Preparing our house and kids for a puppy

[Anonymous]

We are, hopefully, maybe, fingers crossed getting a puppy in two months. We have a young 5 year old and an 8 year old. What do we need to do to prepare them? Our house? It’s been so long since we had a young dog and we’ve never had one with little kids. We have one baby gate left (separating the bedroom level from the stairs) and got rid of all the rest. We have a small house, mix of old hardwood, area rugs, and old carpet we need to replace (family room). We have a crate from our last dog. No laundry area or anywhere we plan to corral the dog, but we may use the kitchen gated if we need to. We are all at home for the foreseeable future.

Any suggested books for us or kids?
Videos?
Puppy proofing?
Dog training?

We have already contacted our old vet so we know how early we need to make an appointment (it’s like a month out!!).

[Anonymous]

How old is the puppy?
Do you have a fenced yard?
Is there a dog door?
What is your plan for feeding and walking the dog?
Where will the dog sleep?

[Anonymous]

The dog needs to have an area it knows it can go and be left alone. This could be the crate, but teach your kids if the dog goes in there they are to leave it alone. Be consistent, like kids, is the dog allowed on the couch, beds, around the table when you’re eating? Establish now what those rules are and they apply all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old is the puppy?
Do you have a fenced yard?
Is there a dog door?
What is your plan for feeding and walking the dog?
Where will the dog sleep?

Will be 2 months, going to see if they’ll hold another couple days to week
Yes (one small fenced backyard; our whole yard is also fenced)
No—nowhere to do this, and I’m not personally a fan
Parents are responsible for feeding and walks, but we’ll incorporate kids as appropriate, and they’ll be required to accompany at least once a day
Crate in our room or hallway, DH wants it in the kids’ room (I’m opposed to this, but because he has allergies and thinks the dog will be unhappy alone; we’re getting a hypoallergenic dog though so I think I prefer our room)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The dog needs to have an area it knows it can go and be left alone. This could be the crate, but teach your kids if the dog goes in there they are to leave it alone. Be consistent, like kids, is the dog allowed on the couch, beds, around the table when you’re eating? Establish now what those rules are and they apply all the time.

Thanks. We had this with our prior dogs, too, and it’s a good reminder.

[Anonymous]

My dog has always been crated at night in the den. Same floor as us and we can hear him. But not in the bedrooms. He is not lonely as long as he gets sufficient attention and exercise during the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dog has always been crated at night in the den. Same floor as us and we can hear him. But not in the bedrooms. He is not lonely as long as he gets sufficient attention and exercise during the day.

Agree. Our puppy’s crate is in a corner of the living room (which is a quiet area of the house- we are usually in the family room/kitchen). I think it is important for it to be in a quiet part of the house. It is on the same floor and we can hear her if we need to (our house is one floor). At some point we may move the crate elsewhere but it works for now.

[Anonymous]

Dog trainer with young kids:

Get this book and read it now! It’s awesome, a quick read, and has lots of great info.

https://www.amazon.com/Living-Kids-Dogs-Without-Losing/dp/1933562129/ref=nodl_

Then google “magnetization to dogs” and how to prevent it. This is the single most important thing I can recommend to keep everyone safe:

http://www.dogsandbabieslearning.com/2011/01/24/mamas-dont-let-your-babies-get-magnetized-to-dogs/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dog trainer with young kids:

Get this book and read it now! It’s awesome, a quick read, and has lots of great info.

https://www.amazon.com/Living-Kids-Dogs-Without-Losing/dp/1933562129/ref=nodl_

Then google “magnetization to dogs” and how to prevent it. This is the single most important thing I can recommend to keep everyone safe:

http://www.dogsandbabieslearning.com/2011/01/24/mamas-dont-let-your-babies-get-magnetized-to-dogs/

I just reread and saw your youngest is 5, so the latter link isn’t as critical as with super young kids, as 5 year olds can generally listen still, the information is good for any lurkers with toddlers!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dog trainer with young kids:

Get this book and read it now! It’s awesome, a quick read, and has lots of great info.

https://www.amazon.com/Living-Kids-Dogs-Without-Losing/dp/1933562129/ref=nodl_

Then google “magnetization to dogs” and how to prevent it. This is the single most important thing I can recommend to keep everyone safe:

http://www.dogsandbabieslearning.com/2011/01/24/mamas-dont-let-your-babies-get-magnetized-to-dogs/

I just reread and saw your youngest is 5, so the latter link isn’t as critical as with super young kids, as 5 year olds can generally listen still, the information is good for any lurkers with toddlers!

Thanks! Our youngest was fearful of dogs when he was younger (toddler) and now is interested but not obsessed. He will play, part, then wander off to something else. I think/hope he’s in a good place with dogs now!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dog trainer with young kids:

Get this book and read it now! It’s awesome, a quick read, and has lots of great info.

https://www.amazon.com/Living-Kids-Dogs-Without-Losing/dp/1933562129/ref=nodl_

Then google “magnetization to dogs” and how to prevent it. This is the single most important thing I can recommend to keep everyone safe:

http://www.dogsandbabieslearning.com/2011/01/24/mamas-dont-let-your-babies-get-magnetized-to-dogs/

I just reread and saw your youngest is 5, so the latter link isn’t as critical as with super young kids, as 5 year olds can generally listen still, the information is good for any lurkers with toddlers!

Thanks! Our youngest was fearful of dogs when he was younger (toddler) and now is interested but not obsessed. He will play, part, then wander off to something else. I think/hope he’s in a good place with dogs now!

Part=pet