HELP me make a decision. Should we get a puppy?

[lauracitawita]

My daughter is 8. Since she knew what they were, she has loved dogs. I know most children love animals, but I have never seen anything like this before. She told me once that puppies are her passion. She wishes on her birthday candles, stars, and water fountains for a puppy.

She got bitten by a dog a couple of months ago. It broke the skin and she was bleeding. The owner felt horrible and scolded the dog. My daughter was heartbroken that the dog got in trouble because of her. She told the owner...it's just blood. I don't mind. (the sight of blood usually sends this child into hysterics).

This is just a small sample of her "passion."

So...now to me. I also love animals...especially dogs, but I am worried about the responsibility.

Can you guys help me with the pros and cons.

I am sooooo torn on this. I would not be getting a dog if it was just for me. My daughter (only child) is the sweetest, most wonderful kid I've met. I would love to make her dream come true. On the other hand, I don't want to make a decision I will one day regret.

Thanks so much!!!

 

[mjkacmom]

If you get a puppy, PLEASE don't get it from the petstore, or breeders who list their puppies on websites or newspapers. It's not easy to find a reputable breeder, but it can be done.

That said, puppies are A LOT of work - like having a newborn. My kids have been begging for years, and have always taken care of small pets in the past. If and when we get one, I will get a rescue - if your dd is so passionate about dogs, I'm sure she wouldn't mind getting an older dog who needs a home - my kids don't want a dog from anywhere else but a shelter or rescue.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Be aware that you will be the one ultimately taking responsibility for the care of the dog. And most dogs live ~ 15 or more years so you have to commit for that long.

That being said, I had dogs before I got married. My oldest is 24 now and we still have dogs. I think they are worth the work.

You have to decide if this is a responsibility you want to take on.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Do NOT get a large or medium dog. You need to get a small dog. The reason being she will be able to handle a dog like that on walks. Trust me.

My dd is 13 and STILL cannot handle the 60lb dog. Probably will never be able to as he is a handful and strong.

She can handle the 40lb dog barely.

Think child, squirrel, park and dog wants to go chase squirrel. You do need muscle to handle a bigger dog.

That is my input. If you are getting a dog for an 8yo, get a dog an 8yo can handle.

 

[Dictator]

If you need the assistance from a message board, please dont get one.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Puppies are tough. They require constand supervision and depending on the breed and temperament of the dog, that can last for a long time. I have a beagle who is 14 months old and we still have to know where he is and what he's doing every single minute (unless we want the garbage knocked over, our hampers knocked over and the dirty clothes eaten, accidents on the floor, toys chewed up, etc). I love him and he's the most affectionate dog I've ever known, but he is WORK.

If you don't think you have the time for that, you can always rescue a young or adult dog from the humane society or a rescue center. www.petfinder.com

Plus, they can be pretty expensive. Food, alone, is an expense and then there are vet bills, grooming, other care (lodging, etc when on vacation).

But if you think you can handle all that, then I definitely encourage you to get a dog! I always had them growing up and we wanted our sons to, too. My oldest has a lab and the beagle belongs to my youngest.

 

[Liberty Belle]

If you need the assistance from a message board, please dont get one.

I think it's pretty responsible to ask about the pros and cons. Whatever do you mean?

 

[Dictator]

I think it's pretty responsible to ask about the pros and cons. Whatever do you mean?

You should only get a dog if you are 100% certain you want one. If you are so unsure as to ask strangers, for the sake of he dog, don't.

 

[WDSearcher]

Perhaps you and your daughter could do some family volunteering at the local Humane Society. Have her spend some time picking up poop, cleaning out feeding dishes, and doing the kind of "unglamorous" jobs that come with a dog. Show her how many dogs are there and explain that many of them are older dogs who get turned in when the people who loved them as puppies decide that they no longer want them or can take care of them. Do it in a way that she'll understand, of course -- don't make it morbid, but discuss with her that having a dog is a lifetime commitment.

Maybe sit down and talk about things that will change when you have a dog. Walking the dog every day, for example, even when it's too hot, too cold, raining, etc. Even when she has other things she'd rather do. Let her know that dogs cost money and so some other things (new iPod, expensive new boots, whatever) may not be as easy to afford. Find out if there is a local organization that will let you "borrow" a dog for a weekend to see how your daughter does with the actual responsibility. I would also ask her how much of her allowance (if she gets one) your daughter would be willing to donate to the "pet fund." Pets are expensive, and she needs to understand that if she really wants a puppy and if she has a "passion" for animals, that part of the way she can prove that is to put aside other things for this.

But yes ... to agree with others upthread, you'll end up being the one who makes sure the dog is fed, watered, washed, walked and taken to the vet. No matter how much she helps (and she may surprise you!), you're still the parent and it'll be you signing the papers. And if, when your daughter turns 12 or 10 or 14 she decides she doesn't have time for the dog any more or her interests have changed, you'll be the one deciding how to deal with that.

 

[JVL1018]

I decided to get a dog on the spur of the moment 6 years ago.
Never wanted one because of the work and hair and the smell and all of that, even though my husband and I both had dogs as kids.

I can't imagine ever not having a dog now. Yes, she sheds, yes, she smells sometimes, yes, she chewed my furniture and shoes and wall when she was a puppy, but now she has no issues like that-heck she rarely even barks. She is a wonderful addition to our family.
From here on out, we're a dog family.

We have a big (80-90 lbs) black lab and my kids(8 and 10) still can't take her for a walk(except on the way home when she's tuckered out), so I would suggest a small or medium dog, as well.

