What age (of DS) to get a dog?

[lisalollipop]

When I was pregnant we sadly lost both of our old lady dogs to cancer.

I know I'm quite mad but DS is now just 1, but I so would like a dog. DS is just starting to walk and of course there are toys everywhere. What age would you wait until?

Have always had rescue dogs in the past but I know most rescue places won't re-home with children under 12 which is fair enough. So would a puppy be the way to go?

Really must be mad...

hi-jack BELLA you're getting a puppy??? .

there are quite a few dog owners/lovers at dds' school - a lot of us have dogs about 1 year old and we joke about feeling broody and the correct timing for no. 2. although I'm not sure how much of it is a joke.

Hello Hatwoman

Yes, my dobe pup is 2 weeks old and I'm getting ready.

Don't fight the broodiness!

Thanks for that Bella (I admire your bravery btw ). I don't know if she will come back but, hopefully, she may at least read it and know that we are not going to think she is some kind of monster for entertaining thoughts like that with a difficult dog (lets face it who hasn't at certain points).

AIBU was probably not the best place to go, if it had been here she would have got lots of hand holding and hearty pats on the back, AIBU automatically involves being spit roasted IME (and I am guilty of it myself).

I was in your position a couple of years ago, although dd was almost 2. We got a gorgeous puppy (nova scotia duck tolling retriever), called Rhubarb! DD and Rhubarb are great together, love playing fetch, great for dd to get out and have regular walks, she knows how to handle animals and treat them with respect too. It is hard work, they need alot of supervision and training, and when dd was ill or the weather was terrible poor rhubarb had to wait until dh was back from work until he got his walk. DD had a few toys chewed, but soon learnt to keep them off the floor, and a crate is essential, 'time out' space for the puppy. I now have another dog too, an 8mth old Border Terrier X that I got as a puppy, Thistle, and they all get along brilliantly together. But it is hard work at times, well worth it though, and they all adore each other and get on well - just need to teach Rhubarb to get on with the chickens now!

LittleB - I was reading about your dog last night, and how they confuse ducks by running round mad

Does yours do that?