Can’t lose small breed for a kid

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those who have been asking, my daughter is 10. She’s a pretty quiet, low key kid. The first dog we tried was an American Eskimo, miniature. The dog began to get aggressive with my daughter as she approached puberty. My vet said she thought she was left in a cage and neglected before we got her. I rehomed her with a dog rehabilitation behaviorist.

The second dog was my mom’s. The dog became part of the family when my mom moved in. Mom moved in because she was diagnosed with a terminal illness. The dog was half corgi, half Jack Russell terrier. My mom adopted her as a puppy from the shelter. Things were great for three months then the dog began getting aggressive toward my daughter. My uncle came and got the dog after the third unprovoked attack on my daughter.

I do feel like both dogs saw my daughter as bottom of the pecking order because she is small and quiet. She still really wants a dog. She watches Lucky Dog all the time. She had watched the show and learned how to train the last dog. I feel like it’s unfair to her. She was very involved with the dog.

It's not about her, it's about the dog. You gave away two dogs, how many more will you sample before keeping one?

Until I find one that doesn’t bite my child. Or sit watch under my bed waiting to attack her for coming in to hug me in the morning.

I have a terrier mix, and they're nippy. Did the dog break your daughter's skin? If not, the dog was behaving they way many of its breed do. I am my dog's person, and he barks and nips at my kids when they hug me, but he's not aggressive.

Agree. Lots of small dogs are nippy and obnoxious. That's why big dogs are often easier friendlier family dogs.

Cavalier King Charles spaniels are an exception.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those who have been asking, my daughter is 10. She’s a pretty quiet, low key kid. The first dog we tried was an American Eskimo, miniature. The dog began to get aggressive with my daughter as she approached puberty. My vet said she thought she was left in a cage and neglected before we got her. I rehomed her with a dog rehabilitation behaviorist.

The second dog was my mom’s. The dog became part of the family when my mom moved in. Mom moved in because she was diagnosed with a terminal illness. The dog was half corgi, half Jack Russell terrier. My mom adopted her as a puppy from the shelter. Things were great for three months then the dog began getting aggressive toward my daughter. My uncle came and got the dog after the third unprovoked attack on my daughter.

I do feel like both dogs saw my daughter as bottom of the pecking order because she is small and quiet. She still really wants a dog. She watches Lucky Dog all the time. She had watched the show and learned how to train the last dog. I feel like it’s unfair to her. She was very involved with the dog.

It's not about her, it's about the dog. You gave away two dogs, how many more will you sample before keeping one?

Until I find one that doesn’t bite my child. Or sit watch under my bed waiting to attack her for coming in to hug me in the morning.

I have a terrier mix, and they're nippy. Did the dog break your daughter's skin? If not, the dog was behaving they way many of its breed do. I am my dog's person, and he barks and nips at my kids when they hug me, but he's not aggressive.

Barking and nipping at your kids just for hugging you is aggressive, unacceptable behavior. If a German Shepherd were doing it you would be freaking out, but because it’s a small dog you tolerate it. But it’s still very problematic behavior.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I really appreciate the feedback and suggestions. It sounds like we should really like at the Cavalier King Charles.

I have been researching good small breeds for kids and Bichon Frise keeps coming up as being very docile and loving. Any thoughts on that breed? I’ve known one person with that breed and it was a delightful dog. But I’ve only known one.

[Anonymous]

I recommend a mini Goldendoodle. Ours is about 30 lbs and great w/the kids. Its basic and blah blah blah, but at the end of the day there's a reason so many people get them.

That said, my kids are 6 and 9, so a bit younger than yours. There is a lot of redirecting to not ride the dog, not sit on the dog, not grab the dogs neck, be gentle w/the dog, etc. If we let our kids act with the dog the way they want to, the dog might hate them as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I am sorry that some posters are being unkind (and also not reading your posts carefully).

The second dog was your mother's dog that you cared for along with your mom when she had advanced cancer. An uncle took that dog because he didn't match your family.
This is NOT the same thing as casually adopting and re-homing a pet.

