To think that dogs actually make great baby sitters.

[lucyellensmum]

Yep - thats right - dogs!!!! Well, mine does at least for my DD (aged 2.5).

I have been laid up with what i can only assume is the lovely Norovirus, puke vomit shite, bug and yesterday more or less couldn't move from the sofa. My DD1 came round to get DD2s dinner and played with her for a bit, but the rest of the day, my darling little terrier cross has sat with DD and played with her and generally kept her happy and occupied.

I'm thinking of hiring out his services - what do you think? £5 per hour per child?

How cute!

My dc would love to have a dog, a part-time one sounds ideal.

Yes, I'm very interested in hiring your dog. Do you have any availability w/cFeb 18? Does the rate go up at night as we'd like to nip to the cinema.

I only have a cat. He's completely useless at babysitting.

I loved being looked after by people with dogs as a child!

Though my aunt once, without apparently thinking, handed the reigns of her toddler to her dog... Wouldn't really recommend that

I find that they are very handy for wiping noses too iykwim

night time is fine, so long as you dont mind your children being hyped up and bouncing on the bed when you come home.

My old dog was even better, we would attach a sled to him in the snow when DD1 was about 5, he was great on the way up - looked a little worried on the way down

Anyway, Bob (sorry named after bob the builder - border terrier x) will clean snotty faces for no extra charge, and even, with some colaboration from the children (opening cupboard doors not a problem) prepare lunch and clean the floor afterwards.

He is copraphagic so even cleans up after himself (ewwwww - his only fault).

There must be a lot of non dog people thinking yuck at this moment in time !

thats because they are jealous of my hairy baby sitter

it was good enough for the Darlings wasn't it?

When my DD's were poorly with the horrible sick bug, our beautiful lab puppy never left their side all day. It was very sweet

My DD's favourite toys this weeks are

The dog collars
The dog leads
The dog water bowl
The dogs themselves (2 labs)

Don't know why I bother spending money in Mothercare and ELC frankly

RIght, I have a question

Does the novelty of having a dog eventually wear off, or are your dc still mad about their pet?

Dd 16 months old, has always loved the dogs, and no, I don't think it will wear off. I remember having dogs when I was growing up, and they used to get dressed up, brushed, walked and generally bothered all the time.

It NEVER wear off, i STILL love and play with my dogs

when DS is throwing a strop, our springer just sits quietly by him, dodging the blows, until he's calmed down
it's an absolute love affair with them...they lie together on the sheepskin.......share stolen tidbits........
i think a dog is another "person" to interact with, so you're freed up just a little bit
if only they had opposable thumbs, eh?

Dogs are also good at sniffing out dc while playing hide and seek as I have just found out

Minouminou - re your sharing stolen tidbits - I am pretty sure my 2 labs regard DD as some sort of walking snack dispenser

never worn off for me

am still as madly in love with all animals as when I was little

I still squeal 'oh look! pigs!' or cows or sheep or horses or rabbits or squirrels

sometimes I loop round a roundabout twice so I can see the rabbits on it again

obviously it is always extra extra exciting to see a fox or some deer or a yellowhammer or something

Ooh, I loved reading this thread. Currently making the most of maternity leave, lying about on my sofa with my two gorgeous and sleepy rotties (aged nearly 2 and 2 and a half), and have all of my fingers and toes crossed that when the baby comes along they love it as much as they love us and each other.

We've had the boy dog for over two years now, and I still have to pinch myself at how lucky I am to have such a beautiful and lovely dog in my life. He has been awesome while I've been pregnant, and his fave sleeping position at the moment is gently across the bump.

My old labrador used to follow my nephews round the house to keep an eye on them, he would also let them play horses on him and just got up and walked away when he had enough, he know lives with my parents and faithfully follows DD around.

Absolutely, WiiMii - we've always been careful to make sure that they know their places, and have taken it in turn to carry around various dolls/teddies in the carseat/carrier/moses basket so they get used to the idea of being lower down in the pack.

Boy dog is very placid and calm, and was thrilled when we brought girl dog home, no jealousy at all. Girl dog is altogether more independent and not as cuddly as boy dog, so quite used to taking herself off and not wanting our attention.

We've worked hard with them, and I hope it will pay off.

about the rotties - blardy lovely dogs. I am sure you are doing all the right things, good to have a pack order though, with them at the bottom Ive had two rotties, one we got when DD1 was 4, the other we had when DD2 came along - he was a rescue dog so was a worry, to be fair to him, he never showed any signs of aggression to the baby at all. He was allowed the odd sniff and that was it. He died last year hence the addition of the mad terrier to the family.