Is a 12 year old, a 6 year old and a labrador puppy a good mix?!

[NuggetsForTeaAgain]

I desperately want a labrador puppy. A black one would be gorgeous. I've seen one on a rescue site and want to apply. I know they are hard work. But how much hard work are they? Really? I know they are prolific snatchers of food from work surfaces, I know they have an extended puppyhood, I know they are incredibly intelligent and loyal. Are they the best breed given my dc's ages?

[NuggetsForTeaAgain]

hellooo!

[celeriac]

I have a 10 yr old, a 7 yr old and a lab puppy. It's worked well for us, but we've always had dogs so we knew exactly what to expect! They are hard work, you have to be prepared to walk them regularly, whatever the weather and it takes time to get a new dog settled into the routine of your household.

Labradors are intelligent, but selectively deaf when it suits them. They look gorgeous, but love rolling in smelly stuff whenever possible. They are the dustbins of the dog world and will scrape chewing gum off the pavement if they can. They are fun, loving and loyal. They will push the boundaries at all opportunities and you need to be prepared to be firm, fair and consistent.

Are they hard work? Definitely. If you put in the effort with training, you will be rewarded with a fantastic family pet. If you do not exercise them/stimulate them sufficiently, you will be rewarded with chewed skirting boards and goodness knows what else!

[scrappydoodah]

I got my first dog at twelve, and did everything for it. Early morning walks before school, house training, cleaning up after over night stomach upsets.... everything. My mum's input was limited to taking him for a lunch time walk.

I see no problem with getting a pup, as your 12 year old should be more than capable of stepping up to the plate and shouldering a lot of the responsibility. Labs are great family pets too as they tend to be quite balanced. They are probably the most common family dog where I live (rural village, every one has a garden).

[hellhasnofury]

I had an 8yr old, a 10yr old and a black Labrador puppy. I know have a 19yr old, a 21yr old and an 11yr old Labrador puppy. It was hard work when the pup was a true pup but the relationships the kids formed with the dog were priceless.

[NuggetsForTeaAgain]

11 year old labrador PUPPY?! Ha ha!! They do sound like a lot of work but they are such a beautiful breed. I have young nephews/nieces too (ages 2 and 8) Wonder how they would be? ....... i l do so love them though! I am a single mum. Would that matter? I mean in terms of doing everything yourself (training, walking etc.)

[hellhasnofury]

I'm no expert but I did most of the hard work with our dog when he was young. He responded best to having one trainer. He now has a pecking order, I'm at the top, then it's DS, then DH, then DD, then him. I don't think it's impossible but it is a huge commitment and it is very hard work for a few years. Have you thought about things like who would walk him if you were ill?

[Avantia]

I have a 11yr old , 9yr old and 18 month lab .

I do all the stuff with the dog , she is very much 'my dog ' and wanders about looking for me at times. I walk her , children obviously at school , at weekend she is used to being with us either on football or rugby touchline.

She comes most places with us and has settled in well to family life and routine , but they do need lots of exercise ,luckily we have had no major problems with chewing . They can be very bouncy at times and not intentionally knock over someone when playing . At times the children had to calm playtime down a bit as dog would get over excited and start jumping.

Just make sure that children do not give them any titbits from table - I was very strict with my children about that . When are having food she goes on her bed as she knows that she has no chance of food, but then she does a Hoover impression afterwards which is handy

[saffronwblue]

Would you expect your DCs to walk it alone, or to come on walks with you or be left alone at home while you walk it? It is a good idea to think through the logistics.

[Principality]

Do you work? That is the first question to ask before anything else because if you are the only adult at home and you work full time it will not work unless you employ a dog sitter (at great expense). When little the puppy shouldn't be left for more than an hour or two, as an adult about 4 or so hours is ok. So several times a day someone would need to come in to play with him and keep him company(they cannot have long walks til 12m when their bones have finished forming as it can otherwise lead to joint problems such as dysplasia requiring surgery).

