should we buy a puppy?

Question

its like having another kid in the house. will it do the kids good to have something to take care of? what if it doesnt work out? shouldnt every kid have a pet/

TYKE why would you think i would let my kids "ruin" a puppy?? just looked at some of your answers and you are a scary dog person! i bet you live alone

can i just say that we are not thinking of buying a puppy on a whim, we have thought long and hard about it. our children are 15,13 & 10,so are old enough. as for "a dog is for life, not just for xmas", that is precisely why we didnt buy one for xmas,even though that was what they all wanted. i think its a bit much to assume that someone who has kids and is thinking about getting a puppy MUST be an irresponsible person, wheres the logic in that??

WOOOH! i think you are the ignorant one! im trying to make an informed ,responsible decision by taking in the pros and cons, if i was ignorant i would have just gone ahead and bought a puppy! as for children not being able to take care of themselves, you obviously have no kids or you would know that they are not helpless, even my 10year old is very capable, and for the record, my husband and i are the adults in this house and we are responsible, not the kids...as if i would leave the care of another living thing in the hands of children, my god, you doggy people are so presumptious, people with kids are capable of caring for animals. get over yourself!

Answer 1

firstly, you don't get a dog "for the kids" you get one for the whole family. Secondly, you don't expect the kids to take care of it. It is YOUR responsibility. Thirdly, you don't go into it thinking that it may not work out. You have to read up all you can about keeping dogs, speak to dog owners, be prepared for sleepkless night, dog sh1t and p1ss everywhere in the first few weeks, and cost too, vet checks, worming, defleaing, vaccinations, cost of boarding if you go away for more than a day. You also have to think about how long it will be left alone. If it is to be left for more than 4 hours a day don't get one. Then you need to dedicate at least one night a week to go to training classes. If you do the thing right and for the right reasons, there is no reason for it not to work out.It is a HUGE responsibility and means that for the next 18 or so years, you have another living being to consider in your life.If youaren't prepared to commit 100% for the whole 18 years, perhaps you aren't ready for the dog. What if you move house, the kids leave home or get fed up with having to walk it several times a day? What about when your garden has lots of turds to be picked up daily and it has made dead patches in your lawn where it pees and dug holes in your flower beds? What about when it is freezing cold or raining out and nobody wants to take it for the walk it needs? What about if it barks and howls when you leave it or rips holes in the lino, chews the carpet or new settee? What about nasty dirty wet footprints all over the floor on wet days and what about fleas on the dog in your carpet and furniture? All of the above is part and parcel of having a dog. I have 8 and love them but then I have the time to dedicate and am an 'animal' person. And yes, I live alone. However my son grew up with lots of animals and is also an animal lover. He doesn't live alone. I found the later additions to your question rather aggressive and insulting. I chose to live alone. I LIKE living alone. Iown my house and land and can do just as I please. Why do you regard this as a bad thing?

Laura F said "and for all the negative people out there they are obviously not dog "

well Laura, I am a dog person. So much so that I am involved in picking up the pieces when people go into it and aren't prepared for the upheaval. I always point out the negatives to people because they only see the cute fluffy puppy and not all the hard work and negatives involved with the same pup. Then I get a phone call sayiing things like "we are moving house/kids are allergic/dog gets out and runs away/it pees in the house", etc etc etc and asking me to take the pup who turned into an unruly large dog.
When I bred and showed, I would deliberately not pick up the turds in the garden when people came to view the pups. I let the big dogs jump up at them and bark. The people who got upset or annoyed or looked disgusted were turned away. Most of the people though were sensible, told the kids to watch where they walked, told the dogs to get down and accepted the noise and mess as part of having a dog. These were the people I allowed to buy a pup from me.They had to sign a form accepting certain things and agreeing to come back to me if they had problems. I used to get letters, photos and xmas cards from them for years and because I was sensible and they were sensible I managed to place pups only with suitable people. I never had a dog brought back to me because I was so fussy.

