I have a 4 month old daughter, and I plan on getting a chocolate lab soon, my mother thinks that it way to early. I think that if you teach the puppy to be easy around her he'll know before she starts crawling. And plus they can grow up together. : )
2006-07-20 04:23:50 · 10 answers · asked by Traci 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Just keep an eye on the pup around your daughter!
2006-07-20 04:38:53 · answer #1 · answered by βεℓℓα ツ 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Getting a puppy is like having another baby. With a 4 month old are you prepared for that? Are you prepared to get up in the middle of the night to let puppy out to potty? Also, labs are VERY high energy dogs. Will you have time to give the dog two 1 hour walks a day? Training? Obedience classes?
It's certainly possible. BUT, it takes an enormous amount of work and I see a lot of dogs surrendered at our shelter who are brought in because a family has a new baby and can't handle both baby and dog. Really ask yourself some tough questions here. Just wanting your baby and the dog to grow up together, while cute, is not really the best reason to get a dog right now. But if you're finding that your baby is pretty laidback and easy to care for, and that you have oodles of time in your day leftover, then sure, get the dog. But remember, PUPPIES BITE! They just do. You can teach them not to, but initially they DO bite and teaching them to not bite takes time and effort.
Why not an adult dog with a personality that's already established? There are plenty of dogs in shelters who have already been around kids and have proven they're good with them.
2006-07-20 11:30:53 · answer #2 · answered by tenzo0 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never leave the child and dog alone and make sure they are well associated and know each others boundaries. Teach the dog to be extra gentle around the baby. Give the child and the dog one on one attention so neither one ever gets jelous. Depending on wether the dog is a puppy you should take extra precautions because puppies chew alot and will try to play with the baby causing to hurt it. Also dogs and puppies have charp toe nails you should be cautious of. But good luck and there is no reason you cannot get a dog at this piont, as long as it is trained right and noes what it can and can't do.
2006-07-20 11:32:37 · answer #3 · answered by Zoombobwhey 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that is way too early. Dogs, especially puppies can be very rough with children, even if they don't mean to hurt them. Labs in particular are very energetic, and although they're smart dogs, they need a lot of room to run around in order to be happy. Also, if your daughter is so young, you might not have time to train the puppy thoroughly enough so that it can interact safely with your child. Wait until the child is older. I got my first puppy when I was 5 and I think that was a great age to "grow up" with a dog. I was old enough to play safely with the dog and to have some responsibility in caring for him. He lived until I was in my 20s.
2006-07-20 11:30:15 · answer #4 · answered by KT 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would personally wait until the child is a little older. I don't know how I would ever have the energy to care for a baby and a puppy!
Good luck with whatever you decide. Labs are sweet, but still can be a hand-full.
2006-07-20 11:32:41 · answer #5 · answered by Erin W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most vets think that a lab is the best family dog I do too they're wonderful around childern and so peaceful when they're old they do lick a lot but don't give off 2 much slober so go 4 it don't be afraid
2006-07-20 11:37:37 · answer #6 · answered by sneakytigeras 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a Golden Retriever when my daughter was a newborn. I didn't have any problems. Lab's are normally very gental pets, if you just keep an eye on the puppy, I think they will be fine.
2006-07-20 12:25:55 · answer #7 · answered by bidetsith25 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is definitely not too soon for the child or the dog . For you it may be though as they both take up much of you attention .I would say if you can handle the strings pulling you from all directions , go for it .
2006-07-20 11:34:56 · answer #8 · answered by Bobbo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a chocolate lab who just turned one. She is great with kids and always has been. I don't currently have kids, but my brother has real little ones. And she was/is always good around them.
2006-07-20 11:29:06 · answer #9 · answered by klgilly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so from what I have seen with friends Lab's are sensible dogs that a great with kids
2006-07-20 11:32:35 · answer #10 · answered by swoosh1_04 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