Time for a dog?

Sweet Melissa · 02-04-2008, 06:29 AM

The day I went into labor with our son, who is now 2, we gave our 9 month old black lab away to our neighbors. A puppy and a new baby were a little more than I wanted to deal with at the time.

I am really starting to want a dog, again. Not a puppy, maybe a 2 or 3 yr. old lab or lab mix. Along with our son, we now have an 8-month old baby girl. Both of them LOVE dogs. We also have a fenced area outside that we did not have before. It is about 2 to 3 times as big as the kennel, and is right out the kitchen window.

Any thoughts or advice about having a dog (most likely a lab) around really small kids?

pdxkevin · 02-04-2008, 06:34 AM

I know people who have dogs and little kids without issue. For me, I spend my spare time with the kids and do not have extra time to raise a pup. At most it would get the same attention as a house plant - basic food and water. There is no way I would give up any of the time I get to spend with my kids - from when I get home from work until the go to bed we are playing and learning together.

Sweet Melissa · 02-04-2008, 06:49 AM

Maybe I should add that I stay at home all day with the kids. We're away from home maybe two half-days a week.

OceanBlue · 02-04-2008, 07:19 AM

The only advice I'd have for you is that with labs in particular - they need lots of attention. If they don't get lots (and I mean lots) of attention, they are prone to behavioral problems... specifically chewing things up.

Since you're home with the kids this should help, but with a 2-3 year old lab, if it has already developed bad habits, it will be very hard to break. When left alone - well - let's just say that if you're planning on a lab, plan on taking it with you wherever you go.

That's not to say that all labs are like this... just every one that I've ever known

wthr4d · 02-04-2008, 07:47 AM

My daughters were 6 and 7 when we lost our house and had to give away our dogs. I vowed not to have another until I could commit to give it a home as reliable as the one I give my children.

We had a pure bred GSP and a border collie Aussie shepard mix. they were part of the family and we taught the dogs their place in our family and taught the girls how to respect the dogs. children love animals and when encouraged properly love to take care of them. We had our dogs for almost three years and had very few incidents between our kids and the dogs.

if you can commit to give the dog a home for life then I say look around, take your kids with you to meet the dogs, pick out a family pet you all will be rewarded forthe love they give back.

Paul

Sweet Melissa · 02-05-2008, 10:37 AM

Thanks everyone for the replies and PM's.

Right now, one of the biggest obstacles for us acquiring a dog is that we have 3 cats. I have always been a "cat person," mostly because they seemed like less maintenance than a dog. The tide is turning, though, as I put more and more money into them. If I am going to spend that much money on an animal, I'd rather spend it on a dog.
The cats just act like they tolerate us being in their house. A dog, on the other hand...well, I saw a quote the other day that said a dog is the only animal that likes you more than it likes itself.

Keeper · 02-05-2008, 10:43 AM

I had a similar dilemma years ago and found an article that strongly suggested waiting until children were two years old to introduce a dog into a family. Every dog has limits to the amount of tail yanking, ear pulling and flopping on they can handle. By age two, children have learned boundaries and understand how to play nice with the dog.

Chrome Bumper · 02-05-2008, 11:50 AM

Dogs and kids get along fine. A big active dog like a lab can bowl over the little ones until they get bigger and steady on their feet.
I think its important that dogs learn to be alone so they don't get freaked out when you are absent....

Oh, the chain of command, Cats own people, people own dogs.

devonian · 02-05-2008, 12:00 PM

Have to be honest here. You had a dog then got rid of it (for a good reason). You have cats and wouldn't mind getting rid of them. Stick with the children. You don't need more on your plate.

If you have to get a dog, please check out the humane society. They can help you find a dog that fits your lifestyle.

fishgirl · 02-05-2008, 12:02 PM

We have a lab and she was about 1 1/2 years old when we brought home our son from the hospital. They are totally buddies and love each other! My son pulls her tail and crawls all over her and she just lays there. The only time I have to watch closely is when the dog is excited - she one time knocked him over and his face hit a coffee table and he got a bloody nose. That was not good. But it was just an accident and he was okay. Pretty soon he'll be big enough to push her away!

I get to stay home with my son, too, and that helps a lot. We're also trying for another baby right now and I'm getting another puppy soon. Call me crazy, but I love my pets! We also have a cat who we had before the dog and they do fine together. I wouldn't say they're best friends, but they can definitely live in peace in the house together!

Good luck!

Sweet Melissa · 02-05-2008, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devonian

Have to be honest here. You had a dog then got rid of it (for a good reason). You have cats and wouldn't mind getting rid of them. Stick with the children. You don't need more on your plate.

