a big one opened near me in Basildon but they have a few .You can just turn up most days and meet the dogs for rehoming .You can take them for a walk around a path they have built
I am sure they would keep an eye out for a suitable dog for your circumstances and you could get to know it over a few visits before deciding . You have pay a donation when you take one . You can do a search on their website to see what each branch has . Good Luck to you and Jack . |  | | |
| Advice re Dogs on 14:23 - Apr 21 with 4052 views | Hayesender |
Seconded on the dogs trust.
Got a four month or staff from the one in Harefield 14 months ago now, and he is just brilliant.
I have a 12 year old with aspergers and watching the two of them together is fantastic |  |
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| Advice re Dogs on 14:25 - Apr 21 with 4048 views | Mytch_QPR |
I know BrightonHoop is involved in caring for / rehoming dogs - but I think he is in Spain. You could PM him and ask if he knows of any contacts in the UK.
We adopted our little terrier through Many Tears in South Wales - worth checking their website but some of the dogs have come from troubled backgrounds so may not be suitable. Sounds like a Labrador might be your best bet (but perhaps not a puppy), you want a breed which is not too excitable.
Dogs Trust a good shout from Essex - good luck with finding the right hound! |  |
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| Advice re Dogs on 14:42 - Apr 21 with 4011 views | wombat |
| Advice re Dogs on 14:25 - Apr 21 by Mytch_QPR |
I know BrightonHoop is involved in caring for / rehoming dogs - but I think he is in Spain. You could PM him and ask if he knows of any contacts in the UK.
We adopted our little terrier through Many Tears in South Wales - worth checking their website but some of the dogs have come from troubled backgrounds so may not be suitable. Sounds like a Labrador might be your best bet (but perhaps not a puppy), you want a breed which is not too excitable.
Dogs Trust a good shout from Essex - good luck with finding the right hound! |
brighton will export dogs and has done recently , only risk is you dont meet the dog before he arrives although im sure hed find a dog to suit your sons needs.
also dogs trust got two labs from there and its luck of the draw with regards what dogs they have in each day let alone week and there is a lot of demand for certain breeds , took us 3 months to find our first lab and we had to reserve her as soon as we saw her. |  |
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| Advice re Dogs on 14:46 - Apr 21 with 3993 views | Gloucs_R |
How about contacting Guide Dogs for the Blind? A lot of their dogs dont make it to be full guide dogs. i dont know what they do with the rest but the temperament would be ace.
If not, just go for a Labrador. Best dogs on the world for a family, yes I am biased! |  |
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| Advice re Dogs on 14:51 - Apr 21 with 3991 views | Aunt_Nelly |
I would also suggest adopting from a rescue. From your description of Jack's condition I reckon the first meeting will have to be carefully managed. Taking yopur lad straight in to kennels with a load of barking dogs may be too much for him. I don't know where you live but the Mayhew are brilliant and based in Kensal Green. If you speak to them and explain the situation, I'm sure they will be able to ensure a good introduction and match up the right dog for Jack.
https://themayhew.org/ |  | | |
| Advice re Dogs on 15:18 - Apr 21 with 3949 views | hoof_hearted |
Another shout for Harefield Dogs Trust.
Look online for them and maybe go down there to meet someone - big commitment even buying a dog as you have several "meetings" with the dog before you go ahead, They check you out with a home visit to make sure it won't be home alone too much of the day.
Ours was £80 neutered and chipped (quick check in case he's reading over my shoulder as he thinks he just mislaid his nuts temporarily). |  | | |
| Advice re Dogs on 15:28 - Apr 21 with 3922 views | wombat |
| Advice re Dogs on 14:46 - Apr 21 by Gloucs_R |
How about contacting Guide Dogs for the Blind? A lot of their dogs dont make it to be full guide dogs. i dont know what they do with the rest but the temperament would be ace.
