Dog Adoption

Best Dogs For Children

You’ve decided to get the kids a dog. Great! Now it is important to find the best dogs for children. There are many things to consider. We’ll help you with the information you need to make the best choice.

First, make sure you are getting a dog for the right reasons. Consider the following before moving forward:

  • Don’t get a dog to teach the kids responsibility. The dog deserves an owner that is already responsible, not one that is learning on him.
  • Don’t get a dog simply because the kids have “worn you down.”

Deciding on the Best Dogs For Children Requires Careful Consideration

Okay, so you’ve decided that you are getting a dog for all the right reasons. But how do you determine which are the best dogs for children? There is no clear-cut fool-proof answer to that but armed with the right facts, you will be on the right path to a good choice.

Although some breeds are known to usually be good dog breeds for children, each individual dog will need to be evaluated on it’s own. Consider the following:

Best Dogs For Small Children

Larger dogs can easily knock into a smaller child, pushing them to the ground. Though most kids will simply get back up, ready for more, some children will become frightened by this doggy enthusiasm.

On a similar note, small dogs can be injured when a rough and tumble child falls onto them.
Try to match the size and energy level of the dog to your child.

Sometimes it is just better to put off adding a dog to your family until your child is a bit older.

Can A Puppy Be Amongst The Best Dogs For Children

Can there be anything cuter than a puppy? YES, a puppy and kids, romping, rolling, running and playing together. But, puppies are also usually rambunctious, untrained and time consuming. Do you have the time to devote to obedience training and housebreaking? Are you prepared for the possibility of chewed furniture and shoes?

Puppies are best suited to households where adults are home most of the day to see to their needs. Raising your kids and dog together is a neat experience and can create a strong loving bond between child and dog as long as the parents have the extra time to devote.

Sometimes An Adult Dog Is The Best Dog For Children

Consider an adult dog also. Many of these more mature dogs have had some training, perhaps have previously lived with a child and have come through some of the rambunctious stage. They are usually calmer than a puppy and their temperament has already been established.

Temperament and Personality Will Help Determine the Best Dog For Your Child

Opt for a laid back attitude when selecting your new dog. Some dogs are okay with anything and adjust well to whenever the kids want to play, run, bounce and jump. They may think it is great fun when their kid uses his doggy body for a toy truck ramp. Other dogs only want to play on their own terms and some dogs can be down-right irritated when the children of the house interrupt a doggy nap. (HINT: This later type may be better in a childless or older child home.)

Best dogs for children need to be ready (although maybe not thrilled) to participate in tea parties, dress-up and maybe even some nail painting sessions.

Kid’s dogs should have lots of energy to withstand hours of play. In short, the best dog for children needs to be a superdog because he’ll have the awesome responsibility of being a super best friend to the best kid in the world, YOURS!

Although there are many popular dogs that are known to be good dog breeds for children, everyone has their own idea on child friendly dog breeds..

Best Places To Get A Dog For Your Child

  1. Dog Rescue Groups

    – I believe rescue groups are the number one best place to begin your search for a dog for a child.  Do your research for reputable rescue groups in your area.  Ask around and gather information about the groups.  Call the groups and/or visit their websites to find out how they operate.  You want a rescue group that cares about their dogs and who they are placed with.  The best groups will: temporarily house their dogs in good foster homes where the dogs will learn to live in a family situation,  make sure their dogs are fully vetted, vaccinated and spayed or neutered before being adopted,  require an extensive adoption application with veterinarian references

  2. Dog Shelters

    – Shelters are full of many wonderful dogs needing homes.  Some shelters are very good and have workers and volunteers that work with the dogs to determine their personalities and suitability for children.  Unfortunately, there are bad shelters who just bring the dogs in and send them out without much human contact or concern.  Even the good shelters are often so understaffed that the dogs do not get as much interaction as they should.

  3. Private Dog Breeders

    – Although I firmly believe rescue groups and good shelters are the best places to look for a dog for your kids, private breeders can be another option, provided you check out the breeder carefully to determine they are not simply running an operation that continuously breeds their dogs to obtain as much profit as possible.  If they are repeatedly advertising puppies for sale, chances are the breeder is a puppy mill, which is to be avoided at all costs.Dogs from puppy mill operations are born to mothers that are usually always caged and provided minimal care and contact.  They are there as “breeding machines” to make the breeder profit.  These dogs are usually never bathed, groomed, vetted or exercised.  The moms are often discarded when they can no longer be profitable.  The puppies born at these operations are likely to be sickly and have congenital defects.  The Amish are huge contributors to the puppy mill industry.  Behind their pristine perfect homes with the perfect green meadows, they will have a building full of puppies and pregnant females, living in their own waste and their feet will never be allowed to touch or run on that perfect grass.A responsible breeder will care about the breed and their puppies, caring for them within a family situation, where the will have family interaction.  They will make sure their pups are vetted and vaccinated before leaving and obtain a complete reference and Vet check on potential adopters.  Many good breeders will also require their adopters to sign an agreement to return the dog if for whatever reason they can no longer keep him.  They care about their dogs!

