Shelter dogs????

Question

I am thinking about getting a dog. I want a dog from a shelter. Has any one ever had any expirences with shelter dogs. I dont care if there good or bad, i just want to know if its a good idea to get a shelter dog. I have a small baby and mostly want to know if shelter dogs are more hostile towards children. Any addvice is appriciated.

Answer 1

Both my dogs are from a shelter, they're both really sweet and dorky. I'm 13 and we got the first one when I was 7 or so. He tolerates ANYTHING i mean anything! One kid pulled on his tail and tried to ride him and all he did was ran away lol (hes a beagle, so fairly small).
With a shelter, you can't really know what you're going to get.. try doing a trial first where you can have him for a few days or weeks.
Also, the breeds really differ. So steer clear of bigger dogs that could hurt your kid without meaning too. Also small dogs like chihuahuas arent great because they tend to be meaner to make up for what they lack in size.
I'd go with a medium dog (like a beagle), try to find one that's really laid back.
Most dogs you find in a shelter are going to be big hostile dogs like rottweillers and pit bulls. Just keep checking back and eventually you'll find a sweet dog

Answer 2

I just got my chihuahua from a shelter and she is the sweetest thing ever. Her owners must have socialized her well over the five years that they had her. They dropped her off saturday afternoon and she was only there for an hour before I scooped her up. She's great with my whole family--except for my guinea pigs, doesn't like them too much. But as far as other dogs go, they bark at her, and she completely ignores them. Great dog. I'd recommend shelters 100%. Because really, it's not the shelter that makes the dog hostile. If anything, they're just excited to be out of their cage and having some human companionship. It's the owner before the dog was brought into the shelter that had the determining affect on how it will react when it comes into contact with a human it doesn't know. Good luck!

Answer 3

If you have never had a dog before - I would consider waiting for awhile - especially if you have a small baby. Shelter dogs can be the greatest in the world, but I found it difficult enough to get my 3 dogs ready for the new baby, I can't imagine having to get a dog use to a new house and a new baby at the same time. If you do decide you want the dog now - make sure you ask everyone at the shelter how the dog reacts to children and then keep a strict eye on the dog when the baby is anywhere the dog can reach (a big enough dog can stand on hind legs and reach into a bassinet). As a child grows they need to be watched carefully when around the dog - a child who pulls on a dog's coat can create a dangerous reaction with a dog that doesn't understand.

Answer 4

What you want to do is investigate the breed of dog. that is where most behavior comes from. Some breeds are possessive, some are one person dogs, others are friendly to everyone, some don't tolerate children well, the may be high strung and others are great with kids. Also, don't get a dog with age beyond 2 yrs. They have all ready established behaviors that may not change. If you have room Labs and retrievers are good with kids but they take lots of room and exercise too. I have a scznauser, spelling?, he is the sweetest and sheds not at all. Also terriers have high energy and are good with kids when they are brought up with them. Poodles are ok if they are introduced very early, not if they have been with a single person in the past. Hounds like beagles and mixed breeds like collie and labs are great too as long as they are introduced young. You will also have to teach the child to respect the dog. As they get older and the dog does too they will need to know that they can't pull, gouge and otherwise mistreat the dog. A great learning experience. I had a boxer with my first child and he was the greatest. they were best friends and he loved her and spent a lot of time with her. We are all animal lovers. Just make sure the animal is healthy, the shelter will do certain things then you will have to do the rest. They usually will let you return the dog if there is a problem also, so make sure to talk to them openly about what you want and they may be able to guide you. they know where some of the dogs come from and how they may react to a child. They will also have an idea about the breed and what it will take to keep it happy also. I wish you lots of luck and if you research and spend the time with the animal and the child in the beginning and continue to grow them in a loving home it will work out. My baby doesn't shed, he has to be groomed...some are like that too. Poodles don't shed but need grooming..it's a trade off. My baby is great with kids and all people, he was given to me. You can find pedigree at the shelter too, people buy them and then can't deal with them...not prepared for the responsibility or have to move or loose income and divorce, all kinds of reasons. I will pray for a perfect match for you.

Answer 5

I used to work at a humane society shelter. Indeed they can be some of the best dogs, but some of the dogs are there cause the owners couldn't deal with the problems the dogs had. Any good shelter would let you bring your baby in after you have picked a dog and see how they react. Also if the dog was surrendered by the owner they may have filled out a history sheet. Also if you live in a bigger city they get so many dogs they have to euthanize the "problem" dogs, and they can afford to have behaviorist who test the dogs.

I have small children and I have found that standard size dogs tolerate children better. They put up with more and don't get hurt as easily.

Answer 6

shelter dogs are just like any other dog you might adopt. Some have good personalities some have not so good personalities. They generally only adopt out the dogs they believe are able to make good pets. Most shelters realize that all their dogs are not right for everyone, especially kids and babies. Realizing this and wanting every dog to find the perfect home, most shelters will want the dog to meet any children first before going to the home, and then once at the home offer a trial period. If it doesn't work out you can bring the dog back. It's their way of ensuring that if anything does happen the dog won't be abandoned or forgotten, but brought back to find a more compatible loving home.

I myself have a shelter dog and have absolutely no problems with her.

Answer 7

The best dog I ever own I adopted from a foster home - she was originally from a shelter. If you have children, I would suggest doing some research on breeds that are compatible with children (ie. wheaton terriers - yes, dalmations - not so much), before looking - this way you can have an idea of what type of dog to focus on. Shelter dogs are generally mixed breeds, which are a good thing when considering temperment and health. For example, labradors are generally good with children - so you may want to look for a lab mix. Many shelters also have puppies so if you are up for the training, your baby and dog could grow up together.

Answer 8

Shelter/rescue dogs can make awesome pets. Usually the staff will determine if the dog will be good with kids or not. If you get any dog, you will have to be sure never to leave the baby and dog alone together whether the dog comes from a shelter or a breeder. Dogs and small kids sometimes do not mix well.

Answer 9

It depends on the breed and the particular dog. I adopted a little Pomeranian from the humane society, and I would recommend it to anyone. Just be sure of what you are getting yourself into. Research the breeds, and realize that just because the dog acts a certain way at the shelter doesn't mean they'll act that way at home. For example, my pup was so quiet, and I thought that the stereotype of the yippy toy dog didn't apply to her ... Boy, was I wrong! And, don't forget, with a small baby you will want a breed of dog that isn't clingy or jealous. The Great Pyrenes make wonderful pets for families with kids, and they're not high-energy. Good luck!

Answer 10

We got a dog from a shelter and she is the best dog my husband and I have ever had. She is gentle, smart and totally non-agressive. If you get your dog from a good shelter, they will be able to tell you if the dog is good with kids or other dogs or cats. Lots of times the dogs are sent to the shelter because the people didn't want to take the time to train the dog or the dog may not have been taking to housebreaking well or the dog was too lively for them to handle. Not all dogs are sent to shelters because they are mean.