Would we be insane to get a puppy right now?

[Anonymous]

The danger comes when the puppy is a teen (anywhere from 6 months to a year and a half), nearly full-grown: they can bowl over little kids because of their high energy and rambunctiousness, and also nip or bite, and inflict real damage if they do not receive sufficient training. A teen Golden will be 2-3 times the weight of your kids.

And of course a young puppy cannot hold its bladder for more than their number of months plus 1, in hours. So a 2 month old puppy can go for 3 hours without peeing in the house, longer at night if you cut off water intake a couple of hours before bedtime. You will need to get up in the middle of the night at first.

But the foremost consideration in a household with very young children is the sheer weight and potential aggressive propensities of a large teen dog.

[Anonymous]

If a breeder has one now I assume it's not temperament tested? Or last one available? I would wait so you make sure it's well matched and mellow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

Thanks everyone. We are so torn. We talked to our vet about this recently because the older dog is our priority- she’s slowing down but still in good health. She jumps on the couch multiple times a day but can’t jump on the bed, etc. She said that with some older dogs having a puppy around is actually good for them and gives them a little burst of energy.

Does anyone have actual experience with introducing a puppy to an older dog and how it affected both? We are interested in the puppy but would never do anything to harm our current dog- she’s our first child.

Most adult dogs do not take kindly to puppies for the first couple of months, but it does not mean they can never get along. It's just that first phase that's fraught, because puppies have very different communication system than adult dogs, and they need to learn how to be respectful. To facilitate this, you must always take your older dog's side. The puppy is not allowed to jump on older dogs, get in their faces, and generally annoy them. They're not allowed to steal toys or drink or eat from their bowls. The older dog will growl at the puppy to put him in his place, but it helps if you supervise and add your own commands. When the puppy learns to behave, they can be great friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD is 4.5, DS is 16 months. I’m a stay at home mom and DH travels occasionally. We have a 14 year old border collie who is the live of our lives. We have been trying to adopt a Golden for months (approved by the local rescue just waiting on a dog). There is a Golden puppy nearby who is available NOW. We adopted the 14 year old as a rescue when she was a little over a year old and have never actually had a true puppy as adults. Is this crazy? We’ve been talking about another dog for a long time just a little guy shy I guess. I’m worried about how our older dog will handle. I don’t want to overshadow her as she gets older but also think another dog may be helpful to her and the kids

Do not get a puppy with kids your ages. It isn't fair to the puppy because you won't have the time or energy to care for a puppy right now. It also isn't fair to your older dog. Get another older dog when your kids are much older snd your old dog has passed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do it!

I added a giant breed puppy to my household with my 7-year-old established senior dog. (7-years is senior—they are short-lived.)

They love each other. It took a few months, but my older dog definitely has more energy now. Watching them play is truly the sweetest thing.

They are both female.

Do you have a 16 month old and a preschooler? If not, than you shouldn't be giving this advice.

Puppies are a LOT. I got a puppy last year and I have a senior dog but my kids are adults. If I had known it was this much work I woud not have gotten him. I love him but he is a lot. Now he is a teenager and we have months of training to do..and I have time!

Please don't adopt this puppy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do it!

I added a giant breed puppy to my household with my 7-year-old established senior dog. (7-years is senior—they are short-lived.)

They love each other. It took a few months, but my older dog definitely has more energy now. Watching them play is truly the sweetest thing.

They are both female.

Do you have a 16 month old and a preschooler? If not, than you shouldn't be giving this advice.

Puppies are a LOT. I got a puppy last year and I have a senior dog but my kids are adults. If I had known it was this much work I woud not have gotten him. I love him but he is a lot. Now he is a teenager and we have months of training to do..and I have time!

Please don't adopt this puppy!

I have no children, but I’m also single, which means I have no help. I did it all alone, while working out of the home. I don’t regret it at all. Yes, it was hard, but it was worth it. There are benefits to having an older, established dog with a new puppy.

OP, I say go for it!

[PP you quoted]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD is 4.5, DS is 16 months. I’m a stay at home mom and DH travels occasionally. We have a 14 year old border collie who is the live of our lives. We have been trying to adopt a Golden for months (approved by the local rescue just waiting on a dog). There is a Golden puppy nearby who is available NOW. We adopted the 14 year old as a rescue when she was a little over a year old and have never actually had a true puppy as adults. Is this crazy? We’ve been talking about another dog for a long time just a little guy shy I guess. I’m worried about how our older dog will handle. I don’t want to overshadow her as she gets older but also think another dog may be helpful to her and the kids

Is it a rescue or breeder? Asking because is it harder to get a rescue?

A breeder. The rescue has been great but we’ve been trying for over 8 months. The plan was to get another dog while our older dog was still active but I’m worried that window is closing

GOOD rescue, no offense it sounds like you have a wonderful current dog, but rescues, people feel like they are doing something good, but they're really aren't it hurts the dog more than you think. so it's a good thing your getting a dog from a breeder, I don't think it's a bad idea to get a dog now, your current dog may enjoy it, how is it around other dogs?

[Anonymous]

got a dog this year DD is 14 and a few weeks after getting the pooch, she became a dog trainer. she is really good with the dog, I think you can manage, especially since you already have a dog. you have experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

Thanks everyone. We are so torn. We talked to our vet about this recently because the older dog is our priority- she’s slowing down but still in good health. She jumps on the couch multiple times a day but can’t jump on the bed, etc. She said that with some older dogs having a puppy around is actually good for them and gives them a little burst of energy.

Does anyone have actual experience with introducing a puppy to an older dog and how it affected both? We are interested in the puppy but would never do anything to harm our current dog- she’s our first child.

