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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Puppy and Toddler?

19 replies

AlwaysFoldingWashing · 22/05/2023 20:59

I have never had a dog before but an opportunity has come up for us to potentially buy a Labrador puppy. We have a very active almost two year old. Would this be a disaster??

OP posts:

catchthedog · 22/05/2023 21:01

I would find it a disaster and also very limiting to the enjoyment of spending time with your child and being able to go out for the day etc. I'd personally wait until they were at least 6 or 7

Wolfiefan · 22/05/2023 21:02

I wouldn’t. Puppies are bloody hard work. Plus they are bouncy and bitey. Wait until your child is school age.

carly2803 · 22/05/2023 21:02

yes it would. There will be other puppies!!

bad bad bad idea!! wait till toddler (or youngest)! is at school

nightmare. absolute nightmare.

Oodlesofdoodlescockapoodles · 22/05/2023 21:04

I wouldn't. Especially not a big bouncy lab puppy. We did exactly this and although the dog is now a settled, lovely adult dog, i really wish id waited as it was so tying. It creates so much extra work, the puppy chewing kids toys, making sure the child is gentle with them, not leaving the puppy at all initially and not for long for ages after that... Personally, I'd wait until 5+

Mrsjayy · 22/05/2023 21:04

I did it when dd2 was 3 and it was fine the pup was quite placid though , it is bloody hard work and the pup can't go out or really be left on its own for a few months so you need to work round that and constantly wiping up pee and poo ,

Original poster

AlwaysFoldingWashing · 22/05/2023 21:13

Well that's made a very easy decision for me, thank you all! You are right, there will be other puppies... think we will wait it out until our boy is at school stage. thanks, everyone

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 22/05/2023 21:17

Plenty of time! Also do your research. If you want a lab check what health tests should be done. Hips etc. plus consider whether you want show or working lines.

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 22/05/2023 21:20

Labs are so bitey as pups. Also god breeders do not just randomly have puppies available to any home

Seas164 · 22/05/2023 21:23

The very thought of this makes me break into a sweat OP. Don't do it, 8 plus is a lovely age for a puppy IMO.

Original poster

AlwaysFoldingWashing · 22/05/2023 21:35

Thanks very much. All good advice and things I will take on board

OP posts:

Mumma2Ro · 23/05/2023 05:59

We’ve just just our puppy Labrador and we have a 3 year old and a 5 year old- it’s magical so far! Seeing the kids with the puppy just melts my heart. I’m under no illusion, I know it’s going to be hard and we will have good days and bad days but so far we, and the kids are really happy x

pookiedoodlepuppy · 23/05/2023 06:49

I really really would wait , I've done it with a two year old and I had had dogs before and it was really hard work . It will be better for everyone to wait , much more fun . 🙏🏻

MsMandy · 23/05/2023 06:56

My puppy was the most wonderful bouncy loving creature, but with a toddler? No way. OP honestly, its really a lot and how would you feel if you had to end up rehoming this poor toddler. I'd wait till they are at school.

tabulahrasa · 23/05/2023 07:55

People do it, but I don’t understand how.

While you’re housetraining you’re having to go stand outside every 20 minutes or so and you don’t have time to get a puppy and toddler out there, so you’d either not be quick enough or you’re just leaving a toddler to it’s own devices for an unknown amount of time....

Also, puppies bite just fir fun and it hurts and they often target children because they’re the most exciting, that stage is hard to manage even with older children.

And on top of that, toddlers really not reliable at following instruction, so you spend a lot of time just making sure they’re not harassing a dog anyway, but when it’s a puppy who also doesn’t follow instructions, then it’s got to be chaos tbh.

Mrsjayy · 23/05/2023 08:01

I think a puppy just added to my chaos I'm not sure how I managed, it's totally mad.
I've an 12 week old puppy atm and no kids at home and I'm shattered!

pookiedoodlepuppy · 23/05/2023 08:06

I had a pen in the garden built for the puppy and a playpen for the two year old , I'm actually amazed I didn't put the puppy in the play pen and my son in the dog pen 🙈😂.
She was an amazing dog luckily . But I wouldn't recommend it .

Ylvamoon · 23/05/2023 08:06

I had a puppy when DC2 was 18 months.

It was hard work but well worth it.
But, I am an experienced dog owner, also had an older dog at the time and definitely knew what I was taking on.

EdithStourton · 23/05/2023 08:12

We've had a puppy with young DC. It was hard work but it panned out well. I did lack the time to train her properly though - luckily she was a lovely dog and also very self-sufficient (terrier).

I'd be less sure with a bigger and bouncier breed, though. We got our first big dog when the youngest was about 6.

Silkymoon · 30/05/2023 02:03

You seem to have been adequately put off already, but in case you are like me and once an idea is in your head (getting a puppy) it's hard to get rid of, I would just add to the case - please don't do it to yourself! I have an 18 month old and a now 6 month old dog and grew up with 6 dogs, so thought I had a vague clue. 100% it was the worst and hugest mistake of my life. I feel I've limited my toddler's childhood and I literally wake in the night in a panic that they are somehow in the same room. They cannot be together, at all, ever. I don't hate the dog by any means, but I hate what it has done to my life. Sorry to be dramatic!! 5 year old and dog, great BTW! My mental health, in shreds.

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