If not, just go for a Labrador. Best dogs on the world for a family, yes I am biased! |
also hearing dogs are a god bet friend of mine got the most placid lump of a lab from them proper dope on a rope but would be perfect for your boy | |
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| Advice re Dogs on 16:17 - Apr 21 with 3854 views | paulparker |
| Advice re Dogs on 15:28 - Apr 21 by wombat |
also hearing dogs are a god bet friend of mine got the most placid lump of a lab from them proper dope on a rope but would be perfect for your boy |
Had 2 Lhasa Apso's , one of them lived for 18 years ,(they only really live to 9) i kept custody of them when i divorced my 1st wife ,beautiful dogs
when i met the current Mrs P my step daughter was only 5 and they had a cat,
the apso , cat and my step daughter all used to sleep togther on the couch
destroyed me when he died |  |
| And Bowles is onside, Swinburne has come rushing out of his goal , what can Bowles do here , onto the left foot no, on to the right foot
That’s there that’s two, and that’s Bowles
Brian Moore
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| Advice re Dogs on 16:22 - Apr 21 with 3842 views | TheChef |
Growing up we had a miniature Schnauzer. Lived to the ripe old age of 16. Very sociable dogs, good company, don't need loads of exercise, and as a bonus they don't moult! |  |
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| Advice re Dogs on 16:55 - Apr 21 with 3795 views | hoopdog |
Look on the net there's a failed guide dog adoption society where a dog just doesn't come up to expectations but you would get a cracking young adult dog already trained .
Of course you know what breed of dog you would prefer but in your situation I would opt for a Lab bitch as bitches are more inclined to be steadier , taking a dog from rescue you don't know to much about their past which make a bitch a safer option for your lad | | | |
| Advice re Dogs on 17:51 - Apr 21 with 3718 views | headhoops |
Hi jacks dad,
some great suggestions on here already - you cannot go wrong with a labrador, brilliant temperament. I help run a learning disabled charity and we have a reptile man come in and our kids from 6-16 adore his collection of snakes, lizards etc.
Good luck with finding the right dog for him. |  |
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| Advice re Dogs on 20:12 - Apr 21 with 3632 views | YorkRanger |
| Advice re Dogs on 14:46 - Apr 21 by Gloucs_R |
How about contacting Guide Dogs for the Blind? A lot of their dogs dont make it to be full guide dogs. i dont know what they do with the rest but the temperament would be ace.
If not, just go for a Labrador. Best dogs on the world for a family, yes I am biased! |
Agreed on labs. Got a chocolate who will be 14 in September. Fantastic with kids.
The "failed" guide dogs is a good shout. A friend of ours also got a "failed" police dog, well trained and great temperament but just didn't quite cut it. A call to the local police may provide some pointers for you. |  | | |
| Advice re Dogs on 20:27 - Apr 21 with 3607 views | TacticalR |
Out of interest how do you fail as a guide dog? |  |
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| Advice re Dogs on 20:30 - Apr 21 with 3603 views | rrrspricey |
Jacks Dad i was in a similar position years ago with my lad who is also Downs. We adopted an 8 year old Staf when he was 8 and my daughter was 6.
The dog was amazing with the kids and followed them both around like a shadow. Very mild natured and let them do whatever they wanted to to him (my daughter used to dress him up all the time, much to the amusement of her brother!)
I would echo those that recommend adoption from trusts etc and you have the added bonus of having the dog on a trial basis to make sure the fit is right from everyone's perspective.
Good luck in your search |  | | |
| Advice re Dogs on 20:31 - Apr 21 with 3600 views | YorkRanger |
| Advice re Dogs on 20:27 - Apr 21 by TacticalR |
Out of interest how do you fail as a guide dog? |
By being distracted Whilst out walking I think, other dogs, food on pavement etc. | | | |
| Advice re Dogs on 20:39 - Apr 21 with 3578 views | Hayesender |
| Advice re Dogs on 20:30 - Apr 21 by rrrspricey |
Jacks Dad i was in a similar position years ago with my lad who is also Downs. We adopted an 8 year old Staf when he was 8 and my daughter was 6.
The dog was amazing with the kids and followed them both around like a shadow. Very mild natured and let them do whatever they wanted to to him (my daughter used to dress him up all the time, much to the amusement of her brother!)
I would echo those that recommend adoption from trusts etc and you have the added bonus of having the dog on a trial basis to make sure the fit is right from everyone's perspective.
Good luck in your search |
Re on staffies.
Doesn't it just boil your piss the way they're perceived in the press, because of the way they're treated by certain sub humans?
Dangerous breed my arse, it's certain dog owners who are dangerous and need putting down! | |
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| Advice re Dogs on 20:55 - Apr 21 with 3553 views | FredManRave |
The importancce of taking the time and understanding about all the requirements you will need from a dog and learning about all the dogs characteristics is obvious to me now but unfortunately wasn't at the time of the purchase of my first ever dog.
