Is it ludicrous to think of getting a dog?

[DreamingOfAFullNightsSleep]

I have a 4 year old and 3 year old twins and am a sahm. It is pretty busy and chaotic at home with the dc all being given young and all at home (DD starts Reception in September). She is animal mad and we ate going to get a pet. I had been thinking of rats- or rabbits as she's so keen on that idea. As a child and teenager we had guineas, rabbit, hamsters, mice and ponies. Simultaneously. I have never had or lived in a house with dogs

Having looked into the amount of work involved with rabbits in some ways a smaller dog would be easier for us. We do a fair few family walks and bike rides. We have a large garden which needs dog proofing anyway (to stop my sister complaining about her German pointer escaping when he visits!). The dog would easily be able to be incorporated into the family.

BUT we have no experience and young children. Madness?!

Dogs dont all need hours and hours of walking. Ours are fine with 20 minutes a day and longer on the weekend. Its what theyre used to like someone else said

I also have a shihtzu and last week my brother with his wife DD7 and DT boys 3 came to stay and dogsit while I was away. I live opposite the beach so some days I just cross the road and let him( the dog not my brother) chase seagulls, crabs, his tail etc for half an hour. They had been considering a dog and when they left the parents had decided to leave it for another year or so and the children hid my dog in the boot so they could take him home!

I think other posters make a good point about how dog proof your house is. I have all hard floors but by the time my dog was 6months old I had to replace two rugs. I think carpets in any area the dog will be are a no no. A positive is that my DC always put their shoes away now. But your sister is right no other pet will ever give you as much joy and love.

Absolutely live our puppy & glad we got one. We chose a puppy after being put off by rescues. He goes to puppy training and is walked three times a day. He is lovely & soppy.
Our house is dirtier, mud from garden, walks etc. He lives the cats (them less so). It is like having another baby - just fast forward ing through the they stay where you left them stage. He is getting more trained & it has been hard work.
Still absolutely love him though.

Thanks everyone. We do have carpet, and were hoping for an older dog for fear of the vast amount of time needed for a puppy. I too have been looking at lots of rescue centre dogs and the huge majority are totally unsuitable for a young family like ours.

Sensibly, we should probably also wait a year or 2- til all 3 dc are in school which would open up more time for me to be with the dog and for walking it. It's certainly on my mind though, the longing for a 4 legged friend

We got our 1yo working lab against advice of everyone. We have a nearly 4 yo and 18mo. Carnage. I work 4 days a week, dh ft but from home etc. So yes rarely at home for longer than a couple of hours.

We've had a looooong winter! But, it's totally doable. Just like another child really - you put their needs before yours. Yes, we've had rows about who's looking after him etc. But he is sooo great, very well behaved and has been fairly OK to train. Obviously lots of 'moments' and expecting more but we wouldn't change him for the world.

I'd counter what ppl say about exercise. Our biggest struggle is the mental training. He's bright and my main guilt is that he should be working - police and guide dogs have both tried to poach him

On that note, I'm off to play hide and find with him

*meant he is rarely left alone for more than a couple of hours!! Nanny usually here if we're out, so he has plenty of company