Are we ready for a dog?

Question

I have been waiting so long to have a dog again. We finally have the house and the big yard but we also have two cats and two children still in diapers. Hubby says its all up to me. My heart is telling go to the shelter immediately and my head is telling me its too much and the kids aren't ready yet.

Answer 1

I found myself in a similar situation a few years ago. Our boys were young, still in diapers and we did have 2 dogs, but they are older, and so not interested much in play or interaction with our boys, beyond the food factor. My hubby and I discussed a few times the idea of bringing a new dog, puppy, into our home. At that time, we decided to wait. Our boys still a lot of work with the whole potty training thing ahead in the near future and they were still at an age where you had to worry about those little things, like what might go into their mouths. We also had decided that at their age, it would be harder to teach them proper behavior with a new puppy in the home.

This past summer, when our youngest turned 3 and the oldest would be 5 soon, we decided it was time to consider it seriously. It was hard to wait before, but for us, I think it was a good choice to make. Our boys were old enuf now to learn proper behaviors with a new puppy as well as old enuf to really enjoy things like "throwing the ball around" in the yard. We finally brought a Border Collie puppy into our home, and we have no regrets! It's a lot of work and we make extra time to accomodate the high energy levels of this breed, as well as the time we invest in obedience training classes, but we feel we made the right choice at the right time for us.

I personally think that every family is different in what they are willing to take on and handle at one time. Evaluate the pros and cons of your personal situation and think about the cons hard before making the choice to get a dog/puppy. I would say that if you are willing to make the time commitment you'll need for potty training, obedience training, socialization and such, then it may not be a bad time. But if life is hectic busy with little ones right now, and there's a risk the dog/puppy might have to take a back seat to that, then maybe waiting a little longer is in the best interest for your family and your future companion.

Good luck with making a decision on this, it's not easy, I know!

Answer 2

Personally, I would recommend waiting until your kids are around 4 years old. You want them to be at an age where they are old enough to understand that pulling tails/ears is a no and sturdy enough to have a great bond. It's also significantly easier for you to housebreak and train the puppy when your children are older and more independant themselves.

That being said, when you get a puppy be very careful. Do your research to find out what breeds are not good with children, particularly young children, and what are. This way when you go to the shelter, you can make a more educated decision. Also, set in your mind when you go that you are not going to get a dog. This way you can make a better decision and not bring home the puppy that is cute but may not be a good match for your household. And lastly, the puppy will find you...usually with dogs, the dog picks you and not the other way around.

So wait a little longer, do your research, and take your time.

Answer 3

Dogs are a lot of responsibility, as you know, and if you're already feeling "it's too soon", then you need to respect that gut reaction.

If you absolutely want to get a new dog now, we suggest that you get an older dog that can be like a "nanny" to the children. Older dogs usually have well-established immune systems (and are less apt to become ill), have already been spayed/neutered (so you don't have to deal with puppies), and have already had some training. Older dogs are often overlooked for adoption when there are puppies around, so you'd also be helping to recue a dog that might otherwise go to the gas chamber.

Give it a lot of throught, though. You don't want to overwhelm yourself with responsibilities. Nobody wins when you do that.

Answer 4

It doesn't sound like you're ready, but here's a solution to really determine if you are...

FOSTER a dog. That's right...foster a dog. Not only will you be helping a dog out, but you can determine if permanently owning a dog is the right decision for your right now, or if it's just too much for you at this point.

Get in touch with your local shelter or rescue groups and tell them you'd like to foster a dog to determine if you're ready to take a dog into your home permanently. If it doesn't work out and it's too much, then you have the option of letting another volunteer foster the dog (instead of adopting a dog, then determining you can't care for it, and having to give it to the shelter, or find another home for it).

Good luck!

Answer 5

How do your children act around dogs? Some kids in diapers are very good with animals. Others will grab on to the fur and not let go. If you have an understanding dog (that is good with kids) and won't mind it's ear being pulled all the time, and teach/show your kids how to behave with the dog, it should be fine. I work at a petting zoo and have seen some 1 yr olds treat pet an animal nicer than some 5 yr olds.
A good news story (my parents told me): I grew up with a Siberian Husky male- he was a puppy when I was born. We grew up together and I could feed him food piece by piece and he would drag me around with me holding on to his tail, his ears, riding on him, etc. Unfortunately we had to get rid of him- not because he was bad with me, but because he would growl and attack my mom when she tried to take me away from him.
The choice is really yours. I would probably get a puppy- they usually are more lenient with ear and fur pulling since they got it from their siblings.

Answer 6

It seems that you are ready; it's just the factor of your kids. What my parents did with me was get a puppy about a month old, when we were little. We grew up with her (Her name was Lady Bug she was a cocker spaniel) and everything was great. It worked out so well, my parents bought my little cousin's puppies from the local shelter! =]
I think it's a great idea of having a companion at a young age, my Lady was always there for me since I was 1 up til last year. She died at the age14 yrs. old. It hurt but it was wonderful knowing that I had a reliable friend with me.
Starting kids off with animals isn't always a bad thing. But what matters is knowing that you have control over any decisions.

Answer 7

If your head is telling you it will be too much, then you're probably right! Just wait a little longer and you'll find out that you will be glad that you waited. You don't want to have too much to do right now seeing that you have two little kids running around! You have all the time in the world to get a dog!

Answer 8

I think you should listen to your head....your kids are not old enough to be left alone with a puppy or dog. puppies bite and chew. How on earth would you be able to supervise all of that? let's talk training....it takes a lot of time and patience...do you have extra time? As your children get older you will be busy with their schedules at school and after school activities...this would leave the dog home alone...not really fair. When your kids are older and have their own interests apart from the family you will have plenty of time for a dog and all of the companionship that they bring.

Answer 9

Follow your logic. Your logic is that gut feeling in the pit of your stomach. If your gut is telling you no, then don't do it. The heart is based on feelings with things like this and feelings are fleeting. You may feel like it today, but in a week or two, you may not feel it anymore. Only do it when there is no doubt in your mind. Kinda like marriage. If you have any doubts and you do it anyway, these doubts will always come up when there is friction with the dogs.

Answer 10

i think its great you want to get a dog but if ur the one who has to handle everything then u might not be ready. i think it should be a shared responsibility. just make sure if u do get a dog to spend time walking it and playing with it. i dont think a puppy would be good because u would have to train it and not everyone has time for that. maybe an older small dog. good luck.