Anonymous
Post 03/14/2015 23:28     Subject: Re:Should we get a dog? if yes, where?
We adopted our dog who was over 1 year old at Washington Animal Rescue League in August, and have a 9 year old son who was asking for a dog for some time. She has been such a sweet and delightful dog-no problems at all with house training, no aggression at all with us. WARL "evaluates" the dogs and then advises if the dog is good with children under 12. I would definitely recommend it as a shelter.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2015 13:51     Subject: Should we get a dog? if yes, where?
OP, I rescued a tiny dog. Doesn't like to be "walked", loves to snuggle, and not too much of a threat to my 7 year old. (He's also missing many of his teeth). Just one option.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2015 11:30     Subject: Re:Should we get a dog? if yes, where?
Bumping with this link for OP:

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=778909995519670&id=247873228623352
Anonymous
Post 03/06/2015 14:51     Subject: Should we get a dog? if yes, where?
Get that child a dog. Children learn a lot about life having a dog. We adopted 2 Westies after the hurricanes in FL. They were 3-4 years old. One was not so great with children, very nervous around active children, the other was the best dog you could ever ask for with children.
Anonymous
Post 03/06/2015 11:24     Subject: Re:Should we get a dog? if yes, where?
OP if you are an experienced dog owner, +1 for getting a puppy. Best way to ensure the dog is trained to fit your family is to do it yourself. It's more work but worth it.
Anonymous
Post 03/06/2015 11:18     Subject: Should we get a dog? if yes, where?
We got two young adult dogs from Lab Rescue -- they're now two lovable seniors. I would recommend the organization.
Anonymous
Post 03/06/2015 10:34     Subject: Should we get a dog? if yes, where?
We got our 9 month old dog from Lucky Dog. It's been a great addition to our family. We had so many of the same concerns OP, but are so glad we decided to take the plunge!
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2015 06:06     Subject: Should we get a dog? if yes, where?
We adopted our dog from Washington Animal Rescue League in 2012 when she was a year old. She is wonderful with our child, who was 6 then. She is a beagle. We went in and asked to see dogs who were good with kids. We saw a few and basically felt our dog chose us.

We have a fenced yard (essential with a beagle and a major plus with any dog). With any dog, you need to expect a couple of weeks of adjustment for housetraining, schedule, calming down/overexuberance, learning not to play with kids' toys. But as far as snapping/aggression, we never had any issues with that.

With a beagle, learning to walk on a leash respectfully and with good manners is always a work in progress.

I would not get a puppy. Ever.
Anonymous
Post 03/04/2015 22:31     Subject: Should we get a dog? if yes, where?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Get a puppy.


Agreed. You will not regret it. Puppies are the best.


Too much work. Young adult is the best.
Anonymous
Post 03/04/2015 13:23     Subject: Should we get a dog? if yes, where?
Anonymous wrote:Get a puppy.


Agreed. You will not regret it. Puppies are the best.
Anonymous
Post 03/04/2015 10:14     Subject: Should we get a dog? if yes, where?
Get a puppy.
Anonymous
Post 03/04/2015 09:54     Subject: Should we get a dog? if yes, where?
OP here. Thank you all for the suggestions!
There is an adoption event by k9 lifesavers close to my house coming up. I think we will start there (the group was highly recommended by a colleague too).
I will start by talking to couple adoption groups, describing our situation and see what they suggest.
I really would like to keep invisible fence (for the backyard view, we back to the park), but might reconsider now.
Anonymous
Post 03/04/2015 05:53     Subject: Re:Should we get a dog? if yes, where?
Our dog is great with kids but we adopted him as a puppy. Many of the rescue organizations do not have a physical space. They have volunteers that foster the dogs. I know many people with kids who have adopted "teenage" dogs that are awesome dogs. I would look at Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, K9 Lifesavers and City Dogs. Talk to the rescue people and the people fostering the dog. They will help you find the right pet.
Anonymous
Post 03/04/2015 05:29     Subject: Should we get a dog? if yes, where?
Anonymous wrote:If you have a young child, don't get a dog.


+1
Anonymous
Post 03/04/2015 03:09     Subject: Re:Should we get a dog? if yes, where?
For some reason some people on DCUM are absolutely convinced that rescues don't adopt to families with small children. That is absolutely false. They might not adopt certain dogs to families with small children, or they might not adopt to certain families (for instance, families where no one is ever home), but they certainly adopt to families with small children.

Homeward Trails and City Dogs Rescue are foster -based rescue group. The dogs stay with foster families which means there is a much more accurate description of their personalities. http://www.homewardtrails.org/ and http://www.citydogsrescuedc.org/

You can also check out Petfinder.com or https://pets.overstock.com/?TID=HEADets to search for dogs by in numerous rescue groups/shelters, and you can search by size, breed, age, etc.

I've ONLY adopted dogs and they have all been amazing with children!