Comments on: The Doctor Ordered a Dog…

By: If I tell you I am depressed, does it make you think less of me?

If I tell you I am depressed, does it make you think less of me? — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:21:48 +0000

[...] will have a hard time staying calm when my ADHD, ODD son starts acting out. I will feel waves of panic as my daughter has fits of tics. SO you ask — [...]

By: To Post or Not To Post…

To Post or Not To Post… — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:11:49 +0000

[...] A couple weeks ago, I wrote a bit about my son’s struggles with ADHD and Anxiety and our decision to get him a dog. [...]

By: Tarasview

Tarasview — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:04:37 +0000

I just wanted to tell you that my oldest (age 7) also deals with ADHD and anxiety with some high-functioning autism thrown in for good measure. I have struggled with how much to say on my blog… but decided I NEEDED to talk about it It just helps not to feel alone sometimes!

Praying for you Janice.

By: It’s a BOY!

It’s a BOY! — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:17:32 +0000

[...] Last week, we decided that the time was right for our family to expand one more time. To read more about our decision, read my post, The Doctor Ordered a Dog. [...]

By: Jill

Jill — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:11:20 +0000

STAY AWAY FROM PET STORES. Avoid backyard breeders like the plague. Do your research and pick the breed that is right for you and your family. You might consider a rescue organization to get an adult dog that is housebroken and has been temperment tested.

I personally love my Golden Retriever and my rescue boy who is a Golden mix. I highly recommend a rescue as well as a reputable breeder.

You can find breeder referrals generally on a breed website (for instance, The Golden Retriever Club of America is http://www.grca.org) and they will list breed standards, what to look for in a breeder, health clearances, etc.

Feel free to contact me if you’d like more info.

By: Ma21cuteboy

Ma21cuteboy — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:03:25 +0000

I think that is how a lot of us moms feel- Should I shouldn’t I? But if you sit back and think about it for a minute, your hints, tricks, and aides to help your son could also help another mom with the same “challenges” that her child is having, or another mom could have some great hints, tricks, and aides to help you and Jackson;} Just remember one thing YOUR NOT ALONE!!

Now onto dogs- My son Chucky has a lot of “challenges” we inherited a black lab puppy when my son was a toddler. This dog has been amazing, my son would open the dogs mouth, look in his ears,lay on him, everything that you could think of to irritated a dog and the dog would just lay there. As Chucky got older and could go outside in the yard to play, the dog would watch him {almost like a babysitter}. Now that Chucky is able to go outside the fence and ride his bike, scooter etc, the dog will freak out if he is out of sight, or if he can see him at his friends house, the dog will bark and bark until I tell him that Chucky is ok but he will stll wait by the fence for him to come back;}
Sometimes Chucky gets “busy” and forgets to get his dog food or water and the dog will let him know- he will push his bowls to Chucky until he gets him either food or water. The dog even likes Chucky’s hermit crab snoopy! LOL
They are really smart, and easy to train.
Good luck with your search in finding the “perfect” doggy for your family!

By: Amy

Amy — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:53:11 +0000

I recommend a mutt, they are loving, loyal and truly know that they were given a second chance. We have a labrador retriever whom I love with my heart and soul but I feel that a large dog for a child is not necessarily a good choice. A medium sized dog from a shelter who is 2yrs + would be your best bet for Jackson in my opinion. After 2yrs the puppy years are through, there isn’t chewing to worry about and you can most often find housebroken dogs in this age range too. Another option is to talk with local rescue groups who can help to pair Jackson and your entire family with a dog who is right for you all with the qualities that you are looking for.

One thing I will say is try to avoid buying in to the hype of designer dogs like the labradoodle, they are mutts just as much as any dog you will find in the shelter and you won’t end up paying an arm and a leg for them. In my experience a mixed breed dog from the shelter is affordable, grateful, and generally tend to be in better health than most purebred dogs you will find.