If you do go ahead, contact the breed clubs re finding a reputable breeder, who health tests their breeding stock (hip scored, ideally elbow scored, annual eye test for HC and optigen eye tested) A good place to look is on champdogs website.

I have a four year old lab and a 5 month old.

[NuggetsForTeaAgain]

No i don't work. I am studying from home in the hopes of setting up a counselling practise so I will always (hopefully) work from home. I am talking about a rescue puppy (Dorset Dog Rescue). How how you found it Principality? Mind you, you did it the other way round!

[Principality]

Sorry I meant i have two labs one who is almost 4 years and another who is 5months...

And two DS, aged 8 and 2.

Really i think it depends on the personality of your DC... my oldest DS was 4 when we got the elder dog and I found the first few months very hard. DS ws sensitive and took the constant (hard!!) play btiing personally, and thought the puppy was doing it to be mean, despite our best assurances. At one point he asked his grandparents if he could go and live with them as mummy loves the dog more than me!! By the time the puppy was about 9m it was starting to get a little easier at home- but teenage years menat selective deafness to recall on walks... By the time he was 2 he was and still is a total doddle. At home he mainly sleeps by my feet and follows me room to room. He loves his walks and gets excited as soon as i get "the dog walking coat" on. But when DC have been ill etc it is no drama if he doesnt get the odd walk for a day or two- not hte case when he was younger!

Our current puppy is a different kettle of fish. She has been easier with the play biting. SHe was worse at first but has calmed down a lot quicker... unless you do something like try and cut her nails where she thinks that is an open invitation to try and chew you... BUT DS2 is a totally different personality to DS1. He is a total tough nut and didn't take it personally when she was launching herself at him! He would give her a shove and shout at her to get down! DS1 was more wimpy about the play biting.... She is now calmer at 5m than dog one was. She will happily lie down and your feet and chillout whereas dog one was more of a live wire 24/7. In all honesty she does not get the same 1-1 attention dog one got as i was home alone with him, whereas i now have a toddler, two dogs and work part time from home. But it has been absolutely fine, and she is becoming a lovely lovely dog.

[Labradorlover]

Remember that they are only small, cute puppies for a short time and depending on type will grow to be 30kg+ dogs, that can live for 15 years. Labs enjoy coating your house/clothes in dog hair and using their tails to knock stuff off, tail height surfaces. Mine don't steal food off work surfaces, but that's due to training.
IMO all puppies are hard work, but the amount of effort you put into training, results in the sort of adult dog you end up with.
Lots of training for the pup and training for the children, so that they don't teach the pup bad habits or wind it up. Oh and also the understanding that whatever the weather the dog needs to be walked and the shit picked up.
Aside from the time involved, have you considered the costs of food, worming, vaccines, vet bills and arrangements for the dog when you go on holiday etc?

[Principality]

good point, and insurance too!

Thinking of costs I would guess something like this:

Good quality food- £40ish per month
Insurance -£25+ per month- make sure you get a "lifetime cover policy" that will cover your dog for an ongoing illness throughout his life not just the first year of insurance.
Worming- I use advocate which does fleas and ticks too -£7 pcm i think
Holiday- £15 per day to go and stay with the trainer (should be £18 each but mates rates!)

Vets bills.... well this week i have paid up £68 to inducve vomitting after the puppy swallowed a sock whole... two weeks ago i had £130 bill for a consult, pain killing injection as my older dog seriously hurt his back, plus the advcate for 6m supply for the adult (xl dog size) and 3m supply for the puppy (lg dog size). Neither of these are claimable on insurance as too low (plus obviously doesn't cover routine worming).

[NuggetsForTeaAgain]

Thanks alll for very insightful imput. I will not rush in, I will assess my finances in the New year and have a really good sum up of my lifestyle. I am sure I could happily accommodate a pup/dog as far as time, love ,commitment and energy goes. Thank you again and `merry Christmas