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The doghouse

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Dogs and young children

5 replies

TeacakeTilly · 01/07/2012 10:43

Hubby and I are thinking of getting a dog. We currently don't have any DCs but would like them in the future (maybe next year or two). We would get a rescue dog, and probably not a puppy (cute as they are!). Hubby has lots of doggy experience and I am quite used to them - I've never owned one but spent lots of time with his parents'. Is this wise?

OP posts:
quoteunquote · 01/07/2012 14:17

Just make sure that part of your must have list is that the dog must be use to children, and then make sure you keep it use to children, with lots of contact,

and don't put the dog in a position where when baby comes along it feels pushed out, things like don't have it sleeping on the bed, don't hand feed, so it won't be eating toddlers hands.

good luck

Scuttlebutter · 01/07/2012 14:47

It's perfectly possible. However, a look at some of the regular threads on here will illustrate some of the very common pitfalls. Firstly, when you adopt, please make it clear to the rescue that a child is likely to be coming along. Many rescues will have dogs that have been fostered with children and this is a good idea, as you will know the dog has been used to a busy family environment.

Think hard about the financial aspects of dog ownership, particuarly if your family income drops after children arrive (either because of reduced working hours or increased expenditure on childcare or combo).

Think about the time and commitment involved - be prepared to consider using a dog walker when baby is very small or you are coping with out much sleep (and again, factor this into your budget).

Before the baby arrives, make sure you have worked on dog training, and dog is good on the lead, and has good dog manners (things like reasonable recall, doing a down, sit, stay, not jumping over visitors etc.) Don't leave food lying around. A well trained dog is much, much easier to live with and after the baby arrives you will be walking it with a buggy, possibly with stitches after a CS, so you need a dog that will work well with you on this. Time spent at dog training classes now will pay golden dividends later.

Set up very clear ground rules that all adults in the family will abide by - things like not feeding titbits, whether allowed on furniture, keeping doors closed, respecting dog's space and how children (your own and visiting ones) will be taught/shown how to interact with dogs. Many people find stairgates useful for keeping dogs and toddlers separate - this very much depends on the layout of your house though.

Good luck. There are many, many people on here who have successfully combined dogs and children and with a little planning it can work beautifully. Personally, I think that being brought up around animals is one of the loveliest things about childhood. Also on a positive note, DC brought up around dogs are less likely to suffer allergies and asthma. Smile

Daisybell1 · 01/07/2012 16:00

We took on an elderly collie when I was pregnant with dd. He initially came to work (as cover for injured top dog) but once his work duties calmed down he became my constant companion. He stuck to me like glue when I was heavily pregnant and has come with us on every walk since dd was 10 days old (and I had had a section).

The advice above is great - take the time to settle in and train a dog now and it will be a fab companion for you when you're on maternity. Sometimes, when things are getting a bit argh he's the perfect excuse to get out of the house and have some fresh air. Get an off-road buggy and the world is your dog walking oyster Grin

WitchOfEndor · 01/07/2012 16:25

I have a dog (8) and a DS (2). If I had to do it all again I would wait until DS was a toddler before getting a dog just because in my case I felt it was unfair to the dog to have him all settled in a routine which then got disrupted. They get on great together so I would definitely recommend getting one, just feel bad that our dog was ousted once DS came along!

Booboostoo · 01/07/2012 16:45

To be honest no, it's not a good idea. Dogs are a little bit like babies, they require time, attention, patience, you need to be able to take them on walks, training classes, deal with behaviour problems, etc. Having a new dog and a baby is double the workload and not a good idea. Wait till you have the baby you find your 'feet' and then decide if you have time for a dog.

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