Sadly I have had to have our beloved dog PTS due to her poor health. My DD adored our dog but is only 14 months so doesn't really understand why our dog is no longer around. I was not wanting to get another dog but I realise how much I miss her and the joy she brought to all our lives. What I am wondering is if anyone has any experience of having a toddler and puppy? I am worried I may be taking too much on.
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Toddler and puppy?
- Thread starter willow76
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My friend had a 16month old and got a puppy.
I won't lie, she struggled. We looked after the dog a couple of times.
The biggest problems were the nipping and playing that puppies like to do. She used to rescue and train dogs it still took a good few weeks to get that under control and The sheer amount of exercise a puppy/dog requires but then again her puppy was a German Shepard, which requires a great deal of exercise.
Saying all that 2 years on, even though he obviously restricts what they can do ( she won't leave a dog alone in the house for more than 4 hours) they are the best of friends
I won't lie, she struggled. We looked after the dog a couple of times.
The biggest problems were the nipping and playing that puppies like to do. She used to rescue and train dogs it still took a good few weeks to get that under control and The sheer amount of exercise a puppy/dog requires but then again her puppy was a German Shepard, which requires a great deal of exercise.
Saying all that 2 years on, even though he obviously restricts what they can do ( she won't leave a dog alone in the house for more than 4 hours) they are the best of friends
MrsS143
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Its hard work training a little puppy
Maybe youd be best trying a rescue for a young dog
You get them even 6 months to a year
That way theyre toilet trained which is the toughest part, and you will see their personality for what it is
They often test them behaviourally for food aggression, are they jumpy etc
You might get to 'try them out' too and go on a nice walk together and see how they get on
Its just then teaching the toddler to be gentle and not grab etc as you need to learn the dogs tolerance etc c
Maybe youd be best trying a rescue for a young dog
You get them even 6 months to a year
That way theyre toilet trained which is the toughest part, and you will see their personality for what it is
They often test them behaviourally for food aggression, are they jumpy etc
You might get to 'try them out' too and go on a nice walk together and see how they get on
Its just then teaching the toddler to be gentle and not grab etc as you need to learn the dogs tolerance etc c
LaceyKeo
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My first Christmas present was a Cocker Spaniel pup (I was eight months).
I loved that dog to pieces, and have a love of all animals in general, I think because I grew up around them.
Only you know your lifestyle, though, and know if you have the time, energy, and patience to train a pup with a tot. I know I don't, that's why DS has a house bunny.
The idea of a slightly older rescue could be a good one, if you think that would make it easier to settle a new dog, rather than taking all the initial training on too xx
I loved that dog to pieces, and have a love of all animals in general, I think because I grew up around them.
Only you know your lifestyle, though, and know if you have the time, energy, and patience to train a pup with a tot. I know I don't, that's why DS has a house bunny.
The idea of a slightly older rescue could be a good one, if you think that would make it easier to settle a new dog, rather than taking all the initial training on too xx
Weeza
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So sorry for you loss. I have two dogs and would be lost without them!
I would recommend finding a local rescue and getting an older pup sort of 6 months that is house trained. I had my dogs early so that when I had a baby they were well trained as I couldn't imagine having to do puppy training and have a baby! I remember thinking the puppy was getting me ready for a baby all those nights of howling from her being away from mum! Then my second I got at 6 months old and the difference was amazing! Much easier
I would recommend finding a local rescue and getting an older pup sort of 6 months that is house trained. I had my dogs early so that when I had a baby they were well trained as I couldn't imagine having to do puppy training and have a baby! I remember thinking the puppy was getting me ready for a baby all those nights of howling from her being away from mum! Then my second I got at 6 months old and the difference was amazing! Much easier
My DD has learned to be gentle with the dog we had as well as our cat. I obvious don't know how she would be with a mouthy puppy so this was is obviously something we would need to continue work on if we got one.
I have ruled out some breeds which require more exercise than we could offer I.e. boarder collie.
Our last dog was a rescue so may speak to a local centre about an older puppy.
I have ruled out some breeds which require more exercise than we could offer I.e. boarder collie.
Our last dog was a rescue so may speak to a local centre about an older puppy.
I think it greatly depends on the breed. I have two cockers and they wouldn't have been too difficult to raise with a toddler around, especially my working cocker. Our great Dane has gone to live with my in laws though as even though she is almost 7 (old for a Dane) she is still a lunatic and lethal with her tail. I wouldn't dream of having a big breed puppy around a baby or toddler, too difficult to manage imo.
Our dog was a Staffie and she was a very sweet and gentle dog. I was thinking a medium sized dog as I want it to be robust but not too big. Maybe a bit before I would get one as still very raw about our last, can't even talk about her without getting upset. I just miss the joy she brought to our whole family.
We got our pup when my little girl was 7 months. It won't lie and it's bloody hard work at times but as she was here first he's very good with her. I was on maternity with toilet training and he was pretty good to be fair. I didn't want to go the rescue route as by getting a young pup we could do all the socialisation (which is crucial in first few weeks) and we didn't have to worry about past issues.
He's a lovely dog and emily loves him too. We now have adolesence ha but it gets easier all the time
Like others say I guess you know your circumstances but from my opinion it's hard but we have managed
He's a lovely dog and emily loves him too. We now have adolesence ha but it gets easier all the time
Like others say I guess you know your circumstances but from my opinion it's hard but we have managed
Emily0505
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I am loving all the suggestions of going for a rescue!! 
Of course working in a rescue centre for the last ten years makes me so inclined!
Only you can really know what you can and can't cope with hun but my two pence worth is this... puppies are bloody hard work! They need a lot of time and energy invested in their training and socialisation to enable them to grow up to be rounded adults. Exposure to new places, people, dogs, objects and scenarios is so important. Then there's the training side of things: toilet training, bite inhibition, basic obedience etc. Putting the time into all of these things might be hard with a toddler in tow but the beauty of a pup is that they are blank canvasses. You can bring them up in your family to suit your needs.
A rescue dog suited to a family home should be one that has no major issues, tolerant, easy going disposition and is generally a well rounded individual. They will still need some amount of work to settle them into your home etc but may be easier in the short term than a puppy. But, as I say, only you really know how much time you can dedicate and what you can deal with.
I'm sorry you've had to part with your pet. It's so sad when they pass away, they leave such a hole when they are gone. Blue Cross provides a support service for bereaved pet owners if you need someone to talk to. You can find details on their website.
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Of course working in a rescue centre for the last ten years makes me so inclined!
Only you can really know what you can and can't cope with hun but my two pence worth is this... puppies are bloody hard work! They need a lot of time and energy invested in their training and socialisation to enable them to grow up to be rounded adults. Exposure to new places, people, dogs, objects and scenarios is so important. Then there's the training side of things: toilet training, bite inhibition, basic obedience etc. Putting the time into all of these things might be hard with a toddler in tow but the beauty of a pup is that they are blank canvasses. You can bring them up in your family to suit your needs.
A rescue dog suited to a family home should be one that has no major issues, tolerant, easy going disposition and is generally a well rounded individual. They will still need some amount of work to settle them into your home etc but may be easier in the short term than a puppy. But, as I say, only you really know how much time you can dedicate and what you can deal with.
I'm sorry you've had to part with your pet. It's so sad when they pass away, they leave such a hole when they are gone. Blue Cross provides a support service for bereaved pet owners if you need someone to talk to. You can find details on their website.
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