Things to think about re dogs and children

[GrouchyKiwi]

We're moving to a detached house with garden soon and always thought we'd get a dog once we had been there for a while. However I'm no longer certain that's a good idea from a dog's point of view so wondering whether people can help me think about it properly.

We currently have 2 children (3 and 9 months) so think it's best to wait till next year at the earliest for a dog. We would like more children, though.

The area we're moving to has lots of nice areas for walks, and our garden is fully enclosed so the dog would get enough exercise.

We've started teaching DD1 how to behave around dogs. So she knows, for example, that she has to ask the owner before patting a dog we meet.

We know we'll need a private space for the dog that it can go to when it needs a break. My family has always had dogs so I know about care, etc. I'm a SAHM so there'll always be someone at home.

What else do we need to consider? And is it unfair to get a dog when the children are so young? I'm not worried about the amount of work it will be for us, just about the impact of such a young family on an animal.

Am I over thinking?

Honestly if I were you I'd wait. We got ddog a year before DS was born and although they run along ok life would have been much easier if we'd waited. Even little things like - who would look after the dog while you're in hospital having subsequent babies? Would you be able to walk the dog with a newborn and your toddlers every day? we don't leave ddog for over 4 hours so if you want to nip out to a toddler group then lunch or a day out you can't do anything else spontaneous as you need to get back for the dog.

DS is 18 months and generally behaves ok around ddog but I watch them all the time and definitely wouldn't trust them on their own yet. Until very recently he was a liability with the dog and pulled hair/tail at any opportunity.

Maybe if you got an older dog it might be easier but puppies are a huge amount of work, as much as a baby in many ways and I think it's easy to underestimate the amount of work they need!

If I were you I'd put it on hold until your family is complete then review. But good luck whatever you decide!

I would say wait until you`ve had all the children you want and are out of babyhood days. Puupyhood was short but like having another baby! We got a dog when the youngest of our 4 was 2. We waited until we moved to a suitable house as well.
Before getting a dog I mentioned the thought at a toddler group and had a rather harsh nanny (who was left to take care of a brat and a new labrador puppy) that I should wait until my 4th child was at least 6 because her darling charge pulled the dogs fur and ears and the dog had become aggressive! I thanked and suggested he learnt not to do that (the brat not the dog). My children (even the two year old) treat the dog with love, kindness and respect, the dog is happy, exercised, never (or rarely) alone and great with the kids.

I would suggest waiting too. My DS was three nearly four when we had our pup. The pup was very energetic, excitable and nippy (typically) and DS's high pitched voice and constant movement encouraged pup to be giddy, the combination made for a stressful first few years of dog ownership.

They are 9 and 6 now and best friends but the early days were high stress.