I fostered a yellow lab for a friend while he and my husband was deployed. He was 4 months when we got him and I potty trained him and he was fantastic around my children. Needless to say we had to give him back when my husband's friend returned. I had growned attach to him and I loved him dearly. My husband saw that I was sad and he got me an early christmas present, a 8 week old golden retriever. A friend of mines says that was a big mistake with me having a 11 mos old baby. my husband says that he and my baby will get used to being around eachother with proper training. I have already grown to adore our new puppy, and he wasnt cheap either - i dont want to lose him but now i am afraid. did i make a mistake?
2007-11-30 04:44:04 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
No, you didn't make a mistake.
Raising a puppy and a baby can be tough. You'll also have to worry about your puppy accidentally knocking over your baby. Your husband is right in that proper training is going to be critical-I'd take him to obedience classes as soon as you can.
Its going to be a lot of work, but its definately doable as long as you're up for the challange.
2007-11-30 04:50:17 · answer #1 · answered by kittenslayer 5 · 9⤊ 1⤋
Congratulations on your puppy! :) You did NOT make a mistake...you did more than most people did before getting a dog...you test-drove a dog in your own home! And what a wonderful thing you did for that dog and your friend so that he didn't have to give the dog up!!
As long as you can take care of both the dog and the baby (that includes teaching the puppy not to bite or jump-up) financially and time-wise, why shouldn't you have a dog? Having a pet that is properly cared for and part of the family is extremely enriching in a child's life. Your baby growing up with a dog as his/her best friend is very lucky to have that experience.
Other than it being a little more work for you, I don't see ANY reason to not get a puppy...especially since you already proved that you could care for one in your home. Puppies are typically more work than a grown dog, but with proper training, you'll be just fine.
Maybe your friend just meant that a puppy would be more work for you rather than getting a grown dog, which is true...but I wouldn't say that getting either would be a mistake in your case. Don't let them rain on your parade!
2007-11-30 05:08:29 · answer #2 · answered by Angela H 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Of course not. I have had my Golden for 6 years, and I think that this description I found on the net fits them perfectly.
"These are lovable, well-mannered, intelligent dogs with a great charm. They are easily trained, and always PATIENT AND GENTLE WITH CHILDREN. Loyal, confident, sweet and eager to please. It is active, loving and an outstanding family dog. Golden Retrievers enjoy pleasing their masters, so obedience training can be fun. They excel in obedience competitions. Friendly with everyone, including other dogs, the Golden Retriever has very little, if any, guarding instincts. While unlikely to attack, Goldens make good watchdogs, loudly signaling a stranger's approach. " Your dog and baby will grow up together, and form a wonderful bond. Never doubt that you made the right choice, you'll see as the two of them grow. Good luck!!
2007-11-30 05:10:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
No, I don't think you made a mistake at all! Although any dog should be supervised around your baby, retrievers are one of the most gentle breeds out there. I'm sure it'll be very hard work to have a baby and a puppy at the same time, but you can do it! It'll be wonderful for your child to have a furry companion as he grows up. Just be careful, as I said, especially while the puppy is young and unpredictable. It could bite or scratch the baby if you're not watching. Don't listen to people who tell you you made a mistake. It might be for them, but not for you.
2007-11-30 04:51:25 · answer #4 · answered by crabbyone 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Absolutly not. Goldens are amazing around children and great family dogs. Your hubby is smart smart man for choose a great breed. Goldens are very easily trained. They are eager to please and love to do what is asked of them.
They are high energy all their lives but start to calm a bit at the age of 3. With LOTS of exercise you can curb some of their bad tendencies such as chewing. The are notorious chewers so watch all the baby stuff!!!
Get them out and running for an hour or more and that will help a lot.
Other than that - congrats on your puppy! Congrats on the baby and tell your hubby THANK YOU for what he does!!
Good Luck
2007-11-30 04:59:14 · answer #5 · answered by sillybuttmunky 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'd be curious why your friend thought it would be a problem.
Generally, the main problem with having a puppy and an infant/toddler at the same time is the amount of work involved. Many mothers, especially first-time mothers, just find that it's too much for them. Raising a puppy is a lot like raising another toddler, you have to watch them carefully, teach them proper manners/behavior, clean up after them, they get into everything etc. Generally by the time the dog hits the adolescent stage the mother gets fed up and gets rid of it.
While I would have advised against getting a puppy at this point (especially before Christmas, when things are so hectic and there's so much more for a puppy to get into), now that the pup is here you need to decide if you have the time and energy for a "second baby". If you think so, then go for it. If not, please return the pup or find it a good home where it will be raised by someone who DOES have the resources to do it properly.
BTW, I *highly* recommend ongoing puppy/obedience classes as soon as your pup is old enough and continuing until you are past that crazy adolescent stage.
2007-11-30 04:54:23 · answer #6 · answered by DaBasset - BYBs kill dogs 7 · 3⤊ 4⤋
You made a big mistake! You listened to your friend, and worried about it! Your friend is not the one with the dog, or the children! You and your children like the dog, and it is a good thing to have a pet.
Do not listen to advice from people who do not know what the facts are! You have trained one dog. You and your children did well with the dog and now you have a dog of your own! This is a great and wondrous thing! It sounds like your friend is a cat or goldfish person!!!
Enjoy your puppy, and thank you and your family for the sacrifices you make serving this country!!
2007-11-30 04:58:04 · answer #7 · answered by fire4511 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
No.They are probably just jealous that you got a cute puppy and they didn't. I grew up with farm dogs all around when I was a baby and I never got hurt. I was bitten by a nasty stray dog that wandered onto the property but that's different. I have been criticized for adopting certain breeds of dogs but they are so wonderful I don't care what people say. I like dogs better than most people. So if you like having a dog around then so be it! Those nosy people need to mind their own business and stay out of your hair.
2007-11-30 04:57:11 · answer #8 · answered by Velvet 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Well - you've had the experience with one pup and I assume you still ask about him - and that he's doing fine. Sign up for classes with this pup and join Start Puppy Training, it's here:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/spt/
The more you learn about teaching dogs, the less stress you'll have.
As far as the criticism, you can just smile, say "Thank you" and "Oh, how interesting" and then change the subject. You know how puppies are so this new one will be easier than the last (one hopes, anyway!) Good luck.
2007-11-30 04:50:44 · answer #9 · answered by Misa M 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
no it was not a mistake at all. Don't listen to them
For one you already have the baby so the dog will be use to having it around. Its harder when you get the dog first and its use to having no kids and then you bring a kid into their territory.
Secondly golden retrievers are great loyal sweet dogs & I don't think you have to worry about it hurting your kid. If you are worried and as you should with any dog, just keep an eye on him while your baby is around him.
Good luck & enjoy your new friend!!!
2007-11-30 04:56:05 · answer #10 · answered by fairylover 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