Could we (finally) have a dog?

[TheABC]

We are moving to a new house in the next two weeks. It's within walking distance of DH's workplace, so going home at lunchtime would be distinctly easy. I am also looking to relocate my job and (long term) work from home. The house has a large garden and plenty of parks nearby for walks.

We have both grown up with dogs and missed having them around for years. We have deliberately put off having one until now as our long working days would not have been fair on the animal. Now seems to be a good time to review that decision. We already have two cats and an 18 month old child, all of whom are used to our parents dogs.

WWYD?

Could you fit in an hour a day to walk your dog. Every day even when it's raining, freezing or when you're ill.

I would say so.

Imo, walking every day is unrealistic.
Much better to teach your dog early on that walks can be different lengths and you don't get one everyday because in the real world if your child do gets flu and your partner is at work you won't be walking your dog, nor will you be walking if you fall suddenly and do your ankle in like I did or if your female comes into season or if there's a severe weather warning out and severe Storm.

You want your dog to be able to chill and entertain itself if necessary not going crazy demanding walking driving you insane when something happens and you can't get out.

MrsGuyGarvey, yes, except in extreme conditions such as force gales. Something that even my parents Belgian Shepherd has refused! We go out for walks now after work as a family and once the breastfeeding has stopped, I plan to take up running again in the mornings.

'Imo, walking every day is unrealistic.'

Er, no, it's a minimum requirement.

Er, no, it isn't.

I am not for one minute suggesting not walking your dog regularly however in the real world, shit happens and sometimes you won't be able to get out for a walk.

If one such day occurs and your dog expects a walk every single day regardless he will likely drive you crazy.

If you train your dog that sometimes you get walked and sometimes you don't and that the walk length varies then when something happens and you can't get out you can relax knowing your dog will chill and entertain himself and not howl the place down and chew holes in the wall.

If a daily walk is so vital then how on earth do us entire bitch owners manage?
How did those poor rural dogs get on at the height of foot and mouth?

I walk my dog regularly, indeed, she is fitter and in better shape that almost every other dog I see!
But I do not always walk her every single day and that was a lifesaver when my kids have been sick and she has been very happy to chill, chew a toy, potter in the garden etc.

Once you have sorted working from home then it sounds doable. Personally I would wait until you child was older though, I know lots of people have dogs and young children but I would wait a few years.
As for walking every day then it IS a requirement unless there is an emergency.

I agree my walks vary hugely. They probably get about the same amount if exercise per week, but it varies from day to day from 4 hours to yes, sometimes, none. Hardly ever at the same time. They are super chilled in the house but always up for a walk.

Op, I see no reason why not as long as you are prepared to never ever leave your child and dog alone together for the next four years or so, which can be a bit of a bind. Whenever you leave the room you always need to take one if then with you.

I got my oldest dig when my dd was two, it was hard work but fine.

Do consider a rescue dog who can be assessed as being good with kids before you start. Your situation would suit an adult dog far better than a puppy, but still be prepared to take additional time off while settling a new addition in.

Well so far in the 18 months I've had my dog there's never been a day in which he hasn't had at least one walk - and that includes during my mum's terminal illness.

Imo daily walking IS a minimum requirement - and if I can't do it I'll make sure someone else can - friend, other family member, professional dog-walker.

His walks aren't always at the same time or the same length or the same route but yes he does always have a walk.

My mum managed to walk up to 3 dogs twice every single day when we were little despite working and having three children so it's perfectly possible and just needs a bit of organisation

Male dog gets a walk everyday, female dog gets walked everyday even when in season. She gets lead walks early in the morning and late at night and in places where we see no/barely any other dogs.

In that case TheABC then go for it. The only other thing I'd say is be sure you can afford it, food, insurance and vets bills do add up. There are lots of rescue dogs looking for homes, I hd both of mine from 12 weeks and they're both rescues. It's probably best you get a puppy with small children in the house. I didn't get mine until the children were older, I really couldn't have coped with three kids and dogs but I wasn't really a dog person and got strong armed into it by the rest of the family.

Thanks, everyone. I think a walk every day (barring emergencies) is a requirement for me, never mind the dog! I do worry about ensuring dog/child safety and its the only thing that has given me pause. A rescue birch would be ideal, if we could find one that gels with cats. We have had them before and they always bring a lot of fun and love to the house. DH wants a female kelpie, but we would need a lot more time off at home with a small puppy.