Your posts demonstrate that you are thoughtful and that you are researching what is best.

Thank you so much for being a thoughtful person!

[Anonymous]

When you try again, get a puppy from a reputable breeder and carefully note the temperament of the puppy.

***Maybe do it over the summer so your DD can take the lead on feeding, walking, washing, training, etc. Due to my work, my DH had to take the lead on doing things for our dog and they really bonded so much so that I really had to work hard to get some of the love.

[Anonymous]

Oops, I'm not sure why there is so much space in my post

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recommend a mini Goldendoodle. Ours is about 30 lbs and great w/the kids. Its basic and blah blah blah, but at the end of the day there's a reason so many people get them.

That said, my kids are 6 and 9, so a bit younger than yours. There is a lot of redirecting to not ride the dog, not sit on the dog, not grab the dogs neck, be gentle w/the dog, etc. If we let our kids act with the dog the way they want to, the dog might hate them as well.

Oh my gosh, my daughter wouldn’t do this. I know it’s normal kid behavior but she really doesn’t do those things. She’s very low key. Her hobbies are reading, yoga, drawing and music. She has been sitting in her room listening to Morrissey, Joni Mitchell, and Joao Gilberto since age 7, lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recommend a mini Goldendoodle. Ours is about 30 lbs and great w/the kids. Its basic and blah blah blah, but at the end of the day there's a reason so many people get them.

That said, my kids are 6 and 9, so a bit younger than yours. There is a lot of redirecting to not ride the dog, not sit on the dog, not grab the dogs neck, be gentle w/the dog, etc. If we let our kids act with the dog the way they want to, the dog might hate them as well.

I've never met a doodle that isn't hyper and nuts. And most mini dogs are not well bred, including mini doodles and mini American Eskimo dogs.

It's good to do research and find a good breed for the family and a good breeder. Don't look at designer dogs if you really want a reliable family dog.

[Anonymous]

We have had four cockapoos over the years. Two bonded a little more with me but still loved every person they met. The other two didn't seem to have favorites, people lovers all around. They are a great size for kids, 25 pounds or so, easy to manage but hardy, fun to walk but not high needs. Also very easy to train.

[Anonymous]

As someone who has had labs my whole life, I do not recommend a lab for OP. While labs love all family members and are great with kids, they are strong, mischievous, and stay in puppy mode for a good few years. If OP and her family’s experience has been mostly with small to medium dogs, they may not be prepared for the level of mental and physical exercise a lab needs. Way too many labs end up in rescues because people aren’t willing to put in the work they need or didn’t set their expectations appropriately.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As someone who has had labs my whole life, I do not recommend a lab for OP. While labs love all family members and are great with kids, they are strong, mischievous, and stay in puppy mode for a good few years. If OP and her family’s experience has been mostly with small to medium dogs, they may not be prepared for the level of mental and physical exercise a lab needs. Way too many labs end up in rescues because people aren’t willing to put in the work they need or didn’t set their expectations appropriately.

Yes, exactly. We are not high energy or outdoorsy people who can exercise a dog that big. We did love walking my mom’s dog three times a day and going on short runs. We don’t leave home often but I also want the dog to be able to travel with us easily.

[Anonymous]

We have a Boston Terrier and it is the most cuddly dog ever. I am definitely her person but DD is #2 and always has been. She has never been aggressive with the kids.

She doesn't need a ton of exercise and is happy to sit on the couch with you. Ours is 28lbs but she is on the larger end of the breed.

[Anonymous]

We have a shih tzu/bichon mix who is fantastic with kids. She's small, still fun, and cuddly. I did get her pre-kids, but even know that she's pretty old, she's still very calm and sweet with kids.

One of my daughter's friends (7 year old) is scared of dogs, but she slowly has warmed up to ours (by her own choice - we used to make sure to keep the dog far enough away from her that she was comfortable).

[Anonymous]

OP, a puppy will be a lot of work. Ours freaks out if left alone, wakes up a few times a night to go to the bathroom, frequent meals, several walks a day. Are you ready for that?