Getting a Dog from the Pound W/ 2 & 4Yr Old

Mom and dad should probably go first, choose a couple that suit you and then bring the kids to decide between the two. This is a really big decision. an older dog that is housebroken is a good idea. My sister has a 4 year old and an 18 month old and they got a puppy. Nobody likes the dog, they just say how dumb the dog is, but they don't have the time to work with him. He really is a sweet dog, very loving and gentle with the kids, but they aren't born knowing how to sit, stay and come. We got a puppy before kids, and we worked really, really hard with obedience classes, and "homework" every day to get her to be a well behaved dog, which she totally is. Pound dogs are the best, and you can probably find a dog that had a family previously. These days, many people are forced to give up their pets, because their house was foreclosed upon and they had to move to a rental which is difficult to do with a pet. Good luck, and don't act impulsively!!

I think that you should go the first time without the kids. If you find one you're interested in then you schedule a time to bring the kids and do a meet-and-greet to see how everyone gets along. This way your children don't get upset if they don't get one they pick because they will only meet the one/s you've picked out.

Personnaly, I would take the kids with you. That way if you do see a dog you like you can see how the kids react to the dog & how the dog reacts to them. I've been told to try to hold a bog down on there back and see how the dog reacts... they don't like bein held down on their back & it's a way of seeing a good dog compaired to a "bad" dog for kids. Also, at 2 yr... there might be come ear and tail pulling... some dogs don't like this others will put up with it. So, if the kids are there - you will be able to see if the dog minds it.

I won't tell them you are going to get a dog or that you are "looking" for a dog. Maybe tell they you are going to give a few puppies a little love and attention. Or that you are going to help out by petting and playing with a few puppies at the pound. That way they understand they are going to be interreacting with the dogs, but aren't expecting to bring anything home. If you don't find a dog on your first visit, don't worry about it... try back in a week or so & just go to help play with the puppies again - that is till you find one that fits in with your family. Then, ask the kids if they would like to bring this puppy home to be part of the famly and love & play with it everyday. You never know - they might even want to keep going and playing with the puppies at the pound to be helpful.

Good luck finding a pup that fits into your family... sometimes you can find them on your first visit, other times it takes a little longer. Just remember, most pound pups will need to go to a vet to be checked & get shots. But double check with the pound to see if they give them anything or not. And after the kids play with the puppies... have them wash their hands even with a wipe when you leave the pound.

Pets are great for kids. Lots of good advice from the other moms; I agree that you should 1) research the various breeds to find out, in general, which breeds would be good for your lifestyle and family; 2) go to the pound or rescue by yourself first; 3) then take the kids to see how the dog & the kids interact; 4) have the kids assist in caring for the pet (as you already know, the major responsibility will be yours); 5) go to "training" classes; 6) enjoy and have fun with your pet !!!!!

We adopted our 7 yr old Boxer about 2 yrs ago when our kids were 1 1/2, 3 and 5. My husband and I looked at the shelter's website first to see who was available that we were interested in. We took all three kids, but I went and looked at our choices by myself while everyone else played with the cats. I also went in the visitation room with her by myself to get a feel for her. Then, the kids came in one at a time starting with the oldest. Once everyone was comfortable, we took her outside to the shelters yard to run around. She has been wonderful with our kids, and it was a great experience for us. I would recommend talking with the shelter staff also. Since they handle them so much they have a good idea as to who is and isn't appropriate for a family with kids. On a side note, before kids my husband and I had a greyhound that was a rescue dog. The rescue agencies are great about matching dogs with suitable homes based on their temperment. This would work if you have a specific breed in mind. Best of luck!

Not to be biased on one dog but....LAB LAB LAB! Best disposition for kids this age (anyone really, but especially kids this age). Our two labs let our four year old crawl all over them, pull their tail (which is a no, no, but happens occassionally).

I have a friend who runs a lab rescue and they normally have ~ 40 dogs, but with all the foreclosures and this economy they have about 80 now! Heartbreaking. My dogs would be with me if I was living in the car! Anyway...check out her site. Her name is Candy if you call tell her I sent you!
http://www.labrescuers.org/

Oh your real question wasn't really who but how. Yes, it should be a family outting for sure!

