what type of puppy would be best for our family?

Question

we are moving into a townhouse in a few months and would like to get a puppy. we have 3 people living in our house ( me, my boyfriend and our 17 month old son) and we have a 5 month old kitten. our son is very active but he is very affectionate and gentile with our cat. my boyfriend and I are college students so we need a dog that is ok with being alone while we are at school. we are looking for a companion for our son and want the dog to be a family member

Answer 1

I'd wait for a number of reasons.
Expense:
http://www.bluecollardollar.com/funding_fido.html

With school and an active toddler, for now you have enough on your plate. Puppies need someone around pretty much all the time or you end up with problems. especially crate training. They also need to be walked several times a day.

Your best bet might be another kitty.

Answer 2

Puppies take a lot of time and attention, especially during the first year. They need to be walked VERY regularly and be taught how to be have. Puppies are very time-intensive. If you're busy right now (which I can only assume you are since you are college students with a young son), I'd probably hold off on getting a puppy. The kitty should be good company for now. Waiting a little while will also give your kitty a chance to grow so he's not pushed around by a puppy while he's young.

If you absolutely must have a dog, I'd recommend something small since you'll have limited space (and don't forget you'll have to puppy-proof everything!) in your townhouse. And you may be able to find an older dog that has already been trained. Do a lot of research and make sure you know what you're getting into before you buy.

At this point it sounds like your best bte may be to wait for a little while.

Answer 3

If you do get a dog (and a lot of people have brought up very good reasons why you might want to wait), I would suggest you get and adult dog, not a puppy. Aside from being a handful when you've already got a lot to look after, puppies are much more likely to nip or play bite than older dogs. Older dogs can also be left alone longer. Puppies need lots of work and attention. Look for a calm adult who is good with children and cats. Your local shelter is a great place to start and they can usually tell you if a dog behaves well around kids and other animals.

Think about this carefully. Good luck!

Answer 4

Well for starters do you know how much time and attention a puppy requires? It would be like having another toddler in your house! I suggest you wait until you and your boyfriend are finished with college before you even consider buying a puppy. Not only will you have more time on your hands to take care of a puppy your son would be older and could play an active roll in the puppys life. Children dont really understand that animals are living creatures and they dont always know how to act around them, waiting until he was older would help cut out alot of the frustation of having to teach him how to behave with a puppy. But if you honestly want a dog now I suggest adopting an older dog one that is calm and gentle and has been exposed to children before. Older dogs with a history of living with children are often more patient with younger children.

Answer 5

You don't need a dog at this time.

You are too busy with school, baby, kitten and maybe even jobs at this time.

You don't have time for a puppy - the chewing, the potty training, etc.

I'm guessing money is tight too. It's always tight for college students and even tighter for college students and a baby.

Wait until you're through school and JR is old enough to say something like this: "I would like orange juice in my red cup, please." That indicates that he can handle complex thought processes and therefore understand how to be around dogs, and puppies especially.

Bear in mind: Many rescue groups won't adopt to families of small children because small children are often very rough with dogs - even big dogs - and despite the fact that JR is very gentle with your kitten he may play too rough with a bouncy puppy.

Answer 6

Adding a new puppy to your family is fun and exciting. And a smaller dog would be best. But before you do this you both need to realize they are a lot of work. The best way to think of this is to relize they will require about as much care and attention as your son. Are you ready for two babies in the house? Good Luck!!

Answer 7

I have always found that mixed breeds and more genital and not so high strung. Your local shelter would be a great place to start. So many need good homes. One trick I have learned is that when you pick up a puppy and cradle it like a baby and it doesn't struggle, chances are it will be a mellow dog. Consider the size you want in a dog. Hyper breeds need more room. I also suggest that you crate train. Here is a great site for training. www.so-easy-dog-training. Good Luck!

Answer 8

Hello..sorry but if you get a dog or pup, you are not getting it for a 17 month old ..it will be yours & your husbands..dogs don't mind being alone if well trained to a crate or space ( instructions are on my 360 ) but with such a young child, don't even think you are getting the dog for him..maybe too you are just too busy for a dog right now, they take alot of time & patience ( no matter how much y'all love them )...your hands are quite full with school & a young child..might be best for all involved, including a dog for you all to wait a few years .. it's not about the space ( except with certain breeds ) but the time involved !!Take Care :)

Answer 9

You will need a small breed dog that is very tolerant of other pets and loves children. A pug would be a great choice, they love children, in fact, they thrive where children are present. THey get along great with other pets too. If you want a larger dog then a golden retriever is a good family pet.

Good luck!

Answer 10

You should wait until your son is older or you have a bigger house. I hear more cases of small dogs biting than bigger dogs, but you don't have the time or space to handle a big dog... you're better off with the cat for now. A dog is NOT a companion for a toddler - a dog needs a lot of attention.