If you have to get a dog, please check out the humane society. They can help you find a dog that fits your lifestyle.

Your point is well taken. As is often the case, there is more to the story than is reasonable to put in one or two posts. The dog was a matter of timing. Had I known that I was going to be pregnant within a month of getting the puppy, I would NEVER have gotten him. He went to a good home, and I have not regretted that decision.

The thought of getting rid of the cats would take more explanation than it's worth, and I would still probably come off looking like a jerk, which I'm not.

I would really like a dog. I would also like to go fishing more than twice a year. When I see people post these great pictures of their dogs, it is hard for me not to think seriously about adding one to our family. Realistic? Probably not now.

The right dog will come along at the right time for us. When that happens, I will be glad that I researched it and thought about it as much as I have. So will the dog, I think.

Threemuch · 02-05-2008, 02:23 PM

Alot of it depends on the individual dog. We were worried about our girl with the recent additions to our family, and she is one of the best parts. She loves the kids, she shows no signs of acting out, and she is more obedient than ever. She takes commands from a 5 and 7 year old she just met! And she is not even two. Unfortunately, you will have a tough time finding a 2-3 year old dog that will work for you that anyone is willing to part with. I know our previous two dogs would have had a fit with the changes we have had and the lack of attention.

In my search for a dog last year, I worked hard to find a family dog. I told breeders, I needed a retriever for hunting, but she would be a pet 330 days a year. I asked around alot, didn't get the color I wanted, and probably sacrificed drive for ease of handling, and I spent a fairly large chunk, but I got EXACTLY what I wanted in terms of temperament. This is my first well pedigreed dog from a reputable breeder, and I can tell you, I will never own another backyard breeding again. I am sold on the benefits of good breeding.

She still gets two walks, and at least 10 minutes of retrieving every day. That's not a small commitment. For me it is basically giving up an hour of sleep. Good luck.

Yamhillbilly · 02-05-2008, 05:57 PM

I would recommend a female Australian Cattle Dog, raise it with your kids and your kids will have a lifelong friend and protector.

STGRule · 02-05-2008, 06:02 PM

Please remember that a dog is a 6-12+ year commitment. Come the good stuff and the bad stuff, a pet is a commitment. Please don't consider getting an animal if you are not sure you can give that commitment. It isn't fair for an animal to be a part of your family and then be ripped from comfort. Too many times it doesn't end up well for the dog. A visit to the pound will prove my point.

Pinecone · 02-05-2008, 06:08 PM

I'm a stay at home dad with my 11 month old son and 7 year old Chocolate Lab...they get along great! every other lab i've ever known is great with kids as well. That's not to say every lab will be great with kids, you need to watch out with any dog around kids (dogs sometimes don't know their own strength...) but in my experience most of them are. I wouldn't worry too much about the kids and dog getting along part of it....and as an added bonus, the dog does a great job of cleaning the floor around the high chair at meal times!

- Joseph

Sweet Melissa · 02-05-2008, 08:07 PM

As much as I would like a dog right now, I don't want to bring another dog into the family that we have to get rid of a few months later. I am fully aware of the time commitment, both long-term and daily, that is required to care for a dog.

As far as the kids... yeah, kids and dogs are a great combination. Kids under 2 and dogs, I'm still not really sure about. Probably depends on the dog.

As far as the cats...I don't want to get rid of them, really. I am just tired of spending several hundred dollars a year on vet bills to treat the parasites and wounds they get from being partially outdoor cats. I have also heard that, thanks in part to the domestic housecat, the varied thrush may be listed as a threatened species. We have these birds around, and I would hate to see them go away. So, the solutions seem to be either to get rid of the cats entirely, or make them indoor cats. If I can convince my better half to let us keep a litter box, they could stay inside. The money we save from not having to take the cats to the vet all the time could be used to take care of a dog properly.

We are better situated for a dog than we were when we got the lab pup. But, I still am not certain it's the best possible scenario we can offer. I think by the time our youngest is 3 or 4, and the whole cat situation is settled, we can realistically start thinking about getting a dog.

I appreciate all of the replies and PM's. They've given me some things to chew on. I will continue to look into when the right time will be for us to get a dog, and what type of dog could most easily become part of our family.

Thanks,

Melissa

Herring Impaired · 02-05-2008, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yamhillbilly

I would recommend a female Australian Cattle Dog, raise it with your kids and your kids will have a lifelong friend and protector.

I'll ditto that! My only reservation is that the Cattle Dog be a lifetime commitment. They are fiercely loyal to their owners, and do better when they have a permanent "Pack". I've had a lot of dogs and been around many more, but the Cattle Dog is far and away the best off all....

Ours is very intolerant of cats, (Which I find to be an admirable quality!)