Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Dog for sen child

16 replies

mabel2800 · 08/04/2021 19:45

Hello all.
My son has recently been diagnosed with global development delay.
I'm wondering if a puppy would be beneficial for him he has been asking for a dog for quite awhile but we've always thought he was too young, he will be 10 in November so lovely age for our first family dog. He loves his grandmas boxer but think that will be abit bouncy for us.
Has anyone gotten a dog for a Sen child and if so what breed would people recommend?
X

OP posts:
ilovesushi · 08/04/2021 20:01

We just got a golden retriever lab cross and she is wonderful. Some of the litter went to be trained as assistance dogs for kids with disabilities, so they are very bright and trainable and calm. I am finding having a puppy full on right now, so in terms of a puppy being a good fit for your son, probably not so much, but when older yes! My son has some SEN and half the reason I was finally persuaded into getting a dog was the benefits for him. As predicated (and it's fine), I am doing most of the puppy care and training right now. I think the dog and my son will come into their own a bit later on. Hope that helps! xxx

Crazymummyto4 · 08/04/2021 23:03

We have a Bichon Frise x chihuahua who is a very calm dog and she is a calming influence on our son if he has a meltdown (he has Aspergers and ADHD). Having done lots of research we have just reserved a Labrador and are hoping to train her up to offer support to him, he is 11 and due to start secondary school in September

StillMedusa · 08/04/2021 23:36

We have a Eurasier..my son has autism and some learning disabiities and it was the best thing we ever did.. but he's an adult (age wise if not in many ways). She has given him such love, he can now even walk her (well tbh she walks him ) and he does training with her.

Breed.. depends on so many things..and mostly on your lifestyle as you will be doing all the work. We wanted a larger dog as my son is very dyspraxic so didn't want a delicate dog, but wanted one who was strongly bonded to family only, who could walk miles. We went to Discover Dogs at Crufts and met hundreds of breeds, and just fell in love with ours.
Never regretted it. She's the love of our lives!

wetotter · 09/04/2021 00:17

Do you want a dog which can be trained up as an assistance type dog, or are you looking for a friendly family pet?

What size dog would you prefer, and how much grooming are you up for?

Notoriouslynotnotious · 09/04/2021 20:38

We just got a rescue greyhound. It has been one of our best decisions. We all adore him and we did not start life as dog people. He is very gentle and our ASD DS is loving having his new companion.

Pupster21 · 09/04/2021 21:12

I know a few people with golden retrievers as assistance dogs for children

SwanShaped · 09/04/2021 21:14

Have a look at the charity dogs4good. They might have some advice as they sometimes provide assistance dogs for kids with autism

Gingersay · 09/04/2021 22:31

We have a Springer my dd9 is awaiting a diagnosis for ASD and he has improved her life so much. She has so much affection for him and him for her.
He just loves kids, he thinks he is one, they both spend hours jumping on the trampoline together. Although springers are very bouncy too.

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 09/04/2021 23:14

Can you tell us some more about your son's needs? For instance, does he have meltdowns or is it just that he finds it harder to keep up with academic schoolwork?

What sort of thing are you hoping that a dog will bring to your son's life - companionship, or something more complex - more of a therapy dog?

PurplePlain · 10/04/2021 10:09

My daughter has autism and extreme anxiety, we have a Havanese. It was the perfect choice for us. They're small, gentle, incredibly loyal, don't need a lot of exercise, and good for people with asthma. On the down side can be a bit too needy at times and can be resistant to training (you need to be more stubborn than them), fur needs to be kept short or brushed regularly.

Original poster
mabel2800 · 10/04/2021 10:22

Hi everyone thanks for the fab responses.
We would be wanting the dog more as a family pet his needs don't require an assistant dog, his main area of delay is academically he is 4 years behind so of course everything is effected. He does have meltdowns yes and lots of people have said how a dog will help calm these, he also lacks confidence in himself and gets quite anxious he has a complex medical need also which is pretty stressful for a 9 year old. Family have said a dog would be an amazing addition in regards to helping our sons confidence and growth as a person. Breed wise we don't want something small we want to be able to get out on big walks my son loves being outdoors so something that can keep up but also not a breed that has to be worn out everyday because some days walking to the pick the kids up from school (1 mile each way) will be all the walking it would get. We have a massive garden also.
Groom wise we don't want a heavy shedder as Ds2 isn't allergic but does have sensitivity to pet hair. So yes I'm not asking for much am I 😅
We just want a nice family dog a good all rounder really.
Thanks everyone xx

OP posts:
SwanShaped · 10/04/2021 11:26

www.dogsforgood.org/how-we-help/family-dog/

This is the charity I said about. It’s more for kids with autism but there might be some relevant info. Sounds like a great idea.

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 10/04/2021 11:57

Personally, I don't think it's fair to expect an ordinary family dog with no specialist training to be able to deal with meltdowns.

If you want a dog as a family pet, which then turns out to have benefits for your son, that's great. But if you are expecting an ordinary family pet to be able to behave like a therapy dog without specialist training, you are likely to be setting yourself and the dog up for failure.

4 miles a day isn't really much in terms of walking- especially as I am guessing that will mostly be on lead?

I would be looking for something small/calm and low energy- I think a retriever or spaniel might need more stimulation than you can offer?

A Bichon might be an option- they don't shed much, and are a companion breed.

KateF · 10/04/2021 15:30

My daughter has Asperger's and our wonderful Bichon has been the perfect dog for all of us.

funkystars123 · 10/04/2021 15:40

@KateF

My daughter has Asperger's and our wonderful Bichon has been the perfect dog for all of us.
Us to!!

Our Bichon has been amazing for my DD with ASD

KateF · 10/04/2021 15:52

They're such loving little dogs aren't they? He can always tell when one of us is unhappy and will come and lay his head in our laps.
He can also be a noisy, cheeky little wotsit at times so not always angelic but he really has added so much to our lives.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.

Swipe left for the next trending thread