Help!....My son wants a dog!

[furbabymum]

I've had 6 dogs at once. I've a strong opinion on dog breeds and people. Matching them up that is. Seeings as you already have a weim I'd get a dog that isn't going to mind being dominated. Weims have this idea that they should be in charge no matter what. We have one. He's 8. Thinks he should be in charge of our great pyrenees. Needless to say the pyr puts him in his place when needed. Our weim has bonded with our viszla. Similar personality types. If you don't want to be cleaning up gobs of hair for the rest of your sons dogs life I'd look into getting another hunting breed dog. Our hunters sleep together, play together and are generally well matched. Our St Bernard is much more attached to our Great pyr as they have similar interests. I will say the St Bernard is the absolute best dog for kids. Our son is 1 and 1/2 and he's obsessed with our St. Our St is also very docile and our best behaved dog so he's just an awesome dog in general. He doesn't pull while being walked. Walks right beside us, even if our son is holding the leash. Took 0 effort to train him to do that as well. You can tell who my favorite dog is. Anyhow, I've had terriers (great with kids but not with chickens), great pyr (great all around but strong willed), viszla (very very smart but very prey driven. Good energy level for a young boy though) Weim, St Bernard, Husky (DONT DO IT!!!) and Labs (found them annoying).

I don't do small breeds. Just not something I'm interested in. I look at them as chew toys for our dogs.

I think it's great you're getting your son a dog. I've never lived without at least one dog in my life and I love them to death. If you go with the great pyr you'll have an instant chicken gaurd!


St Bernard, St Bernard, St Bernard!

My hunting pair.

Jiki is a pretty good dog I guess. He's my husbands dog. The only one who is bonded to my husband. It is my belief that it's because he's breed to think for himself and gaurd things. I don't let him gaurd anything in the house so he "gaurds" my husband. Might be what you need for your son though.

 

[furbabymum]

We have also always had a dog. With the exception of when we were in the military and for a 4-5 month span after our dog of 12 years passed away. We needed time to heal the wounds. We also have NEVER had our home broken into...** knock on wood** I think most of the time the burglar's pick a different house when they hear dogs barking....My husband is under the assumption 1 family dog is enough. He doesn't see the point of a boy "needing" his "own" dog. my husband says it will add alot problems on a day to day basis and double the trouble when we travel. Which I see his points, HOWEVER I think if our son REALLY wants a dog of his own.....and LOTS of dogs NEED homes. We have the room, the time, some money to spend on more food etc, WHY deny him. If nothing else a lucky dog will get a great home with a loving family and 2 plus acres to run for the rest of it's life. I don't really see much of a negative other than inconvenience. Let's face it having a puppy or another mouth to feed isn't always fun....but we already have the chore of taking care of one so another doesn't really add that much inconvience other than the training, as that is a one on one experience. Which MY SON is going to do under my supervision. When I was a kid I trained my humane society mix breed dog in obedience and took him to the County Fair every year and cleaned house! They would all have their papered blah blah blah and see Boe walk in with me and go DANG they are here AGAIN this year! Some of my greatest memories! So if I can do it my son can too. I have talked to him repeatedly that getting a dog isn't a small thing, it takes alot of time and isn't something you can change your mind on and get tired of ...it IS a lifelong commitment to the dog until it's time comes. Which is another difficult thing to go thru and God willing my son will certainly outlive his dog and he will have to deal with the loss. From which he will never be the same....

Adding dogs doesn't really up the trouble. They keep eachother occupied and it will actually be a huge benefit to your current dog. Constant companionship for when you're away. Our biggest issue is feeding time with 4 dogs who all get different amounts of food and are all fed in different rooms. lol

 

[crazyrescuelady]

I have always had a dog, Always in the house. My parents were always dragging home a stray they found. When my husband & I got married he did not believe in dogs being in the house. LOL!!!! He got over that pretty quick.
I firmly believe in rescue. I have taken my kids to the shelter/pound since they were young. They rescue as well. Let him pick out his own dog but if there are several shelter's were you live make him go to several before he makes his final choice. My husband bought ME a cocker spaniel puppy years ago. Peaches tolerates me and adores my husband.
You didn't say how old your son was but you might have him research some different breeds on line and read about their traits, needs, common health risks and sociability. Then he would have a better idea of what to expect. He might relish the idea of rolling in the yard with his new friend but not the brushing to get all the grass out.
Keep us posted and show us pics

If you lived in OK I just took in 2 basset crosses that were abandoned. They are pretty pathetic but will be awesome soon.

 

[gg706]

I've had 6 dogs at once. I've a strong opinion on dog breeds and people. Matching them up that is. Seeings as you already have a weim I'd get a dog that isn't going to mind being dominated. Weims have this idea that they should be in charge no matter what. We have one. He's 8. Thinks he should be in charge of our great pyrenees. Needless to say the pyr puts him in his place when needed. Our weim has bonded with our viszla. Similar personality types. If you don't want to be cleaning up gobs of hair for the rest of your sons dogs life I'd look into getting another hunting breed dog. Our hunters sleep together, play together and are generally well matched. Our St Bernard is much more attached to our Great pyr as they have similar interests. I will say the St Bernard is the absolute best dog for kids. Our son is 1 and 1/2 and he's obsessed with our St. Our St is also very docile and our best behaved dog so he's just an awesome dog in general. He doesn't pull while being walked. Walks right beside us, even if our son is holding the leash. Took 0 effort to train him to do that as well. You can tell who my favorite dog is. Anyhow, I've had terriers (great with kids but not with chickens), great pyr (great all around but strong willed), viszla (very very smart but very prey driven. Good energy level for a young boy though) Weim, St Bernard, Husky (DONT DO IT!!!) and Labs (found them annoying).

