Hi

Just a quick question - do rescues ever rehome to people with young children - one being 3 and the other just over 1 currently?

As some of you know we have had to recently re-home our beloved Shar Pei for biting my daughter (long story) but I am pleased to say he has a lovely new home with Pei company so I hope its a happy ending for him (not for me as missing him badly).

Basically at the end of the year (possibly sooner) I would like to get another pooch - either a Lab or a Golden Retriever and I not fussed if they are not puppies (I just want some canine company again) but I know people have said before that rescues do not rehome to familes with young children.

Thanks

Nicky

All rescue centers that I have worked at dont rehome when there is children under 5

It all depends on circumstance and many rescues have different rules.

I will say though if you do consider getting another dog you will have to be alot more strict with your daughter and make sure she is aware of the boundaries concerning the dog and have the dog supervised at all times considering the awful incident which resulted in your daughter getting bitten. How is she now is she recovered after her operation ? 

Some rescue organisations do, particularly some smaller ones. However, in your situation I would always make sure to get a rescue dog that is fostered for the rescue organisation, so you know much better what temperament the dog has than if they come from a kenneling situation!

I agree entirely. I have 3 Great Danes are they are kept entirely separate from the children (the under 5 children), unless supervised completely. Works well, we have a system of stair gates and the dogs come in at night when the children are in bed. I don't care what the breed is - I believe dogs and small children should be kept apart for their own protection.

Alot of rescue centres want let people with children under five adopt but others will after they have accessed the dog. only thing is you may have to wait for the right dog to come along.
Maybe worth going to a few rescue centres and giving them your details and what your after, then they can ring you when they have the right dog.

I agree with all the above posts. Pick a smaller rescue that either does home rescue or uses foster homes. I do rehome to small children but I assess my dogs in my own home and know in which family they would fit into and whats a no no for a particular dog and what isn't e.g. cats, kids, livestock etc.   Good luck with you search!

My last rescue was rehomed to us when my youngest was four (National Rescue Centre), they did however carry out a very thorough assesment of us as a family before letting us have him. And my youngest son is and was then very tall for his age.

Out of interest , as this person has already had 2 dogs rehomed , would a rescue centre consider her or anyone else in a similar situation  as a forever home for one of their dogs ?
Or is she better looking at breeders for a pup or older dog ?

I'm not sure i would personally get another dog until i know that my child/ren can behave around dogs.
Its very well saying that they will remain split up and that when in each others company they would be supervised, but accident happen which is whats occurred in this case and the Pei being rehomed.

Not sure its what you wanted to hear but i would be working very hard on the youngsters in the house first before contemplating another dog in the home. If you do decide to get another dog i would be looking at breed rescue so you have a fair idea of what the dogs going to be like and they usually come with a lot of knowledge on the dog they are rehoming. Maybe do some research on breeds which would be more tolerant of a small child.

I agree with suejaw - as you have already had 2 dogs rehomed a rescue and also a breeder would probably say wait until your children are older and can understand how to behave around dogs.  It would be devastating if it happened a third time.

That is the key to this would it happen again ? Children have to be trained and should learn a healthy respect of any dog.They should be taught how to behave towards it in many different types of situations. If the child is too young to assimilate this then the responsibilty is wholey in the hands of the adult in charge.  I think a big lesson has hopefully been learnt this time unfortunately to the OP little girls detriment. If a rescue is fully aware of the facts and taking into consideration the different breed then careful consideration could be given. It is difficult to say unless a home visit has been done and also a lengthy conversation with the prospective rehomer is done.

I homecheck and foster for the Scottish Great Dane Rescue, and i know there policy is too rehome dogs to homes where there were children in there previous homes, and they prefer for the children to be above 12yrs old.
There has been dogs rehomed to homes with younger children, and the dogs and the children have been closely monitored.

Hi Nicky,

TBH I would strongly advise against you taking on a new canine companion from any source until your children are significantly older, upwards of 7 years.

Keeping an eye on two such young children is time consuming enough without the added pressures of raising and training a dog - which, IMO, should be from puppyhood with young children when in a breed you're unfamiliar with and, down to practicalities, have limited time to give dedicated attention and training.

Rescue centres/societies come in as many shapes, sizes and questionable abilities as the dogs themselves.  In view of your very recent tragic experience, I think it's neither in the interests of your family nor any 'second chance' dog to take such a gamble for a few years yet.

If you're truly missing the experience of enjoyable walks with doggy company then perhaps when the children are at nursery you could volunteer to do walking and some basic manners training at a local rescue centre which would be useful to the dogs there in finding a new forever home and would I'm sure be very satisfying to you too - and all without the many concerns of having a new resident :)

I hope your daughter's injuries, physical and mental, are improving.
HTH,best wishes,
Teri

I suppose it all depends on what was the cause of the dog bite? Was it the childs actions? Because if it was then I would seriously consider whether getting another dog is the right thing? Imagine how heartbroken both you aand the dog will be if you have to rehome another again.
Is it realistically possible for you to keep them seperated, as others have said they do?. Saying that though, I have two young gsds which have free run of the house all day and access to my 2yr old son with no problems at all.