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Original poster

My DH, DS1 and me would all LOVE a dog but my DS2 has autism

26 replies

stillenacht · 17/01/2009 15:24

In your experiences will it be a disaster? What type of dog would suit.

I have read a friend like Henry and i do know about trained dogs for families with autistic children (dogs for the disabled) but they have told me they are not doing a scheme in our area.

My DS2 is 5 and functions sort of on about a 22month old level.He is verbal (just).

OP posts:

Northernlurker · 17/01/2009 15:29

No personal experience of autism but I would say you want a dog with as predictable habits as possible. Nothing too noisy or bouncy or short tempered. Labs I think are generally regarded as good with children but they are quite big. My family have had quite a lot of King Charles Cavilier Spaniels. They are very cuddly and good tempered but with a bit of go to them. They aren't too big so exercise is a pleasure not a chore.

Northernlurker · 17/01/2009 15:30

Forgot to ask - how does your ds react to dogs now when he sees them out and about?

Original poster

stillenacht · 17/01/2009 15:34

He LOVES them but a little too much if you know what i mean - he is very tactile and could be in a bad way as well i guess

OP posts:

Original poster

stillenacht · 17/01/2009 15:35

My DH had a dog for all of his childhood and i had a dog too for a short while at home.

OP posts:

FiveGoMadInDorset · 17/01/2009 15:36

Personllay I would think about a labrador, mine was great with all kids,very protective (used to follow my nephews around the house) and very tolerant. I have found they are very tolerant aswell.

Northernlurker · 17/01/2009 15:45

In that case I would be inclined to go for it but pick your dog very carefully and be prepared for hard work. Puppies are always hard work but you will need to make sure that the dog isn't being loved to bits by your ds. Do you have some outside space where the dog could get some peace if necessary? The advice when buying a dog is to alwasy see both it's parents if possible because that can tell you a lot about how it will grow up. I would also want to ask about the resiliance of previous litters if you go for a pedigree - because you do not want to buy a dog and love it only to have ds's heart broken when it dies young. I say this because we had a siamese when I was young, she died at 3 and we then discovered that all her siblings and her mother's previous litters proved similarly short lived

choccynutter · 17/01/2009 15:54

my ds2 also has autism and we have 2 dogs and he is absolutely go for it he probley be better then you think

newpup · 17/01/2009 17:02

Can not beat the labrador for a family dog. There is a good reason they are used as guide dogs! Gentle, loyal and they respond well to training. They are fab with children of all ages.

My DDs are playing board games as I type, with 7 month lab at their feet, watching them.

They are large dogs and need plenty of exercise every day. But the rewards are plenty!

NINALL · 17/01/2009 17:15

Check out Nuala Gardener (think that's her name), her son severly autistic and she encouraged him to engage in communication via the family dog!So I think could be a cracking plan........

NINALL · 17/01/2009 17:16

Sorry, just read your post properly! Do you really have to join a scheme though? can you not just encourage the relationship?

NutterlyUts · 17/01/2009 17:31

Just a note - Labradors are a gundog breed, and can be mouthy which can last throughout their life (by mouthy i mean they will gently hold your hand/arm/top in their mouth with minimal pressure like they would retrieve a dead bird). So if you go for a Labrador, look into your breeder well, and meet as many dog relatives you can as it seems to be an inherited tendency and affects some family lines more then others

lilymolly · 17/01/2009 17:39

Another vote for a lab here.

I have too and are both working gun dogs and neither of them mouth (although I am sure some do)
They are wonderful with dd (3) who is very tactile and has been know to ride them like a horse given half a chance

They follow my dd around the house and protect her when we are out- even when she was a newborn and a small toddler, they where still gentle with her.

Alambil · 17/01/2009 19:24

I'd recommend Golden Retriever over the lab because a LOT of labs are being born with problems due to the severe rise in demand for them... GRs are virtually the same dog in a different skin but less demanded so better bred (if that makes sense)

Original poster

stillenacht · 17/01/2009 19:25

thanks for everyones replies xxxxxx

OP posts:

ohappydays · 17/01/2009 20:01

I work with children with special needs - many with severe autism. My labrador often works with specific children. You could not get a gentler or more understanding breed. Although labs are very bouncy as pups and i think golden retrievers are often calmer. There is a charity which places a dog with a person with special needs and gives full training to the dog - a little like guides for the blind. The guide dog association in Ireland have extended placing dogs with people with autism - which has been very successful in helping people with asd cope with the anxieties they sometimes experience. The guide dog for the blind some times uses lab/goldern retriever cross

CarGirl · 17/01/2009 20:05

as well as dogs for the disabled there is canine companions, perhaps they operate in your area?

ohappydays · 17/01/2009 20:08

Sorry - dogs for the disabled doesn't operate in your area. You could also, contact the PAT [ pets as therapy scheme] were the dog comes to visit on a regular basis - perhaps come to his school. We also have them visit our school. The other thing to think about is a guide dog who may have failed his training on a very simple point -sometimes a minor health problem as they usually are choosen and trained for their excellent training. My lab has tolerant and doesn't bat an eyelid at very tactile and over enthusiatic loving - she seems to understand the child's needs

Original poster

stillenacht · 17/01/2009 20:09

will try them - thanks for that

OP posts:

ilovelovemydog · 17/01/2009 20:10

We have golden retrievers and they are great kids dogs.

What about getting a guide dog for the blind, um, reject?

Original poster

stillenacht · 17/01/2009 20:13

bit worried about my work situation tho as i work 4 out of 5 days and leave the house at 9 and get home at 3.15. Surely thats too long for a big dog like a GR?

OP posts:

CarGirl · 17/01/2009 20:19

all the organisations have to retire dogs, some get retired quitee young - a once former guide dog was retired at 3 because he worked out his owner was blind and was scavenging all the time and got very fat, he managed to get drunk once after drinking an abandoned can in the street!!!

So yes perhaps "rejects" and young "retirees" could be possibilities?

ohappydays · 17/01/2009 20:20

You can arrange a dog walker or "doggy daycare" where the dog goes and stays with some-one in their home for the day - although it does add to the costs. I know labs pine and suffer seperation anxiety if they are left too long. An older re homed dog may be happier to be left longer but would 9 -3.15 is a long time for a dog

CarGirl · 17/01/2009 20:25

it would be best if you get an assistant dog as they can go with someone anywhere, try canine companions?

pagwatch · 17/01/2009 20:33

My DS2 is vitually non verbal and severely autistic.
We got a dog four years ago when he was 8.
We got an old english sheepdog.

DS2 still likes Angus to keep reasonably away from him but gets stressed when Angus isn't here and misses him IYSWIM.
Funnily enough Angus is fantastic with DS2 and never invades his personal space but, if we are out and DS2 starts to wander Angus goes with him and gets very protective.
It has been reallsy good for DS2 although it challenges him a little as dogs can be unpredictable.
But we found the right dog - big, gentle and smart - and it is great

gigglewitch · 17/01/2009 20:34

fwiw, i had a student last year (with classical autism) who had a dog - but to our amusement often said "It's not a dog, it's a labrador. I'm scared of dogs."
I think all those other wise ones are giving you advice along these lines, hope all goes well for you stillenacht.

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