    DO NOT BUY A DOG FROM A PET STORE

    Pet stores usually obtain their puppies from puppy mill operations.  The puppies are often sick or will show signs of illness very shortly after purchase.  If you are looking at the pet stores because you simply must have a purebred dog, remember; many rescue groups and shelters do have purebred dogs too.  And, some rescue groups are breed-specific and as such, take in adult dogs and puppies of a specific breed.  Do your research and google the breed you are looking for along with the words “rescue group.”

    Also, keep in mind, a mutt can be the best “breed” you could ever add to your family.  And, dogs with several breeds in their genetics are often healthier than purebred dogs since they will not have too much of any one breed, along with the genetic predisposition of that breed’s health problems.

    With the proper planning and research, you can find your best dog for your children.  Whether it turns out to be a purebred, mutt, large dog or small dog, he will give you many happy years of love.  The best dog for children is different for everyone, depending on your situation.  He will never stop loving you.  Teach your children to respect and care for their dog in a loving way and he will be their best friend for life.

Allergy To Dogs Does Not Mean You can’t Have a Dog

Living With An Allergy to Dogs

For people with an allergy to dogs, allergy season lasts all year. A dog is without a doubt man’s best friend, which is why it is so devastating when people find out that they have allergies to the dogs they love.

There are no words to describe how devastating it is to have to choose between your health and the furriest member of your family. This is the reality for many doting pet owners each year. But there is good news for dog owners; living with dog allergies is possible. As long as the person is not experiencing a serious allergic reaction, like asthma attacks or severe hives, they stand a good chance of being able to deal with their allergy to dogs in a safe and painless way.

Medical findings have made it easier to lessen the allergic reaction of dog allergies. Doctors have found that allergy medication can reduce your symptoms. But they also say that medication alone will probably not be the complete answer to your allergy to dogs.

*This post may contain affiliate links which means if you make a purchase from a link on this site, I will earn a small commission.  This helps to support the site and keep it going but you will not pay a penny extra.

Dog Allergy Remedies

    • Wash your dog at least monthly to remove pet dander. Brush your dog daily to remove loose hair. Do this chore outdoors when the weather permits. A tool I like to use for brushing my dogs is the FURminator  deShedding Tool. There are models for long hair, short hair and in-between. This amazing tool really gets a huge amount of loose hair off the dogs.

Shark Rocket TruePet Ultra-Light Upright (HV322)Dyson DC50 Ball Compact Animal Upright Vacuum Cleaner, Iron/Purple – CordedLaifug 45DHI Premium Memory Foam Orthopedic Extra Large Pet/Dog Bed (Chocolate 46Thermal Warming Pad for Dogs and Cats – XL Couch Protecting Pet Bed- Machine WashableGermGuardian AC5250PT 3-in-1 Air Cleaning System with Pet Pure True HEPA Filter, UV-C Sanitizer and Odor Reduction, 28-Inch Digital Tower Air PurifierAutomatic Robot Vacuum Cleaner for Automated Home Cleaning on Carpet and Hardwood Floor – HEPA Filter Pet Hair and Allergy Friendly – PureClean PUCRC25FURminator de Shedding Tool and FurVac Comb for Large Dogs with Short HairFURminator 10747 Long Hair Deshedding Tool for Dogs, Medium

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  • Launder pet beds in hot soapy water several times a week. Large towels or small blankets make nice, washable beds.  There are also some excellent pet beds available that are durable and washable.
  • Use hard flooring surfaces in your home whenever possible. Wood and tile floors clean up so easily with a damp mop. Carpets tend to harbor pet hair as well as other yucky things.
  • Invest in a good vacuum cleaner that is designed to pick up pet hair, especially if you have carpeting. My favorites and the ones I own are the Dyson DC50Animal Ball-Technology Vacuum Cleaner and the Shark Rocket True Pet Ultra Vacuum. These pet vacuums truly do pick up an amazing amount of dog hair from my wood floors as well as the carpet in my bedroom.
  • Install hepa filters in your heating and air conditioning units. Hepa filters are capable of trapping the minutest particles of dander and dust before they enter your air and settle on surfaces. Be sure to check the filters several times a month to determine if they need replaced.
  • Invest in an air purifier. We did this and it has made such a difference in our air quality and helped to lessen the stuffiness we suffer from due to sharing our home with four dogs and two birds. These are air purifiers we recommend.
  • Switch to leather furniture if you like the look of it. Leather is so easy to just wipe clean of pet hair and dander with a damp cloth. Fabric upholstery should be wiped with a damp cloth and vacuumed regularly if you have an allergy to dogs. Opt for slipcovers which are easy to remove and wash. Lay out your cushions onto a clean sheet spread in the yard. Do this several times a month during nice weather.
  • Keep hard surfaces wiped clean with a damp cloth. Using an anti-static spray when dusting will help to lessen the attraction of dust.
  • Keep your dog out of your bedroom. This can be difficult. Ask me how I know! We sleep with two Labs which definitely contributes to stuffed up sinuses in the morning and a not so restful sleep. In this case, I’m better at telling others what to do than actually doing it myself. I just can’t say no, but hopefully you can. It will help. However, if you do give in to the pleading eyes and whimpers, encourage the dog to sleep on his own bed or place a sheet across your bed for him to slumber on. Then you can just toss it in the wash on a regular basis. Be sure to move the air purifier I mentioned earlier, into the bedroom at night. Better yet, buy an extra one to keep there.