The shelter we got our dog requires all family members to be there when you get a dog. We got our dog at 8 weeks old (half golden, half rottie) and it's the best dog ever. Hardly any work, but I know that's not the norm. I do most the work since I don't work and my kids are at school, but this dog isn't much work anyway. Our dog is now 3, but when a puppy she nipped a lot and cut the skin on our hands a lot, but that got better after she got her adult teeth at 6 mos. You may want to wait until your kids are older because pups chew everything, and I know little ones leave their toys and shoes everywhere! We didn't get one until our kids ere 7 and 11.

Hi,
I would go to the pound without the kids first. Also,
maybe research good breeds for children...I have a pug (girl) 6 year old
and a big australain shepherd / lab mix (boy) 7 year old. (that we got at a shelter)...great with kids.

You can ask to be in an area to meet with the dog...and pros...friendly dog who isnt' scare
of you or shy....tail wagging. Once you have a dog that you like or a couple of them...
have the kids come in to meet the dog. You can say this is a dog that we were thinking of adopting...and have the kids meet the dog.

I think it is important to go first by yourself and then take the kids...b/c I know that when I go I'm like I'll want to adopt every dog I see regardless of the signs that a dog may not be the one for me...like they are barking at me. Have the kids there to make the final decision.

You probably don't want a too hyper dog. While you are there
you can ask which dogs they have that have temperment
with kids...usually they have a sign on the door....('not good with kids)
or (good with kids). I have a 2 year old...and she loves her dogs...we
had them before she was born. You could consider getting a dog...who
is not a puppy...maybe 2 - 5 year old....so you don't have to worry about
the puppy training and also...they are usually a little more mellow... www.petfinder.com is a good site to go to see the different dogs available in your area.

good luck....dogs are great!!!!
bye K.

Congratulations on rescuing a dog from the pound! We did that a few years back and have been so happy with our decision. Our kids were about 3 and 5 at the time. I decided to go to the pound by myself first, to check it out and identify a potential dog. It can be a hard place for kids to experience - with all the barking and caged animals. I asked the staff who they thought might be great with kids (and patient) and - together - we found Heidi. I then went home and picked up the kids and we all came back to meet her. The staff had a few tests to try with the kids, to make sure Heidi would be kid-friendly, like letting the kids walk her (inside) on a leash, etc. Like we hoped, Heidi obliged and happily let the kids walk her around in circles with the leash. The kids loved her - as they probably would with any sweet, kid-friendly dog you pick. I think it might have been tricky, if we'd all come the first time and tried to pick out a dog together. I think, for us, it was good for me to do some screening first, with the staff.

Taking the kids is a MUST. You have to ensure that the dog will be good with and like your children. Be honest about your feelings when talking with the helpful people at the pound...they will know if certain dogs will work and which ones wont!

Going to the pound to "just look" is a good idea. You may have to go a few times to find the right dog for your family. Adopting a pet from a animal shelter is the responsible thing to do, HOWEVER, make sure you do your research and ask lots of questions about the dog you think you might like. You want to be responsible but NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF YOUR KIDS! You just never know how an animal was treated or how that animal will react to any given situation.

Proceed with caution!

Karma
Mom to 4 boys and 1 girl and 1 huge dog!

I would be very hesitant about just whipping down to the pound and getting the first dog the kids fall in love with... Y'all need to have an idea of what you're looking for. Check out online photos beforehand.

Small children, especially those under the age of 5, require that the dog have a certain temperament. You can still opt for a rescue dog, however I would go the route of 1.) researching & determining which breeds are best suited for your family (male or female, allergy/dander pros & cons, lowest bite risks, typical size and strength, most stable and even temper, exercise requirements, etc.). Even if you get a mixed breed, doing the breed research beforehand will familiarize you with what attributes or disadvantages a dog's genetics could contribute to its overall personality. 2.) Research the various dog rescue organizations in your area. They tend to have more information on where the dog came from (previous home environment, why the dog was given up), whether it live with children beforehand, and they may have done temperament testing on it to determine its suitability around small children.

And of course, there is pet owner training... Things you need to teach your boys in regard to the pet, so that you minimize the risk of an bite situation... (Don't touch its food bowl, don't touch the dog while its eating, don't surprise/jump on it while its sleeping, don't touch its eats, don't pull ears, etc).

