I need a good dog breed for a 2 Yo autistic child. It has to be playful and extremely tolerant & sturdy?

Question

it doesn't necessarily have to be huge We don't have abig yard. And he would have to be patient with my son. He has difficulty understanding why he cannot do certain things to my current dog, like climbing on the dog and tugging her ears and tail. we don't let him abuse my dog but he will get to her before i can split them up and sometimes he gets in a good lick or two. She is not the right dog for him And he is very attached to her so I would like to get him one that is better suited for his type of play. Also she is getting old and she needs a break from him

it doesn't necessarily have to be huge We don't have abig yard. And he would have to be patient with my son. He has difficulty understanding why he cannot do certain things to my current dog, like climbing on the dog and tugging her ears and tail. we don't let him abuse my dog but he will get to her before i can split them up and sometimes he gets in a good lick or two. She is not the right dog for him And he is very attached to her so I would like to get him one that is better suited for his type of play. Also she is getting old and she needs a break from him .........
I should clarify that we are keeping my current dog and although she tires of my son she really is very attached to him. Her intolerance of him has more to do with the fact that she is very timid and shy and less with his treatment of her. He is more of an annoyance than a danger to her. Also he's closer to 3Yo than 2 he just hasnt had his Bday.
21 minutes ago - 3 days left to answer. - 19 answers - Report Abuse

Answer 1

I have worked with autistic children extensively and have a child diagnosed with "autistic tendencies". I would recommend you look at a service animal trained specifically for autistic children. There are agencies that do this. I have included a link to North Star Dogs. This is a fabulous program to place puppies with autistic children.

The service is different than a standard service dog training facility because it places the dogs as puppies. This allows for the strongest bond possible to form between the dog and the child. It also allows for the specific needs of the child to be met.

I really think this would be a great program for you to check out. I believe they breed labs but they fit the breed to the child. I hope you check this program out and I sincerely hope you find the best companion for your very special child.

Answer 2

You should wait at least another year until the child is closer to 3-4.

You need a breed that is infinitely patient with the young of any species.

You need a breed that is going to be inately programmed to herd and watch over its charge. A breed that bred for herding or herd guarding (not the same as guarding) would be the best choice.

A lo of sporting breeds are very kind and patient but they are high energy, active dogs - Goldens, Labs, Springers etc.

You do NOT want a guarding breed such as a Dobe or German Shephard since they might get too protective of the child - a problem if caretakers were perceived as threatening the child.

There are only one or two groups that train Service Dogs for autistic children or adults - and the dogs are not cheap costing around $13,000. (And, yes the price is justified by the time and effort to do the training.) An experienced trainer could teach the dog the skills for assisting an autistic child such as keeping the child in sight at all times, finding the child when they wander off, walking through crowds with the child attached to its harness so the child doesn't stray etc.

DO NOT GET A PUPPY!! No puppy is able to understand that it is supposed to happily put up with getting squashed and having its ears and tail yanked; and, would naturally, and with complete justification, defend itself.

You may want to think long and hard about subjecting a dog to that kind of treatment. You can never, ever leave them alone unless it is an exceptional dog who will simply remove itself from his range when the behavior starts and the dog tires of it..

I'm currently working with an in-home placement of a dog as a Service Animal for an autistic 4 year old. We selected a mature adult Kuvasz who has already been exposed to children and comes from a highly trainable, and temparmentally stable family. (I'm the trainer.)

By the way, a "therapy" dog is NOT a Service Dog as defined by the Americans With Disabilities Act". Completely different thing where the Therapy Dog is skilled at going to hospitals or nursing homes and getting petted and brushd by people and playing with them - this is not a dog trained to perform a service for a person with a disability.

I'll also add that you want a dog that is going to be as big or bigger than the child 6, 7 or 9 years from now. You also need a breed with a very, very high pain tolerance.

Answer 3

What type of dog do you currently have?

I have a 4 and a 5 year old. And I have a 10 month old Pit Bull. He takes ear and tail pulling, climbing pinching... even took a foot to the nuts (I am *fairly* certain it was an accident). So many times I'll be cooking and the girls will be outside or in another room with him, and they are just (seems to me0 Waaay too rough with him, but when I break it up, its as if he's upset with me... like he was enjoying it even though it was uncomfortable. Pit Bulls are great family dogs, and can stand a ton of "child play".

Pitties make great service dogs!

Answer 4

A Golden Retriever or Black lab!!
I have had both, (plus an actual half breed of the two, that was the best dog EVER -he learned to get the newspaper at the roadside box!!)

I think a Golden would be wonderful, they are so desperate for affection and so loyal, that your son will never do anything to make her get ugly. Good luck to you with the dog AND your son...
I agree with the person above that you need a puppy that will grow in the situation & be used to your son.

Answer 5

Now this is a very stringent combo that you are looking at in a dog i must say but of my knowledge in India you can go for a Golden retriever whihc will suit all that u say.....there is also cocker spaniel (my choice) though will need attention and will not be able to stay at home for that long alone.BUT,any which dog you take,you will need to spend the initial 6 to 7 months with it the whole day to make sure it doesnt pick up any bad habits. Why dont you try adopting a dog ?an all indian dog will also match with all the requirements that u said.

Answer 6

Please don't do anything mean to your current dog. Dogs get attached to their families. Just make sure she has a wonderful home.

I have a newfoundland. They are called "gentle giants" because they are so....gentle and laid-back. Surprisingly, they don't need a huge yard, but you would probably need to walk him daily. They are known for their instincts to rescue and would be wonderful with your son. They are also strong, so a little pulling here and there would not affect him. The drawbacks are: A purebread may be expensive, they drool, and they shed. Other than that, It would be the most loveable dog you could ever imagine having. I have never met a breed that has a more loveable character.

Answer 7

Labs tend to be overbred if you get a lab or a golden make sure you know it's history and you go to a reputable breeder. Any doubt on how neurotic a lab can be just read Marley and me. I would go with a mixed breed they tend to have fewer breed specific problems. But if that is not an option I think a Basset Hound would be a really tolerant dog. Just make sure you don't make this big of a decision without considering all your options.

Answer 8

Whatever breed you choose, I recommend that you adopt an adult dog, 1 year old and up, because this way you can see the dog's temperament and personality when he is already an adult. If you get a puppy you'll have to wait several months to get to know his true personality. Even better if the dog is trained.. might be more expensive but if you have a child with special needs this could be very beneficial for you.

Answer 9

Hi there! I'd have to say that a Golden Retriever would be your best bet. Everyone is saying to get a lab but, when my brother was small, he was bit in the face by one. Also, they are trying to ban Labs all together in Ontario. Whatever kind of dog you get just make sure it is from a good bloodline and has proper training. Good Luck!

Answer 10

It's a lab hands down. My feamle let my kids climb all over her and she was an excellent house dog, brought her inside when she was about 6 months old and only took about a week to house break her. They are about the best family dogs you can get as far as my experience goes, tough dogs, great temperament and top 5 intelligence. As they are one of the most widely used service dog breeds, I really think they can sense handicaps in people and are drawn to them. Best of luck to you and your son!