By: Piroska

Piroska — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:35:46 +0000

My middle child, a boy, was finally diagnosed with severe ADHD when he was 9 (after almost 9 years of me thinking it was “just me”).
I could write chapters of all that we went through–the trouble he got into.
Until we finally had enough–moved to the country and bought a dog.
My son was 10, and I can’t tell how much difference the dog made. For the first time in his life, he was calm. He burned off his energy with the puppy. Became more responsible (feeding, cleaning up after…and looking out for…Chewbacca).
The gentle nature of my son emerged.
I wish we had thought of a dog years earlier.
Chewie was a pound puppy–part border collie, part who knows what else.
Definitely a miracle-worker.
)

By: Eileen

Eileen — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:08:06 +0000

There are a lot of people who are going to encourage you to get a certain breed of dog, but even though certain breeds have certain traits…they ALL have their own personalities, just like people.
It’s a good thing you are highly researching your pet, as we did not. We chose a breed I had as a teen and also was not a high allergen dog considering we had kids with allergies. BUT, we went to LOOK at a litter and of course came home with a puppy. Liberty, our mini Schnauzer was a train wreck!! Yappy, jumpy, and like a little grey tornado who still, at 8 will not bark to go OUT… she has US trained. She CAN however, sit, speak, toss a treat from her nose, high five, play dead, fetch and roll over. Go figure!
We bought her for our kids, who we promised a dog when we got a house, but “Libby” is my baby who has been my best friend through years of medical issues. The past year she has sat by my side while mostly bedbound. She does help with anxiety and makes me feel very lucky to have such a great friend and protector when my kids are in school and hubby at work. Pets become family. Your family is lucky to be adding to your FAMILY!! If your son cant relate to your dog right away, no matter. He will still be blessed with a friend who gives unconditional love for many years and that will surely supply a lasting memory of love and security for a lifetime.
Can’t wait to see how is all turns out. You HAVE to keep us posted!

By: Penny

Penny — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:35:00 +0000

How wonderful that you are researching what type of dog to get. Too many people just jump into a cute little puppy with out any research to see if this dog will work for their family!
We have raised Golden Retrievers for 12 years and recently started breeding Goldendoodels. Golden Retriever/Standard Poodle mix. They are WONDERFUL dogs. They are low to no shedding and are great with kids. If you are not worried about allergies, the Golden Retriever is also perfect for a family with small children. They are both easy to housebreak and live to please and be with their people. The Goldendoodle has a little more energy than the Golden Retriever, but both breeds are very smart and loving. I would really recommend checking out both breeds and considering one for your family. We have raised our Goldens with our three children and they are a part of our family. I did research before we adopted our first Golden, Sam. I found that they were highly recommended for families. Goldendoodles were first bred for Therapy dogs, they are SMART and loving and most people with allergies can tolerate them well. If you would like any more information feel free to contact me! Good luck with your search and be ready to fall in love with your new pup!

By: Cassie

Cassie — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:40:33 +0000

As far as dogs go, it really depends on what you want… I’ve seen them all. I really like a smaller dog, but not a “yip” dog. one that you could play around with. Irish Jack Russells are really great little dogs. Great temperment for families and they are easily trainable. My friend owns a few who are even service and therapy dogs! They travel well too! Good luck with whatever you decide

By: Tackle It Tuesday

Tackle It Tuesday — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:39:31 +0000

[...] the way, another exciting update is coming soon… as per doctor’s orders, Janice got Jackson a dog… the big introduction will come Tuesday [...]

By: NessWorld Magazine

NessWorld Magazine — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:19:46 +0000

We have a labrador, and she is the sweetest, kindest moving loving and child friendly dog I have ever met. We had her for 6 months before my first child was born, and she just knew from the moment the baby was in the house (and the second one 3 years later) that her job was to protect them. She will purposefully step between them and any visitors, and eyeball the visitors until she knows they can be trusted around ‘her’ kids. She has had her ears pulled, tail pulled, eyes poked by both kids (before I’ve been able to intervene) and she just licks them, because she’s knows they’re just being kids. Now that the kids are a bit older, they *LOVE* her (the tail pulling etc has stopped) and they regularly use her as a pillow if they’re lying down etc. It is a beautiful relationship to observe.

She is very protective of our whole family, and regularly tries to rescue my husband when he’s in the swimming pool. You can often see her expression, and she’s like, “What is that darn human doing in the water? He’s not supposed to be in the water! Must get him out of the water!” It’s gorgeous. I would highly recommend a labrador as a great family dog.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 05:23:48 +0000

We have a beagle that is a wonderful size and temperment for kids. Our lab is still a puppy in the chewing stage, but she is more loyal and loving than any dog that I have ever had.

By: Christy

Christy — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 02:55:53 +0000

With all the advice that you are bound to get here on different breeds, let me recommend that you talk to an experienced dog trainer before you make a selection.

Some children’s hospitals also have pet therapy dogs come to the hospital. It might be worth checking with their coordinator to see if they have any recs.

Good luck, and have fun!