Answer 2

For a kid, our dog can be your very best friend, and I believe kids nd dogs are gerat for eachother- I have had a dog in the house since I was 4 months old!

If you've thought about it long and hard, can afford it, are prepared to lose a little furniture, maybe buy new carpets, etc, then fine. Lots of people give it alot less thought. I wonder if you would consider an adult dog? They often come trained, housetrained, and perhaps homeless through no fault of their own, such as their owner may have died. They have lots more love to give, still. They have already gone through the destructive puppy stage, and with an adult dog, you know how he will turn out- he already grew up! Also very highly trained ex police and service (guide dogs) need homes, and are great dogs. Ex racing greyhounds are on the whole quiet and well scoialised, although may not be house trained. I say this only because I have worked with dogs who have come from puppy farming or backstreet breeding backgrounds, and it would break your heart. But if you go to a good breeder for a puppy, they will vet you and your homefor suitability. If you pass that, then you can be sure you are ready for a puppy!

I should add that there can be no 'if it doesn't work out.' You can no more get rid of a misbeaving dog than you can one of your children. It is alife commitemnt, right from chewing the furniture to when he is old and incontinent. If he becomes a problem in any way, then you'll have to get in a therpist as you might for a child, and this is not cheap.

Answer 3

I have to give you credit that you are at least THINKING. People get a dog with out thinking at all. That is where the problem comes in. Don't rely on the kids taken care of the dog, even though they say they will take care of it. I was a kid once I know the story. All kids should have pets but only if they are willing to take care of it and realize what comes with owning a pet. Your kids are at an age now where they are doing their own thing. Are they home long enough to help train this puppy.

You are thinking what if it doesn't work out. That to me, shows that you are very serious about your question. No one should go into getting a dog thinking what if it doesn't work out.

My advice to you is keep doing what you are doing and thinking things through. There are pro's and con's on owning a puppy. You have a lot of work in training and vet bills, the food. But the rewards of a dog's love you can't beat. Good luck to you.

Answer 4

Oh yeah, you are right about having a puppy being like another kid in the house. I've always said that a pet is like having a 2-yr old that never grows up. They take a lot of time and care. But I love 'em and have always had pets.

They are great to teach kids responsibility. But sometimes that's not easily learned. It depends on your kids. Not just their age, but how mature and how responsible they are. You should be prepared to be the primary caregiver. Sometimes a lot of work, but worth it.

Another point to consider is travel. If you like to take trips, this could be a problem. It's not always practicle to take a pet along. Do you have friends or family that could pet sit? A pet is a big responsibility and for the rest of their life.

You should also consider the breed and/or size that would be best for you and your circumstances.

And one more thing.... consider adopting from an animal shelter???

You're the only one that can decide if a dog is right for you..good luck.

Answer 5

I wouldn't just off the bat say no. But if your purpose in getting it is so they will "have something to take care of" your mistaken. You need to understand that unless your kids are mature and older that you will be the primary caregiver for the new puppy, no matter how much they promise you they'll feed it and take care of it. And NEVER get a dog if you even have to think "what if it doesn't work out" - that just says that you are not ready to commit to having an animal. People buying puppies for children who don't know what they are getting into are the reason our shelters are overrun with homeless animals.

Maybe at least this will give you some things to think about before you go buy an animal. I would also sugest getting one from the shelter if you decide that you are ready for a pet.

Answer 6

I think all homes should have a pet, unless there is an abuser living there. Just go into getting a puppy knowing that mom may be doing most of the pet care. Give the kids certain things to do like one of them walking the dog, another feeding it, another grooming it, another training it. Like I said you may have to do these things a lot of the time but try to enforce the rules that the dogs is their responsibility. Most kids who do not grow up with a pet do not learn how to love and respect an animal. They may turn out like tyke.............I shudder the thought.


If you do, not want a purebred, check out the shelters in your area.

