At what age should you get a dog for your little boy?

Mama_SAS

DS wants a dog but I'm wary of it. What age do you think is a good age for a boy to have a dog? 

swimrbride

If you are expecting them to care for the dog I would say 8-10. If you are getting a dog "for DS" but you are planning on doing most of the taking care of the dog then I don't think age is a big deal as long as you get a dog that is good with kids.

leslie13510

I agree with Fred that it should be a family pet, and not just "for him" but as far as what age?

Birth!  LOL.  The duo love their "buppies" and I can't imagine them not growing up with them. 

giaM28

i have 2 now but if i didnt already have them and my son wanted one (also knowing that H and I waned one) id get one. i think it teaches kids responsibility even if its just feeding the pet to start or going on walks with the dog.

jCamsquared

I cannot imagine having a puppy with little kids or a baby (I know you are TTC). I am soooo glad we did the dogs first, because otherwise I would have wanted to wait until the kids were older.

Mama_SAS

fredalina:

i think all pets should be family pets, not just for one kid.

Oh, the dog would be a family pet but DS is the one that REALLY wants one. DH and I are happy with our 2 cats and wouldn't consider it if DS didn't want one.

buckin

Mama_SAS:

fredalina:

i think all pets should be family pets, not just for one kid.

Oh, the dog would be a family pet but DS is the one that REALLY wants one. DH and I are happy with our 2 cats and wouldn't consider it if DS didn't want one.

Then I wouldn't get one. It never hurts a child to want something and who's to say he won't change his mind and want a kitten or a cow in a month at his age.

A dog is not something just to appease a little boy's wants. It's not a toy that can be discarded when he's done and the parents get tired of tripping over it.

jCamsquared

buckin:

Mama_SAS:

fredalina:

i think all pets should be family pets, not just for one kid.

Oh, the dog would be a family pet but DS is the one that REALLY wants one. DH and I are happy with our 2 cats and wouldn't consider it if DS didn't want one.

Then I wouldn't get one. It never hurts a child to want something and who's to say he won't change his mind and want a kitten or a cow in a month at his age.

A dog is not something just to appease a little boy's wants. It's not a toy that can be discarded when he's done and the parents get tired of tripping over it.

Buck is wise.

Mama_SAS

jCamsquared:

I cannot imagine having a puppy with little kids or a baby (I know you are TTC). I am soooo glad we did the dogs first, because otherwise I would have wanted to wait until the kids were older.

This is pretty much how I feel. I grew up with dogs but haven't had one or lived with one since I was 18. I'm not sure that I'm ready for the work while TTC and everything else.

Thanks for your advice! I'm pretty sure we're going to hold off on this for a long time.

GBCK

Mama_SAS:

fredalina:

i think all pets should be family pets, not just for one kid.

Oh, the dog would be a family pet but DS is the one that REALLY wants one. DH and I are happy with our 2 cats and wouldn't consider it if DS didn't want one.

I think the question is, do youat ALL want a dog?  Because if you don't, then...my answer is 'never'.

Because, call me selfish, but I don't think the parents should be making a 20 year commitment unless they ALSO want the pet (and the sort of resentment that shows up when you make that commitment w/o desire is hard on the pet too).  Especially since, sure, every kid wants a dog...but the degree of want and the permanence of want vary a LOT.

I think the age thing varies by kid and dog...I'd say before potty training, it's harde.

I will also say that I never recommend people w/ kids get puppies--I *always* recommend they get adult dogs at least 6 months old (because dealing w/ the bite inhibition/nipping/jumping issues of a wee pup = problematic for kids.  And w/ an adult dog, you know the adult personality, w/ a pup...well, you're guessing). 

Mama_SAS

buckin:

Mama_SAS:

fredalina:

i think all pets should be family pets, not just for one kid.

Oh, the dog would be a family pet but DS is the one that REALLY wants one. DH and I are happy with our 2 cats and wouldn't consider it if DS didn't want one.

Then I wouldn't get one. It never hurts a child to want something and who's to say he won't change his mind and want a kitten or a cow in a month at his age.

A dog is not something just to appease a little boy's wants. It's not a toy that can be discarded when he's done and the parents get tired of tripping over it.

Also a very good point. I didn't think of it this way. 

leslie13510

Ok, now knowing that he is the only one who wants a dog and you and your H don't, I agree with the others.  Don't get one.  The whole family needs to be on board with this decision because dogs are living, breathing creatures, not toys.  And assuming they are in good health they live a very very long time.  I wouldn't take on a 15-20 year commitment just because my kid really really wants a dog (right now, but maybe not 6 months from now). 

Mama_SAS

I do want to try to clarify, I've worded this all wrong.

DH and I are interested in getting a dog at some point. DS really wants one. I don't not want one, but I'm also not longing for one.

However I don't know when is a good time to consider getting one as far as children's ages and such. I think that by everyone's advice now is not a good time and we should shelve the idea. 

Thanks! 

lesullenger

We already have a almost 2 year old dog. We wont be getting another. One at a time is good enough for me. I grew up with 2 dogs and loved them dearly but it was always fighting for attention

TheMrs923

buckin:

Mama_SAS:

fredalina:

i think all pets should be family pets, not just for one kid.

Oh, the dog would be a family pet but DS is the one that REALLY wants one. DH and I are happy with our 2 cats and wouldn't consider it if DS didn't want one.

Then I wouldn't get one. It never hurts a child to want something and who's to say he won't change his mind and want a kitten or a cow in a month at his age.

A dog is not something just to appease a little boy's wants. It's not a toy that can be discarded when he's done and the parents get tired of tripping over it.

I agree with Buck.