We chose the "perfect" family dog, a Golden Retriever. We got it as a puppy and it was great initially. However, when my wife got pregnant by me and spent the vast majority of said pregnancy in bed causing chaos to our home life unfortunately the dog neglected as far as love, attention and exercise were concrened. Through no fault of his own he became unmanagable due to his understandable exuberance and energy and then when the baby was born due to this exuberance and energy he was too much around the baby. When you add the fact of how much he moulteed and his strength and the fact that he hadn't been trained by me sufficiently it became such that we had no choice to return him to the place where we had bought him from. HBoth his parents and a sister were still there and whilst it was a very difficult decision to make and to follow through with at least we knew we were doing what was best for him.
That was 3 years ago now and we have just within the last month got a new puppy. A Caniche! A breed I never thought I would want or enjoy but the truth be told it's been a revelation. It's a dream family dog, imo. Our 2 kids play with her all the time with never ever any risk of reaction even if they wind her up. She doesn't moult is obviously very small so doesn't need regular exercise and she eats (costs) very little and her caca is small as well! The kids can carry her around the house and taking her out in the car to the park is absolutely no problem.
So in summary, although it's not been mentioned yet I do think size is important. With young children I would personally not get an alsation or a labrador and would choose a small breed of dog for all the reasons mentioned above.
Good Luck. |  |
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| Advice re Dogs on 21:05 - Apr 21 with 3543 views | Hoop_Du_Jour |
| Advice re Dogs on 20:31 - Apr 21 by YorkRanger |
By being distracted Whilst out walking I think, other dogs, food on pavement etc. |
I'd make a sh1t guide dog going by those guidelines! |  | | |
| Advice re Dogs on 22:03 - Apr 21 with 3480 views | Lblock |
| Advice re Dogs on 14:46 - Apr 21 by Gloucs_R |
How about contacting Guide Dogs for the Blind? A lot of their dogs dont make it to be full guide dogs. i dont know what they do with the rest but the temperament would be ace.
If not, just go for a Labrador. Best dogs on the world for a family, yes I am biased! |
THIS
Every single time.
My lab is my life and they are simply THE best dogs in the world.
Mine carried the rings up the aisle for us on Saturday then calmly sat at our feet for 20 minutes in a room of 80 or so complete strangers to her.... only flinched slightly by raising her ears and waking up when everyone applauded.
You'll not regret being found by one of these I'm telling you! |  |
| Cherish and enjoy life.... this ain't no dress rehearsal |
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| Advice re Dogs on 22:49 - Apr 21 with 3431 views | Pablo_Hoopsta |
I very sorry to read about the escaped cat! I have two Maine Coons who and brilliant, brother and sister who just turned 2. They're pretty big for cats, bigger than a small dog and have around 2 more years of growing! For us they're great, stay indoors happily, are extremely attentive (both are currently laying on the bed between me and my lady) and incredibly patient!
I'd love to have some dogs one day when we have the time to commit, Great Danes, Ridgebacks and Burmese Mountain Dogs are on our radar.
I hope you can find a suitable companion for your son Jack, everyone should have animals in their lives! |  | | |
| Advice re Dogs on 23:00 - Apr 21 with 3417 views | OakR |
I've had a lab in the past and would agree with others the are great dogs.
I have a young family now and have been looking at dogs quite a bit - with young children the thing I keep reading is dogs with high pain thresholds good natures for when they are accidentally trodden on etc.
Staffies are nearly always near the top of these lists, and whilst I've never owned one they seem perfect in many ways and are meant to tolerate ear pulling etc (obviously this is not to be encouraged!). Labs I'm sure would be great. I'm sure some 'mongrel' dogs would be fine also, and may be less prone to certain disorders etc.
As with any dog, you would need to ensure they are properly trained to ensure you have some degree of control of them and so they understand the boundaries.
Good luck - I'm sure you can find a dog with the right temperament. | |
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| Advice re Dogs on 04:29 - Apr 22 with 3360 views | CanadaRanger |
| Advice re Dogs on 20:27 - Apr 21 by TacticalR |
Out of interest how do you fail as a guide dog? |
Spomtaneous chasing of cats?
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| Advice re Dogs on 04:45 - Apr 22 with 3355 views | SydneyRs |
Has anyone mentioned Golden Retrievers yet? Fantastic breed in my opinion.
Very good with kids as they are very gentle and have amazing patience when prodded, ears pulled and other things kids will do with a dog. They also love to play with kids.
Not cheap to buy from a breeded but RSPCA or rescue services may turn up something. | | | |
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