Most adult dogs do not take kindly to puppies for the first couple of months, but it does not mean they can never get along. It's just that first phase that's fraught, because puppies have very different communication system than adult dogs, and they need to learn how to be respectful. To facilitate this, you must always take your older dog's side. The puppy is not allowed to jump on older dogs, get in their faces, and generally annoy them. They're not allowed to steal toys or drink or eat from their bowls. The older dog will growl at the puppy to put him in his place, but it helps if you supervise and add your own commands. When the puppy learns to behave, they can be great friends.

Your older dog can actually be like a parent to your pup! which will be helpful to you. your dog will learn faster from your own dog. and then there won't be an issue, your current dog will step up to this position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do it!

I added a giant breed puppy to my household with my 7-year-old established senior dog. (7-years is senior—they are short-lived.)

They love each other. It took a few months, but my older dog definitely has more energy now. Watching them play is truly the sweetest thing.

They are both female.

Do you have a 16 month old and a preschooler? If not, than you shouldn't be giving this advice.

Puppies are a LOT. I got a puppy last year and I have a senior dog but my kids are adults. If I had known it was this much work I woud not have gotten him. I love him but he is a lot. Now he is a teenager and we have months of training to do..and I have time!

Please don't adopt this puppy!

I have no children, but I’m also single, which means I have no help. I did it all alone, while working out of the home. I don’t regret it at all. Yes, it was hard, but it was worth it. There are benefits to having an older, established dog with a new puppy.

OP, I say go for it!

[PP you quoted]

Sorry but I am laughing so hard..you have no kids!!!!! These kids are babies and op has no idea how much work it will be to have a well yrained socialized dog. They adopted an older dog which I did too and it was so much easier
Please..pp you have no idea so stop encouraging her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

Thanks everyone. We are so torn. We talked to our vet about this recently because the older dog is our priority- she’s slowing down but still in good health. She jumps on the couch multiple times a day but can’t jump on the bed, etc. She said that with some older dogs having a puppy around is actually good for them and gives them a little burst of energy.

Does anyone have actual experience with introducing a puppy to an older dog and how it affected both? We are interested in the puppy but would never do anything to harm our current dog- she’s our first child.

Most adult dogs do not take kindly to puppies for the first couple of months, but it does not mean they can never get along. It's just that first phase that's fraught, because puppies have very different communication system than adult dogs, and they need to learn how to be respectful. To facilitate this, you must always take your older dog's side. The puppy is not allowed to jump on older dogs, get in their faces, and generally annoy them. They're not allowed to steal toys or drink or eat from their bowls. The older dog will growl at the puppy to put him in his place, but it helps if you supervise and add your own commands. When the puppy learns to behave, they can be great friends.

Your older dog can actually be like a parent to your pup! which will be helpful to you. your dog will learn faster from your own dog. and then there won't be an issue, your current dog will step up to this position.

My older dog wants the puppy yo go away and has zero interest in parenting him. It's like parents who have a sibling for their kid, solely for their kid.

Ha ha

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait for the older dog to die. If it has been an only dog, it will likely hate having a puppy. It’s unkind to make that change to an old dog.

This!!! Most old dogs find puppies very, very annoying. Also, toddlers and puppies are not a great mix.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do it!

I added a giant breed puppy to my household with my 7-year-old established senior dog. (7-years is senior—they are short-lived.)

They love each other. It took a few months, but my older dog definitely has more energy now. Watching them play is truly the sweetest thing.

They are both female.

Do you have a 16 month old and a preschooler? If not, than you shouldn't be giving this advice.

Puppies are a LOT. I got a puppy last year and I have a senior dog but my kids are adults. If I had known it was this much work I woud not have gotten him. I love him but he is a lot. Now he is a teenager and we have months of training to do..and I have time!

Please don't adopt this puppy!

I have no children, but I’m also single, which means I have no help. I did it all alone, while working out of the home. I don’t regret it at all. Yes, it was hard, but it was worth it. There are benefits to having an older, established dog with a new puppy.

OP, I say go for it!

[PP you quoted]

Oh dear goodness. Only caring for yourself is NOT THE SAME THING AS CARING FOR TWO SMALL KIDS, even if there's a semi-helpful partner in the mix (how many men do you think are equal partners? if they are, it's still adding the equivalent of ONE BABY per adult, and that's still a lot of work). How stupid, insensitive and clueless are you?!?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:got a dog this year DD is 14 and a few weeks after getting the pooch, she became a dog trainer. she is really good with the dog, I think you can manage, especially since you already have a dog. you have experience.

You are comparing yourself with a 14 year old and someone with a 4.5 and 16 month old who has never owned a puppy! What are you guys smoking tonight? Insanity!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

Thanks everyone. We are so torn. We talked to our vet about this recently because the older dog is our priority- she’s slowing down but still in good health. She jumps on the couch multiple times a day but can’t jump on the bed, etc. She said that with some older dogs having a puppy around is actually good for them and gives them a little burst of energy.

Does anyone have actual experience with introducing a puppy to an older dog and how it affected both? We are interested in the puppy but would never do anything to harm our current dog- she’s our first child.

Most adult dogs do not take kindly to puppies for the first couple of months, but it does not mean they can never get along. It's just that first phase that's fraught, because puppies have very different communication system than adult dogs, and they need to learn how to be respectful. To facilitate this, you must always take your older dog's side. The puppy is not allowed to jump on older dogs, get in their faces, and generally annoy them. They're not allowed to steal toys or drink or eat from their bowls. The older dog will growl at the puppy to put him in his place, but it helps if you supervise and add your own commands. When the puppy learns to behave, they can be great friends.

Your older dog can actually be like a parent to your pup! which will be helpful to you. your dog will learn faster from your own dog. and then there won't be an issue, your current dog will step up to this position.

You literally took the opposite of what I wrote in my post. Are you the single poster? Go away. Your advice is crap.