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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Puppy and toddler / children

36 replies

Sunshinerainbowslollipops · 30/09/2017 19:15

Just wondered if anyone had experience of a puppy and young children. I have a 3 year old and 4 year old and am home full time. We've had a dog pre children and understand what looking after one entails. Would we be mad to get a pup now? We would crate train and have time to go to puppy school etc. The children understand being gentle as we have cats and would not be unsupervised. We are outdoors every day. Is this a mad idea? A lovely idea? Anyone done it? Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
Albertschair · 30/09/2017 19:18

You know your children. Some are gentle some are not.

If they are calm and gentle sure go for it. If not, wait another few years. But also think of your cats and the stress it would bring to them

Msqueen33 · 30/09/2017 19:19

Honestly I'd wait until they're older.

Kpo58 · 30/09/2017 19:21

Not a mad idea, just research the dog breeds thoroughly. I know of someone who got an Irish Setter puppy when she ran a nursery for toddlers. The dog got rehomed after a year...

Original poster
Sunshinerainbowslollipops · 30/09/2017 19:23

Thank you. They are very gentle and trustworthy, but would not be unsupervised. I would like a whippet, after a lot of research this fits well.

OP posts:
babybythesea · 30/09/2017 19:48

I had a one year old and a puppy at the same time. It was amazing and they are devoted to each other. And the child never questioned having to go out for walks etc, even in the rain, because as far as she remembers she's always done it. Dog is so placid with the children it's untrue, and is very protective of them (doesn't like other dogs too near them, won't leave them alone in a game of hide and seek in case they get lost, makes finding them very easy!). Child is now 8 and dog 7, and I Would do it again.
Rough collie (Lassie lookalike).

Maelstrop · 30/09/2017 19:54

Watch Ten puppies, fly on the wall documentary about people buying puppies. I was fuming at the toddler who was allowed to torture the new pup. A great lesson in how not to manage a puppy and toddler.

FleurWeasley · 30/09/2017 20:30

Agree with above, think about your actual kids and research potential breeds thoroughly.

If you can make it work it is brilliant! Our dog is very tolerant of toddlers (our toddler is also tolerant of dog jumping up, stealing his toys etc).

The first two weeks you will think you made a terrible mistake, though.

AmayaBuzzbee · 30/09/2017 20:35

I'd wait till the older one (or both) are at school, if you can. Puppies are hard work, just like toddlers. It would be easier to manage the family if the kids were just a year or so older so you have some time of the day just to focus on training the pup.

JennyBlueWren · 30/09/2017 21:37

I think 3 and 4 year olds would be fine with a puppy but I can't imagine my cats putting up with one! Maybe if you had them with the dog pre-children...

TemptressofWaikiki · 30/09/2017 21:41

I’d go for it. There is so much joy for kids growing up with dogs. Whippet or Greyhound sound a great choice. Although, I’d personally go for a Greyhound because they tend to be calmer and more laid back than Whippets, especially with younger kids. My family and I had several Greyhounds from puppy and compared to any other breed, they tend to be far less of a nightmare as puppies. I’d describe them as an ideal starter dog. You can get Greyhound puppies if you approach breeders directly or even see if any rescue has puppies. And at least, the lucky pup would be spared the unsavoury world of racing or being put down if deemed unfit for the industry.

mummabubs · 30/09/2017 21:49

I'd second rescuing a Greyhound- plus most are put up for rescuing at just 2 years old as this is when they start to slow down. You get a young dog of a very gentle and docile breed and the knowledge that you've rescued them from a horrible life. (Ours is now just over 8 and the calmest, soppiest thing imaginable and we're due child number 1 in a weeks time, his typical Greyhound relaxed temperament means we have no worries about him and our child). Whippets are a bit more highly strung in my experience but it's up to you OP!

And oh my life @Maelstrop I don't think I've ever shouted at the tv so much as when watching that series. Parts of it made my blood boil. That poor pup, the owners were completely oblivious weren't they.

EatTheChocolateTeapot · 30/09/2017 21:54

It worked for us, but my 4 years old and 19 months old are banshees so I went for a very boisterous and confident cocker spaniel and it works well. I didn't want a tiny puppy though so our spaniel was already 7 months old when we got her (she was being rehomed by her owner).

