I have a 3 1/2 year old and a 14 month old. I'm really eager to get a puppy (a small housedog). How much longer should I wait, or would now be fine? I want the boys to "grow up" with their dog, but I also want the puppy to be safe. Any feedback is very helpful! I'm considering a mini dacshund.
2007-02-11 13:40:24 · 15 answers · asked by jewelsinme 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
This is just my opinion, so feel free to throw it out the window if you wish. ;)
I am single. My dogs take up the majority of my free time. Training them, walking them, playing with them, taking them to the vet., etc etc etc. So, I would think that with two very small children, you would hardly have any time for anything extra. I would hate for you to adopt a pet and either ignore it or surrender it because you simply don't have the time for it. It's one more mouth to feed, body to bathe, you have to walk it several times a day and spend sufficent time playing with it... So, if I were you, I'd wait until both kids are in school. That way, they're old enough to help with training and feeding and playing with the dog. And they'll be old enough to really enjoy you bringing a new puppy home!
Additionally, Mimi Dacshunds are nice little dogs, but they aren't necessarilly the best for children. They're kind of fragile dogs and they have been known to be snippy. It's my opinion that a better dog for a household with small children is something like a Golden Retreiver, Lab, or Standard Poodle.
Good Luck!!
2007-02-11 13:54:53 · answer #1 · answered by Tiff 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a number of low maintainance breeds that do well with children. By that I mean breeds that only need to be walked 2-3 times a week for an hour or so and played with a few times each day and bathed monthly. I think it really matters about your household setup, and the individual personality of the puppy. Labs and Retrievers are nice but they require daily walks. Terriers are predominantly high energy and may require a lot of exercise as well. If you had help from a spouse or friend, it wouldn't be so bad.
At least by getting a puppy over a dog, the puppy will be used to your children's behavior. I wouldn't recommend getting a young puppy, as it is difficult to potty train them if you can't be around them nonstop for a week or two. Also, as you seem to know, you need to supervise children with dogs for safety, food aggression, and because any rough play initiated by the child or the dog will need to be corrected
I recommend visiting your local shelter or rescue center and asking them for a dog who's passed a temperment test for children and who is not food aggressive. You may not find one right away but you could ask them to alert you when they find a dog who has those qualities.
2007-02-11 22:11:01 · answer #2 · answered by voodoo-dolly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to be very alert and careful if you get puppy. It's like have another child. Puppies are babies too. You can never leave your children along with him. You have to teach your children how to treat animals. Pulling there tail, ears, sitting on them and hitting them is not how to treat a puppy or any other animal. Your taking on a lot of responsibility. You not only have to train your children, you have to train the puppy.
I hope you have a very high energy level.
I have a neighbor that has a 2yrs old boy. They also have a cat. According to the parents the cat hates the child, they had 2 cats but the other one ran away. They told me this with a smile...I don't think that is funny at all.Please be sure your children have the proper training around animals.
2007-02-11 22:26:34 · answer #3 · answered by Dorothy C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i look at it like this. your 3 1/2 old is old enough to help you out already. He can pour food or water in the dogs bowl and can play with it. I would definally research breeds before hand though. Just b/c it may be a small breed doesnt mean that its temperment is good around kids. And sometimes you run into alot of health problems with small breeds. You might want to consider a good old fashion "mutt". they tend to be better with kids and have less health problems. Get a puppy though. You want your dog to grow with your kids so as they grow the dog and the kids will learn whats exceptable with each other. Just dont freak out if the dog growls or something at the kids. They have to learn each other boundaries. We have a pit bull lab mix. Shes great with the 3 kids in our house (4yrs, and 2 3yr old) She sometimes will let the kids know that they are bothering her but its no biggie. they get the message. having a dog is a great responiblity teacher and i recommended to anyone with kids or are considering having kids. At least if you mess up with the dog it wont turn into a serial killer (hopefully :-) ) Good luck
2007-02-11 23:06:14 · answer #4 · answered by crystalyn129 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that with the right instructions, getting a puppy would be a great learning opportunity for your children! Teach them not to hurt it and care for it. Just be sure that you have enough time for the puppy as it will need a lot of training too for your kids to be safe around them.
Consider adopting an already trained dog, who is good with children!
Good luck!
2007-02-11 22:28:19 · answer #5 · answered by angela923 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
trust me because i have expeirence with this stuff. Your children are too young to be getting a small dog like that and it will be very hard to handle your kids and a not housetrained puppy. what i would do is wait a year or two and then ADOPT a mediem sized dog from a shelter so it's already house trained and not to small to be geting into trouble. Hope i could help!
2007-02-11 21:51:55 · answer #6 · answered by peaches n cream 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would wait for about another year. A small dog can easily be hurt by a child--unwillingly.
Also be sure to research any breed you are interested in to find out how they are with children and what possible problems there are in the breed.
I know your kids will enjoy their new puppy but if it comes to soon they may become afraid of it or it may become afraid of them.
2007-02-11 21:48:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A small breed will do fine with your young children, as long as you set boundaries for the kids and let them know that if those boundaries are crossed, the dog will defend itself. We had a lab pup when my kids were 2 and 4. They learned some hard lessons (both kids and dog!), but that sweet dog will forever be a part of their childhood memories. Dogs are great for kids!
2007-02-11 22:00:47 · answer #8 · answered by Blue Lisa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is only my opinion, mind you, but having a pet is a big responsibility. Maybe waiting until the oldest can "be in charge of" some of the care for the animal is a good idea. Train 'em young, I always say. It's good to learn responsibility in a good way.
2007-02-11 21:44:54 · answer #9 · answered by cleverpuss1970 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well the three and a half yearold should be fine if you explain to him that you have to be carefull and even if your 14 month old doesn't understand what your telling him he'll probably take after his sibling and besides mini dacshunds are very friendly
2007-02-11 21:50:36 · answer #10 · answered by Doodle Bug 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