what kind of puppy should I get my 2 1/2 year old son?

Question

My husband is in Iraq and we discussed, before he went over there that we wanted to get our son a puppy for Christmas. Do you have an suggestions? Also I have an 8 month old as well please keep that in mind when you respond. Thank you for your answers.

Answer 1

Please believe me when I tell you that a labrador is the best dog in the world for kids! THE BEST, THE END! These dogs will put up with everything that a kid puts a pet thru. Everyday is a happy day in a labrador's life. If you insist on a puppy, watch the needle teeth (on any puppy). Good Luck!

Answer 2

I believe the best thing you can do is to get a young adult, unless you're experienced with dogs and can confidently handle all the training a puppy requires when you have 2 kids this young.

As far as breeds go, you're best to stay away from very small dogs as well as the terriers as most of them can get very nippy around very young kids because the kids make them nervous. Of course, there are exceptions in every breed, but in general, a very small dog is a very bad idea.

Nor do you want a very rambunctious, active dog like a dalmation or a lot of the sporting breeds. The best dog I've ever known for young kids may be too large for you - a newfoundland. They have an amazing patience and are protective towards young kids, but a newfie puppy is still a puppy which is why an adult would be better. Beagles are usually very child friendly, and I've not yet seen a rescued racing greyhound who didn't love kids. Again, they're a large dog but the rescue groups match these dogs very carefully to prospective homes so if you were interested in one, they'd be careful to recommend a calmer one over a large rambunctious male.

I think you'd be best not to look at specific breeds as much as the temperament of the individual dog. I had a house full of afghan hounds with 2 toddlers and never had any problems, it's all in how you teach your kids to treat the dogs and in each individual dog.

Answer 3

I would not get your 2 1/2 year old child a puppy till your husband comes back .. all puppies tend to nip with 2 children and with your hubby in Iraq you have a lot on your plate right now not to bring in puppy training ..being a referee between the child and the puppy ..
not saying you would abuse it BUT
to add a baby pup now to it would only compound your issues and chances are once the newness wears off the puppy will become one of the many forgotten back yard dogs

Answer 4

A puppy might not be the best plan with such a small baby - imagine your baby crawling around and finding a mess the puppy left, whether liquid or solid.

Sounds like if you're going to get a dog it should be a smaller one. We had a chihuahua that was really cool. Larger dogs are out with your younger baby.

You should read up on the breeds - there are extensive resources online. One thing that's good about chihuahuas are they are pretty much one of the few dogs that don't induce allergies - before you get a dog expose both your kids to dogs somewhere else and see if they have any signs of allergies - my son reacted so badly to one dog they nearly had to resucitate him.

Answer 5

Truthfully, it would be much better to wait a few years before getting a dog. You have an 8 month old who I am sure is not walking yet and even when they start walking, they fall down a lot. Puppies have accidents. Do you want your baby crawling around in poop or pee? Of course not. Even after the spots are cleaned, there is still germs left behind. Wait a few years and then get a dog. Everyone will be much happier.

Answer 6

Get a shelter mutt.
Talk to the shelter attendants, they spend lots of time with the dogs and can show you one that will be perfect for your family.
They are temperment tested (great when you have little ones), inexpensive with lots of "extras" included, and you are saving a life.
Consider an adult. It will be much easier not to potty train a puppy around a toddler and a baby that may crawl through dog mess. Some adults will come potty trained and older dogs are much more understanding and gentle with babies.
Good Luck

EDIT
Do NOT get a dalmation. They are tempermental and need HOURS of hard running every day to be happy.

Answer 7

he's extra desirable than waiting for super boy pants - the shown fact that the 1st day he became definitely asking to bypass to the potty is outstanding. properly finished for paying for that a ways! From what you're saying, it sort of feels as though there's a correlation between you having to deal which includes your different babies and him having an 'twist of destiny'. He could be attempting to get interest. I definitely have friends whose babies have finished precisely the comparable as your son by way of fact they like mummy's interest. completely widely used - if demanding - toddler behaviour. How do you react whilst he does this? My suggestion could be to frivolously freshen up the injuries devoid of making any comments (this form he will see that peeing on the floor would not get him extra interest). Then proceed to place him on the potty each 0.5 hour as you have been doing, yet compliment him for sitting on it and allow him positioned a decal on a chart. tell him that when he does a pee in his potty he gets a greater cope with. If he does be waiting to do a pee or poop on the potty, compliment him to the roof and make a huge fuss of him. After some successes, you ought to up the sport. tell him that the smaller treats have run out, yet that he could have a decal every time he does a pee, or 2 stickers for a poop. If he manages to do an entire day, he could have a cope with (it would not must be some thing offered - it must be to not sleep for an further 0.5 hour, to have an further bedtime tale, that may assist you perform a little baking etc.) besides, stable success. i've got in basic terms started preparation my little lady, so i've got faith your soreness!

Answer 8

You should get a shetland sheepdog (sheltie). They are great guard dogs as far as letting strangers around, and they are really good with kids. My son can pull his ears and his tail and lay on him and the dog just lets him. He is not aggressive toward anyone that he knows, but is very suspicious about others. If he doesn't recognize a car he doesn't let the people out of the car until we call him off. The dog has done all of this on his own without obedience school.

Answer 9

In all honesty, as a responsible breeder, I would say none. That is truefully. If I was selling a litter of pups as present I would not sell one to you.

Why you ask? Nothing against you personally. But when you rear a litter of pups you are responsible for their well being. When you have two young children under the age of 3years I would be very irresponsible to let you take a puppy.

Puppies are like small children, so they will demand just as much time as your other two, they will need training, house breaking, feeding, just as much as your two children rely on you solely.

Now can you honestly say you would drop anything to do with your child because your puppy needed to go outside to pee.

Can you honestly say that if it poops inside and your youngest put the poop in it's mouth you would forgive the puppy as much as you would understand that your child puts everything and anything in its mouth and it is not your childs fault as much as it is not the puppies fault.

Could you say that you would not banish the pup outside because you just did not have the time to exercise it and train it and the mess, poo, digging, chewing, accidental biting, scratching of your young children are just because it is a puppy.

You should never buy a puppy for children, because utlimately it is not for them, it is YOU that will have to do the work. Pups are not instant, sit by the fire, roll over and let baby lay on them cute.

They do a lot of damage, no matter what breed. teething is as terrible for them as babies, they need something cold, hard and pliable to chew on to relieve the pain, and childrens skin can be just perfect!!!

Wait till the youngest is 3 or even better 5. Then look at buying a puppy. In the meantime, put what you have into your kids. Because later on, they will never really remember that lovey dovey stuff you think happens between a kid and a puppy, not at that age.

Answer 10

A hound mix would be a good choice. Herding/sporting breeds are too active and small dogs are hard to keep "safe" from very young children (even when no harm is intended).

I personally think your kids are too young, your hands are full with your hubby away and the burden of responsibility for this animal is going to fall squarely on you. If you must get a puppy, it's equally important to consider the age of the pup, too. Try to get one that is at least 12-16 weeks. The bulk of their medical is behind them and they are still playful and cute but also better able to maneuver away from children that a young puppy would be.