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Getting a puppy

Hi! I just joined this group so I'm not exactly sure how this works yet...

I wanted to see if anyone has gotten a puppy (specifically a golden retriever) with the intent of it being a companion for their child with autism. We have a 10 yr. old who was around our dog for only a couple of years when he was a baby. We were thinking of a canine companion that was officially trained but that is very expensive. Does anyone know of people or agencies that help a puppy and a child acclimate, or help parents to train their dogs a certain way so that they are beneficial to the child? If we do this, I want to make sure we do this right so that it becomes a very positive situation and not a chaotic one. Sure would not want to regret getting a puppy. So, just wondering about the experience and what people think. Thanks,

Keri

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Pickrell on November 6, 2010 at 11:14pm

I wish I could provide more positive word except to say I think you are think along the right lines to getting help with this decision. I got a puppy and neither of my boys (both high functioning autism) like the dog, neither find comfort in her presence and it feels often that it is the exact opposite, she seems to cause more anxiety and confusion. She is small, a mut and not trained for anything except typical dog stuff. I love her, so she is well cared for, but she seems to be a bit of a mistake on my part.
I might suggest first getting your child around dogs, and would also suggest not to get a puppy as they need a lot of training and have high energy, which for some children can be overwhelming and unpleasant, and for you create more house chaos. I have heard of a read to dogs programs done through some libraries this might be a good for first exposure.
Good luck and again I am sorry I couldn't be more helpful

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Permalink Reply by Don Cobb on November 11, 2010 at 9:15am

Hi - We have a Welsh Corgy which we got when Maddy (PDD NOS high functioning Autism) was about 7. This dog has been fine for Maddy. Our nightmare occurred when we got two kittens for Maddy when she was 5. Two little creatures with razor sharp claws who like to hide behind things and then pounce when we come around the corner wasn't the best idea. We gave them away after about 2 weeks when one of them jumped up on the couch next to our daughter and Maddy jumped up onto the back of the couch. That was it. We have no experience with canine companions but our Corgy has been a nice addition to our family, and not a problem to our daughter. It's allowed her experience a pet in a positive way.

Don