We adopted a 4 year old Lab/Shepherd Mix just after my son's 6th birthday. My son is also adopted so it was really special for my our "family" to adopt a pet. My son was diagnosed with ADHD at age 4, but we didn't do meds till he was 5. He always had a hard time waking up in the morning, but now "Abbott", the dog, wakes him up for me. He comes in the room and licks his whole face, then jumps up on the bed and lays with him. We talk about how Abbott is hyper like my son, but it's okay, because it's just part of who they are. The dog is active which is great. The dog likes to fetch and my son likes to throw, so it's a perfect match. Yet the dog is also calming for my son too. The dog will lay next to my son and he will sit quietly and pet the dog. My son and I took the dog to dog training school and I let my son do the training too. Now the dog listens to him better than anyone else and it makes my son feel special. It's been a win, win situation all around. Good luck.

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that helps so much, thank you!

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I never heard of this but, it sounds like a great idea, makes sense. I wondered that about my dauhgter (if she would do better with a pet.) I have a cousin who have a toy poodle and when she goes over to their house she takes care of him like he was her own. Now I'm wondering about this. hmmmmm

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I've had positive experience with my dd on this. Our neighbors have a dog and dd likes to go out and play with him. I've noiticed that it has a very calming effect on her. sometimes if she's on the verge of a meltdown I will send her out to visit with the dog.

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