My wife wants to adopt this dog from a rescue shelter because they say the dog needs a running partner. My wife likes to run, and she thinks a dog would be good protection. I don't particularly want a dog. Anyone I know who has a dog is having problems. And yet, I'm feeling the need to make the women in my life happy by giving them a fluffy brown canine.
So, dog people - do you like having a dog? Do you have any suggestions before I get a dog?
Well, we have a yellow lab and a black lab, the yellow one just diea at age 14 and the black lab is 11, so they don't do much of anything, but the kids just love her to death. I've been considering getting a puppy, but wow, they are a lot of work. One thing I will say is I'm glad I raised them from puppies. I would be really concerned about getting a rescue dog that is older, and you don't have any idea how it was raised. I just recently realized how important raising a dog was to me when I caught my 15mth old daughter sitting by the dog food bowl, with her hands in the bowl while the dog was eating. The dog could have cared less. From a puppy, I would put my hand in the dog food bowl to teach them that its ok. The baby still will sit by the dog food bowl and get a handful of food and hand feed the dog with it. They can ride her, pull her tail, ears, anything and the dog will just walk away when she's had enough. But that's how I raised her. I would be really worried if I wouldn't have raised her from a puppy and know she's been treated well all her life.
When our twins were born, our dog pretty much got thrown to the curb. At one point he was the star of the house and now he is definitely third fiddle. The good thing is that he is happy when we do let him with the kids however, since he is almost eight, he does tire of them quickly. He does not do anything aggressive just looks to either my wife or I with eyes that say he has had enough. When they were infants, he did protect them to a degree and used to pace around the room that they were crying in. It all depends on the dog and how it reacts to having little ones around. Ideally the dog realizes and learns that the little ones are a part of his/her herd and will be happy to protect them as well. Hope this helps in some way.
Asking dog people if getting a dog is a good idea is like asking fat people if the Chinese buffet is a good idea. (I'm fat people, I have the right.) Some things to consider:
1. Can you afford it?
2. Who will really taking care of it?
3. What breed? (Seriously, protection only comes from having a large dog.)
4. Do you have the room in your home and yard for a dog?
And probably a million other things I can't think of through the haze of this head cold.
-Will
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BRING BACK THE IRRELEVANCE!!!!
My daughter is one and my high energy boxer is 3.
The baby loves her and the dog is beginning to return the affection. Hanging out with the two of them can be pretty fun. As long as your wife is committed to exercising the dog 7 days a week, it shouldn't be to much of a problem. Exercise, discipline and affection. In that order. That's what the dog whisperer says.
"We don't need a license for this or anything?"
We have gone through a few different dogs over the years. Currently have two. Should you get one? No, their high maintenance. Just like having another child. We had to give the Golden Retriever to my father-in-law because the kids were two young and the dog felt he was higher in the pack then the were (bit one). You should wait until the youngest is at least 5 years old before getting a dog. But the kids really do like them. A boy should have a dog. I also have 6 cats, You want one.
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Thanks. Still don't know if I'll be weak and give in, but that's all good info.
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I agree with chitownman and I think asking current dogowners is absolutley essential. We HAVE a dog and had him prior to kids. He was our pride and joy prior to kids, but after he was "thrown to the curb."
We still love him, but...
He runs over the kids and causes injuries because he gets excited to play. He wants to go out ALL the time (call for attention no doubt), but we are out of energy with a 17 month and 3 YO. Don't forget the dogshit in the yard that has to be picked up daily (plus the neighbors if they let their dog shit in your yard). Add on the baths weekly and the attention they want. If you are not challenged by you kids then get one.
Otherwise, I suggest a nice new stuffed animal.
GWB point's are perfect without kids, but consider the introduction of the dog with babies and kids. Our dog was introduced to our baby and he has really developed a connection with him and has become very protective of him to the point where we have to introduce him to a new dog without my son present and then bring everyone together at a later time. My neighbor had to find a new home for their dog because he could not deal with the addition of their baby and the lack of attention he received.
Santiago stats:
2 kids (4 & 2)
1 dog (9)
1 wife (none of your business)
0 cats (gracias a Dios)
Rescue dogs are unknown commodities. We got ours as a puppy and I spent A LOT of time training her. Thankfully, she's good with the kids. Lots of people we know got rid of their dog/s once kids came on the scene. One former neighbor of an adult rescue couldn't bring himself to find another home for the dog, but he didn't feel safe with his toddler in the same room with his monster of a dog (a frickin' yellow lab, btw). Best chance of success is to introduce a shelter puppy into your home, then work like crazy (aside: I'm lobbying for a 2nd dog, but the wife doesn't want to because she remembers the time commitment involved). This won't give your wife a running buddy for at least a year. If you adopt an adult dog, I'd say it's 50-50 everyone will be happy. It's probably 90-10 that you'll give the dog away within 1-2 years. There's a 100% chance you'll work (and spend money) like you've got another kid.
Buenos Suerte!
You're not gonna have the right answer till you either get a dog and it's great/horrible or you don't get a dog. Basically some dogs are good with kids, some dogs are not. Knowing the breed can help but in the end it just depends on the personality of that specific dog. We've got 1 that's great, 1 that's so-so, and 1 that was dangerous (he's no longer with us). If I could do it over again, no dogs. Too much fur that gets on the kids things. They bark and wake up the kids. The water bowl gets dumped over a lot. Dogs (even really nice dogs) can have serious food bowl issues.
With older kids, I think it's a great idea. Kids can learn an enormous amount from having a dog.
I haven't commented on much lately, but I actually know something about this topic. Both my wife and I have backgrounds in positive reinforcement dog training, and my wife was a (don't laugh) dog behaviorist for a while before going to vet school.
Anyway...my 2 cents.
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I'm a non dog person, but looking forward, if my children want a dog, first off they have to wait till they're at least 10 and 12 years old, then I'll go for it so long as the dog is outside, (backyard or the garage during winter), and the kids Promise and DO take care of it 100%, (you slack, doggie goes missing). I will not budge when it comes to keeping a dog in the house.
Sorry I can't offer any other suggestions.
Alby1 - Chicago, IL
Hey TT,
I have been called a dog before, and I would be glad to go running with her.
Alternatively, get a jogging stroller and get in shape you lazy bastard.
If she does decide to get the dog (b/c you know you don't really make the household decisions), at least you won't have to clean up the kitchen and dining room floor after every meal.
I hope you don't take offense, but I suggest you not ever get a dog. Stick with your guns on that. First, living outside and away from a dog's "pack" is something that the dog might have a hard time understanding. A hunting dog is one thing. But a family dog who doesn't get to spend time with the family is kinda wrong. And the kids will never bond with the beast if it's outside all the time. I have seen this time and time again.
Second, your kids just won't take care of the dog 100 percent of the time. They just won't. Don't set yourself up for resenting a dog simply because it's hungry.
And Matt's right. Personality is as big a deal as breed. Our first dog, when the kids were born, didn't like dropping down in the pecking order. She liked getting all the attention. After she passed, we got two more pound dogs who have been great with the kids.
JP: Can we just call you a horndog? Or are your sentiments reserved for ticktockita?
Don't get a dog that sheds (like we have), because all you do is clean.
If you have kids you don't need a dog. You already have something that wants to be fed randomly, craps or pees on the floor on occassion, whines without cause, claws at you leg when you watch "the game", pukes on the couch, doesn't listen when you speak, and sleeps until you try to nap.
Basically the only difference is most kids don't shed. So I guess I am saying "what are you thinking." Just have another kid, since it would be just as easy.
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