Can’t lose small breed for a kid

[Anonymous]

Can DCUM help me find a good small breed for my daughter? And tips for bonding the dog to her? She really wants a dog. She is gentle and respectful of them. She will happily play fetch and teach them new tricks for hours. She waters and feeds our cat. We have previously tried to get her a dog twice before. Both times the dog became so attached to me (mom) that the dog saw my daughter as a rival. I can’t understand why the dogs didn’t bond to her instead. This led to snarling and snapping at my daughter. The dog behaviorist and our vet said we couldn’t train the behavior away and so they had to go. She really wants a dog but I want to avoid this problem again. What’s a good-natured breed that isn’t possessive or jealous? It’s been heartbreaking to rehome two dogs over this issue.

[Anonymous]

Please don't get another dog. Usually the dog bonds the most with the person who feeds/walks/potty's it and there is no guarantee it will not happen again. After rehoming two dogs, you don't do that to more.

[Anonymous]

It’s weird that you had to rehome twice because of this. All our dogs have always been most bonded to me because I walk and feed the most, but they still love the whole family and none of them have ever snapped or snarled at the other family members except rare situations where the dogs boundaries were violated. Where are you getting these dogs? What breed?

[Anonymous]

One, stop getting shelter dogs. Get an infant dog from a show breeder who cN explain the temperament of the individuals in the litter.

There’s a reason all of America gets Labs.

[Anonymous]

How old is your daughter?

[Anonymous]

Dogs know the pecking order in the pack. They’ll know your dd doesn’t outrank you. That said, a large breed probably would not consider your dd a rival, and some of the most chill dogs are large breeds.

[Anonymous]

We have a malitpoo who is bonded to me because I feed her and walk her, but she sleeps with DD and will cuddle up to her all day long. I agree you need to get one at 8-10 weeks old from a breeder.

[Anonymous]

I’m sorry, I say this nicely, please do not get another dog, seeing as how you were quick to rehome them, and treat them like disposable beings.

Get your daughter, a stuffed animal instead that way she can hug it, I go to sleep with it and take it everywhere with her.

[Anonymous]

We have a rescue lab that is bonded to our now 10yo bit I’m definitely his person. The adult in the home is usually the caregiver so that’s who they bond too. If you really want your kid to be their person she needs to feed the dog, walk the dog, brush the dog etc. I’m not sure how realistic that is for most families. Our dog does sleep on our daughters bed at bedtime but at some point in the night comes in to my bed. No dog should be snarling or snapping at your kid. If you want a small dog maybe look at a beagle or smaller lab mix. Both breeds need a lot of exercise though. A pug or puggle might be a good choice.

[Anonymous]

How old is your daughter?

We got my small dog when my kids were 12 and 10. He bonded with my 12 year old. Didn’t care much for my 10 year old but wasn’t mean either. He’s an incredibly sweet dog but will snap at any child under around 6 or 7. And tolerate between 7-10.

Small dogs know that little kids have unpredictable movements and it’s self defensive for them to keep little kids away.

If your daughter is really young, a bigger dog with a good temperament is a better choice. Stop getting small dogs and rehoming them, it’s not going to work out.

[Anonymous]

Get a lab. We have a lab rescue who we’ve had for 5 months and he is bonded to our entire family, even my son who doesn’t live with us full time. We have lots of training to work on still, but he’s never been aggressive with anyone (not even the cats, although you should work with a rescue or breeder to make sure a dog/puppy will be ok with cats because not all dogs are).

[Anonymous]

I have two small breed dogs, and I do rescue. I do not recommend a small breed for children. Small breed dogs get hurt easily - and they know that. So they are reactive and defensive. They are fearful. They are not a good match for kids.

You would be better off fostering to consider adoption. That way you get to try out a dog with a known disposition. Doesn't work out, send it back. No harm no foul.

[Anonymous]

Schnauzers bond with everyone in the family, they are particularly known for not being one-person dogs.

[Anonymous]

Havanese

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dogs know the pecking order in the pack. They’ll know your dd doesn’t outrank you. That said, a large breed probably would not consider your dd a rival, and some of the most chill dogs are large breeds.

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