What are the biggest pros and cons to getting a dog for your children?

Question

We are trying to decide if we want to get a dog right now. What are some considerations that may have been overlooked? What things do you wish you would have given more thought to?

Our children are 3, 5, and 7. The dog we are considering is a collie/lab mix that has been with a family who has a 2 1/2 year old.

Answer 1

The cons of having a dog:

1-Time investment. When proper time is given to properly train a dog to be well mannered, behaved, and properly socialized, it can turn out to be quite a time investment. Well worth it, but time invested all the same. There's also the commitment to ensure the dog is getting the proper excercise needed. If you don't have a yard quite large enuf for it, you will need to commit to going to a park and definitely need to do daily walks to keep the dog fit and happy.

2-Cost of a pet. There are a variety of costs involved in having a dog... food, toys, crate, bedding, kennel costs if you take a trip your dog can't go with you on, vet visits (anticipated ones for shots/check ups and the unanticipated medical issues that can arise), liscensing anually, etc...

3-Potty training/chewing phases. If this dog is young and not fully potty trained, this is another time investment you will have to commit to in order to teach puppy all the right things. Even if this dog is slightly older and doing well in the current home, there is a possibility that there may be a few "slips" in your home at first. It's not unusual for a even an adult dog to go thru a "phase" of accidents when this "changing owners/homes" kind of thing happens. Also, chewing is another issue all together. A dog will usually have the "urge" to chew until the age of 3 yrs old. Even tho the puppy teeth are gone, the adult teeth are still shifting within the jaw line into proper place, and as long as those teeth shift, the need to chew will be there. So even if this is a dog beyond the first year, this is still something you may deal with. Often, the chewing urges can come out in a form of destructive behavior within your home, and this is why I think crating the first 3 yrs is a good idea.

4-Training your children. Depending on how much your children have been around dogs in their life, there is a certain amount of training the children will need in order to properly interact with any family pet. They need to know what is accpetable behavior and what is not allowed. For the very young children, you will need to ensure they are not left alone with any dog, yours or otherwise. This is a mistake far to many families make and is one that sets up for disaster in some circumstances.

The Pros of owning a dog:

1-You will have a loyal family pet and companion, who will love your whole family unconditionally.

2-If you persue proper training with your new dog, it is a great way to establish an even stronger bond between the new dog and your family. I can't even tell you how much I've enjoyed the training process I'm taking my border collie pup thru.

3-A dog will usually alert you when someone is approaching your home or at the door. If the dog tends to bark at these things, it will mean that if someone is looking for a house to invade, yours will get passed-it's not worth the risk of dealing with a dog from a criminals point of view most of the time.

4-You may be giving this dog a second chance, as if the current owners simply cannot keep this dog, the only other option may be the shelters, where a chance of a good home are far less.

All in all, owning a dog, whether it be puppy or adult, is a lot of work and time commitment that your family will have to make. But if you are prepared for this, then a dog is a wonderful addition to a family. I would be sure to inquire with the current owners as to why they are getting rid of this dog. There could very well be behavioral issues they are not telling you about.

Answer 2

First How old are your children and are they well behaved... these should be your first considerations... if your children tend to be rough or unpredictable... maybe wait a few years until they mature... next consider the temperment and size of the dog you choose... a golden retriever may be a much better dog for a playful child than a chihuahua. Also decide how much time you and your family are planning on spending with the dog... if you are gone a lot, consider getting two dogs so they will not get lonely.

Pros

1. Exercise for the whole family
2. Helps give children some responsibility
3. provides companionship for the entire family
4. Provides protection
5. Dogs are wonderful they are loyal and kind.

Cons
1. They can get a little expensive
2. They must be properly trained
3. It's sad, but eventually the dog will get old... it can be difficult for some kids to cope with this loss, while it also provides the children with some experience in losing someone close.

Answer 3

I agree that size is one thing to consider. Too small, and the dog will get stepped on, but too big will prove to be a problem on walks; having a dog stronger than you isn't will require a great deal more training. Another thing is age. Puppies can learn to snuggle and love, but some older dogs, even those that are only one year old, are definitely not for children. You really have to research about the dog you're looking into, be it from a shelter, breeder, or someone else. Different breeds have different needs... Smoosh-faced dogs like pugs and English bulldogs can have extreme medical problems in their face and with their breathing. Some dogs are meant to run, and others have been bred to hunt in rabbit holes. I have a dog that never stops playing. Ever. We could spend hours throwing the same ball across the house and she would never get tired... it was actually a drug to her. She would get excited, and sometimes get out of control and attack your hand. Gotta consider who is going to do what for the dog, and how the children will interact with the dog. If he's being fed treats all day, I'd recommend getting a bigger dog and smaller treats so you don't get it fat and lazy so quick. ;) Good luck.

