Any puppy owners out there with a toddler too!? Or just crazy me!?

[AmandaNov10]

Hi

We've got a gorgeous little bulldog pup, we've had her a week and I'm not sure how it's going to be honest! I did so much reading and research about the bread before we got her but didn't really think through the whole puppy thing enough!

Toilet training wise it's ok, not amazing but ok, it's just hard work because I've got my hands full with a 16MO and a 3 year old. Advice on puppy forums and stuff seems to be take her out (garden) every hour. Sounds easy enough but is actually quite stressful with 2 little shadows following me around and all the washing cooking cleaning to do.

But, that's not my main worry. Had no idea about the whole biting/chewing/chasing feet thing puppies do. This is a total nightmare because she's trying to chew on DC2's feet when she's in highchair, so she's screaming, DC1 would put her feet on the ground and in general were a bit like, right, what are we going to do all day because now sitting on the floor with Lego jigsaws whatever is impossible!

Really wondering if I've done the right thing! I'm not sure I can handle the puppy thing I'm really not!

Please tell me it will get better and please please tell me when and how!!! ð??¢ð??¢

Sorry, that's DC1 won't put her feet on the floor, not would!! X

My parents had a English bulldog when I was younger and she was a complete handful. When she would chew someone they'd give her a toy to chew on instead of the person. As you'll be aware bulldogs are incredibly stubborn including my own American bulldog. It took a good couple of months to toilet train my parents bulldog as she was so stubborn and teaching her any tricks was impossible as she was stubborn.

How old is puppy? You have to post picture because it's the rule here My youngest was 11 when we got Eric, I'd never have coped when they were toddlers I don't think. From what I remember the nipping, mouthing, chewing was worst when Eric was 4 months old so it increased from when we got him at 8 weeks so you've got a long while yet and I'd say Eric wasn't much of a mouthy dog (his speciality is more climbing and jumping tbh)
I've no idea what to suggest regarding entertaining the dc as we have a stairgate and dd plays upstairs so that Eric doesn't disturb her or steal her stuff.
It does get better, Eric's wonderful although a pest at times but it takes a lot of work and with two little ones I'm sure you have loads to do already.

We've had our puppy just over two weeks. I've two dc's, 2.5 & 8, and work 3 days a week.
My eldest is fine, but my ds finds pup a bit much when she's racing around having a mad half hour. She was a bit older when we got her, 14 wks now, so her toilet training was well underway. Thank goodness as ds is potty training!
She comes to work with me a lot too, but we're very lucky with how calm she is.....you must hate me . We did choose her because we know the breeder and his dogs, and knew she'd be easy to train.

My pup was 8 weeks and DD was 10-11 months. Pup is now 6 months and DD is 14 months. For me it has worked out well as they have really grown together and have a lovely relationship. He is a collie and I did have problems with him jumping up and licking her all the time, but eventually he has learnt not to do it.

Yes letting them out to the toilet wasn't always easy with a shadow! And our house the back door is a long way from the lounge. Just make sure after food, after play, after sleep that pup goes out.

Also a crate might be an idea as the children and puppy wind themselves up so time out for the dog is a good idea and for the children. That way pup can get some sleep without being hassled.

It does get easier, suggest buying some puppy chew toys as pup will be teething. So when pup goes to chew on her feet then give him the toy to show him what he is allowed to chew on.

I have a 5 month bully.

She is amazing with other dogs and great with kids, however, she has turned into a pain in the arse right now, but I know it's a stage.

She does not know her own strength still, very clumsy and I wouldn't want her around toddlers while she is still learning not to jump up as she is so strong and completely unaware of it.

It takes them a LONG time to grow up but when they do they don't do much but sleep ;)

She also has not go the whole not biting thing. It is taking ages with her it seems because she is so stubborn.

I think they are hard work as puppies, more so than most, but they grow into amazing dogs.

I love her to bits but training her isn't going so well and we take her to classes. She doesn't seem to get the no biting thing or doesn't want to and I have never had a problem with it with other dogs past the first month of bringing them home.

What I wasn't prepared for was her farts. I knew they fart a lot but not that much and the stench in disgusting. Sometimes my living room stinks of her :(

She has been to the vets to check her out, she has a very good diet, no grains etc but she is a constant wind band.

Pictures.

First one is her good side.

Second one is her ugly face

We just got an english bulldog pup last night. I have 9 kids and study full time at uni but hey i always put too much on myself, i like a challenge!

She is gorgeous. I had to look after a bulldog pup fo a week when it was only a few weeks old. Had to carry the wee skitter around in a rucksack in order to get things done. He just cryed for attention none stop, between terrorising the other dogs. The poor lab spent the whole week on top of the sofa with the yorkies because the scamp kept biting his tail and toes. Those teeth are incredibly sharp!

I bought the baby dan hearth gate which can be put into any shape to devide the kitchen in order to separate the dogs so I could get some work done. The babydan play pen is great because it's quite big and you could pop her or the wee ones in there to play or buy the wall brackets and divide the the room. They're a great dog and, if well trained, will be a lovely pet for your children to grow up with. Like any dog I would never leave children unsupervised with the dog though as little fingers end up poked everywhere and ears and tails get pulled. Even the best trained dog can snap under those circumstances. Hope it all works luff of you. Keep us updated with the compulsory photographs so we can watch her grow.

I second the baby dan play pen , it meant pup could be in with all the action whilst not " eating" everyone .
I remember someone on here used the term " land shark " for this phase - the most accurate thing I have read on this forum .
Good luck

Thanks so much everyone for all your replies!! Still this side of sane, just!! Hanging in there!! Xx