Dog for Aging Parents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you seem to be rushing into this without giving it much thought. And I don't mean that in a judgemental way, my dad has health issues and has done a lot of research into what kind of dog would be best for him, so I don't think it is something you can just say "ok this is what we are getting"

1. a puppy is a TON of work even if you have a dog walker or family help. For elderly people with mobility issues, this is a recipe for disaster. Plus, dogs have their own personalities and you want to try to get a dog who is calm and easy going because if you wind up with a hyper dog, they're in trouble.

2. A small dog is dangerous for those with mobility issues, especially as a puppy. I can't tell you how many times my dad tripped on his friends small dog because it got in the way and he doesn't have the best balance

3. Because you are dealing with health issues, you should call some sort of support group dealing with that issue. They will likely be able to recommend a dog breed that has worked well for that particular issue. My dad did this and ended up with a dog that was completely different than what he was going for. But all the reasons they told him this breed would be better have been spot on.

Anyways, not judging or criticizing, just urging you to take more time to think this through. The last thing you want is to make your parents life more difficult.

+2. Good decisions are not made in such a rush. Good luck OP.

[Anonymous]

OP, the tone of desperation in your post is worrying.

Why do your parents need a dog? Given all of the requirements (allergies, not able to walk the dog, et cetera), it sounds like your parents do not need a dog.

If your parents have mental health issues, have you thought about contacting those groups that have people visit with therapy dogs or pets on wheels?

The other question, has your parents had dogs before?

[Anonymous]

This is a terrible, terrible idea and very unfair to any dog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A friend's mom had a miniature poodle and it was wonderful. Died and she got a bichon-everyone I know with a bichon had housetraining issues. You want small get a poodle. Next size up-a sheltie. Both are incredibly easy to train. Despite the hair shelties don't shed much and you brush out the undercoat. Skip the mixes /doodles which are usually more $ than a real poodle or lab or golden.

Most terriers are more work behaviorally than poodles or labs or shelties. A nice small dog that actually does well in obedience is the papillon.

I agree with everyone else saying this is not a good idea. A sheltie is a particularly horrendous idea in this situation - I honestly don't know what the PP was thinking to suggest one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you seem to be rushing into this without giving it much thought. And I don't mean that in a judgemental way, my dad has health issues and has done a lot of research into what kind of dog would be best for him, so I don't think it is something you can just say "ok this is what we are getting"

1. a puppy is a TON of work even if you have a dog walker or family help. For elderly people with mobility issues, this is a recipe for disaster. Plus, dogs have their own personalities and you want to try to get a dog who is calm and easy going because if you wind up with a hyper dog, they're in trouble.

2. A small dog is dangerous for those with mobility issues, especially as a puppy. I can't tell you how many times my dad tripped on his friends small dog because it got in the way and he doesn't have the best balance

3. Because you are dealing with health issues, you should call some sort of support group dealing with that issue. They will likely be able to recommend a dog breed that has worked well for that particular issue. My dad did this and ended up with a dog that was completely different than what he was going for. But all the reasons they told him this breed would be better have been spot on.

Anyways, not judging or criticizing, just urging you to take more time to think this through. The last thing you want is to make your parents life more difficult.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A friend's mom had a miniature poodle and it was wonderful. Died and she got a bichon-everyone I know with a bichon had housetraining issues. You want small get a poodle. Next size up-a sheltie. Both are incredibly easy to train. Despite the hair shelties don't shed much and you brush out the undercoat. Skip the mixes /doodles which are usually more $ than a real poodle or lab or golden.

Most terriers are more work behaviorally than poodles or labs or shelties. A nice small dog that actually does well in obedience is the papillon.

I agree with everyone else saying this is not a good idea. A sheltie is a particularly horrendous idea in this situation - I honestly don't know what the PP was thinking to suggest one.

I'm PP and own a sheltie. The sheltie was great with elderly family [in their late 70 s and 80 s] from young puppyhood. Very gentle and easy to housetrain. Even took the sheltie to visit prior to hospice entrance- sat next to his loveseat when dying of cancer. My dad used to walk her, feed her, stuck to him. But this dog was very active and barky only in certain environments and this was true even when young. She could visit them for weeks without major activity.

But we carefully selected this dog and passed on several others.