Having a puppy when you have kids

[angenbear]

There isn't a thread on this, so I thought this would be needed since there are concerns with puppies when you have kids.

This is something to consider before having a puppy.


*How much time can you spend with a puppy when you have kids that need time and attention?

*Is a golden retriever the right breed for your family, please do research on their personality and see if it fits your family.

*Are you financially stable that you can afford taking the puppy to get vet shots, toys, food, training?

*Training is definitly a must when you have kids, and everyone in the family, old enough, should participate in the training.

*Puppies should be supervised at all times, as would supervision with children around puppies too.

*As you would make your house childproof for your kids, you also must make it puppy-proof for the pup

*Keep in mind, that puppy stage is all about chewing, so keep things as kids toys or valuable that you don't want chewed.

*Naturally with kids, there are usually their snack foods that's near them, you may need to have it in an area that isn't accessible for a puppy to get into. Puppies should only eat puppy food not people food or you'll get them later in the habit of begging for people food and only want that.

*With goldens, they require lots of exercise, can you provide that when your kids may tire you out from their activiites?

*If you think a puppy may be too much for your family, you may want to consider a dog that's over a year old and up. That way they are mostly all potty trained, and mellow.

There are probably more tips, and hope others can contribute it to this thread. If you do the research and reflect if the golden pup is right for you and your familly, then you will no doubt do well and picked the right breed for your family.

[theGoldenPup]

GREAT Idea

*Read as many of the resources on dogs and kids that you can. The more information you have the better prepared you will be.
*Kid-proof your dog, teach him how to behave around kids, and how to listen to them if they want the dog out of their way.
*Dog-proof your kids. Way too many kids don't know how to greet dogs properly, even those without kids, when kids ask to pet, be sure to teach them how to!
*Realize the great responsibility. Most of the people bitten are kids, and most are bitten by thier family dog or a dog they know well. By breed bans and the such, kids aren't much more safe. Safety starts at home!

GoldenPup

[Acamarrr]

And don't abandon your dog, just because you choose to have kids. Realize that the responsibilty of pet ownership doesn't go away, just because you add the responsibilty of child-rearing.

[angenbear]

Also, I hear it several times of how everyone excepts a golden to be like they see on movies/tv, how gentle, mellow, and great with kids.

They are, but that takes time and training to get them to be in that stage. Please read the training/behavioral thread and read tips on how to help with dogs with territorial aggression. Not saying that every pup will have this, but if it does occur, don't panic and ship the pup out in fear for your kids. The concern is there, but the behavior can be corrected. That's why we suggest doing a lot of research on reading about the breed.

[goodtim'n]

When all else fails, put the kids in the crate!!!! rofl3

[coopersmom04]

I have 2 kids, age 9 and 5. We got our first dog when my son was 2, and my daughter has been with dogs all her life. They understand that the dogs need lots of love and attention. I think they inherited their love for dogs from me :)

It's important, before you bring a puppy into the house, to explain to the kids how to handle the puppy, that the puppy will nip until he's taught otherwise, and that the puppy is not doing it to me mean, but because he wants to play. I think it's extremely important to go to puppy classes, esp when you have kids.

My kids have learnt quickly to pick up their toys or Cooper will chew on them, or pick them up and carry them to a another room where they can't find them ;) Cooper is not allowed to go into the kids rooms, at least for now!

The kids now to respect the dogs, and I have told them to not disturb Cooper when he's asleep. Now, this took a while, because who can resist a sleeping puppy?

I think communication and proper training (puppy AND kids :laugh2 ) is the key here!