I don't do small breeds. Just not something I'm interested in. I look at them as chew toys for our dogs.

I think it's great you're getting your son a dog. I've never lived without at least one dog in my life and I love them to death. If you go with the great pyr you'll have an instant chicken gaurd!


St Bernard, St Bernard, St Bernard!

My hunting pair.

Jiki is a pretty good dog I guess. He's my husbands dog. The only one who is bonded to my husband. It is my belief that it's because he's breed to think for himself and gaurd things. I don't let him gaurd anything in the house so he "gaurds" my husband. Might be what you need for your son though.

I LOVE your pictures! you wont let him gaurd anything so he gaurds your husband!!

I love Saint B's, but down here in Georgia they would REALLY suffer in the summer.. IT IS HOT!!!!
I am also not a small breed person. My son likes small dogs right now but as he grows he may wish he had picked out something larger. I am thinking a medium sized dog when full grown. Maybe 50 lbs or so. Thanks for the pics and advice.

 

[gg706]

Adding dogs doesn't really up the trouble. They keep eachother occupied and it will actually be a huge benefit to your current dog. Constant companionship for when you're away. Our biggest issue is feeding time with 4 dogs who all get different amounts of food and are all fed in different rooms. lol

i am a bit worried about the feeding time. I feed the dog and the cat together and stand watch as they eat to make sure our dog doesn't go eat the cats food...I guess it tastes better???? or she wants what she cant have

i dont want any mealtime fighting. We were free feeding the dog, as she was a pup....but I noticed our "on a diet fat cat" helping himself...so now there is a designated mealtime twice a day. which is probably better anyway. Weims can get fat pretty easy and she is over a year old now and doesn't need to be free fed any longer anyway. So it is working. it will just be one more bowl to fill...

 

[SouthernChicka8]

I have 5 pitbulls, 2 mini doxies, and a chihuahua. And they live happily together. You must be willing to help teach them. Train them and such. All my dogs get along just fine with each other from the big ones to the little ones. My mini doxie climbs all over my pitbull but she doesnt mind. She thinks its a puppy lol. It really just depends if you are willing to take the time on the new pup.

 

[leadwolf1]

I would have your son feed his dog in his room. That might help out with the bonding issue and you won't have to worry about mealtimes

i am a bit worried about the feeding time. I feed the dog and the cat together and stand watch as they eat to make sure our dog doesn't go eat the cats food...I guess it tastes better???? or she wants what she cant have

i dont want any mealtime fighting. We were free feeding the dog, as she was a pup....but I noticed our "on a diet fat cat" helping himself...so now there is a designated mealtime twice a day. which is probably better anyway. Weims can get fat pretty easy and she is over a year old now and doesn't need to be free fed any longer anyway. So it is working. it will just be one more bowl to fill...

 

[gg706]

I have always had a dog, Always in the house. My parents were always dragging home a stray they found. When my husband & I got married he did not believe in dogs being in the house. LOL!!!! He got over that pretty quick.
I firmly believe in rescue. I have taken my kids to the shelter/pound since they were young. They rescue as well. Let him pick out his own dog but if there are several shelter's were you live make him go to several before he makes his final choice. My husband bought ME a cocker spaniel puppy years ago. Peaches tolerates me and adores my husband.
You didn't say how old your son was but you might have him research some different breeds on line and read about their traits, needs, common health risks and sociability. Then he would have a better idea of what to expect. He might relish the idea of rolling in the yard with his new friend but not the brushing to get all the grass out.
Keep us posted and show us pics

If you lived in OK I just took in 2 basset crosses that were abandoned. They are pretty pathetic but will be awesome soon.

Yes I would like to get a pound dog this time....Bella is our Weim, this is the first time we ever bought a dog from a breeder.....not such a good experience. Our dog is great...the breeder, not so much! Not sure I would do it again. My son is 9 years old. My husband says he will get the dog and the "newness" will wear off and he will forget about the dog. Possible, if I let him do that, which I will not! For me I feel this is a chance for a lifelong lesson. In making good decisions and commitment and what it takes to care for animals and being responsible for someone else. All things that will last a lifetime. Not to mention the lesson in spaying and neutering animals to not add to the population of unwanted pets. I think he will be SHOCKED when we go to the animal shelter! I have decided to have him take exclusive care..under supervision of course, of our current dog for 2 weeks if he suceeds I will be more comfortable getting him his own dog. i want to expose him to the good, the bad, and the ugly of pet care. I think I will have him go out later after it cools off and pick up dog piles in the yard...see if he passes that test!

 

[gg706]

I would have your son feed his dog in his room. That might help out with the bonding issue and you won't have to worry about mealtimes

that is a good idea!

 

[naturalfeddogs]

Although we have several dogs, my 12 year old son was the same. He wanted an Australian Shepherd puppy of his own so we got him Shadow. He picked him out and named him also. Shadow and my son are wonderful together. Go ahead and get your son a puppy and I think you will see changes for the better.

Here's my son and Shadow (the black one) at seven months old.