If you are just considering adding a dog to your family, check out our article on Hypoallergenic Dogs for some suggested breeds least likely to cause problems for those with an allergy to dogs.

Rescue Dogs Make the Best Family Dogs

MEET JAKE & LIBBY; Our Rescue-Dogs

Rescue-dogs can be the best choice for great family pets. So often, through no fault of their own, they have been abandoned on the street or dumped in a shelter. They have so much love to give and deserve so much in return.

Two of the most frustrating, curious, stubborn, spoiled and totally wonderful creatures entered our life just about seven years ago. New additions to our family of rescue- dogs.

Libby joined us first. Our business UPS driver told us about her. Another business owner had witnessed her being thrown out of a car. She kept attempting to get back into the car (Such Loyalty!). Angered because she would not take the none-too-subtle hint to leave, the man proceeded to try to back over her. Not sure how the business owner angel intervened but he ended up saving her. He took her rescue-dogsto his Vet. and had her spayed. Her choker chain was so tight, it was embedded into the muscle of her neck and had to be surgically removed.

We named her Liberty Belle because it fit the freedom she now had. She is such a joy! In spite of her horrible beginnings, she is such a happy loving dog. She loves toys, unlimited hugs and an assortment of soft furniture to lay on as she chooses. It took her a while to trust Dan but once she did she was hopelessly in love. The only reminder of her ordeal is the fact that she still, after seven years, doesn’t like feet anywhere near her. She probably associates them with kicking. It is such a pleasure to watch her sleep peacefully as in this picture; not worrying about anything. That’s as it should be for all animals.

Jake joined our family about a week later.rescue-dogs2 We arrived at our business early one morning and Jake was lying on the front lawn. Dan called him, thinking he would probably just take off but he came right up to him. Since we had eight rescue-dogs at the time and our daughter Tina only had one, we nominated her to be Jake’s new mom. So, she took him home. But, not for long.

Several hours after arriving in Tina’s home we received a plaintive phone call. “Mom, you have to come get this dog. He has lifted his leg on every wall in my house and shows no signs of stopping!” He was clearly marking his territory to let Tina’s Golden Retriever know that he was the new Alpha dog in the house. And with eight rescue dogs in our house, we were sure that he would turn into a veritable urine factory.

Imagine our surprise when he did not lift his leg even once in our home that night nor any night or day since that time seven years ago. It was like he knew he was home. He immediately formed an unbelievably close bond with Dan that has not lessened a bit. But, I’m getting a bit ahead here. Rationally, Dan felt that we could not keep him and after advertising in the classifieds that we had found him and receiving no response, we spent a full week contacting rescue groups in an attempt to place him. We finally found someone that agreed to take him but after spending a few minutes in the very chaotic environment, Jake looked up at him with his gorgeous, melting brown eyes, leaned into him and Dan caved. “We’ve decided to keep him.” Dan announced. What a commitment!

Jake, whose official given name is Jacob Montel Abercrombie Fisher, suffered from EXTREME separation anxiety anytime Dan was out of eye-site. We have some very mangled doors and walls to prove it. As quickly as we repaired them, he again destroyed them. Three months of intensive dog training classes accomplished little. We tried dog training collars, dog cages and dog psychology. These things usually help most dogs greatly but there is always the exception and Jake chose to be that exception.

We ended up taking Jake to work with us each day and not going places much when we were home unless a family member volunteered to dog-sit. He did improve some over time as he became more secure of our return. We now can leave him for eight hours or so at a time.

It is amazing that he had the security to ask so much of us considering what he probably came from. His paw pads were quite worn for a young dog and he had scars on parts of his body. The hardest workout those paws now get is when he runs to greet his dad, jumps on the bed or sofa or chases his brothers and sisters around the yard. Ah, a dog’s life!

