pets with small children

[lackenstrand]

Hi - I want a dog that is a bit more protective than our lab. 3 small children. Plenty of space and land but want one that doesn't wander too much (our lab's nose takes her off occasionally). Am on my own a lot with the children when DH is away working - what breed is good? Greyhound cross with Lab pup I have been thinking. What do you think?

I'd be very wary of seeking a "protective" dog unless he is professionally trained (which will cost a fortune and is unnecessary for the average family like mine (or presumably yours?).

IME as a rescuer, this is asking for trouble, especially with children in the home. We get a lot of dogs coming into rescue because they are OVER protective and/or have bonded so much with the adult/s that they have started to get bossy with the kids and, rightly or wrongly the owners then consider the dog a risk to the DC.

Unless you have the skills and experience to train a pup to "protect" the chances are he won't be any more likely to than your Lab. At best, he'll be the average family dog and you have a Lab who is a bit of a wuss! ( I have a chicken cowardly custard GSD like this!). Most of us, myself included, aren't experienced enough to train a dog to be desirably protective and yet to avoid the pitfalls of unwanted over-protectiveness that could see someone innocent getting hurt or the dog handed in to rescue or PTS.

By all means have another dog if thats what you want as a family pet but I really would advise against getting one just to protect. Besides, there is no knowing what a pup is going to turn out like. As I said, I have a GSD, traditionally used as a guarding and protection breed, had him since he was 7 weeks old and he is useless! BUT.... his very look, size and (rare) bark is enough to deter most unwanted people from trying their luck in this house! Similarly my long term foster GSD would be no help in a crisis but looks the part ... but NOT so my smaller Lab cross, who is a formerly abused rescue dog and would protect me with his life.

However, (and I don't know quite how to say this without sounding cocky), I KNEW he had issues from the start and spent a very long time addressing these and making him feel secure so he doesn't NEED to protect me. As I said, I am a rescuer so I handle a lot of dogs, from all backgrounds and of all temperements. A dog such as my Lab x isn't for the average owner or family.

Do you mind me asking why you feel you need protection? And what your Lab is like?

As a lone mum of 2 (been on my own since now teenaged DDs were babes) and dog owner, I've found, and felt comfort in knowing, that a dog's very presence and bark when strangers/postman etc come to the door is sufficient. But perhaps your situation is different?

Please don't think I'm trying to be superior, I'm not, I just am really quite concerned that you could either opt for a dog that doesn't protect and then wonder why the hell you got him, or end up with one which could put you or your family at risk, with all the heartache that it would bring with it.

When you say wander, do you mean easy to train to come back when you let him off the lead? I presume you have a secure garden? Any dog should be contained in a secure garden and never allowed to wander.

Also, there is a fine line between a dog being "protective" and becoming aggressive. Surely a dog that barks to let you know when there is a stranger about is sufficient?

That is a fantastic answer - thank you for taking the time. I live in a very isolated area and, as I say, my husband is away a lot for long periods. We get few passers by but the occasional unwanted visitor in a van....... Our delightful lab does not bark (she's almost 3 - possibly over disciplined because the kids were very young when she came to us - I don't mean physically chastised just not treated as one of the children and very much part of the family - I don't know). I think you have hit the nail on the head with getting another dog who is another lovely family pet - and company for our sweet dog - but looks the part, maybe. Our Lab is delightful - but will not bark at strangers. That's all I want really - more of a deterrent - and I want a buddy for her too.. Thank you again.

No problem, I just hope I didn't come over as rude!

FWIW, I too live in a rural area and as I said, have been on my own since my DDs were tiny. I know how it feels to be isolated and vulnerable BUT I have my GSD, who although a complete mummy's boy and coward, doesn't look it. My foster GSD is a wuss too but at least he knows how to bark at strangers!. IMHO all you need is a dog which looks or sounds the part, not even both. One of those is enough ime and imho.

Many's the time I have angrily answered AIBU threads about supposedly dangerous or dangerous looking dogs with the same thing... it's not about the BREED or what that breed can supposedly do! As I said, my GSD is a chicken in disguise, it's my Lab cross, who looks like a full Lab, who would be my comfort if you broke in or threatened me.

But you try telling that to one of my stupid postmen passers by who will scoop their DC up and/or give us a wide berth if soppy GSD and I are passing in the street, but who would happily think that as my other dog is a Lab x he must be an amiable twerp who would go off with anyone for a biscuit.

Wrong!

In all honesty? Go to a rescue (local or national, some independent rescues rehome country-wide) which will vaccinate, chip, assess, homecheck, offer lifetime support and take the dog back in 10 years time if you can't keep him, take your Lab, DH and DC and explain that you have a wuss of a lab and would like a stronger personality but NOT a barker (you don't want environmental health on your case!), who will fit in with your family, accept your Lab and love you all. Let them guide you and go with an open mind. Trust me, I speak of the open mind theory from happy personal experience and as a rescuer. I know, for example, of a certain Jack Russell in rescue who is FAR more of a deterrent to unpleasant types than my huge GSDs!

You mention the occasional vans passing your rural home... this is a bit difficult to me as I have had in rescue some knowledge of certain undesirables which sort of fit that picture but am wary here of accusations of being anti a particular type of people. (Don't care per se but am loathe to say something which might stop others from trusting me if they knew of a dog in need of help tbh).

Do you have any particular problem areas or communities locally?

I ask as there ARE, whether folks like it or not, certain problems in this department, in the experience of rescuers. Mine should be a general rule anyway, sadly, in this day and age - but in particular should this apply to your area - for goodness sakes, NEVER leave any dog unattended, be he in your garden or outside a shop. Even if your garden is what you might consider secure!

All it takes is for someone to pull up in a car, undo a gate or a lead, and your dog is lost, often forever. We see this all too often and I would hate for it to happen because I didn't have the guts to warn dog owners of the risks.