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new dog help

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  • 30-09-2010 11:08pm
    #1
    greener5ie
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2 ✭


    im thinking about rescuing a 3 year old gordon setter and just want to make sure he will be good with my 4 year old son. most internet sites say the setter is good with kids but if anyone is in a simaliar situation your advise would help me.


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    #2
    pokertalk
    Registered Users Posts: 806 ✭✭✭pokertalk


    well they are not a small dog the training will be important around a small kid so the dog does not jump up and nip and it being a shelter dog you will not have much of a background.a male is about 25 -28 inches and 55-75lbs the bitch is a couple of inches smaller and could be up to 10 lbs less but as for kid friendly dog all dogs should never be left unsupervised around a kid as every dog has the potential to do harm to a kid even a dog that seems placid or layed back.also they need alot of attention to ther coat and grooming and will need to be walked often as with alot of gundogs......loads of energy:) not trying to put you off just letting you know what kind of commitment will be needed.


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    #3
    lorebringer
    Registered Users Posts: 1,712 ✭✭✭lorebringer


    You didn't mention whether you are rescuing from a shelter or from a bad situation - if possible, introduce the dog to the child before bringing it home to see how they reacts. Many rescues will asses dogs with children to see how they act, if your dog is coming from a rescue ask them how they think the dog will be, if they think he is likely to knock over the child etc,

    Also, once the dog gets home (if you do end up taking it), be very careful to keep the child away from him while he is eating, has toys etc. for the first while to make sure the dog does not become protective of resources around the child. Children can be very unpredictable and they can make a dog a bit skittish if it has something it considers valuable. As pokertalk said, never leave the dog alone with the child. This is especially true when the dog first comes to the house, but the dog and child should be supervised at all times. Giving the dog some down time from the child is a good idea too - children can be very demanding and a break for the dog will prevent any stress associated with the child and let the dog relax (a crate is great for this purpose).

    Good luck!


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