We are thinking of adopting a child or baby. Would this hinder usi n the process....?

Question

We have a 9 year old dog, who is super friendly and loving with us and our immediate family, but doesn't like strangers.

He was abused as a puppy and has trust issues and is very slow to like people. He is not agressive at all to us, but I am nervous how we should go about a home study --should he be there for the study, should he be boarded at vet's during the study? What would be best...and NO, we are not getting rid of him, he is our first "child" and we love him, so I would never traumatize him or think of getting rid of him.

Answer 1

It depends on your homestudy agency, state laws, and/or social worker. For example we only had to show that any pets had been vaccinated, but I have heard of other adoptive families being required to have the pets present during the home visit for the social worker to meet. I know of one family that gave a letter from their vet as well, stating they took excellent care of their dog and that he was non-aggressive etc. however a bit excitable with strangers.

I simply asked the social worker prior to the visit if the dogs needed to be here, and she said no, she just needed their shot records.

Answer 2

I don't think she's talking about hiding the dog at a boarder. I think she means just to have him there while the social worker is there so he doesn't behave oddly because he's nervous. So if the dog doest need to be there for the study she's thinking of boarding him... with full knowledge by the agency.

Answer 3

I wouldn't try to hide the dog. But do consider saying that you would get rid of the dog "IF" there was a problem. I know I love my cats dearly, but if my daughter had a severe allergy, I would have to find  new home for them. Lucky for us they all get along.

Even if you don't think you could ever really get rid of the dog I think it is best to say this, and in all honesty I believe if it ever really came to that you WOULD get rid of the dog. But cross that bridge when you come to it.  

You could also hire a doggy coach that could help your dog adjust while you're going through the adoption process. I can take a long time, and it is good to have a few distractions ;-)

Answer 4

Check with your adoption agency (or whomever is conducting the home study) to see if they want your pets there.  The purpose of a home study is to identify if there is anything that would cause harm to a child in your home.  By keeping the pet away, the agency may feel you are "deceiving" them.  And after the child comes home, your state probably requires some type of in home visits until the adoption is finalized.  You probably aren't going to want to send the dog away everytime that they come to visit.  

I understand your comment about not getting rid of the dog as he is your first child.  However, my ONLY concern is that you indicated that he is slow to like new people. Have you considered how he may react to a new child in the home.  I would suggest possibly getting a doll baby and practicing carrying it around or leaving it on the bed, etc., so that he gets used to having a new baby in the home.  While the new baby is going to be a part of your family, he/she will also be a stranger to the dog.  Anything you can do beforehand to try to make the dog understand better, will be helpful to you in the future.

Good luck to you.

Answer 5

Keep the dog!  During a "home study", they want to know "everything" that goes on in a home... If they deem the dog is 'dangerou' to a child, then "they" will insist that the dog either goes or whats to be done next.

If you keep the dog in a vet, and then the child comes to your home and the dog "does attack" the child... YOU will be held accountable, because you didnt disclose that you "had" the dog in the first place!

Be open about everything, because when the adoption agency comes a looking, they will interview EVERYONE!  Your family, your friends, your neighbors, your workplace...Everyone that has any contact with you, to find the "real you" and see what goes on, and what you have, and what you appear to be like.  (They "will" find out about the dog, and if you try to hide it, you will probably not get the child because you "lied" to them!).

I wish you well...

Jesse

Answer 6

If he is a part of the family, then treat him that way.  Have him trained by someone to accept others.  You do NOT want to bring a baby into the home to have the dog bite him.  Think of how much you love the dog....now imagine that magnified by an infinite amount...that is the love you will feel for that baby.  I have a precious chihuahua...long haired, white fur...gorgeous.  She has been my little girl...an angel.  She snapped at our 2 year old adopted son...he has been with us since he was 7 months.  She didn't hurt him, or she would be GONE.  She has been trained to leave the area when he comes up.  She's probably just afraid that he'll hurt her.   Don't lie or hide the dog for the home study.   The baby will love the dog just like you do...in time.   Work on making a family...and that is exactly what you will have.  Good luck...

Answer 7

Ok, this has come up before in my family.  The best way to deal with it is the same way you would deal with it if your "baby nephew" was suddenly in your care for a month.  What would you do?

How about having a separate room where the dog stays?  This would be far less traumatic for you (and the dog!) than putting him to sleep.  Your number one responsibility now is to you child -- not your dog.  He HAS TO come second now.  Start this now, or you will never get through it.  I had a similar situation, where a loving but abused dog was our pet, and bit my son.  Everyone said I had to put him to sleep, but I could not.  So I took the next best option -- the dog was NOT ALLOWED out when ANY child was out.  It took a "musical chairs" mentality, but worked!  He adjusted, everyone adjusted!  And the great news -- no more bites, no worries about bites, no euthanasia, and many more happy years together till our precious little dog passed on.

Don't deceive the social worker -- that can get you disqualified to adopt forever!  Be honest, and present her with a written plan, and even have your vet sign off on it.

Answer 8

I realize that he's 9 years old and they say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but have you considered some type of training for him? Don't "hide" him at the vets! that's only being dishonest and could prove to cause you more problems in the long run! I love my dogs.....as a matter of fact, I have a lab and a pit bull, but they are much younger than yours. They both are around my two grandchildren who are 3 and 1 and they have never been out of line with either of them. I believe that dogs know how their owners feel about a person and will behave accordingly. Meaning.....they will sense that you love this child and will not act out of line with them. They will love the child like you do. But, just to be on the safe side, perhaps you could take the dog around kids more. Of course, on a leash, but that would acclamate him to kids and let you know what to expect and what to work on. My fear is that when the case worker comes to visit, that the dog will act up. My only suggestion is to try to train him somehow. I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time and I hope it all works out for you.