Dog and younger children

Just a question for those who have kids and dogs-

We have a possible opportunity to adopt a male beagle who is about 5. He is currently living in a home with a 7 year old child and other dogs and 2 cats. We have a 5 year old and a 1.5 year old and also have 2 cats. Both boys have been around other dogs and I always keep a careful watch esp. with my 1.5 year old and a dog. A friend of ours has 2 beagles and they are so good with my younger one and he seems to be okay with them as well!

Just curious because I want to do the right thing for the dog and my family, would you give the dog a chance if you are approved? He would be transported here and we would have two weeks to decide if he is a match for our family.

Just curious if anyone currently has a dog or has adopted a dog with younger kids and what your experience has been.

ETA: I have the chance to also talk to the family who is currently fostering him with any questions.

Thank you in advance!

Message edited 2/7/2015 4:02:23 PM.

Dog and younger children

I have 3 dogs and they're all fine with my DD. My dachshund is actually a bit aggressive and DD pulls her tail and everything and the dog just walks away. 2 of the 3 are rescues, so I was worried about how they may act bc I don't know their past.. but they have all been amazing.. they definitely sense she is a baby and tolerate her craziness

Re: Dog and younger children

We had two beagles before the kids came along and both of them were so good with the kids. They weren't rescues so it's a slightly different situation.

Good luck to you!

Dog and younger children

Did the dog have a behavior evaluation? Many rescue organizations will have the dogs evaluated to identify any potential issues that could come up when the dog is placed in a home. My dog was abused as a puppy and he has some fear issues- I knew this when I adopted him--he has required a lot of training. When I found out I was pregnant I had a trainer work with me to prepare for my dd arrival- my dog has adjusted well but I am still very cautious- my dd is never left alone with him. I would try to gather as much information as possible before bringing the dog into your home.

Dog and younger children

Each dog will be different. My pit is amazing with my Ds but my parents dog is not.

A dog being ok with a 7 yo is very different than a 1.5 yo IMO

Dog and younger children

Every dog is different. I have 2 pits and a toy poodle and 3 kids 4 and under. My toy poodle is the only dog allowed to actually interact with my kids. One of my pits was abused as a puppy and was very skiddish when we got him. We could not even touch him when we first brought him home. We obviously knew this when we got him and that is the reason I wanted him. He's 8 now but he still jad many trust issues with anyone but me and DH and close adult family members. Our other pit has always been good with my kids but has attacked My toy piddle a couple of times and we will not allow her to be alone with the kids. When the kids are playing in the living room the dogs are gated in the kitchen. My kids are also very rambunctious and I don't trust them around many dogs at all. I don't trust that my kids wouldn't step all over them or pull on ears or tails. It really all depends on the dog and how you think your kids will handle the dog.

Message edited 2/8/2015 3:51:50 PM.

Re: Dog and younger children

I have a rescue beagle. She is really good with my DS - she gets a bit annoyed when he cries a lot, she'll leave the room. God forbid anything interfere with her sleep. We make a point of teaching DS how to interact with the dog - and we don't let him do anything that will annoy her - no tail pulling, etc.

Its nice that you have a trial period to see how the dog adjusts to your family. From my experience beagles can be pretty lazy and they get super attached to their family. They can be stubborn as hell but they are wonderful!

Re: Dog and younger children

Love animals: dogs & cats.

I do not think animals mix well with young kids.

DD is fine around my mom's cat (grandma is the babysitter), but DS and his cousin are not (kids' faults not the cat).

Just had a coworker's kid (8) attacked with horrible injuries by her own pit bull adopted from a foster household. Dog was the sweetest thing ever: always around children and sweet. She had the dog for over a year. Only reason she (the kid) survived was because she was older.

I know beagles are smaller, but I wouldn't get any animal my child would not be capable of defend themselves from.

Of course, JMO.

Message edited 2/8/2015 6:19:47 PM.

Dog and younger children

I love rescues but not with small kids. My mother wanted a dog after her retirement and considered a rescue. I told her to do what made her happy but if she did get a rescue the kids would not be spending the night with her. You never know the actual history or actual temperament. She got a golden retriever puppy and it was the best decision. Hannah was born 2 months before our youngest and is amazing with all 3 kids. I have a healthy 'fear" and never leave her alone with my kids, but at the same time she is completely obssessed with them! I can't imagine a better dog for small kids. It's all she has ever known and is very protective of them.

Re: Dog and younger children

Thank you so much for all the replies! We are still on the fence about what to do! The foster family says He is a great dog and is great around their 9 year old son. my concern still is my 1.5 year old- still trying to figure out what to do!

He is 6 and I don't think they know his history - not sure about behavioral assessment. The husband in the family is a vet too.

Thanks again all!!

Dog and younger children

beagles are great dogs. I had one with my younger kids and honeslty (especially if they are on the older side) they tend to be independant and kinda ignore the kids anyway. Like one of the other posters said - our beagle would just leave the room if one of the kids started crying or even when were crawling around. I would met him and give him a shot! But I would ask about his food aggression. Beagles tend to be very protected of their food and treats/bones. We knew this so we made 100% sure he did not eat anyway around the kids or had bones. We actually stopped giving him bones all together when our oldest got big enough to walk and might go to grab it.

Re: Dog and younger children

Thanks again everyone! We decided not to get the dog :( I am sad because he really sounded like a great match for our family.

But, the deciding factor was that he was coming all the way from TN and I was nervous if it didn't work out that he would not be able to get back to where he is now. I am also very nervous with my 1.5 year old, I think we are going to wait for him to get a little older. We are still deciding.

Thanks again, all!