Puppies are cute and wonderful--but they require a lot of attention in order to train them into get dogs... Mature dogs are also wonderful, but you don't necessarily know their past experiences...

We have a four year old and a 16 month old and two dogs. Our oldest dog is a black lab that we got from the pound. He's five years old and we got him when he was a puppy. Our youngest dog is a golden retriever that is just a year old that we got when a neighbor's dog had puppies.

I would suggest you NOT bring the kids to the pound. FIrst, it's kind of sad...second you just never know how dogs are going to react in that situation and you don't want one of your kids to get hurt or scared by a dog there. Plus, this way you'll be hands free to really get down with the dog and play to figure out his temperment and if it's a dog that will be a good fit for you. If you are one child to one parent, you don't really have the free hands!

Other than that, make sure you get a submissive dog and pay attention to breeds. Our dogs are GREAT with our kids and their breeds generally are, but we still always watch them...they are still dogs after all and our kids don't always think before they act...for instance, we've caught the youngest more than once trying to ride one of them!

Good luck!

Yes, take the kids! Many times, if you go to the Humane Society they will require a child/dog introduction before you even think about taking a dog home (depends on the dog/breed.) When our #1 was 3 & #2 was 6 months old, we went and got a dog from the Humane Society. It was wonderful and #2 child loves her dog. Now we have 3 children... and #3 wants a dog of his own since #1 and #2 have theirs! (Oh boy! We're still thinking about that one!)

And you know what, if your #1 wants a dog that you don't want... then that's ok... s/he will have to learn that everything they want "may not be in the best interest of the family, so let's find a dog that everyone can love."

And a first trip just "looking" can be realistic if mom and dad can make sure you don't walk out with a dog... but just remember that many times you may fall in love with a dog, go back the next day and the dog will be gone because someone else fell in love with the dog too. Just be prepared for that disappointment if you choose to this strategy.

Bringing the kids with you is a good idea if you decide not to be certain tell hte people their that your interested in the dog and come back latter of course he may not may not be there when you get back A. no hills

I think it is nice to consider adopting a pet. Just make sure you know that having a pet is a lifetime commitment. People wouldn't give up their children, but they do their pets, hence 5,000,000 killed annually in the US each and every year. Having a pet is not for "as long as the pet conveniently fits into your life, but a commitment for as long as the pet lives.

So, some things to consider:
Do you travel, vacations, camping, etc? Who will care for your pet?
Is having a pet too much for you right now with two toddlers? They certainly won't be able to help you at all with the care. Will you be able to handle the extra chores or do you want to wait? (Cleaning up poop daily, potty training if necessary, training at socializing pet all take time.) You absolutely cannot leave your dog outside while the family is inside.
Who will walk, train and groom the pet? Will you take your dog to the groomer? That costs money too. An active pet may require weekly baths.
Make sure you do your budget and include food, supplies (bed, leashes, collars, tags, license each year, pet shampoo, food, snacks, toys, etc).
Make sure to budget your vet care. At first, its an annual and vaccines but as they age, dentals alone can cost a few hundred. Don't forget to consider vet care as the pet advances in age. It can cost hundreds per month. What if the pet gets cancer or needs a surgery for a cyst, lump, bad tooth, etc? Are you financially prepared?

This was not meant as a lecture but many people get a pet and don't consider all of the time and money it takes and the pet ends up BACK in the shelter. Shelters are overflowing with unwanted pets, because of a simple lack of commitment.

Also, make sure the pet is introduced to your children at the shelter. Will you need gates in your home to keep your youngest from playing with the dogs food? Will you be getting your dog a companion too? What happens as the children get older and are spending more time with their friends, at school and activities? Have you considered that? They are 2 and 4 right now and giving in to their wishes or preoccupations when an actual LIFE hangs in the balance is a serious matter. Get them one of the toy hamsters or something if you have questions, doubts or any concerns.

I think both your kids are old enough to go to the shelter but it may be overwhelming, a little. Explaining to your kids they will have this pet until they are out of high school won't mean much to them necessarily right now but telling them that is why you are not getting a pet will, if that is your best decision.

Getting a pet is a lifetime commitment.