Dog Adoption Checklist

Best questions to ask before deciding on dog ownership:

Why do you want a dog?

Is it because they’re “cute”, your favorite celebrity has one or your kids really, really, really want one? These reasons can all lead to one BIG mistake. Adding a dog to your family should be a lifelong commitment and the dog’s lifetime could easily be 15 or more years. Make it a well thought out responsible decision. Dog adoption is a serious choice.

Do you have time for a dog?

Dogs require a lot of quality time. If you work long days, are tired at the end and just don’t feel like it, that is never an excuse. The dog still needs fed, groomed exercised and lots of companionship. Do you have good plans for who will care for your dog while you are on vacation or slipping away for a weekend trip? A friend, relative or kennel will need to be lined up.

What about your living arrangements?

Many rentals and communities either ban or restrict dog ownership. Do you have an outdoor space for your dog to play and burn off excess energy? If not, are you prepared to devote time to frequent dog walks?

Can your finances support dog ownership?

The cost can add up quickly. Many people don’t think about all the expenses involved. These include: license fees, Vet. bills, grooming, food, toys, training and the possible cost to repair any items your dog may destroy. Which leads to another consideration.

Are you prepared for the unexpected?

Are you prepared for chewing of household items and personal belongings, furniture and floor scratches, piddle, puddle and poo accidents on your nice carpet or shiny hardwood floors?

Do you freak out if your house is not perfect at all times?

Dogs can be messy. They don’t pick up their toys, wipe their paws or exercise any caution around breakable items. And the fur and dust does accumulate.

Anyone in your home have allergies?

Shedding dogs will aggravate this. There are breeds of dogs that are considered hypoallergenic or non-shedding but even those dogs can wreak havoc with a person that is very sensitive.

Think about any major future plans.

Having a baby or moving. Might want to wait till after these things happen to adopt your new dog. Some dogs are better with children than others.
Once the new baby has arrived, there are ways to help assure that the dog and baby are good roommates.

Finally, are you willing to make a forever commitment to your dog?

To be there when he needs you , even though it may be inconvenient, expensive and messy?

This dog adoption checklist can only serve as a guide. If you are sure about dealing with all these considerations and your commitment to see them through, dog adoption may be for you. You will have a very valued and dedicated friend in your new family addition.

Check here for further help in selecting just the right dog for you and your family.

Dog Adoption – A Great Option

Consider dog adoption when bringing a new pet into your family.Shelters such as the ASPCA, Humane Society and local dog rescue groups are usually overflowing with dogs needing homes.

Each day an astronomical number of dogs are put to death in shelters. The vast majority of these animals are loving gentle creatures that would be a welcome addition to any family. In fact,dog-adoption many of them were once in a family that could not or did not choose to keep them.

We have become such a throwaway society and unfortunately that mentality has extended to these helpless living beings. Can you imagine going from being a member of a family, running and playing with your favorite kids, to being confined in a small cage, hoping for even the smallest acknowledgment from someone passing by? This is an all too familiar scenario played out in shelters daily.

Some shelters are truly wonderful. They are no-kill and do their best to provide plenty of food, water, shelter and love. But, even these shelters can only do so much. And, they cannot take the place of a loving forever family of one’s own. Many have limited resources, both financial and human. Please support these deserving groups with your donations of time and money as well as spreading the word about their good works.

The ASPCA, Humane Society of the United States and Best Friends are all wonderful examples on a national level. Dog adoption is a top priority. There are also many regional and local groups run by compassionate people that selflessly devote their time and resources to make life better for homeless and neglected animals.

Unfortunately,for every good shelter, there are many more undesirable ones. Many of these lack the funding and even the compassion to do better. Also, many are supported by local government funding and thus are restricted by guidelines which include the number of animals that can be housed at any one time. Without space, something has to
happen.

And that something is usually euthanasia – a term simply referring to being put to death. Sugarcoating it as ‘being put to sleep’, is simply that, sugarcoating. Some people deal with their guilt that way but plain and simple, it is killing a helpless creature often because they have become a bother. Euthanasia methods range from decompression chambers and gas to lethal injection. Even the injection, which is by far the most humane, is not without it’s cruelties. The dog is scared, alone and unloved in it’s last moments. A creature with so much capacity to love is not allowed that luxury in it’s final moments on earth.

If you are thinking of adopting, take a look at our dog adoption checklist, then visit your local shelter. There you will find an enormous selection of new best friends. Whether you decide on a small dog, medium dog, large dog or even one of the extra large dog breeds, you can find them through a dog rescue group. Give one of these wonderful shelter dogs a new chance at life and add a blessing to your family.

MAKE DOG ADOPTION YOUR OPTION.