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Karen S.
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| Posted: May 11 2007 at 11:46am | IP Logged
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My dd's are begging me for a puppy and while I'm not completely against the idea, I'm also not too sure I'm up for another responsibility. As much as they promise me that they will take care of it, my mind wanders back to my childhood pleas and promises(my siblings and I got the dog, my parents ended up with most of the responsibility). So, please let me hear others who have ventured here!
In His Mercy,
Karen S.
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mom3aut1not
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| Posted: May 11 2007 at 12:03pm | IP Logged
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Karen,
I was planning to get a puppy a few years ago (long story). I spent several months reading up on dogs, dog training, dog nutrition, etc. Everyone I read said, even those who disagreed on training method or nutrition, said that if a family gets a puppy, the children can't be expected to assume the responsibiity until at *least* 12. So, you're the one who will have to assume responsibility of caring for the puppy. Moreover, puppies are a lot of work -- puppies go from the equivalent of babyhood to the equivalent of 16 from the time you get them to their first birthday. You have adolescence in dogs too! You must consider sociailzation, training, etc. as well as more mundane topics and set some money aside for medical care (from what I have read, medical insurance for dogs is not a good buy), and so on.
Moreover, *don't* get a puppy from a pet store. Look for a dog from a shelter or a reputable breeder. The latter choice requires quite a bit of research I am afraid, but it is really worth it. Puppies are often quite expensive, and you should get your money's worth!
This is not to say that it is a bad idea to get a dog, but it is work especially for a newbie. Perhaps you could blend it into your school work?
If you would like a list of books, links, etc. that I collected in the past, let me know.
Oh, I forgot. A hsing mom I know was given puppies "for the kids" at different times." She did not have time to socialize or train her dogs. Both were relinguished to shelters which often means death. Now she knows to refuse a gift puppy until she has the time and energy to deal with one.
In Christ,
Deborah
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EmilyC
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| Posted: May 11 2007 at 12:26pm | IP Logged
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I'm in the same boat as you. My children have been begging for a dog for ages now. So we're looking into it.
I don't know the ages of your children, but it's important to know dog breeds that are good with children. Some that I have researched are Golden Retrievers, Beagles, Otterhounds, English Foxhounds, and Collies.
You need to assume that you will be the one responsible for most of the work, and prepare yourself for that.
Here are some websites that I found helpful:
http://www.wonderpuppy.net/choose.htm
http://www.peteducation.com/default.cfm
HTH!
Emily
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: May 11 2007 at 12:40pm | IP Logged
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Realistically, you will be the one responsible.
But that being said, I think it is a tremendous benefit to kids to have a dog. So worth it.
I suggest skipping the puppy and going to your shelter for an adult dog. Much less work and trouble, and you would be saving an animal that is less likely to be adopted by another family. Spend some time with the dog you want to adopt first, to be sure it will be good with kids. If you have very small children, adult dogs can actually be better because they are less likely to jump up on them, scratch them, and frighten them.
We have a yellow lab that we adopted as a 4 year old and she is such a blessing to our family. What a sweet, loving dog. We also have a golden retriever that we got as a pup, and he is wonderful, too, but I really could have done without the weeks of potty training, and the chewed furniture.
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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TracyQ
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| Posted: May 11 2007 at 1:04pm | IP Logged
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We have two doggies. We took our oldest when my lifelong girlfriend asked us to when she told me she was dying of a fatal disease. She passed away years ago now, but having our Lady (cocker spaniel) has been one of the biggest blessings in our family. She's sweet, and special and a very devoted part of our family.
Our puppy (who is now about 3 years old), Sam-Wise Frodo Quebral (known as Sammy) came as a gift from my sister in law (husband's sister). They brought her from Ohio because they knew we wanted a beagle puppy. He was 5 months old. We had just decided to wait, and not get a puppy when they showed up with him, and we looked at Sammy's eyes, and just couldn't say no.
Sammy is a wonderful part of our family, however, we came to find out (through his actions) that he was neglected AND abused. 
I believe the Lord wanted Sammy in our family because we're home all day, and he needs that. I believe God knew that Sammy needed an extremly loving family who loves animals, with a mommy who was willing to work hard with him. He's coming along, and I can't tell you how difficult it's been, but how worth it it's been too.
Be careful, and spend time with the doggie you choose to get for your family, because it's a tricky business sometimes. They have their unique personality, and not all doggies or puppies fit with all families. We had a difficult and sad experience with a puppy before our children came as well.
I guess God knows me, and has me take the needy misfits. 
