shall we get a dog?

[lambchop2]

I want a dog, dd (5) and dd (2 and a half) want a dog, hubbie is wekening after years of pleading. But, we have a cat, I've just gone back to work 3 and a half days a week. I want a lurcher, shaggy and skinny like me. Mostly i want something in the house who will do as it's told when it's told and will gaze adoringly at me. Is it a good idea?

[Dior]

Message withdrawn

[handlemecarefully]

How and who will walk it?

A good dog owner walks their dog every day (imo!) and for a decent walk, not a 15 minute token trip to newsagents

I ask only because I've found this the hardest thing to fit in - given that my youngest is also a Pre Schooler (hence has to join us on walks in his buggy), and ds doesn't do his share of walking responsibilities - the onus is entirely on me.

If I had my time over I would have deferred getting a dog until all children were at school.

[handlemecarefully]

I meant 'dh' doesn't do his share of walking responsibilities

[lorina]

Would the dog be at home alone for the three and a half days you work ? If so then I would say dont do it.

As far as doing as he's told and gazing adoringly at you goes....thats your Dh's job! The dog will just be charging about chewing your shoes up

[MrsChristmasboo]

I have just had to give my dog to my mil as apart from the weeing/pooing/vomiting she was a vicious little madam who would attack dh at any given opportunity.
I thought it was a good idea but you can never guarantee a perfect dog. Either that or i got the dog from Hell.

I'd wait til the kids were older....

[handlemecarefully]

Agree with lorina on that one.

Unless you are going to pay a dog walker to come in and collect the dog on those days (thus walking the dog and giving the dog some company)

CountessDracula works but has a dog - but in her case the dog is very well catered for by this sort of arrangement (as far as I can recall)

[lambchop2]

poo doesn't worry me one bit - the girls had real nappies so i'm used dealing with it at close quarters!

[handlemecarefully]

and the walking?

[MrsChristmasboo]

Dog poo is a whole new ball game.... espec when they've eaten something dodgy from the park....

Really really think hard as its nice when they are good but if it turns out anything like mine it'll drive you insane.....

[Spidermama]

I want another dog too. I'm wiating til my youngest is in nursery. My last dog got two good walks a day and I was slim, fit, healthy and happy because of it.

The poo scooping isn't so bad once you get used to it. Dogs are lovely.

Remember though, they can't go in swing parks and playgrounds so that can be tricky.

[handlemecarefully]

Again agree with MrsChristmas - I am well acquainted with my children's poo too and it barely registers with me on the yuck scale...but my dogs' poo absolutely makes me dry retch sometimes (especially my bigger dog's poo)

[Macdog]

Personally I think it's a very bad idea.
My dogs both came from homes where the owners realised they couldn't cope with them down the line.
If you want something to do what it's told get a 'Nintendog'

[lambchop2]

Some mornings i don't start work til 10. Cd drop kids walking with dog, could come home at lunch time to walk pooch - it's close enough. But am i just adding extra stress into my life unecessarily? Not sure but i know that another cat wouldn't do it for me. Dh just strolled past and read a bit ... still a distinct lack of adoring gazes... he can't take a hint! Which is why I need a dog... or another baby!

[handlemecarefully]

Well you won't want to hear this but yes I think you could be adding stress to your life unneccessarily [regretful conclusion emoticon]

[Macdog]

Have a look at this thread
Will this be you 10 months down the line?

[geekgrrl]

well, we've just rehomed our golden retriever puppy so personally, I'd say no. Our dog had started to show agression towards the younger children (same age as yours) - I couldn't really blame him to be honest, they were constantly taking stuff off him in a somewhat misguided attempt at playing with him (despite my many attempts at stopping this), and he was just being a dog... but it became extremely stressful, I couldn't leave them alone with him ever (literally) - and it became pretty unbearable for everybody. He now lives with a childless couple and is very much adored.

The walks might sound all well and good in theory by the way, but the excitement is quickly lost when the weather is shit and you have to drag two small children out into the pouring rain for half an hour...

I did find it all very stressful and am relieved to not have a dog anymore. With hindsight, it seemed like a completely mad thing to do at this point in our lives, with the children being so small.

[bran]

We had a dog when I was a child, but not until my db was 5 as my df reckoned he had to be at least that old to understand how to treat a dog and be able to discipline a dog. Dogs are often hierarchical, especially male dogs, and they may feel that they have a right to assert themselves (by nipping/growling) over the members of the pack with a lower status, which could be your younger child.

Something big like a lurcher needs lots of exercise. If it does bite your childrens' faces will be level with it's mouth, whereas a small dog would be more likely to bite hands or legs.

[Mellowma]

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[Drusilla]

I think very small children and dogs often work better if the dog was there first, in terms of the kids learning how to treat a dog. Otherwise wait until children a bit older. It will be almost like having a new baby in the house - you know that don't you?!! If you leave a v young dog on it's own 3.5 days a week you may find it much harder to train it to an acceptable level. On a lighter note, I find that DSs' poo often makes my stomach turn in a way that my dogs' poo never does!

[Drusilla]

Re Brans comment about dogs being hierarchical - they are, but that is part of the training that YOU will be responsible for. A dog has to know that it is the lowest ranking memeber of the pack in the house. Otherwise you are asking for trouble.

[ratclare]

oh dear i went against all wisdom on this one then ,got my dog when dd was 2 ,he a great big pointer from rescue and worked 2 days a week ! ah well hes still here ,currently standing with his head wedged under my armpit ! he hasnt chewed anyone (no comment about anything else) he costs me £16 a week in dog walking ,£20 a month in insurance ,£16 a month in food ,£8 every 3 months for worming , £25 a year for innoculations ,i have never used flea treatment on him as he doesnt get them ,possibly due to him smothering them when he rolls in fox poo. Lurchers and cats possibly not the best combination,however if you get a rescue lurcher you could end up with one who is good with kids,cats and housetrained . Definately agree with the needs regular walks though ,oh and where will it stay if you go away or on really long days out? its not fair to leave them more than 5 hrs ,well not unless you value your house .

[lambchop2]

i think i'm convinced, the time isn't right is it - no matter how much i try to tell myself it is. Dog plans onto the back burner for a couple of years then - thanks for all of the advice!

[Macdog]

Hope things work out for you when the time is right.
Glad you've decided to think some more about it

[ParanoidAndroid]

We have two rescue lurchers. "Lovely, shaggy and skinny" - yes on all three counts. "Do what it's told when it's told" - never in a million years.

They get two good walks a day (at least 1.5 hours in total) and never tire. They eat us out of house and home. They cost a fortune in vets bills because they are forever tearing themselves as they chase squirrels, rabbits, basically anything small and fluffy. They will steal food from the plate in front of you given half a chance. We, and the kids, love them to bits, but it is hard, hard work.

I'm really glad you've rethought your plans - there are too many unhappy dogs and their owners out there.