RatRolyPoly · 30/09/2017 21:57

Hmmm, I wouldn't have a rescued greyhound with cats - they're bred to chase small, fast-moving things for a start, and what's more if they're rescued from careers as racers they'll be ITCHING to chase that cats!

Personally I've known whippets and cats get along okay, but I do think you have to have a certain kind of whippet (a very relaxed one!), not because there may be trouble but because it can be very stressful for a sight hound to be around small, fast-moving creatures even if it's well trained enough not to chase them!

Maelstrop · 30/09/2017 22:10

@mummabubs I feel your pain! I was beside myself watching that. Poor bloody puppy.

Queenofthedrivensnow · 30/09/2017 22:36

I got my spanner when dd1 was 5 and dd2 was 2. Dd1 has always been fine with ddog. Dd2 got bitten a couple of times when he was small because she poked him until it hurt and he snapped. Also she struggled with the walks since I am a lone latent and had them with me all the time.

Dds are 4 and 7 now and dd2 is fine now with the dog and walks etc. Bare on my experiences 5 and 4 would be ok with a dog but you need to be very firm about boundaries

DaisyDrip · 30/09/2017 22:44

One of my fur babies is a miniature whippet cross, he is tiny and in the main a good natured chap. I'm not sure I would allow him around small children as he can be nervous and has bitten.

I've always had dogs, when I was pregnant, a new mum and now, a granny living alone and now all my DC have dogs. I would suggest reading up on dog breeds and how they are with children then choose according to your own lifestyle. A dog in the family with young children can be a good thing as it teaches empathy towards animals in a way you can't do not having one. On the other hand, they are very tying and can cost a bomb in vets bills/insurance.

Take some time, read up, talk lots and then decide. I couldn't imagine not having a dog or two, but I've always had them so am used to the ups and downs of having fur babies.

Good luck.

mummabubs · 01/10/2017 06:12

Ahhh, missed the part about cats in original post but for what it's worth you can definitely get rescue greys who have no/low prey drive and live very happily with cats- I know of several! 😊

Original poster
Sunshinerainbowslollipops · 01/10/2017 12:45

Thanks so much for all the helpful replies, lots of great advice. Thanks again

OP posts:
TemptressofWaikiki · 01/10/2017 14:35

Plenty of Greyhounds are ok with cats and/or other small animals. It is assessed on a case by case basis with rescues. And if you have them from a puppy it is ever easier. I had cats and Greyhounds together. They adored each other and slept curled up together. My female cat even mothered one of my rescue Greyhound puppies I had from 6 weeks old, groomed it and showed it how to go outside. The puppy was almost instantly housetrained thanks to my cats.

Wolfiefan · 01/10/2017 14:39

I really wouldn't get a puppy. You have to watch them like Hawks. All the time. That or puddles on the floor. They chew. Everything. Walls, clothes, you, the kids!
I got a puppy when youngest was 6. Couldn't leave the puppy. Couldn't have her round the kids off a longline.
I would personally wait a couple of years. Get toilet training sorted with kids before starting on toilet training a pup! Also young kids have toys out. Toys a pup will chew.

Original poster
Sunshinerainbowslollipops · 01/10/2017 17:05

Hmm. I had planned to crate train and keep the puppy and children seperate except for supervised sessions. Maybe it won't work then.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 01/10/2017 17:50

Not a hope in hell. Sorry OP. crate training takes a while to do properly and no puppy an be left in a crate for hours a day.

Original poster
Sunshinerainbowslollipops · 01/10/2017 18:16

Sorry I wasn't clear, I realise it takes time to crate train, we've always crate trained ours. But I was planning to do a mix of crate training and keeping them seperate (ie pup not in crate but no in with children) as the layout of our house allows this

OP posts:
1stTimeMama · 01/10/2017 18:32

I have 4 children, 7, 4, 3 & 1 and have also now got a nearly 14 week old Rhodesian Ridgeback. Mental.

It seems to be working though, son something must be going right.

Lloyd45 · 01/10/2017 18:36

Toddlers and puppies together are hard work. A whippet would be a good choice, try to avoid big boisterous dogs as small children go flying. Good luck