 

[ckoncurat]

We just got a dog this spring, after YEARS of requests from my kids. I decided to go with a young dog, NOT a puppy, to cut down on training. After lots of searching, we adopted him from a family that was moving and could not take him along. He is a GREAT dog, and its been wonderful. We all love him. Our dog is a jack-a-pug, which is a mix of jack russel and pug. He is a little energetic, but VERY patient and loving with the kids.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I would definitely go for a small, adult shelter dog. The Humane Society near us behavior tests all of their animals and does a brief write-up on the animals' temperment and whether they're suitable for kids. You can get a dog that's still fairly young but already house trained, leash trained and spayed or neutered. It's also cheaper to adopt than to buy an animal. I got a 1-year old bunny from our Humane Society several years ago. For $65, I got a bunny that was behavior tested, checked by a vet and neutered. He's now 7 years old and one of the great loves of my life!

 

[CowboyCO]

If you need the assistance from a message board, please dont get one.

 

[ckoncurat]

Just wanted to add- we did choose a smaller dog so the kids can walk him, which has worked out great. I got the dog "for the kids", and now I adore him. I don't think being concerned about the responsability is a bad thing.

 

[lauracitawita]

Thanks for all the quick responses.

To the poster who suggested I not get a puppy if I am asking people on this board, I understand your comment.

However, I am taking this decision very seriously, and have been contemplating it for almost a year.

I believe that gathering knowledge from others is very valuable.

If we decide to bring a dog into our home, it will be because we've looked at every possible angle and we are certain we are comitted to this.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Ever see the commercial "Mom can I keep it?" I think its for a veterinary college shown on Animal Planet, shows a little girl coming to the back door with one animal after another and then finally a horse

Considering your daughter has a passion don't be surprised if she becomes a Vet someday...sounds like she has a good attitude too. Best of luck to you and her

 

[kacaju]

Here is another thought. First off I have nothing against rescues. I have a *pound puppy* myself.

If there is a breed your daughter would really like, look into a breeder. Breeders many times *grow out* a few puppies they think will be show dogs. Sometimes for one reason or another the pup doesn't quite have what it take sto be a show dog, so the breeder will then sell it as a pet.
What is nice about this, you will be getting a nicely mannered dog that you know it's background. Like I said, I have nothing against shelter dogs, but since you are not a dog person, this may be a way to go.

 

[Pakey]

In addition to the time involved, you have to think about the cost. They get sick, need medication, need routine shots, teeth cleaning and grooming, require boarding or pet sitters when you are gone, etc.

I would also consider how much time you spend at home. When our boys were in school, we were gone so much with school/work, sports activities, clubs, etc. I never felt it was fair to a pet who would have sat at home alone for much of the time. Once the kids were grown, I felt my husband and I had the time to spend with pets and I was ready to commit.

 

[Tinijocaro]

You should only get a dog if you are 100% certain you want one. If you are so unsure as to ask strangers, for the sake of he dog, don't.

We weren't certain with either of our dogs, but after asking people in our lives and *gasp* people on the DIS, we got both of them. We also were indecisive and unsure about having each of our children. Sometimes people just need reassurance.

BTW, glad we got both dogs and glad we had each of our kids. I was glad for the input of total strangers.

 

[SandrA9810]

Even as a grown adult, I had a heck of a time walking my dog when I first got her. She was a Samoyed mutt, which is along the husky/spitz line, but only weighed 35lbs. She was a natural puller and just wanted to run. So I tied her leash to my scooter and let her take off. I didn't have to pull against her walking or do much other than keep the scooter upright. There were a few accidents that happened, but we both loved it. But if I ever needed to just take her for a walk, I used a Halti. It's a head leader and every one will think you've got a muzzle on the dog even with her tongue hanging out... But dogs lead with their head and go the direction which it's pointed. When they start pulling, it causes them to turn their head and go in a direction they don't want to. I bought mine on ebay for 5$.

Daily care and cost were nominal. She was even on Merricks brand dog food, which is top of the line stuff. And still only spent about 20-25$ a month on food. She also had really long fur, so there were a few brushes laying around, and she would get brushed at night while I was watching tv or something. She did wonderfully in the bath, so never to the groomers. And I wasn't about to fork over 100$ for a bath from them. She was never a chewer or anything like that, so I didn't have to worry about the cost of toys, but she did get treats when we went to the store.

Now vet bills, that's like getting a good ol sucker punch in the gut. I went through several bouts of UTIs with her. And what it came down to finally was putting her on the premium brand vs the purina I was feeding her before. I spent a month making up rice and veggie in chicken broth meals for her, then I transitioned her into the Merricks. Never had any issue after that.

If you have a pet supermarket, they send out monthly email newsletters with a coupon for 5$ off 25$ or more. Plus most pet stores do the buy 11 bags of food, get 1 free. Just remember even if you always buy 20lb bags, but you needed a small bag for some various reason, your coupon will be for the smallest bag that was purchased out of the 11.

Having a dog is like adding an addition to your family. There's no, that's your responsibility or this is my responsibility. When you see something needs to get done, you do it. Although more than likely, the dog will probably pick some one to be it's favorite. She came on all vacations, at Disney she stayed in the kennel during the day and slept in the tent with us at Fort wilderness. When we first got her, we had a lot more time on our hands and she spent a lot of time with me on a daily basis or with my mom. But when we both started working at Disney and had crazy long hours, she did just fine at home.

I would also talk to the shelter or rescue about becoming a foster family. They like all different kinds of families to take pets in to see how they adjust to different settings. I spent a lot of time walking up and down the rows at the shelter, probably for a good month or so before Kari spotted Kiani and said, that's the dog, get her.