Yorkies and Children ...

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by hha

But, this has also happened to grown adults too..I have spoken to one lady who is in her 60's, she had a little yorkie that wiggled out of her arms and fell and died too..so, it's not just children, and the thing is, if one wiggles out of someones arms(adults or childrens), children are closer to the ground, and so there wouldn't be as long of a fall..so, you have to look at it like that too..

Rescue groups are just as careful when adopting to seniors, too. Obviously you wouldn't want to place a small dog with someone physically unable to care for or keep a dog safe or someone that the dog would outlive.

[hha]

I know a lot of good breeders that will let people with children have their dogs..but, they check and see how the kids do with dogs..My daughter got a yorkie when her son was young, the lady asked for my daughter to bring my g-son, which she did..this lady was elated with the way my g-son did with her pups, and he was only 3..

[AmyChristine]

Ideally it would be case by case, but it can be hard to evaluate someone's child, I have seen the sweetest four year old throw some pretty outrageous fits that seemed way out of character. Most of us wont let a child we just met even hold our dogs, let alone take one home. I actually brought a few personal references to my last breeder having other people who had been with Emalie evaluate both the good and bad, then I let her decide for her self weather or not she felt we would ne the right home for him. I know that I have seen a couple bigger yorkies for rescue that had even mentioned were good with kids, what is wrong with rescuing a furbaby that is on the bigger side? More to cuddle with.

[jamiesaari]

Larger Yorkies are just as wonderful as smaller ones, but many rescue organizations have blanket policies regarding all their dogs never going into homes with children.

The part I don't understand is if each rescue organization receives hundreds of applications for their dogs (and must weed out families with children) then why is there still a need to find homes? Most rescue organizations feature between 6 to 12 dogs on their websites. If hundreds of people are applying for them, why are there Yorkies looking for homes? I would think that at least 6 to 12 families out of hundreds of applications would qualify. If not, perhaps it might be time to re-evaluate organizational policies a bit.

My frustration is that I can provide an absolutely wonderful, loving home to a Yorkie with the ability to access unlimited veterinarian services. To be judged and told "no" because I have a child is frustrating.

In closing, I would like rescue organizations to know I have a great deal of respect for the work they do. My commentary above is not meant to attack, but to generate debate and encourage those with blanket policies (no families with children, ever) to reconsider.

[yorkiegirl83]

I can understand their reasoning in not adopting to homes with small children. The dogs have already been through so much usually and they want to find a perfect, forever home. They have to have rules and guidelines in place, and they clearly have a reason for doing so.

Many small dogs in rescue are very fearful of children and that can be another reason why the rescue makes that rule.

It can be frustrating for potential adopters, but I completely respect the rescues reasoning for it.

Plus having small children isn't the only reason some won't adopt out to certain families. Small children, no fencing, too many animals, work hours, ect all play a major part.

[AVERYxo]

i can most definately understand why they do this..to an extent. and i support them..BUT, i think that alot of times it is difficult to get a dog(whether you have children or not) from a rescue or a REPUTABLE breeder! Applications, interviews, etc. etc. are most often times required and looked over VERY thoroughly-which, to me make sense(especially with the smaller breeds), not to mention..if a dog has been abused, neglected, or just 'not wanted' anymore..rescues want to make sure that it wont happen again..and that the dog will go to a good home..that will give it a good life, full of love! But being so thorough with the checks, applications, etc..i would think that depending on the situation of the dog being adopted or sold by a breeder(who actually cares) they would consider homing the dogs they know would be ok with children..and then along with the interview process view the children in the home as well? i know this could be even more time consuming for rescues, etc. but most of them are already, VERY extensive in their rehoming process! ..so why not take each situation as it comes and take the interviews another step further? especially if it means giving a dog a home..that much sooner and to maybe a better family that it would have gone to if not?(..who knows?!)

i do know what you mean..i believe that there are MANY children who would be better with some of the dogs, then alot of ADULTS that own them but that could go the other way also..and ALOT of kids dont know how much work & responsibility goes into owning a dog, in general..let alone a small dog, which requires even more(in so many ways). its kind of a weird situation..i think. because you just never know!

(PLUS there are SOOO many instances, where people lie about having children, because they know the rules pertaining to some of the rescues and breeders!) so really its almost better for them(LOCAL rescues & breeders, at least) to be open to putting dogs with families, they KNOW are ok with children, both physically & personality-wise..just making sure they are viewing each family as it comes!!

so really.. I think it could be VERY beneficial and dont see a problem with pairing the RIGHT dog with the RIGHT family!! im all for that..as long as they are able to make the process a little more extensive, so they KNOW that the each situation would be more than ok. Plus, i think in most cases, a family that is really going to love and care for the dog and that show that they really want this for all the right reasons, are the ones that wont mind going through some of the processes required now-let alone another step further(if kids are involved).

Like someone mentioned in a previous post(sorry i forgot to look again who it was) but my lil girl Avery..absolutely LOVES LOVES LOVES kids(and babies)also!! i love it because she gets soooo excited and the kids show the same affection back to her!!(Buuuut..there are some kids(family & friends) that we make sure we ALWAYS are supervising when they are with her..and there are others..who we know are VERY careful, respectful, and mature when playing with her(because they know she is small and requires different supervision))Which goes to show you that each situation is sooo unique and could potentially(if done the right way) be the best thing for the dog. Each situation needs to be judged as it comes..because they are all soooo different in how the kids are, let alone the parents sometimes. ya know?

OK-im done..thats my novel for the night-haha. after i probably lost some of you after the FIRST paragraph!

[yorkiegirl83]

I think what scares me most about small dogs and children is that little kids are very clumsy and don't always have a sense of what is rough.

I know when my friend brings her son over (he's 2 years nearly) he goes to pet the dogs but whacks them instead. Well -- he only did it once because I put the dogs in their expen to keep them safe. But it really scared me!

I do plan on having children some day and it worries me how to keep them safe. I mean they are so small that even sometimes I have to "tap dance" around to keep from stepping on them and I'm paying a lot of attention.

[yorkiekist]

I go on a case by case basis on selling to people with children. I wont sell if they have toddlers and most of the time 8 years or younger. Kids just dont realize how strong they are and a toddler has a death grip for hands. They can easily kill a puppy. Kids do not have a sense of responsibility when it comes to leaving the front door open or making sure the dog is secure before opening the door. And if a swimming pool is involved, even adults have "accidents" with Yorkies as well as their kids. I have had families come over and let their kids run willy nilly all over my house and even walk on the chairs and end tables. And I have had families come over and the kids are very respectful and well behaved.Then I have to wonder if that is the way they act at home.

Can you all tell I dont have kids?? I have never wanted any and dont really care for them. But there ae a FEW that are very nice and trusting and are gentle with Yorkies.

[yorkieusa]

Well, when dealing with a rescue, I suppose we all need to remember that some of the rescues have been abused by children or are just scared of children and have never been around them. If only all six-year-olds were like your daughter...

[Gingergirlsmom]

I completely understand your frustration. However, please keep in mind that rescues save more dogs each year than the 10-12 you see on your computer screen. The numbers are staggering and there are always those coming into rescue to replace those who have been successfully placed into their forever home.

My hope is that all of us who rescue, whether from a small breed specific rescue or from the humane society, be thankful that others are doing their part to save these little lives.

As far as rescues go, I believe that the volunteers who give their hearts, homes, time, gas, money, tears, and love to countless animals have earned the right to determine whatever restrictions they feel are best.