MrsGuyGarvey, how old were your DC's?

I really can't agree with the idea that a puppy is better if you have children.

Apart from the fact that puppies bite, scratch and destroy children's toys, raising a puppy with kids is no guarantee that it will like them.

I currently have two, one was raised with them from a 9 week old puppy, he is fine with them but keeps his distance. My second I got at 18 months knowing from her fosterer that she loves children and she really does adore them, seeking out their company for both games and cuddles.
An adult dog from rescue is a known quantity and always a better bet, especially with very small children imo.

I agree with Butt. I lived next to a farm with foot and mouth. Ddog got walked very rarely, usually in the park in the dark. Mainly because stupid dog owners refused to keep their dogs on leads and mine was potentially infected!

I have had dogs for 20 years (just had my last pts) and yes sometimes they didn't get walked. Shit happens. Most of the time they had ample walks, but sometimes life just gets in the way.

I used to look forward to getting out of the house with the dog every day. Unless it was absolutely pissing it down all day. He didn't like heavy rain either. As long as we did a bit of obedience and training and playing he was kept perfectly well entertained.

I also agree with butt that sometimes you can't manage to walk a dog everyday, sometimes an emergency comes up ect..
My ddog will refuse to go for a walk if it's raining or too cold and I refuse to drag him down the street when he plainly doesn't want to go and isn't going to enjoy it just for the sake of walking him.
Getting a dog in the situation you describe sounds doable.
Good luck if you decide get a pup

Go for it. Its bloody hard work if you choose a puppy over a rescue, but ours id the best decision we've ever made.

We got our now nine month old puppy when our son was 2 years and 2 months. I have to admit the first 4 months were hell. The potty training took determination and consistency and most of all time, at the beginning I took her out every 20 minutes and also after each meal and before and after going in her crate (no idea how you do this if you are leaving them for hours). Puppies bite and scratch. Even with constant supervision our toddler went through a stage of always having a scratch somewhere. You then have to limit what type of toys your child can play with. Just as our son was coming out of the putting things in his mouth and starting to love little toys they had to go away as dangerous to the puppy. Walking on your own with a puppy and training her to come back etc while you also have a toddler running in the opposite direction is stressful. At 6 months she did get easier as the biting and scratching stopped but it is serious hard work. This week my puppy is staying with my parents as my little boy has croup and I have flu so couldn't cope with dog as well. Even though I feel poorly I do realise how much easier life was before. On the flip side she is wonderful loving dog who hasn't got a bad bone in her. She adores her family and gives the best hugs. Our son also adores her and her him. In the evenings she just settles down on her bed in the dining room with us and is so easy.
I would also think about your general set up
One of reasons it has been harder is we were meant to be moving but it has taken longer but hopefully we will move in the next month.
In our current house you can't really walk anywhere but into town so for an off lead walk I have to drive and we have on road parking and not necessarily near to the house. Going for a walk takes preparation as the toddler gets covered head to foot in mud during the winter so getting him dressed then both loaded in the car then walk and then sometimes the toddler refuses to. Then back in the car to come home dog dries off in her cage then I often have to bath toddler as he gets so dirty. The whole process seems to take hours!
Our new house as loads of walks from the house so this will be much easier. Our son will also be going to preschool for a couple of mornings so I can walk her then.
The new house will also be much bigger so will give everyone their own space plus it has a boot room with a dog flap so she will have her own room and no letting her in or or so another core saved.
Keeping them apart can be irritating as everytime I want to go to the loo or just take some washing upstairs I have to put her in her crate however you just can't take the risk.
She is such a wonderful addition to our family though even if she has cost us a fortune in gin!

I was advidsed to vary length and time of walks and yes even miss the odd day becuase life happens and occasionally it cant be helped missing a walk

but we do extra training /playing in garden to

Maybe consider an older rescue dog (one who has been fostered with kids / cats would be ideal), as it's not fair on a puppy to be left all day and only to get a brief interaction at lunchtime - lots of dogs end up in rescue due to just this, as it often causes problems down the line. Some slightly older, calmer dogs will be happy to snooze on the sofa for 4 hours at a time.