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Do I get my son a dog

NAS75776

I'm in a quandary and would be grateful for some advice.

My son is 12 and in awaiting an ASD assessment. He struggles with social anxiety and other than school rarely leaves the house. We do not have any visitors to the house and he always shuts the curtains. I am not able to get him to join any groups and he doesn't even take part in school PE as will not change his clothes in school.

We have been quite a rocky path since he moved to secondary school but now in year 8 we have seemingly found our way though.  He has for sometime wanted a dog but in two minds as to whether to take the plunge. 

I am working from home and may in time need to go back in one day a week. I also have an underlining health condition that may in the future affect my motility but then it may not!

I know pets can be highly beneficial to any child but just worried it will be a passing faze and secondly how a dog would cope with my sons behaviour. 

Also if I do  get a dog what would be best type to get? We do not have a garden just a small yard. It's a terrace house split on 3 floors so would have to be a medium to small dog. Is it best to get a puppy or a rescue dog. 

I have heard of Therapy Dog but know little about them.

Just concerned now things are a little calmer in the house I could potentially be making things bad again. Be lovely to hear from anyone who has looked into this previously.

Parents

  • If your son has noise sensitivity I would not go for a breed that tends to bark a lot. This would rule out most small breeds, as they tend to be yappy, scent hounds like beagles also are a bit too vocal. I would avoid breeds that have been bred as guard animals, as they tend towards aggression (German Shepherd, Dobermans etc.). Medium-sized companion-dogs, like spaniels, labradors, collies would probably be best.

Reply

  • If your son has noise sensitivity I would not go for a breed that tends to bark a lot. This would rule out most small breeds, as they tend to be yappy, scent hounds like beagles also are a bit too vocal. I would avoid breeds that have been bred as guard animals, as they tend towards aggression (German Shepherd, Dobermans etc.). Medium-sized companion-dogs, like spaniels, labradors, collies would probably be best.

Children
  • in reply to Martin

    My neighbour has noise sensitivity which is another issue to consider. One of my hopes is that a dog would bring a little calmness to the house but I can easy see it perhaps going in the other direction. I also hope a dog could help him settle at night because even though he is 12 I still have to lie next to him until he falls asleep. I think I might be expecting too much of a dog.