Having our doggies has been a GREAT experience for our kids to learn the HUGE responsibility it is to have a life that you are responsible for. I think it's not only a GREAT life lesson, it's a GREAT and wonderful thing to have a wonderful animal as part of your family. I know we wouldn't want it any other way.
The kids are responsible for the dogs, because we make them be responsible for the dogs. It's not an option. While I have to be the one to oversee their responsibilities, and remind them if they forget, they forget less and less as they get older, and more able to be responsible. I count it as a valuable, important lesson in learning how to care for others, and how to become more responsible. I know that part of that means more work on my part, but for our family, that's something I'm willing to do because I think what it teaches them is so valuable. I'm also a huge animal lover though, and can see that having an animal for non-animal lovers may not be a good thing. It's something every family has to really research, pray about, and decide for themselves. 
The other thing to remember is that they can be expensive, so be prepared to let that enter into the decision. We just wrote a check to the vet yesterday for $470.00 (for two dogs). As they get older, they get more expensive. Overall, it's not too bad, particularly when they go in once per year. But again, as they get older, more problems can and often do occur. And if they end up with a medical problem, that can be extremely costly. I know someone with a 9 year old Saint Bernard came in yesterday to the vet (beautiful dog), and said his dog has a disease that requires a shot every 5 weeks that costs them $180.00 per shot! I was thanking God as I wrote the $470.00 check that our old Lady only has skin allergy and ear problems/infections (common to cocker spaniels).
Research the breed, because certain breeds come with frequent certain health concerns, and that is something to consider when deciding on a doggie for your family as well. Certain breeds have certain personalities, certain health concerns, and certain other quirks like shedding, barking, etc. For instance, our beagle loves to sing. He is extremely vocal! While that fits in well with our family (we all sing), it can be loud sometimes! He loves to talk, cry, bark, howl, and SING, SING, SING. For some families, that would drive them crazy! But he's CUTE! 
My son said to me yesterday that when he gets a dog himself one day, he's going to REALLY research the breeds, and try to get the perfect one for him. I think that means he's really learning a lot about the process of having a doggie, and learning really great and valuable lessons from having our puppies. He's our animal loving child! 
I hope this has helped some anyway.
__________________
Blessings and Peace,
Tracy Q.
wife of Marty for 20 years, mom of 3 wonderful children (1 homeschool graduate, 1 12th grader, and a 9th grader),
 homeschooling in 15th year in Buffalo, NY
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Martha
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| Posted: May 11 2007 at 1:58pm | IP Logged
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Does it have to be a dog?
I literally grew up in a zoo. I was bathing elephants and chasing monkeys way before the notion of dogs came along in my life.
I can't imagine a world without a pet. Seriously. It's not just about responsibility either. Pets do "nothing" for us be simple be there waiting for us to love them. It's that little friend that just knows to come snuggle when you've had a bad day. The little ear that takes in every trouble and loves you without a single a word of complaint or regret. Pets are an amazing way to learn about love and life, imho.
If you get a dog, I agree get an older one - not a puppy.
You could get a kitten or fish or frogs or birds, or geckos, or snakes, or mice, or any number of critters.
We have 1 indoor only cat, 2 koi, 4 frogs/toads, crickets, 2 garden snakes, a half dozen rolly pollies, 5 moths, 4 rabbits, 7 squirrels, 6 golden apple snails, 1 bottom feeding thingy, we currently call pets and are in the house at various points of capture. Despire my rather open door to critters, all of my children want a dog. I admit I'd rather have 4 more children than 1 dog. I have no idea if that's a reflection on my openness to life or my lack of openness to dogs.
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Martha
mama to 7 boys & 4 girls
Yes, they're all ours!
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mom2mpr
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| Posted: May 11 2007 at 3:01pm | IP Logged
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I kind of second the adult dog thing.
But you would have to be REALLY careful.
We got a 9 month old lab pup from a breeder that was a super dog with the kids and in the house-except she was afraid of EVERYTHING! Even at 9 months(or 5 months as mentioned above) they can come with baggage and you need to be ready--and I wasn't. The hard part for me was that when of someone approached on a walk, she'd slip out of her collar(choke or belt) and run away--I have young kids and it just wasn't working for me. She needed a lot more than I could provide her as far as socialization. She was returned to the breeder--after a hard, hard decision. I really, as an animal lover, felt like a failure.
Then we got our new pup. She has only had lab puppy issues. My ds needs a new wardrobe, especially socks due to her nipping and biting and she was very exhuberant and loved to jump and steal toddler hats--sometimes after knocking the toddler down-ugh.
