Getting a dog

[Mum2J&M]

Is this just a completely stupid idea? I am considering getting either a lab, a golden retriever, or a corgi. We're in a house now with a yard. I think it's important for the boys to have a pet. Is 3 and 5 too young? Will I hate myself the second I bring one home? I know it's a hell of a lot of responsibility. I know what's behind those cute puppy dog eyes. What's a good age for a kid to get a dog? My oldest isn't old enough to walk him yet obviously. Thanks for your input.

[Camellia]

There are soooo.. many factors to consider. The ages of your kids are the amongst the least of the factors that I would focus on.

Have you researched those breeds you mentioned? What about the breed attracts you?

If you get a lab or a golden be prepared for a longer than average "puppy" stage. They also need a lot of exercise. Like ridiculous amounts. I grew up with labs and so thought they were perfect for me when I was ready to get an dog as an adult. It turns out I'm actually quite lazy, so I have pit bulls

Best of luck to you. Dogs are wonderful companions and add so much to a person's life. Just think long and hard about the kind of dog you want. I would also suggest looking into a rescue association. The dogs live with foster families who can tell you so much about a dog's individual personality. It's much less of a gamble going through a foster/rescue set-up.

[Mike]

My folks have kept golden retrievers for as long as I can remember and they make great pets. One of my earliest memories is riding in a car with one of the dogs - I cant have been any older than your kids so no, I don't think they are too young. And growing up with dogs provides an extra buddy for them to play with.

[AirBrontosaurus]

As long as you're prepared to do all of the work, there's no problem .

As you said, the kids are too young to walk the dog. But, they're also too young to remember to feed it, give it water, clean up after it inevitably goes in the house, etc. You can use it as a tool to teach them responsibility, but for the most part you'll be doing everything.

That said, I've always had a dog at my house and I loved it. They're great companions, can relive stress, and will teach your kids responsibility. If you're OK with doing the work, then I'd say go for it!

[NZDoug]

Sounds good for the lads and yourself.
Retreiver will bowl them for a year, but has good temprament.
A walk every morning and every evening is good for all parties, rain or shine.
Make the boys accept responsibility to their new friend.
Team work.

[txcanon]

I can't comment about the Corgi but I've had Goldens all my life and they make wonderful pets.
Goldens need a place to run and get excercize. They have a bunch of energy. Goldens also need alot of companionship. They are people oriented dogs.
The only downside to Goldens are they shed a lot.
Your kids will have a friend to play with.
Good Luck

[KirkHMB]

I'm not sure you need that much extra excitement in your life right now. Dogs, especially puppies need a LOT of work and commitment the first few years. Its different than kids, as its hard to put a diaper on the dog. And, as mentioned above, Labs and Goldens keep their puppy brains much longer than other dogs. But if you decide to, rescue is a wonderful way to go. My next one is coming from that source. If you do get a puppy, crate train it. You and the dog will both be happier for it.

[just_a_girl]

We tried a Lab when our kids were around that age - he was just too hyper (prolonged puppy) no matter how much I walked him, he would come right back in and run and jump around. My kids got to the point where they didn't like him because he would jump up on them, scratch them or knock them down. I know this may not be true with all dogs of this breed, jmo. If I were you, I would lean more towards the corgi - I hear they are wonderful family dogs - not too big, not too small. I don't think your kids are too young, I just think you need to thoroughly think through the breed you chose.

[Mum2J&M]

Originally Posted by Camellia

families who can tell you so much about a dog's individual personality. It's much less of a gamble going through a foster/rescue set-up.

Yep - this is the route we are planning to take. I've been in touch with a rescue foster place who's keeping me up-to-date as to what's going on. We are looking at 4-6 month old labs instead of little puppies. We plan to meet with a few of them prior to just jumping in head first. Thanks for your input. I know they are active dogs to say the least. We will have a fenced in yard, though, and it wouldn't hurt for me to get up off my lazy arse for a change.

[Mum2J&M]

Originally Posted by michaelgreen78

My folks have kept golden retrievers for as long as I can remember and they make great pets. One of my earliest memories is riding in a car with one of the dogs - I cant have been any older than your kids so no, I don't think they are too young. And growing up with dogs provides an extra buddy for them to play with.

Yes, I have similar memories as well. We always had a Springer Spaniel while I was growing up. My parents had her when I was adopted as an infant. She looked after me.

[BillsBayou]

Labs chew on EVERYTHING in your house. If they can get their teeth on it, it'll be ruined. I'm not talking "Oh, there's teeth marks on this." I'm talking about "Why in the world did the dog gnaw the corners off the coffee table?" and "Where's the leg to that chair?"

Get a standard poodle. They're smart. They're loyal. They don't bite. They don't shed (but you do need to brush them and keep their hair groomed, so buy a good Oster grooming tool). They defend their owners and territory. They're very playful.

I have two standards and they're incredibly house-trained. I like to think I did the house training myself, but they're very intelligent dogs.

I guess the only down side is that they know when they're receiving the short end of the stick. If we come home from work and then go right out to dinner, we need to give them some chewy treats or they'll look for some trouble to get into just out of spite.

[DuaneJ]

Dogs poop. Every day. Kids will step in poop. If the kids are big enough to wield a shovel, you're in good shape.

[HarleyQuinn]

Are you going to be putting your kids in activities such as sports? We got got a dog a couple of years ago when they were about your kids age. Last year all 3 started sports which puts us out of the house every day of the week.
How will the dogs be kept then? Will they be crate trained or roam the house or outdoors?

We had ours spoiled with spending so much time with us and not being an outside dog. He was perfct. No chewing, no messing, nothing. When we started being gone non-stop, he got naughty. I don't blame him, he was bored and wasn't getting the attention he was used to. He ended up going to live my sister and it killed me and the kids. Had I known we would become this busy I would have never gotten a dog to begin with

You really need to think long term and that is something I didn't do and regret it.

[Mum2J&M]

Originally Posted by DuaneJ

Dogs poop. Every day. Kids will step in poop. If the kids are big enough to wield a shovel, you're in good shape.

Damn good thing too. I'd imagine it would get quite uncomfortable if they didn't.

[DuaneJ]

Originally Posted by Mum2J&M

Damn good thing too. I'd imagine it would get quite uncomfortable if they didn't.

I have Basset hounds and one got constipated once. He walked around in poo position for about 2 hours until he finally birthed it.