Answer 4

Time. If you get a younger dog it will need a lot of attention, and training, and your family will need lots of patients. If you get an older dog you don't need to spend as much time training, but they'll need lots of love, which is perfect play time for your children! Almost forgot cleaning, make sure you're children will be willing to let the doggy out for a potty.

After that I think the next question is what kind of dog you should get. Make sure the dog has a high pain tolerance. Also this may sound cruel, but carefully check to see if the dog has been hit before, you simply and gently act as if you were going to hit the dog. If its a puppy, lay it straight on its back, this tests the dominance level of the dog. If the dog puts up a big fight its going to be a more dominant dog. If you decide on an animal I hope you consider rescue, make sure you check: www.petfinder.org.

Answer 5

How many kids do you have and how old are they? I think your answer will determine what the best response to your question is regarding whether it's the right time to get a dog at all and if the answer is yes, the best size, age, breed etc.

Thanks for the ages... Edited to add:

It sounds like a good situation with the right dog. If you've owned a dog before you'll understand all of the responsibility that comes with it. And I would only do this if you are comfortable with the idea that all of the responsiblity will most likely fall on your shoulders.

I would talk to moms you know who have both dogs and kids or even moms you may see at the park with both. It would be a LOT of work but so worth it if you can pull it off.

Answer 6

you need to get a puppy not an adult because your children will learn with the puppy and your children will also be able to adjust to the new chore of walking and feeding and batheing etc. i have a 1, 3, and 5 year old, and i got a lab they are the best dogs to have with kids, but you also need to train your dog if you are going to have your kids walk it, to heal... walk right beside you and not pull on the leash, because your kids will just let go if they are being pulled. the pro's are that a dog for your kids will teach them responsibility, trust and kindness. and they will also have something that they can call their best friend for many years to come. cons: if you get a mix breed then they may not have a good temperment, if you get an adult dog then you really dont know how the dog is going to act... even though the owner has said it'll be ok do you really want to take that chance? and alot goes into having a dog training grooming etc.... i have a litter of labs due today going for $100 if you are interested contact me [e-mail]

Answer 7

Cons dogs sometimes make messes. Dogs have to be trained. If they are not treated with respect they may bite. Dogs require vacinations & vetrinary cost. Dogs are not objects to be thrown away or replaced when your tired of them. Dogs have feelings. They fear things, they feel pain, they have physical needs, just like people do. Biggest pros if your child is an only child the dog can be very good company. Dogs are very loyal and love their families without restrictions. Dogs can teach a child responsibility. They are a constant source of love. Dogs should be a lifetime commitment & treated like a member of the family. Dogs are worth every con. I cannot imagine growing up without one, and I cannot imagine raising my child without a dog in their life.
The collie lab mix should be a great dog. Just remember to try to put your self in the dogs place when you have a problem.

Answer 8

A dog is a lot of work, but if everyone in the family really likes dogs I think it is a good decision. I can't imagine growing up and not having a dog. They really become part of your life. It teaches the kids responsibility and how to care for a living animal. Just make sure that rules about caring for the dog are enforced so you don't end up doing all the work. When I was younger, my sister and I would rotate days as far as who took the dog for walks, etc.

Answer 9

Pros: A well-behaved dog is an excellent companion for children. Children who grow up with pets are usually healthier. Pets can help to teach valuable life-lessons (ie compassion/caring for others).

Cons: The dog will be YOURS when the novelty wears off (it almost always does). The dog is likely to live 10-15 years, so be prepared for a long-term commitment. Dogs can be expensive (vet bills, boarding, grooming etc). A dog such as you're considering will shed A LOT and need regular brushing. Like children, dogs need to be taught proper behavior, they do not absorb it by osmosis (don't laugh, lots of people seem to think this way). Dogs can be restrictive to your lifestyle (gotta be home in time to feed/walk the dog, have to make arrangements when you go away). Dogs can have...well...a doggy odor. Dogs take time and commitment, how busy are you already?

It sounds like I'm being negative, actually I love having dogs and I'm prepared to go to all the trouble, sacrifice and inconvenience to own them, to me it is worth it. But for a lot of people it is not, so it's best to consider these things BEFORE bringing a dog home. A dog is a living, feeling creature who is dependent on you, not a toy for the children that you can put away when they don't feel like playing with it. And getting a dog, only to find that you don't want it after all and getting rid of it, can be one of the worst lessons for children (living beings/commitments are disposable when they become too much trouble).

Answer 10

It all depends on if you want to have the dog for a long time, you should look at puppies so you can train them, and your kids can gow up with it. The size of where you live also plays into what kind of dog you should get. Some dogs need alot of running room in the yard. You probably should look at something that doesnt shead too much, because your kids may be allergic. Just look around and check out some breeds online to get all the info you need.