Answer 7

Dont get a puppy try a rescue dog if you havent had a dog before, I didn't let my childen have a dog but when they all left home I got a little chihuahua puppy and I wished that I had let them have a dog when they were little but having 4 of them I thought I had enough on my plate. Having a dog IS like having anothe child inthe house but they are so loving and loyal and bring lots o pleasure. But be aware that when you lose one it is devastating bt the memories are wonderful and although you may get another it helps heal the hurt but you will never forget that little loyal friend. I stood in my back garden last night cudderling my little 5 month puppy, but shedding a tear for the little 13 year old chi that I lost in September. Good Luck with whatever you decide. Maggy.xx

Answer 8

A puppy isn't a play toy, they're living, breathing animals that require tons of proper care. Young kids WILL NOT take care of the dog as it grows. Who's going to walk the dog on a cold, rainy morning at 5 A.M. when the dog's got to go? I can guarantee you, it won't be your kids! Who'll clean up after the dog after it makes a mess (of any kind) in your house? Not the kids! What are you going to do about taking care of the dog if you decide to take a quick weekend away ... you know ... just you and your significant other? You'll probably be able to get your kids taken care of by a good friend, but I don't know any friend good enough to want the responsibility of your dog for a weekend ... you'd have to board it somewhere. Puppies need trips to the Vet's office too ... your kids going to take care of that?

You need to think long and hard about who will actually be taking care of your 'kids' new pet! Unless your kids are older and unusually mature for their ages, it wouldn't be fair to the dog!

Answer 9

Dogs are great for children but it must be the adult who takes responsibility to care for it. Children will soon get bored with it and it may become a chore looking after it.
A dog should be loved as a member of the family not as the childrens toy.
If you can take the responsibility and extra work and love dogs the animal will be a valued pet.
But they cost money, who looks after him during holidays and feeding and vet bills add up.
Consider all factors before you make a mistake.
Pedigree have a web site which tries to help people make informed decisions before committing themselves to taking on a dog which may not be suitable for that particular family.
what's your dogs thing.co.uk
Merry Christmas and good luck if you decide to go ahead - love him he will be your loyalist friend

Answer 10

When having a puppy you have to realize the amount of attention and care that they need to have. I adopted a puppy 2 months ago from a shelter and needless to say I don't have much of a social life (nor did I have one before the puppy). I have to be able to watch her for long periods of time because she is not fully house trained, I have to be there for her watch her so she doesn't get ahold of something and get sick, and no puppy likes to be left alone on end for long hours.

If you have a puppy you will have to realize that it will be for the next 12-15 years perhaps longer and by that time your children will be teenagers or perhaps grown and they won't want to look after the dog as much because of their social lives perhaps and the novelty of having a puppy has worn off and the dog becomes a huge responsbility, often at times an extra burden. To add moe here, my boyfriend's family for example got a Boxer @ the ages your children are now 13 years later the children are grown and living adult lives (one even moved out to another state) and the dog is mostly responsibility of the parents. Of course the parents are working full time jobs. So you have to look beyond the children/teens being these ages to the future.

You also have to remeber that you wil be taking on vet bills for emergency and non-emergency, as weel as paying for food, toys, and whatever else the puppy might need.

I don't like to think "what if it doesn't work out" because I spent time making scrafices in my life to make sure my dog does not end up at the shelter or on the street. If you get a puppy then you get attatched to him/her, the kids get attatch to him/her, and then the responsibility starts ad the kids may not want that responsibility although they say they do now. Then you have a problem on your hands of what to do since it didn't work out.

When I was a kid my mother did not allow us to have a puppy/dog. Instead since allowed us to have a goldfish and hamster as pets, and we didn't recieve a puppy or dog until I was a senior in high school because then it was our responsibility (of course after I graduated she went with me to college). Plus the dog was a stray and trying to lay on our doorstep so of course we took her in.