Need some input

[Corinna]

Might I make a suggestion before getting your daughter a dog Please check around in your aera for Places (usually prisons) that train alert dogs. I have just had to have my alert dog PTS becouse of cancer, but he self trained himself as my alert dog. I have diabetes and he couldd tell when I was going too low or too high and had different ways of letting me know ahead of time.
If you can find a trainer who could go with you and test for you would be best. They also have dogs avalible lots of times.
The womens prison in Washington (Purdy womens) trains lots of dogs each year. Some where I think we had a thread on them a year or so back. (anyone else remember it?) My family worried less about me when Merlin was around , I'm saving to get a boxer to train myself. Good luck on finding what you need.

[lookin4caninecompanion]

I used to have a Golden Retriever/ Terrier mix named Tessa. Unfortunately we had to surrender her, when we had to move. We miss her and wish that we could get her back. But... She's living a pretty good life with a truck driver going from state to state.

EDIT:

I thought I'd better explain WHY we had to give Tessa up.
I was experiencing SEVERE depression, because my ex husband wasn't paying child support, and the job I had was only part time. I TRIED to find a full time job, by the time I landed one, it was too late. I was too far behind in rent. And with five children to take care, I just couldn't keep up with the rent. I lost everything on November 19th, 2002.

My trusting and loyal friend, Tessa, and my five children to foster care. I have since then gotten my children back, minus my son, who couldn't come home. (He was adopted by his foster parents in January of this year).

I hope that you'll understand all of this and won't judge me.

Where I live now is low income housing, based on our income, so we have NO dangers of being homeless again.

[jackie]

I was just looking at the Petfinder. Look at this cutieHerachio
Herachio is a male Beagle mix. that was found in Melvina. Super friendly dog. Adopt 10/8/05

She sounds great Coco
Coco is a Spayed female who is 3-4 yrs old. Coco is excellent with other dogs. She is use to being around two other dogs. She loves children and is very good with kids of all ages. She is a bit shy but warms up quickly. She listens very good and knows a few commands. She has a very nice personality. She likes to chase rabbits and squirrels- but has never been taught to hunt. She loves attention and to be brushed.

Shadow
Shadow is a wonderful Black male who came to us from a Chicago Shelter with a high kill rate. He came in as a stray. He was totally matted and there was no chance that his coat could be saved. The poor guy actually had burrs embedded in his skin. He is a dog who has tons of love to give. He gets along well with other dogs and cats and was excellent for his grooming which must have been a painful experience for him. His totally housetrained. Shadow can be crated but will complain a bit for the first few minutes. He will chew on things so he must be supplied with appropriate toys to keep him busy.


These are the first few that caught my eye.

Please remember its just as important to teach your children how to behave with the new dog. Even the sweetest dog can snap if being constantly bothered or pulled at. It is probably a good idea to have a crate set up and open always so the dog can have a little "escape" when things get too much for him. Good Luck finding your new dog!

[k9krazee]

I hope your search goes well!! Welcome to PT and please keep us updated!

[lookin4caninecompanion]

THanks! I will MOST definitely keep you posted.

[beeniesmom]

I have two boston terriers and they are the sweetest dogs.
They are great and very patient with kids.
The only bad thing about them is that they don't care to be left alone.

You can do some research at: www.akc.org to see what characteristics better suit you and your family.

www.petfinder.con can help you find a dog in your area that needs to be rescued.

Good luck and let us know what you get!

[lookin4caninecompanion]

I called about Coco and it turns out that she is an outside dog and wouldn't be happy inside.
I was looking at Herachio before too. But... um... aren't Beagles loud barkers?

I was just looking at the Petfinder. Look at this cutieHerachio
Herachio is a male Beagle mix. that was found in Melvina. Super friendly dog. Adopt 10/8/05

She sounds great Coco
Coco is a Spayed female who is 3-4 yrs old. Coco is excellent with other dogs. She is use to being around two other dogs. She loves children and is very good with kids of all ages. She is a bit shy but warms up quickly. She listens very good and knows a few commands. She has a very nice personality. She likes to chase rabbits and squirrels- but has never been taught to hunt. She loves attention and to be brushed.

Shadow
Shadow is a wonderful Black male who came to us from a Chicago Shelter with a high kill rate. He came in as a stray. He was totally matted and there was no chance that his coat could be saved. The poor guy actually had burrs embedded in his skin. He is a dog who has tons of love to give. He gets along well with other dogs and cats and was excellent for his grooming which must have been a painful experience for him. His totally housetrained. Shadow can be crated but will complain a bit for the first few minutes. He will chew on things so he must be supplied with appropriate toys to keep him busy.


These are the first few that caught my eye.

Please remember its just as important to teach your children how to behave with the new dog. Even the sweetest dog can snap if being constantly bothered or pulled at. It is probably a good idea to have a crate set up and open always so the dog can have a little "escape" when things get too much for him. Good Luck finding your new dog!

[jackie]

Aren't small dogs ankle biters? LOL! You can never know if he is a barker or not unless you give them a call and check him out. Herachio looks adorable to me!

[lookin4caninecompanion]

Aren't small dogs ankle biters? LOL! You can never know if he is a barker or not unless you give them a call and check him out. Herachio looks adorable to me!

LOL

This is true... lol

[luvofallhorses]

Hello and welcome to Pet Talk!! I don't think small dogs do well with children. I would consider getting a labrador retriever or a golden retriever, because they are very loyal(not saying dogs aren't loyal) and protective of their families especially children. I would go do a search for a shelter or rescue at http://www.petfinder.com ...good luck on your search and please keep us updated.

[lookin4caninecompanion]

Hello and welcome to Pet Talk!! I don't think small dogs do well with children. I would consider getting a labrador retriever or a golden retriever, because they are very loyal(not saying dogs aren't loyal) and protective of their families especially children. I would go do a search for a shelter or rescue at http://www.petfinder.com ...good luck on your search and please keep us updated.

I would LOVE to get a lab, but their not small-medium sized dogs. That's what the agreement said. I have to have a small-medium sized dog.

Of course, unless I can find a lab mixed with somethign smaller.
LIke... a terrier?

I LOVE HORSES too!!!! What breeds do you have?

[lookin4caninecompanion]

What kind of breed of dog does this look like? I see lab, collie and maybe terrier?

http://www.co.jackson.wi.us/html/ani...ogs/redmix.htm