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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to stop my 5 year son getting a pet dog

23 replies

GinaFire · 19/05/2009 23:45

i think hes too young

OP posts:

MsMarbleCake · 19/05/2009 23:45

What breed of dog is it?

Original poster

GinaFire · 19/05/2009 23:47

he wants a golden retriever

OP posts:

PrammyMammy · 19/05/2009 23:47

Well, you would be doing all the looking after so really it will be your dog. I'd say don't do it just because your ds wants one. It has to be something the family has thought about for a while.

hatesponge · 20/05/2009 00:01

My DS who is 8 would love a dog. However we are currently living in rented property (no pets allowed) & even if we could get over that hurdle, we are all out of the house for 10+ hours a day so poor dog would be all alone. therefore much as he would love one I have to say no.

if however the dog could be accommodated into your family & ifestyle easily, & you are happy to take it for walks 2/3 times every day (fine now, not so nice in winter months) the I would consider it. However it is undeniably a huge commitment.

Bobblebuddy · 20/05/2009 09:56

PrammyMammy is right - the dog would be yours 100%. you would have to take responsibility for it, so you would have to want it too, not just your son. the whole family would need to decide on it together, but ultimately, it will be you who has to take care of it.

PLEASE don't have a dog on a whim, they are not toys, they need a lot of care.

I think it is unreasonable to get a dog just because your 5yr old asked for one, if the idea was never on the table for you before.

MillyR · 20/05/2009 09:58

Have you ever owned a dog before?

throckenholt · 20/05/2009 09:59

it would be a family dog with whoever is home most doing most of the looking after it. So if you (or whoever that is) want a dog - then a 5 year old child is about old enough to not make it too much harder - so go for it. But I would definitely not get a dog because said 5 year old wants one.

Gateau · 20/05/2009 09:59

Don't get one, if it is only your DS that wants one. As others have said, YOU will be the one looking after him, talking him for walks all through the day (biggish dog so nees lotsa exercise!) and at night, rain, snow or shine.
And tdogs are VERY tying.
Can you compromise on a more low-maintenance pet, eg a cat or rabbit?

kiddiz · 20/05/2009 10:05

As the proud ( !!) owner of 2 corn snakes that Ds2 pleaded to have my advice is stick to your guns unless you actually want a dog as a whole family. I am now looking after pets that I neither want or like including the dead mice in the freezer!!

gabygirl · 20/05/2009 10:07

I have a black labrador who I love and who has been brilliant with my children. I bought her for my 5 year old for her birthday four years ago.

However - I would say you should think long and hard before getting a dog. They are a huge tie. I tried to get a 3 day a week job recently but couldn't cope with having to get up at 5.30am to walk the dog before I left, then having to run back in my lunch hour to talk to her and let her out to do a wee.

She also got hit by a car last year and we ended up spending our entire savings on having complex surgery done on her leg (£6K arggh! We hadn't got round to sorting out pet insurance).

So, this dog has ended up costing us literally thousands and thousands of pounds in lost wages and savings. Plus there's all the day to day effort involved in walking her, cleaning up her mess (she's a terrible thief and regularly raids the bins), picking up her poo in the garden, and being nice to her when she's bugging me to stroke her for hours when I'm trying to relax on the sofa. (34 kilos of dribbling dog on your lap in the evening is not to everyones taste).

If I didn't really love her I'd find it difficult to cope with sometimes.

VinegarTits · 20/05/2009 10:07

YANBU

Dogs = lots of shit = PITA

gabygirl · 20/05/2009 10:10

Sorry - should add, we wouldn't have got the dog if the whole family hadn't wanted one, and she is the family dog. It just so happened that we felt ready to get a dog at that time. It was convenient to pass it off as the best birthday present of all time!

MadameCastafiore · 20/05/2009 10:10

You don't have to stop him at all - just say no - he is 5 he can't do it without you!

Gateau · 20/05/2009 10:11

Meant to add, I would certainly consider getting some sort of pet for the family. I think it's lovely for childen to grow up with and learn about animals without being scared out of his mind in their presence. They do really add to the family. We have two cats and DS just loves playing with them, feeding them etc.. He seems to love animals, which I am very happy about.

KingCanuteIAm · 20/05/2009 10:14

I don't get it, you are the parent? You will be looking after Mutley? Isn't it your decision then? I have never heard of a 5yo who went out and got themselves a dog!

If you don't want a dog don't get one, the idea that you would get an animal (a large demanding one) on a 5yos whim is a bit shocking tbh.

HuffwardlyRudge · 20/05/2009 10:17

A dog shouldn't really belong to any one member of the family. A dog is a member of the family in their own right.

No, you absolutely should NOT get a dog on the whim of a 5-year-old.

Dogs are a LOT of work, more work than you can possibly imagine when they are a puppy.

You will have to hoover every day.

A Golden Retriever needs a lot of exercise every day.

What about when you go away for the weekend?

What about when you go shopping and then it turns into lunch and then you want to go on somewhere but oh, you can't because the dog is at home?

Dogs smell and poo and are sick in the sitting room and take your lovely new scarf to bed with them and eat the loo roll.

poshwellies · 20/05/2009 10:20

Urm he's 5-you just say NO.

Gateau · 20/05/2009 10:22

Agree with those who say dogs are a real tie.
I would think about getting one otherwise.
MY ILs' dog is a real PITA. They can't do things they want to do because of him, he smells, jumps up on you, steals your shoes and chews them to bits, and - worst of all, tries to hump my two-year-old DS I can't stand him.

RumourOfAHurricane · 20/05/2009 10:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Weegiemum · 20/05/2009 10:25

We have a Guinea pig. Would that do?

AMumInScotland · 20/05/2009 10:28

I'm with others here - 5 year olds don't get to own dogs, or any other pets. If you don't particularly want one and feel able to look after it, then you don't get one. Quite simple really. Buy him a soft toy if you want to give him something soft and furry to "look after".

Niecie · 20/05/2009 10:28

I agree just say no.

My DS2 would love a dog, is desperate for one and keeps trying to pin me down about when he will be old enough but he won't be until he is old enough to walk it and care for it himself (and probably pay for it too) and even then it will be a family decision.

Does the rest of your family want one? Are you the only one who doesn't?

coymistress · 20/05/2009 14:44

If you are happy then get one, would be a great present but do your research first so that you are prepared. I have two golden retrievers and got the first when my youngest was 6. Very good family dogs but they love mud and need grooming to keep their coats looking nice. Mine are walked for 1 hour per day, sometimes more (in fields) and then sleep most of the time. Book training classes and get a crate.

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