puppies/babies and toddlers?

siennamiller

siennamiller

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Hi
Just after a bit of advice again please. So hopefully have rehomed bitey terrier, he is staying overnight with possible new daddy and apparently they are getting on really well
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We had our local dog trainer over yesterday ( husbands last ditch attempt to see if we could keep dog) and she said definitely not.
She said it is our fault he has become like this
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mainly because we let him go ahead on walks with no lead. He is an alpha dog but she says he is the boss. I always thought I was in charge cos he does what he is told with me, always waits for me to go thru doors first etc..
Anyway, she said to rehome him and not to get a puppy as we have a toddler ( 21 months) and would maybe have another baby at some point. She said to wait until all grown up but this means being without a dog for about 4 years
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!
I personally think that it is good for kids to grown up with dogs? I have seen a lad/springer.bearded collie cross with a very submissive soft friendly mum who I thought would be perfect ( ready in about 4 weeks)
What do you all think?
Thanks
A xx
 
Lab all the while - one of my first piccies is called 'Babysitting' adn I am about 3 months with our yellow lab lying next to me on guard. Can't beat a lab round kids.

XX
 
well the puppies I have seen, mum is a lab x cross springer but she looks like a lab, she was a lovely person
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They think dad is bearded collie but not sure cos she got out.
I specifically want a lab x for the reasons you said
Thanks
xxx
 
I personally wouldn't have a baby puppy and a toddler but that is just me. Too much like hard work! I don't have children, but I have had lots of puppies and I imagine it would be like throwing another baby into the mix.
 
The bearded collie bit would worry me slightly, purely because I used to have to groom a few, and the majority of them would have your hand off quicker than you could say Ouch!
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I should imagine they aren't all like that!

Also bear in mind that Springers can be very hyper dogs, I wouldn't have a small child around mine, I would be terrified he would knock them over!

You won't necessarily end up with the best of everything, you could end up with a Lab that is as hyper as the maddest Springer and as sharp as the nastiest Collie!
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Personally I would wait at least a year before introducing a puppy, purely because as HH said, that's alot of work, and I am very lazy
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I have a Springer and wouldn't change him for the world, but I wouldn't have a tiny child near him. He is a soft as grease, but rather boisterous and I would be terrified he would knock them over, although he would give them a thorough washing if he did
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My previous Springer was the most laid back animal ever, my nephew used to hold him out on walks when his head was only just higher than the dog's.

I just don't think you can ever say, Oh this breed will be fantastic with kids, especially not with a crossbreed. You have no idea what the animal will be like once it is grown up, it could be the best of all three breeds, yet it could also be the worst.
 
Agree with Hen, that is a cross, of a very energetic dog, and an equally as energetic, high energy and intelligent breed type, if this is not met with lots of exercise and training, then you could end up with a very highly strung and difficult dog, I would say no!

SM, I agree with the trainer to an extent about waiting, but if u are desperate, why not go for a near enough fail safe and get a dog notoriously known for it's mildness and fab temperament that is a lower energy and more bidable family pet, a cavalier.
 
Just been through exactly the same thing and have had to make the same decisions as you.

I dithered over a puppy/adult dog choice and also the big question as to which breed and got lots of help from this site. I wanted a puppy but in the end couldn't face the thought of tandem potty and house training - my twins are 17 months old. The thought of toddlers walking through puppy poo also made my non doggy OH rather negative about the whole thing!

Then we had the big breed question. I wanted another terrier but I also really miss having a lab. In the end we went for a lab and I've already posted about lab rescue. We've rehomed an adult bitch from a family with children and she's just slotted straight into the family. She's been here for just over a week and already she's part of the family. As she is a calm dog she doesn't get hyper around the twins and she doesn't bounce around too much. The advantage of an adult dog is that the personality is already developed and so you have a good idea of what you are going to get.

We WILL get a JR puppy but we are going to wait until the twins can be more involved in the process. In the meantime we've been blessed with a calm, gentle, well trained 6 year old lab.

Good luck with your decisions!!
 
I had a similar 'discussion' at my training club. A breeder turned away an owner because she had a young child. I said I would be fuming if someone dismissed me just because of my son.
I am the type of person that agrees that children and dogs can grow up together in a happy enviroment. I cant bear children that see dogs and are instantly scared and the mother is dragging them away adding to their fear factor.
I can see both sides of the argument and there are owners and dogs alike where kids and dogs dont mix and in my case the child comes first and if my dogs showed any aggression whatsoever I would rehome, however, there are plenty of responsible people out there who can deal with dogs, kids, horses etc.
I let my son help feed the dogs, he knows not to hassle them, pull ears. tail etc.
There are also times when he might run the tail over on his bike by accident or go flying over the top of them when we are all playing so in the same breath my dogs know they DO NOT DO ANYTHING but either move out of the way of go and see if he is ok.
I do agree and you have to be wary in the breeds you choose with children and I went to a breeder who had children herself and the pups and mum were used to them so it was no big shock to their system.
I love seeing my son playing nicely with my young dog and even laughed to myself when I heard him talking to someone the other morning when he woke up saying he had been a good boy and had done all of his sleep and did they sleep well etc only to walk in to his bedroom to find my dog curled up on the end of his bed looking very cozy and happy. ( this is the dog that isn't allowed upstairs ) and they make beds and watch films together. It can be a very happy relationship between kids and dogs and I do believe breeders and some trainers alike should look further into the situation first before dismissing owners with children.
 
Wel I have had puppies and toddlers together without a problem, but it is hard work, I think it would be even more difficult with a young baby and a young pup. Imagine if you were in the middle of changing a nappy and pup asked to go out
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My son was 17 months old when my late, lamented Chaka came along, they grew up together and she adored him, and strangely enough although she was a hoodlum of a pup she was always so gentle round him and never knocked him over. Although my latest pup Evie has a lovely temperament she is not used to little children and hasn't learnt to be gentle around them, nearly knocked a friends little girl over with her enthusiastic greeting
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You might be better trying to rehome a rescue dog with a proven family history.
 
trouble is I am worried about getting an older dog who may laready have issues. If we get a puppy it would be nearly a year old by the time new baby is here so would be a bit older, housetrained etc
Waiting a year would mean all was happening together, we would have to wait about 4 years I think until no 2 was at least 3.
I think cavaliers are very cute but SOO expensive...
 
Have just read your oP properly, and as you haven't a young baby and your toddler is nearly 2, in your position I would consider a puppy. However, I do agree that the cross you mention could be quite hyper, my neighbours have just taken on a springer/lab cross that the previous owner couldn't cope with. She is only 9 months old bless her but is very hyper. I know you say Cavaliers are expensive (don't know how much they are nowadays) but if you buy from a decent breeder you are paying for their expertise, and if you could find a breeder who has a young family you would be soure the pup was well socialised with little ones. I know when my children were younger it was ideal for socialising puppies, and people used to like the fact that they came to see a litter of GSDs share their kennel with 2 young children
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With regard to an older rescue, yes some may have issues, but it is a sad fact that in the current climate lovely dogs are being rehomed just because their owners cannot afford them, if you could find one of thse, who has lived with a young family it might solve your problems.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I have seen a lad/springer.bearded collie cross with a very submissive soft friendly mum who I thought would be perfect ( ready in about 4 weeks)
What do you all think?


[/ QUOTE ]

I personally don't think that is the right mix. The 'unknown' father gives extra cause for concern.
 
hmmmm, I am thinking that too!
BTW lab rescue won't rehome to me cos we have no gate from the garden tothe road. Fair enough even though there have been dogs there for 37 years
Heyho
 
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