[Rhapsody]

I was wondering if anyone has found that having a dog for your child to look after and care for (with your supervision) has helped them better deal with their ADHD? - getting a dog has been suggested by my nephew's counselor.

Thank you.

[theotterone]

Originally Posted by Rhapsody

I was wondering if anyone has found that having a dog for your child to look after and care for (with your supervision) has helped them better deal with their ADHD? - getting a dog has been suggested by my nephew's counselor.

Thank you.

It could help. My oldest daughter (9) was diagnosed this summer, and I was then diagnosed also. We got a puppy, and mean PUPPY (she was 8 weeks old when she came home), this past January. While, as it so often happens, my daughters' father and I do most of the care, the oldest does feed her some mornings and both girls have "poop patrol" every other weekend or so. It can be tough to get them to do it, but they do. We made that part of their deal in getting a dog.

A couple of things to keep in mind, make sure you research dog breeds. Some are better with kids than others. Also look at obedience training. The parents can work with the dog with it's food and toys to help curb (notice I said curb, not eliminate) any tendency to bite when it's food or toys are threatened. We have a 3/4 Rat, 1/4 Jack Russell terrier, but when my mom was researching dogs when she wanted one, she was told any breed of terrier is not necessarily good with kids under 10. There are breeds that are bred with temperament in mind, along with other traits. If they are going to get a "mutt", they should make sure they know what breeds are involved. Pure bred dogs are expensive! (My parents got King Charles Caviler Spaniels, and they were in the low $1,000s). A dog is a big responsibility and that lasts for the dog's life.

The only issue we have had with my daughters (the oldest one particularly) is with little impluse control, she will grab the dog by her front legs or pick her up. Even if we have asked her to do something or go to bed, she seems to HAVE to pick up/play with the dog. So there can be a down side.

Sorry I was so long winded. Hope this helps!

Originally Posted by Rhapsody

I was wondering if anyone has found that having a dog for your child to look after and care for (with your supervision) has helped them better deal with their ADHD? - getting a dog has been suggested by my nephew's counselor.

Thank you.

Im not a child , but had one growing up and that dog was my best friend . Id spend hours with it in the garage when the rest of the family was yelling and fighting.

Why not ask the counselor which breed would be best. I think a Lab is very mellow . Most puppies are very hyperactive.

Don't get a german shorhaired pointer . They have adhd .
unless you want a good mirror as to what ADHD looks like . That can have a plus side .

They are very active and will play soccer and will retrieve a tennis ball for hours to the point of bugging you .

They are ON or off . Active but will lay down and be very quite in the house for the entire evening, If they get ample exeresize durring the day.
They have a way of tilting thier head in rapt attention. that just warms your heart . they can be very animated almost silly. leaping like a deer . and they are beautiful .to look at and watch.

at least mine was . They respond well to verbal comands .

they do tend to have separation angziety and will whine to get your attention which can at times get on ones nerves a bit .
they really dislike being tied up . They do better in a kennel off lead.

they have very short hair that is wash and wear. No brushing needed or styling. LOL! and they like to swim if you introduce them to water at a young age.

Mine would cool of in a pool all summer long . rarely needed a bath .

they are known for killing cats though and need to be watched if cats are around . If they are raised with cats this lessens this problem.


They need lots of consistant training are free spirited and rebelious.and quite smart . many are know to live 14 to 17 years if healthy.

I had a difficult time making eye contact with mine for many years.

she was not affectionate like say a lab . But would allow affection . never demanded it at all .

Not a licker or a barker. or biter . This could be good for an adhd child who does not like to be touched much but likes to do the touching.

Never got her to speack! . I tried my hardest to get her to do that command . All I got was a paw in the air and a whining moan . She did not bark till she was almost four. She was good at this small whistlee like whine .

I love them , I hope to get another one . I already have her name.

Rebby. short for for Rebellion.

Dogs do have adhd.
http://www.ehow.com/video_2268197_tr...nine-adhd.html

LOL
another possibiity is a rescue dog thats two years or older where you can see the temperment and they may already be trained . You can get rescue dogs according to what breed you want .

I think it's petfinders .com . you may have to be willing to travel some. to get what you want.

I've met some absoutely adorable golden retrievers . Very loving calm always right there at your beck and call and love to be petted. set right on your feet if they can . some will try to hug you.

I would stear clear of rotwielers . and smaller yappy dogs. like Jack russel terriers, They tend to be more parinoid and biters. they are cute though.

I like begals and fox hounds as well they tend to be howlers though,

I hope you don't mind my sharing .. Im a dog addict , I think dogs are great for consouling and soothing . a great help with de escalating if a bond between dog and child are made.

Patricia

[theotterone]

Originally Posted by auroralso

Don't get a german shorhaired pointer . They have adhd .
unless you want a good mirror as to what ADHD looks like . That can have a plus side .

LOL! So is my dog!!!

Originally Posted by theotterone

LOL! So is my dog!!!

you mean she has ADHD? or shes a pointer.

hey check out Sally .

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/dis...petid=14364164

theres a brief video. how exciting..LOL!!!!!!

I have this thing for liver colored pointers or chocklet labs.

l the liver colored hair is shorter finer and softer than white hair.

thats why Im very onesided about mostly liver.

[Rhapsody]

We have done our research and while there is no set breed that helps a child with ADD over another (as it is the responsibility and care given that is the main goal) we have acquired a lot of useful information when we do start to look for that special puppy that will get a new home with my nephew.

We have decided that a small to medium mix breed will probably be best... as they tend to have better temperaments and less health issues - not to mention that there is so many of them in city pounds waiting and waiting for someone to come along and love them.

I will post PICS when he or she is found.

[VickiesPath]

I am a dog lover and a cat lover. I used to work in a no-kill shelter. It's a good thing I have no yard (live on the side of a hillside) because most of those dogs would have some home with me.

I remember looking up a suitable breed for our family when my son was small. I remember that the questionaire said an Australian Shepherd was a good suggestion. Remember the movie "Babe"? The dogs in that movie are Australian Shepherds.

[theotterone]

It's great you want to adopt! I got my 3/4 Rat 1/4 Jack Russell from my cousin as his dog got pregnant last fall. Quite a few of her brothers ended up at shelters. We saved up so that we could get her spayed at 6 months old.

It also great you did the research. Aeon (her pic is on my profile) is about 16 lbs. Small enough she can't bowl you over, big enough that you can play and cuddle her but not squish her. She is loving, if a bit hyper (I said I think she has ADD)!

[Rhapsody]

PET UPDATE:

After careful consideration mom decided that she was not ready for a dog in the family... so Auntie did the next best thing - I got my nephew a full tank set up with a 6 month old bearded dragon for his birthday last weekend... a bearded dragon is a fairly easy and tame pet to take care of, he needs daily care, but will not die if forgotten for a day or two.

My Nephew is in Heaven.... he loves to watch the BD eat crickets at feeding time & he says SPIKE likes to eat healthy as he loves his salad mix.

PICS to follow.....

[Rhapsody]

SPIKE the BEARDED DRAGON



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