I am wondering if you have considered a rescue society instead of the pound. I love that you want to do a rescue dog, all 5 of my pets are pound animals, or off the street. But there are rescue shelters that give you a better fit than a standard pound. My parents used one, because they didn't trust a pound dog with my little sister. Rescue dogs have been monitored, observed, and fostered with families of all types to see where they are a good fit. They will know if the dog does not like children or cats. Since they have had them for longer, you can trust the clean bill of health a little better too. And best of all, as soon as you adopt a rescue dog, they go straight down to the pound and get another dog, so you are still rescueing a dog from the pound. (At least the ones I know about do). Most every city has them, and they are just a much safer route than the regular pound when you have small children. And they will absolutely want you to bring the kids to see if it is a good match. They will usually require a couple of visits, so you have time to look. And you can often find websites online and they will have the dogs history and pictures on their website, so you can get an idea of the dogs they have ahead of time. A rescue shelter is the only way I will get a pet from now on with kids. I wouldn't take the chance of the problems I have had with my strays.

A dog from the pound is great. Thanks for saving a life. Please consider how much exercise you are able to give a dog before choosing. All dogs need exercise and need to be taken for walks. All dogs need to be trained. Big dogs need a lot more excercise (and being put in a big back yard does not count). If you do not have time to walk a dog daily, consider a smaller toy breed that will not as likely develope behaviorial problems because they are not getting enough excercise. An older dog already house-trained will be much easier to deal with than a new puppy. Try to find one that is already submissive. Check out Cesar Millans website for the best dog advice in the world!

http://www.cesarsway.com/tips/yournewdog/establishing-lea...

definitely take the kids but with 4 people in one family you cant guarantee that everyone will connect with the dog. we have 2 dogs that we had before children. my husband connected with our older dog and i connected with the second. there was an email that went around about "puppy sighs" the feeling you get when you find the dog that is right for you. we looked for 2 years before we found dogs that fit with us. make sure you let the kids play with the dog and ask tons of questions of the staff get all the info you can. Good for you and your family that you are adopting! rescue dogs are the best dogs there are :) you should research breeds but keep in mind that not all things apply to every dog especially when they are mixed breeds. people often shy away from pit bulls because of the bad reputation they have but Dalmatians and spaniels are often more violent toward children. American Staffordshire terriers are very loyal and more attentive to children but look "mean" we have a half pitbull and even though we had her before children she became protective of our son the very moment he came home from the hospital. the bottom line is find a dog that you feel in your heart or your children's heart is the right dog, dont just get a cute dog or one that can sit. good luck and ask the shelter what the "return" policy is often you have a week to bring the dog back if it doesn't fit into you home life. and dont rule out older dogs just because they are older. my sister adopted a 6 year old mix dog and she lived with my sister for 12 years before passing away. she was a sweet dog :)

ok dogs at the pound can not be placed on "hold" so if you and yur husband go w/o kids and bring them back, the dog(s) you were looking at may not be there anymore. Take your kids. Sometimes you can look at the "inventory" online at shelters (do a search) and you can do the prelim at home. Of if yocourse they could still be gone when you get to the shelter. If you are looking for a particular breed you may want to go through a rescue. We got our 1st dog from a shelter and out second we got from an owner who could not care for him and was going to put him in the shelter the next day. you can go to look but if you need time to think about it again the one you want may not be there when you go back. If you don't feel right about any of the animals there you can have them check other shelters. If is important your dog and kids interact positively with one another (DUH, right?) so you probably want your kids there. Of course your husband could go take a look whle you wait outside and then bring in the family. Good luck! have fun.

Do your research. So many people think a dog is a great thing(which it is), but then end up with a breed that doesn't fit the lifestyle of the family. Questions to find out about a "cute" breed. ..How much exercise does it need daily, how much does it shed, how big will it get, is it a more stubborn breed to train? I have a large breed working dog that needs constant training reminding and about 45 minutes of solid exercise a day or she will get bored, and that is never a good thing in a house. :)

I would highly suggest a rescue because they have already discovered the personality of the dog and whether it is good with children. A final note, no matter how wonderful you think your dog is, never leave it alone with small children. I have trained dogs for many years, and even the best of dogs can have a bad day and scar a face for life. My 5-year-old has learned complete respect for our dog but still isn't left in the room by herself.

Good luck. Dogs are such a wonderful addition to the family.

I think it's a great idea my 3 year old loves to feed our dog and let him in from outside and help with baths. It will teach them responsibility.