Comments on: Create a kid-friendly dog before the new baby arrives

By: CatPrrson

CatPrrson — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:12:11 +0000

Gina, I remember reading about a woman who I wished could have gotten that education and support, in a local column: She’d just had twins. Her husband all of a sudden left her. She was desperately looking to rehome her three cats because, understandably, she just couldn’t deal. As it was, I wasn’t in a position to take in three cats (I already had four at the time) but I hoped that she could find some sort of bridge fostering, or help and support, or at least someone to take her cats…even without the cats, being dumped by your husband after the birth of twins would send anyone reeling.

A good shelter can/should do a lot to help someone in this situation.

By: Gina Spadafori

Gina Spadafori — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 13:47:41 +0000

I wonder how many of the people who ditch their dogs and/or cats when the baby arrived thought of the pet as a “substitute child” and then when the real McCoy arrives, suddenly there’s no place for the placeholder?

Comment by CatPrrson — April 17, 2010

Yes, I’m sure it happens; in fact, I know some pets are rehomed after children arrive. But it’s not the majority but any means, and many times better preparation and education could mean the difference. It’s not as if people get a pet saying, “Let’s practice on this, and when we get ‘real children” we can throw it away.”

More likely that people get overwhelmed, lack knowledge and need support. And that sometimes, yes, they need their pet rehomed.

Which is what shelters are supposed to be there to support. To SHELTER pets, you know, not blame and hate people who need to get help. And kill their pets with righteous indignation because “no one else cares enough” to do the killing.

Which is, of course, PETA’s line. And I don’t buy it. There are people who are evil, bad, lazy, ignorant and uncaring. But they are the minority. Those aren’t “crocodile” tears you see when pets are given up — they’re real ones. And they might not have been needed with education and support, instead of condemnation and superior attitude.

By: CatPrrson

CatPrrson — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 23:31:30 +0000

I think it’s good for kids to be exposed to animals. I’m grateful to have grown up with dogs, cats, guinea pigs, fish, and a pet rat (who was wonderful). Kids who grow up with animals know how to interact with them. I surmise that they are less likely to dump a pet at a shelter at the first sign of trouble.

I also surmise that kids who have seen a puppy being trained are less likely to think that the Training Fairy will swoop down and make their puppy a good canine citizen.

By: catmom5

catmom5 — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 13:00:58 +0000

Such an important topic. I had a little foster puppy, not very confident and very fearful, and she was adopted out to a family with YOUNG children (I wasn’t involved in that decision). Tragic ending - the youngest children were rough and Maggie reacted by biting one of them. Maggie was returned to the humane society and pts. It didn’t need to happen that way!

By: GWP Rescue

GWP Rescue — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 00:50:12 +0000

Very good resources meant to add that. I am perplexed to why this is an issue at all. But good to have them in my files for adopting families having their first child.

Our last child came when I was nearly 40 years old, and I do remember bringing the blanket home with the scent of the baby. The dogs were not allowed to enter the nursery, but waited patiently at the door observing. Now the cat kept getting into the crib, which gave my husband absolute fits….I think he then went to college with my son whom was the cat’s person…

By: GWP Rescue

GWP Rescue — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 00:45:28 +0000

Our children grew up with a house full of rescue dogs coming and going. They learned to Respect the dog and vice versa.
We have never had an incident with any of the kids or the multiple dogs that have graced our doors for rehabilitation and then adoption.

By: Susan

Susan — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:58:36 +0000

Maria, one of the great things about Colleen’s book is that she addresses both the dog and kid side of the equation. I can’t recommend it enough.

By: Nancy Freedman-Smith

Nancy Freedman-Smith — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:43:45 +0000

Nice Dr Becker! Many local hospitals now offer low cost prepare your pet for baby classes. I see so many adults who are not mentally prepard for their kids dogs because they were not around dogs as kids. So many people have said to me…”I am afaid…I was bit as a child”. I was bit square in the butt at 6 years old, when it was the last thing over my neighbor’s fence. I still remember being more afraid of getting in trouble for teasing the dog than the GSDs who chased me over. The way my animal loving parents handled it only led to fear of what would happen to me from them, if I went back in that yard.

By: Jason Merrihew

Jason Merrihew — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:38:47 +0000

Wow, Reagan is growing fast! How about a new baby and cats book? :)

By: Maria Shanley

Maria Shanley — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 15:22:30 +0000

I hope new parents will also add some child training as well as dog training to their household routine. It’s a wonder that some dogs will put up with as much ill-mannered and even painful behavior as they do from small children. A child that is old enough to talk is old enough to learn not to hit, pinch, tweak or otherwise harass the family pets - another reason to supervise child-pet interactions!