If you have a dog...

Kpsbabyzoe · April 2012

What breed? How old was your LO when you got the dog? What would you change about the process of adding a dog to the family? What would you NOT change?

DH and I have been talking a lot about getting a dog. We're hoping to buy a house soon, if the stars align, and shortly there after we'd like to get a dog. But, we're wondering if this is jumping the gun because DD is young, and we're hoping to have more LOs.

Thoughts?

[As a note: I come from a family of dog owners, so this wouldn't really be a new venture for me. I'm totally comfortable with dogs when it comes to myself. Although, my parents didn't get a dog until I was older around 8. So having a dog around LOs would be new for me.]

mbgreenwalt · April 2012

We have 2 Boston Terriers. They are 6 and 7 years old and we got them as puppies so they were here long before both girls. They are extremely easygoing dogs and have just gone with the flow. They are really good with DD#1 and ignore DD#2. They are high energy, but also big cuddlers. The only "issue" we have is that they are emotional so if we don't give them enough attention you can see them get depressed so we have to set aside special doggy time for them.

My only advice is to be sure you are really ready for a dog. They are a big responsibilty and deserve to have a lifelong home. The beginning months/year will be the most intesive. They will need frequent vet visits and they need constant attention just like a child to establish potty training, boundries and basic training. Never leave your LO unattended with the dog. Mine have never even growled at DD1, but I will not leave her alone with them.

I love all my pets (we have 2 cats too) and I can't imagine not having them. They make our family complete.

Kadyra · April 2012

We have two dogs. One is 4 and the other is 12 1/2. We had them before ds came along. He jumps all over them and pulls their ears and tails and not a peep. Our old girl is sick and may have to be put down. We will eventually get another dog and are confident it'll go fine as ds us used to animals and a puppy can be trained.

Kpsbabyzoe · April 2012

mbgreenwalt:
We have 2 Boston Terriers. They are 6 and 7 years old and we got them as puppies so they were here long before both girls. They are extremely easygoing dogs and have just gone with the flow. They are really good with DD#1 and ignore DD#2. They are high energy, but also big cuddlers. The only "issue" we have is that they are emotional so if we don't give them enough attention you can see them get depressed so we have to set aside special doggy time for them.

My only advice is to be sure you are really ready for a dog. They are a big responsibilty and deserve to have a lifelong home. The beginning months/year will be the most intesive. They will need frequent vet visits and they need constant attention just like a child to establish potty training, boundries and basic training. Never leave your LO unattended with the dog. Mine have never even growled at DD1, but I will not leave her alone with them.

I love all my pets (we have 2 cats too) and I can't imagine not having them. They make our family complete.

We would most likely adopt instead of buying a puppy so that would at least eliminate the major work of house training. But, I'm total ok with basic training, discipline of a dog etc. My parents have always ended up with dogs that are special needs, so the time commitment to providing a lifelong home regardless of the work is not an issue for me. Currently they have one dog that's really emotionally sensitive, and if autism is possible in a dog, than that's what it is. Plus, their second dog is blind. DD is fantastic with both of them!

Funny you should mention Boston Terriers...DH and I were considering the breed. My grandfather had one that was always so good natured and the florist I usually go to also has one that's super awesome with her 3 year old.

mbgreenwalt · April 2012

Bostons are awesome! I've worked as a vet tech for the last 10 years and have never met one with a bad demeanor. They are great family dogs.

Kpsbabyzoe · April 2012

mbgreenwalt:
Bostons are awesome! I've worked as a vet tech for the last 10 years and have never met one with a bad demeanor. They are great family dogs.

Yes Good to know. I'll keep it in mind that they come with a great reference from you! 10 years and nothing bad is awesome!

jalaiaa · April 2012

We got a pointer mix from a shelter about a year before our boys were born and had to give her back. On the sheet it said that she was good with kids and dog friendly. She seemed really sweet at the shelter but once we got her home we found that she was really dog aggressive and growled at people coming through the door. We spent a bunch of money on a behaviorist but without success. Ultimately we gave her back because I just didn't feel safe with her around the boys. I don't mean to share a bad experience to deter you from getting a dog but more to say if you get a dog, especially if you get one from a shelter make sure you see them around other dogs and around strangers before you take them home. And maybe give home a trial before committing.

We are around my parents lab mix all the time and she is a sweet. gentle dog and the boys love her. I've always heard great things about labs being good family dogs and we will probably look into getting one when the boys are older.

Novem06 · April 2012

We have a chocolate lab that is 5 (had him before DS). He is awesome with DS and tolerates so much. He has always been very well trained though. I know of many lab puppies that chew and are a bit crazy in the beginning. Our dog was never like that. Labs or Goldens are great family dogs

Marc's Mrs. · April 2012

We adopted our Golden (see siggy) a year before I had DD so we introduced her to him. He is so fantastic and loving with her. He's never barked, growled or shown teeth to DD even with some fur pulling, etc. They are best friends and he's very protective of her. He beats me to her room if she crys during the night.

LSU628 · April 2012

We have a boxer who is almost 5. Boxers are amazing family dogs and super protective of their families. We had our dog for 2 years before our DD was born, and I did lots of training with him beforehand to make sure he would respond quickly to commands. He is so gentle and kind to DD. There were a few instances where he accidentally knocked her over a few times while she was learning to walk, but after being fussed at he quickly learned to look around before moving, and we learned we can't throw the frisbee wiht him while DD is in the yard. I do believe that just as important as training the dog is training your LO to be kind and gentle to the dog. DD knows she can't climb or sit on him, pull ears, pet too rough, etc. If she gets too rough with him, he just gets up and leaves.

dmndsr4eva · April 2012

If I were you I personally would not choose to get a dog. But maybe that is just me. I have two chihuahuas and they were already 7 years old when my DS was born. They have been nippy with him as they are not used to being around little kids. That is a huge issue. Plus I feel like they are not clean. They bring dirt, etc. into the house. I love my dogs but adding a toddler to the mix makes it hard.

I know when my son was little it was an issue with them barking when he was sleeping. And I was always afraid they would wake him up.

If you do get a dog make sure to get a breed known to do well with kids. And make sure to go to training classes so you can get off to a good start with teaching the dog it's place in the "pack".

Blackvelvet · April 2012

We have tow dogs now.

We have a lab mutt that we got from the pound way before we had LO he must be in his mid teens and he is very good with DS but we though when we got him he would never be good around kids turns out all that growing was excitment to see them.

We also have a newfoundland mutt that we got in febuary he is still a pup and keeps eating DS toys it's been hard to have an untrained dog and a toddler this is a bad thing to many things he can find and DS is really bad about giving his stuff and not knowing he will eat it.

We had a St bernard untill January when she died she was great with him she was 6 and he rode her and she even would sit and lie down for him and come.

He is learning to feed his dogs and has a friend all the time to play with, the pup is the only problem getting a dog past the I want to chew everythign in sight stage would have been much better it mixs bad with a toddler

MrsCripe10 · April 2012

Both of my dogs- pug and mini australian shepard are former show dogs. We got them when they were older and are the best dogs ever.

gridlock48 · April 2012

We got a yellow lab from a shelter when I was about 6 months pregnant. She was very timid but by the time DD came around she was much more comfortable...Kindof thankful- like we saved her or something! She sleeps beside DD's bed every night and lets her lay on her when she watches cartoons in the morning! Its so awesome to have such a good buddy, especially when DD won't have any siblings

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