[QuadsDaddy]

Hello all,

My nearly four year old is a new quad. Before his accident I was thinking about getting him a dog. Initially I was leaning towards a boarder collie. They're lots of energy, not too big and very smart. Now that he's had his accident I am still considering getting him a dog. One that could help him and ge a good companion for him. I'm just not sure a border collie is still a good choice. Does anyone have any suggestions? Any input would be great.

Thanks
Jason.

[MissCaroline]

Hi Jason!

I highly recommand a royal poodle. It's very smart (they are used as seeing eye dogs), loves kids, very loyal, loves to play, but is also very aware of his surroundings and sense it when it needs to stay calm. Mine is 11 years old and I adore him. He was very easy to train. I'm allergic to animals (asthma), but the poodle is hypoallergenic, so I have no allergies being around him. I recommand the royal type, because it is much calmer and although it's big, I actually think it's less trouble than the small ones, 'cause it doesn't bark at every single thing, you can train him to open doors, go to the «bathroom» at exactly the same spot everytime (like in a little corner in the sideyard) instead of having to carry a plastic bag with you on your strolls. Although it is very friendly it is very protective of its owner, specially if he sense that he has to act as the protector. There's nothing I would change about my dog. He's great!


Caroline

[juls]

Hi Jason,

Getting him a dog is a great idea..I'd be lost without mine to keep me company!
I'd go for something small, if it was me. It would be really nice if it could cuddle up next to your son or even ride around on his lap as he gets a bit older..they're also alright to have on the bed because, unlike a bigger dog, they're not going to squash him.
You could get something like a jack Russell, they are low maintenance, very easy to train and very loyal.
I really love having my dog on my lap..it follows me everywhere I go and sleeps next to me when my partner is away..they make me smile and laugh all the time. It's proven that they are great therapy..so it would be wonderful for your son.

Maybe you should talk to a vet about the different breeds and what would be suitable for your son.

Goodluck, tell us all about it when you get one. I hope your son and yourself are doing well

[Becca82]

hi, definately get him an english springer spaniel, they are so intelligent, and very loyal. They are not to big, and can be trained to do almost anything, they are one of the dogs the police use! we ahve a little girl spaniel called Holly, and she is the best thing ever, there really is a little person inside! they are lively, but not insanely hectic, they are obedient, and they dont smell!!! something i find a real bonus! they are so friendly, get on with all other dogs, animals etc, are not scared of bangs and things (hunting dog pedigree!!) and have a life span of 12-14 years. I think that boys have a tendancy to follow scents, so if you dont have a secure garden then you might have to be careful (im not 100% sure on this though!)
I have attached pics, so you can see how gorgeous they are (they come in liver and white and black and white, i think liver and white are best!! ha)
PLEASE message mw, and i will do all I can to persuade you to get the best dog wver in the whole wide world, we wouldnt be without her, she is completely one of the family, and the best friend everyone always wants!!!

[DaveP]

Search online for web sites that train dogs for wheelchairs users, as you might be able to find a dog that could be both your son's pet and assistant. Search for "wheelchair dogs" and you'll get loads of results.

I'm a huge Rhodesian Ridgeback fan! I've had 3 and all have been amazing dogs. Big, fast, strong, gentle, clean, fun, affectionate, very mild manner with kids... and don't need constant attention like Labradors. I've now got a deaf Rottweiler and she is turning out to be absolutely amazing - we've developed some sign language with her and she loves it!

[Kit]

Take him to the local animal shelter and let him choose even at nearly four he'll be able to pick something he likes, more than likely one will pick him, I feel my animals chose me rather than the other way around
Temperament and health matter far more than a dogs breed in my opinion

This post has been edited by Kit: 07 February 2007 - 05:52 PM

[AHolland]

Hi,

I think there are two considerations to take into account in choosing a dog for him. Do you want a dog that can do things for him, or a dog that will be easy to handle for him. I'm sure I will get a lot of flack about this post, but keep in mind I am trying to think about your 4 yr old son.

A dog lives 12-15 (yah some older, but that's a reasonable guide). That means the pet will be in your house from now, until your son is 16-19. What suits him as a pet now, may not be what he wants when he gets older.

I would break down the selection between the small dogs and the mid-sized and up dogs. Small dogs being those dogs which can sit on his lap. Mid-sized and up would not normally sit on his lap because of balance and weight. Little dogs are good to play with your son when he is young, but may not be able to do some of the tricks or training that a larger dog could. For instance, a little terrier could sit on his lap, but could he really be trained to pickup and carry a medical bag (bag with medical necessities when you go out)? Some of the bigger dogs can do some amazing tricks and would make a great pet for going out and playing. Nothing like a dog to help him make friends around the neighbourhood. Part of that question might be the time you have to train the dog. If it is purely as a friend, then you might want to select a small dog. If you have the patience to do all the training, then a larger dog might be a good choice. Little dogs can be trained for some stuff, but the bigger dogs are physically able to do more, and seem to have the attitude to absorb more training (on average).

Do a check both on the web, library, etc on what dogs you start to short list on. Smaller dogs in general may have a tendency to bite a bit more. You can get around this with some simple training early in their life (taking away special toys or chew treats). Some people will say to never take away a dogs special toys or treats. I am the opposite. A dog has to know who is boss from a very early age. Repeating taking away and giving back a treat is a good way to train a dog to always let the human have their way. Puppies in particular do not know who is the Alpha (big dog) dog and need to know that they are at the bottom of the pack. Just thinking about a badly trained dog with a handicapped child leaves me shaking my head.