I'd be ready to put in a lot of work, Mom. Crate training was a help. She still hates it though. She needs to run at least one a week--off leash--at the nature preserve or get together with some other dogs for play. She just needs that release. The kids couldn't do much to help except feed and water and I could not leave them in the yard with her alone for over a year(we have an electric fence-she chewed through leashes).
She is now a year and a half and things are so, so much better and she is maturing so nicely. We can finally do so much more with her--she can pay attention and listen and she is a joy to have around. Ds and I think back to when she was 6-9 months old and are so amazed at the changes in her. The time investment was immense but is paying off at last.
So, puppy vs adult dog, tough choice. Either way, I am glad my kids get to grow up with a dog. When you have a rough day there is nothing like a dog to love you!!
Good luck with your decision...
Anne
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Kristi
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| Posted: May 12 2007 at 3:56pm | IP Logged
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Karen,
We just came home with a nine week old puppy a few weeks ago and I can tell you that you are the one that is going to have most of the responsibility. My kids love to help out with feeding, playing, going for walks, but I am there for all of it and the training is really up to the adults in the house (our oldest is seven). I love having the puppy, but I am definitely glad we have summer stretching out before us with minimal "school" going on. Of course that was part of our planning. She takes a lot of time, but she also takes GREAT naps because four boys wear her out. We also have a very mellow puppy, which helps. You could see that when we went to pick her out (that's why we chose her) and she was the favorite of the 12year old dd of the family we got her from (and the remodelers working on their house ). I guess I just recommend doing a lot of research on what breed you would like and be prepared for a lot of work in the beginning . But the work is well worth it.
__________________
Kristi
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Lisa R
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| Posted: May 12 2007 at 4:29pm | IP Logged
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We have an older dog (she's 11) and we got her while stationed in Italy when she was 3. Her family didn't want to bring her back to the states and were going to just abandon her. She had just had 6 puppies and hadn't even recovered yet!  She has been the sweetest dog we've ever had and is my constant companion. I think she is part cocker spaniel, but we really have no idea. There's alot of little dogs in Italy that look just like her though! So we just call her our Italian mutt.
We also got 2 Shih-tzu puppies 2 years ago and had to find them another home after 1 year. They both were biters and we just couldn't have that. Especially with adopting Hannah and having a little one in the house again. After we made the decision to give them to a friend's parents, our boys told us of the many times they had bitten them! They just loved them so much. It was so hard they day we gave them to our friend. We all cried so much.
I've had a dog my entire life and can't imagine not having one. I'm so glad my kids get to grow up with one too. So much to learn about life and love and responsibility. I was worried about bringing Hannah home and didn't know how she would respond having never seen a dog. Well, she just loves our dog to pieces. It's so cute watching her pet and love on her.
All this to say, I think having a dog is worth whatever training you have to do. Just do your research and get the best one possible for your particular family.
P.S. the only negative I can think of is vacation. Always a hassle to find someone to watch her as all our family is on the other side of the country. And she hates the kennel. So do I for that matter.
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God Bless!
Lisa, married to my best friend, Ray and loving my blessings Joshua (17)and Jacob(15), Hannah(7) and Rachel (5)!Holy Family Academy
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momtomany
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| Posted: May 12 2007 at 7:03pm | IP Logged
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We lost our 16year old dog this past winter. We had gotten her as a puppy right before I found out that I was expecting #7. I wanted to bail on the puppy idea when I found out I was pg, but then didn't want my older kids resenting their new sibling for being the reason that they couldn't get the dog. So we got her and muddled through. I have to say that housebreaking and cleaning up the accidents were not fun in early pg. And we never gave her the best obedience training that we could have. But luckily she had the sweetest tempermant and it all worked out.
A few months after Sadie passed away, the kids were talking about a new dog. With a bridal shower coming up here in June and then a wedding in August, I really didn't think that I would have the time or energy for a puppy. So we went to the Humane Society and picked out a border collie mix dog that is 7. Whoever had him before did a great job training him, and he's wonderful with the kids. I really enjoy seeing the younger kids playing with him. Poor Sadie was too old and tired to play much in recent years.
So I would certainly second the idea of getting an adult dog. I found that our local shelter was very upfront about the strengths and weaknesses of each dog at the shelter. They are really committed to making a good match of a home for the dogs. We didn't even look at the ones that said that they needed a quiet home or weren't good with children.
Btw, my kids are pretty responsible about caring for the dog, with a lot of reminders. My two youngest also care for our chickens too.
__________________
Mary Ann in PA
wife to MIchael, mom to Elizabeth, Becca, Tim, Peter, Andrew, Sarah, Matthew, John, Leah and Joseph
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Topic: Pets: to have or not?
