If you let your kids talk you into getting a dog, what advice do you have...

[Anonymous]

for people just beginning to contemplate maybe taking the teensiest steps down this road?

[Anonymous]

How old are your kids and how willing/able to take care of a dog do you think they'll be? This is such a big endeavor and kids have no idea how expensive and time consuming it is to own a dog. If they are teenagers then you could expect them to walk the dog, feed the dog, and help train the dog. But much younger than 11 and I wouldn't bank on them being able to do anything. I'd also advocate that you adopt a dog (not a puppy) that is over 1 yrs old (3 would be preferable). A puppy is like having a new baby and while they are adorable as a first dog goes I don't think you want to start there.

[Anonymous]

I let my kids talk me into a second dog last year and here's what I'd say. I already had a dog (in fact have had them my entire life), so I knew what I was getting into as far as care and training and I didn't have to modify anything about my house or life. So, I'd say educate yourself and be sure you are ready for the commitment and expense - the cost is high the first year due to neutering and shots. As far as other things, I turned over the care to my kids from day one, except for the middle of the night wakings. I figured that would be more torture for me - up with the dog and kids instead of just with the dog. If something isn't done, I don't step in, I remind them to get it done. For us, that we a really good decision because it's taught my kids a lot about being responsible. The only problem I'd say that we've had is that my kids forget to lock the doors after they let the dogs out. Lucky we have dogs to protect the house.

[Anonymous]

Consider the life span.

ALL dogs need exercise. And I don't mean a stroll down the street while you look at your iPhone and the dog pees on your neighbors' lawns. They need to walk briskly and/or run every day.

Get a trainer/dog behaviorist who will work with your family and the dog. You all need to have control over the dog and be safe.

It's a lot of fun, but it's a big responsibility.

[Anonymous]

Would they consider a cat instead? My daughter kept asking me for a sibling (I'm "one and done") and dogs are a lot of responsibility, so we just got a kitten. She's completely head over heels in love with this cat and as she gets older, the cat will be her responsibility more than mine. I hope. Cats are a lot easier than dogs. I like dogs in theory, but the reality is that they are a lot of work and I'm already overcommitted as it is!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Consider the life span.

ALL dogs need exercise. And I don't mean a stroll down the street while you look at your iPhone and the dog pees on your neighbors' lawns. They need to walk briskly and/or run every day.

Get a trainer/dog behaviorist who will work with your family and the dog. You all need to have control over the dog and be safe.

It's a lot of fun, but it's a big responsibility.

Not all dogs need rigorous exercise. Ex: pugs, bull dogs, etc. These dogs will be PISSED if you walk briskly and/or jog with them.

I dog-sat for my Dad a couple of years ago (a pug). After about 15 minutes outside, she refused to walk! Just sat down on the sidewalk and refused to budge until she got in a 10 minute rest.

[Anonymous]

If I did it again, I would get one that is house trained already! It is frustrating and upsetting when they're going in the house. I truly hated our puppy for the first two months and would have given her away if it wouldn't have devastated my kids. Now, she is the love of my life!! I cannot imagine not having her. She brings so much joy to our household and it's a great way for the kids to take some responsibility. My kids are 10 and 13 so old enough to walk her, etc. It is a huge responsibility so really depends how old your kids are.

[Anonymous]

Only get a dog if you're willing to do all the work. (Or unless you're willing to be tough like 13:23 and really hold the kids responsible.) Do not believe any child (and maybe your spouse, too) who says they will take care of it. In our family, I insist on having the final say about whether a new dog will join the family because I know who is going to end up making sure the dog is cared for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Consider the life span.

ALL dogs need exercise. And I don't mean a stroll down the street while you look at your iPhone and the dog pees on your neighbors' lawns. They need to walk briskly and/or run every day.

Get a trainer/dog behaviorist who will work with your family and the dog. You all need to have control over the dog and be safe.

It's a lot of fun, but it's a big responsibility.

Not all dogs need rigorous exercise. Ex: pugs, bull dogs, etc. These dogs will be PISSED if you walk briskly and/or jog with them.

I dog-sat for my Dad a couple of years ago (a pug). After about 15 minutes outside, she refused to walk! Just sat down on the sidewalk and refused to budge until she got in a 10 minute rest.

Seriously, many, many breeds are content to have a brisk walk around the block and then they want to sleep all afternoon and evening.

[Anonymous]

Agree that you need to be prepared to do all the work. We are lucky if our kids walk the dog once a week.

And agree that not all dogs are runners. Our dog is a stop and sniff the roses kind of dog (a herder). Takes 20 minutes just to walk around the block.

[Anonymous]

How old are your kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Consider the life span.

ALL dogs need exercise. And I don't mean a stroll down the street while you look at your iPhone and the dog pees on your neighbors' lawns. They need to walk briskly and/or run every day.

Get a trainer/dog behaviorist who will work with your family and the dog. You all need to have control over the dog and be safe.

It's a lot of fun, but it's a big responsibility.

Not all dogs need rigorous exercise. Ex: pugs, bull dogs, etc. These dogs will be PISSED if you walk briskly and/or jog with them.

I dog-sat for my Dad a couple of years ago (a pug). After about 15 minutes outside, she refused to walk! Just sat down on the sidewalk and refused to budge until she got in a 10 minute rest.

Seriously, many, many breeds are content to have a brisk walk around the block and then they want to sleep all afternoon and evening.

And my guess is that they're unhealthy and/or overweight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree that you need to be prepared to do all the work. We are lucky if our kids walk the dog once a week.

And agree that not all dogs are runners. Our dog is a stop and sniff the roses kind of dog (a herder). Takes 20 minutes just to walk around the block.

I have herding dogs. You're not walking your dog correctly. You walk the dog, not the other way around.

Seriously, people!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old are your kids?

They're 7 and 9.

Thanks for all the thoughts. I'm surprised--maybe encouraged--that no one has said "Don't do it!" (at least not yet).

[Anonymous]

* Put training the dog before "training" your kids to take care of it. Every single second of investment you make in training the dog will pay off. You really want a well-behaved dog, precisely because you really don't want a dog at all.

* Not sure of the size dog you want, but your kids aren't really big enough to train or even walk an exuberant and reasonably large puppy. Don't expect more than they can do and expect some disappointment (by the kids) when the dog turns out to be more complicated than simply a toy.

* Remember that your kids have NO EXPERIENCE PARENTING AND YOU DIDN'T BECOME AN EXPERT OVERNIGHT. (In other words, your kids won't be effective at training or even caring for this dog until all three are older and calmer).

I really didn't want a dog. I gave in after 12 years.