Right now I have a little maltese (short cut hair, not the longer girly cut) sitting beside me on my computer desk. We have 4 aquariums, 2 birds, 1 cat and 1 maltese dog, not to forget the 2 parents and 2 kids (8, 13). As if we did'nt have enough pets, we bought the dog so the kids would have something more active to play with than the fish..lol. We really thought the dog would go after the kids and be their little buddy. What has happened is the dog goes after me. He seems to like the personalised attention he can get from me and likes to ride on my lap. She (dog) likes the kids and likes all the running around with them, but in the end, she is definitely a lapdog for the guy in a wheelchair.

Will she be able to be trained to get a wheelchair bag, their leash, and be ready to go out. Nope, not on my list of things to do. Will she always be beside me, even to the point of sitting on my computer desk....yup, already learned that.

As a quick note. Take your time in selecting the right dog. You will have it for a long time. Maybe hit a reagional dog show. In one day you can see ton's of dogs and talk to their breeders. I am not suggesting paying for a show dog. Mutts can be even better pets. But at least at a dog show, you can ask about different breeds and their personalities. Here is a quick link that discusses different breeds and their general traits. Keep in mind my near perfect maltese is not really recommended for children. Training will really help in getting around a general rating. http://www.dogbreedi...om/children.htm

[gsp23]

I have to also say that you should find what you want in a dog and do a LOT of research. Too many people get a dog because their friend or someone they know had one or recommended one. Or you see the looks of a breed and just buy it not knowing anything about the breed. Keep in mind that all dogs have been bread for something and if they are not used in the environment that has been in their genes then not only can you be making them unhappy but you can also be picking a very bad fit.

I used to have a doberman and she was an awsome little girl. She was small for a doberman at only 65lbs but she sure thought she was a lapdog and was the most loyal dog I have ever know. She was very very protective but was also a big baby when there was no need to be protective. Retrieving items is not a natural instinct of a doberman and sure every dog can be force broken, do you really want to be spending time doing this (or learning how to do it yourself) if you are going to want to dog to do things and pick things up for you and your son. This was a great dog for me but may not be a good fit for you.

I now have a German Shorthaired Pointer and she is an awsome dog. When I was told over and over and over and read over and over and over that this breed had more energy than any other breed of dog, nothing could have possibly prepared me for quite how much energy she has. She can run through thick tall fields of brush for 12 hrs straight (no naps, no rest) and that is VERY different than a dog running aruond a yard for 12 hrs. German Shorthairs are bred to be hunting dogs, pointing and are good a retrieving as well, so if you dont intend to hunt then dont get a GSP as you would be robbing them of what makes them happiest. If you dont intend to play with the dog every day (and I mean serious playing and running for a couple hours a day) then dont get a GSP. This is a great dog for me and my boyfriend now but probably would be a poor fit for you.

My point to all this is to show two very different dogs and how they are quite different. I was raised in a family where we always had a cocker spaniel which are great dogs but very high maintenance for coat and ears. So consider the maintenance level of the coat, and then narrow it down by class to decide what breed to get and then do some reading on the breads. Starting just with all the breads on a broad scale can seem like a daunting task since there are literally hundreds of different breads but you will find that within a certain group the breeds share many of the same qualities so start narrowing it down that way. If you look under breeds on the AKC website AKC Breeds and then on the left hand column chose "Breeds by Group" and you can start looking at the different breeds within a group to get an idea of the different characteristics. Just be sure to match up personality, maintenance and looks with a dog that meets with what you are looking for. Its important to realize up front the complete package that you are getting and realize that regardless of breed, dog breeds have certain genes that predispose them to certain characteristics. Anyone who has ever owned a dog can look at the description of the dog that have and see many similarities in the description so it is not a myth of predisposition of genes.

[elisabeth]

I'm not sure where you are but what about the assistance dog system they have in Australia?

Here is a picture from their website



And here is an excerpt from their website:

Assistance Dogs are trained over this 2 year period to perform specific tasks that will help their disabled recipients. These tasks include opening and closing doors, turning light switches on and off, pressing pedestrian crossing buttons, retrieving and picking items off the floor – tasks that are difficult or near impossible for people confined in a wheelchair. They can also pull the wheelchair and bark for assistance, if required.

And here is a link to their website

[linda]

Hello I do think it is a great idea to get him a dog. Most handicapped assistance dogs are Labs. My daughter is a C5 and we looked in to obtaining a assistance dog for her the only problem we found was that there was a 2-4 year waiting list and they cost up in the thousands!

We decited to go out to the shelters and evaluate dog that may have the potential of becomming a service dog. We did find a Doberman he was almost 2 at the time, with a huge calm personality! He had every thing you would want to see for a potential service dog, so we adopted him! We have trained him our selfs for three years, he will now accompany my daughter every where she goes!

He has learned all the basic and advanced obediance as well as commands. He knows how to open and shut the door! He will also retrieve on command, push buttons on power doors. This dog is a real gem! he has learned so much so fast. He will not do a thing with out being told to, including drinking eating and potty!

I am not suggesting a Doberman, not all are suitable for this kind of work. I do think if you knew what to look for in a Doberman they can make wonderful assistance dog companion and friend. However I am suggesting to take a look around in the shelters you can find some wonderful dogs there with a lot of potential to learn! Self training is not that difficult with the rite dog!

Good luck with what ever dog you choose, just having a great pet with out the assistance can make one fee goodl