Too soon for a puppy??

**mimijolene** · 12-07-2010, 02:55 PM

We have a 10 month old boy and we would love for him to have a puppy/small dog companion. Because Christmas is approaching it has come up. What age do you think is right for getting or introducing a pet to our family??

**Darlene** · 12-07-2010, 03:17 PM

Personally I'd wait until the child is old enough to know how to treat an animal.

**stinkbug** · 12-07-2010, 03:25 PM

I would never, ever recommend a pet for Christmas. Especially with small children and especailly not a small dog. When your child is older and understands kindness and gentleness and has a little self control, go to your local shelter and find a good mutt!

**starsapphire** · 12-07-2010, 03:46 PM

To this day I still have scars on my face from when I was 18 months old and was left alone for a minute with the family dog.

Wait until your child is old enough to be taught how to handle pets.

**Pianolady** · 12-07-2010, 03:48 PM

No, I can't recommend it. Puppies love to play, paw, and scratch, etc. My brother's dog accidentally caught his claw in their 9 mo. old's tongue recently, just trying to be friendly. She likes to stick her tongue out. It was not a good thing, and innocent enough, it wasn't really the dog's or anyone else's fault and a freak accident. They decided the dog had to go for safety reasons.

**mimijolene** · 12-07-2010, 04:18 PM

Thank you for all the responses! Does anyone's opinion change if it wasn't a puppy, but a small dog already house broken and the whole bit?--Or is it about both the dog and my son being older?

**druthb00** · 12-07-2010, 04:25 PM

Easy answer. After your son is potty trained.

My mom refused bring home a new dog (our first was killed in a car accident) until my little sister had been potty trained; she didn't want to be training the dog AND my sister at the same time LOL. The second my sister started using the toilet, the first thing out of her mouth was, "Where's my puppy?"

Oh, and geez girl, aren't you exhausted enough as it is? LOL.

**frugalwarrior2** · 12-07-2010, 04:41 PM

I got my DS a puppy when he was 4 y.o. He learned responsibility
by feeding him and walking on a leash in the back yard.
Don't hurry to increase your poop duty.

**druthb00** · 12-07-2010, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by frugalwarrior2

I got my DS a puppy when he was 4 y.o. He learned responsibility
by feeding him and walking on a leash in the back yard.
Don't hurry to increase your poop duty.

Ahahahahahah This is awesome!

**frugalwarrior2** · 12-07-2010, 04:49 PM

Whaat? I had 2 kids in diapers at once and now I have 3 dogs (big dogs). And I cannot state emphatically enough how much I'm glad it wasn't at the same time. I certainly wouldn't want a toddler crawling in it.

**Missy** · 12-07-2010, 05:50 PM

BTDT...two puppies and an infant. Never. Again. The puppies didnt get the attention they needed and although now the dogs are great...well, the Border Collie is...not so much the beagle, the road has been rocky. Far more than what it should...or could have been. Raise up the baby some first, then add in the dog. I agree about the poop duty comment.

**momof2boys2005** · 12-07-2010, 06:16 PM

I would strongly consider waiting until you're done having babies. Seriously I'd wait until your child/ren have proven they understand the boundries of a pet THEN I would look into getting a dog...I honestly wish I'd done that all those years ago- would have saved +++ headache and heartache!!!!!!!!!!

**RABBIT** · 12-07-2010, 07:01 PM

Small dogs and small children are generally not a good match. Small dogs cannot tolerate alot of grabbing and pulling and will bite to escape their tormenters. Larger (gentle) dogs are a better fit because they can handle more but I agree with everyone else, I would wait until your son is older.

**khaski** · 12-07-2010, 07:37 PM

As a dog breeder myself, I would not recommend it until your child is at least 5 or 6.....puppies like to scratch and bite playing, could easily unintentionally hurt your little one even with supervision, and as someone else mentioned the pup will not get the attention it needs....it takes a LOT of time to housebreak and socialize and train a pup, don't overfill your plate.....WAIT until your child is at least a few years older (plus, think of the fun you'll have letting him help pick out the new pup, he'll remember bringing it home, all that good stuff). I strongly urge you not to do it....it's not fair to you, your child, or the puppy.

as for larger breeds doing better with kids- that's generally true, but again, think 40 lb ball of hyperactivity + an 11 month old...recipe for disaster! Big puppies are still, well, puppies!

**frugalfranny** · 12-08-2010, 01:06 AM

Like some of the others have said..........

I would get one potty trained before you bring home another one to do.

You have to get up during the night with puppies too........ready for that?