Thinking about getting a dog

Hi,

 I am qualified in animal care and all sorts of animal subjects. stateof independance is right-getting a collie would mean having a very energetic dog, and they are prone to a gene where they can suddenly die from not tollerating flea treatment. Although labradors are known to be calming and used in pets as therapy- you will be paying vets bills for everything large. And they need alot of walking. Even toy/companion dogs do carry the risk of luxating patella's-they are quite common and  you would need to be prepared to pay out for the ops and repeat consultations at the vets and medication and physiotherapy. However, if you have  good insurance for peace of mind, then a companion dog, such as a westie of lhasa apso,should be ok. It would just mean needing time to go to the vets and worry for your pet. These aren't too yappy, if given a correct diet, exercise,play and attention. The bennefits can outweigh the negatives.

I would second the advice not to get a collie - they need constant exercise/interaction. I would advise a small intelligent breed that your son could have fun training to do tricks, and doesn't yap constantly. These organisations ought to be able to advise. 

https://supportdogs.org.uk
www.assistancedogs.org.uk

General: what happens if your son doesn't walk the dog?  Can you really provide an hour or two of walks/activities a day?  Are you going to be out all day?  (If yes, don't get a puppy if you can't take time off, and hire a dog walker to take the dog out during the day).  What happens when you go on holiday?  What happens when the dog needs to go to the vet?

Young dog or old dog:  With an older dog you'll see more of what you are getting.  You'll also be able to see if the dog and your son make a link: with a puppy it's not impossible that it would end up bonding to someone else in the familly more.  It's a good idea to go through a rescue: many dogs from rescues are wonderful, and you'll have more choice there, and expert help in choosing.

Puppies can be great, but they can also be messy, destructive, time consuming and it will be months before you'll have 'a dog'. Young dogs can't go on very long walks.  If you do get a puppy pick a breeder carefully. 

Good signs: seeing mum with the puppies, encouraged to visit in the weeks before the puppies go home, waiting list, breeder has limited number of puppies available, breeder asks you lots of questions to screen you. 

Bad signs: adverts in papers, multiple breeds offered, available imediatly, may offer to meet you with a puppy rather than you go to their home: these are signs of puppy farm puppies (puppy farms really should be banned... puppies may be unhealthy and poorly socialized).

If you get a puppy you MUST put a lot of effort in to socializing it, that means getting it used to all sorts of people and situations before 16/18 weeks. Without this a dog will probably end up fearful and that leads to agression. A good puppy class will help: more on classes below.

Breed: Collies are bred to work: if they are not provided with lots of work, exercise and stimulation they can start creating their own, eg the classic is herding things: not funny if you can't have other kids around without the dog holding them in one place afraid to move!  Probably not a good choice if you have not had dogs before.

With labs the breed is split into working and pet/show lines.  Working lines can be as intense and need as much stimulation as Collies.  Pet lines are a better bet unless you want to work them as gun dogs! Labs, as retrievers, are programmed to hold and mouth objects, so may be prone to chewing: make sure they have plenty of chew toys (though this goes for any dog to a lesser extent)

Training: I think there are organisations that will certify dogs already owned by a familly as assistance dogs, so that may be something you want to work towards (not got time to research links). Of course, the dog will need to be well trained to achieve that!  Finding a class is recomended but a bit of a mine field: it's an unregulated proffesion, and there's a lot of tick box and crackpot qualifications out there.  Having letters does not make a good trainer... Training is important though, for you as handlers as well as for the dog.

Here's two organisations where you will find properly trained and qualified trainers:

http://www.apdt.co.uk/dog-owners/choosing-a-trainer

http://www.capbt.org/

(The latter is more aimed at behaviorists, but if you can find a trainer with membership of both that's the ideal!  The first is more likely.  The first link also gives tips on choosing a trainer)

If you do get a puppy I'd recomend 'Life Skills for Puppies' by Helen Zulch and Daniel Mills, which tells you how to socialize/bring up a puppy to be a well behaved dog.

Think that might be enough for now.  I have to go work... Hope it's useful.

Your son sounds lovely, if tiring.

Dogs are tying, as well as time consuming.

One of our neighbours got a rescue dog. It barks incessantly. I believe some asd people find the sound painful and distressing, due to hearing sensitivity. I do. I have had a lifelong fear of bouncy, unruly dogs, even if good natured. Some asd children are also prone to allergies. It may be as well to see how your son tollerates dogs before taking the plunge. 

I was thinking the same about an older dog but on the other hand our son who we also believe has ADHD as well. our son loves going for walks this is something that claims him down so we need a dog that likes long walks. 

You could say our son is like an over excited puppy when he is hyper bouncing & running around the home