Puppy & 1 yr old???

[Gribel]

What's your advice on getting a tiny puppy when you have a 1yr old ??? We already have 2 cats and want to extend our home zoo:D

Or should we rather wait for another few months, until DS is a bit older??

[Gribel]

Hello there

yes, DS LOVES the cats, and they getting more used to him everyday. I don't want to get a big dog, just something tiny that my cat could beat up (JUST KIDDING) , like a Jack Russel or Maltese...not really sure yet

[Maghan]

I say go for it too. Just be careful with some breeds of dogs... if they get picked up and dropped too much it can actually give them life long problems... although that being said "Our Daisy" has survived miraculously well after that first broken paw!

[wktz]

How about a German Shepherd???:thumbsup: :laughing:

I've got a couple you can have :D

[wktz]

One of them got into the shower (they like drinking water from there for some reason) and then left muddy footprints all over the bathmat....just after I'd cleaned everything, grrrrr :mad:

I'm only tricking though, I'd never give them away really - my life would be far too boring without them!! :laughing:

[Gribel]

Kirsty,
this one is just for you

:barf: :barf: :barf: :barf:

[Mum2Tyla]

Hi,
I am vet nurse and also used to teach puppy preschool before I bacame a fulltime mum, the main thing with any breed large or small is too socialise them well with dogs and people and to be very consistent with your rules, if you don't want them on the bed then don't let them when they are cute and kick them off later, I have a 55kg alaskan malamute and she is fantastic with my 9 week old daughter she is so gentle, if you get a maltese be aware they can be yappy so make sure you do not reward barking by telling her off if she has been barking for a while or bringing her inside to shut her up, if you have any more questions email me tylarenton.bigpond.com.:ecomcity:

[foxymummy]

It just seems like a lot of work...

Both kiddie and puppy are a lot of work - if you are not able to commit to doing the hard yards with puppy you can be stuck with a difficult dog for the next 15 years. Seriously, it's a big commitment.

Having said that there is nothing like that bond between kids and dogs - double trouble!!

I would probably wait until child is a little older and involve them in the process of training - it's easier to assert the pack hierachy then.

Just a thought...

[shed]

to add to what Kelly and foxy have said, its a big, big job to make a well socialised and trained dog.

I am also a puppy school teacher and I wouldn't recommend anyone to introduce a new puppy until their kid is around 5 years old, and if you really must, please wait until bubby is at least 2 years old.

Puppies are such hard work to make them into good dogs. They're easy to make into painful nuisances who you are stuck with though.

Maltese terriers are actually quite snappy unless you socialise, socialise, socialise. They are also yappers and are a commonly surrendered breed because people haven't put the work in. Its very unfair on them, but if you're busy with a toddler then you probably won't be able to put the work in that is needed to make a "good" dog. That said, if they have been socialised well they are charming little critters. Same with the Jack Russell.

Relying on breeding and genetics to do the work for you is misguided. Any breed can be painful if not socialised and trained properly.

I know that as a dog trainer I wouldnt be able to do a satisfactory job of training and socialising a new puppy if I had a 1 year old to chase after. I wouldn't want to either!

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Shazbutt]

I wouldn't totally rule out a jack russell....they are not always unfriendly....We have a had one for the last year, and he is totally the best dog we've ever had around kids. We've had cattle dogs, and foxie's as well, and Squirt is the best dog by far.

We got him when Mac was 1 1/2, and he lets her 'ride' him around the yard (or tries to...:rolleyes: ), and she lays on him, and tries to walk him and he loves her! She even dances with him on his back legs! And we have 2 cats as well, and he doesn't try to hurt them, just play! Not his fault if they don't want to play back...lol The yappy part about Jacks can be true too thats for sure, but ours doesn't really bark that much....they make great little watch dogs!

With every dog, it depends on how its socialised with the child/pets from early on, and training is a huge part, so the dog knows what is is/isn't allowed to do. We've had dogs & cats since before Mac was born, there's always been an animal around, and she's great with all of them!

Good Luck...i'd say go for it, so they grow up together!

[jessgray]

we were thinking of getting a dog for DS who is one on the 25th april. after we saw him get atached to his god parents dog. their dog is still a puppy and DS adores her. she spent lots of time following DS around who had only rencelty learnt to walk when they met. she is a boarder collie X scottish collie. she is a pretty happy dog. we arent sure what sort of dog to get for DS we want one that wont be too big for him that will try to jump on him. although DS does try to sit on my mums Chiwowha (spelling lol) DS seems to like dogs more then cats we cant get a dog till we move and we dont when we will move.

[BiNdI86]

Hi Gribel,

We have a 17month old and a puppy at the moment. We brought the puppy half way through march this year. My daughter got attatched to her grandparents dogs and we decided that it was time to get her own (evern though he was my birthday present! :laughing: ) and things couldn't have been better!! They play non stop and from the start a firm NO stop's him dead if trouble is brewing. He is the most un-real puppy I have seen with children. If you want any more info feel free to pm me, I'd be glad to help :thumbsup:

[melbryan]

We bought a dog (poodle) when Kayne was 1yr old as my poodle had died the year before. It has been the best decision we have made. Our son is on his own and the dog helps to busy him. He loves it and the dog is never rough because he knows what Kayne is like. They are best of mates and continue to grow up and love one another. My son is also very active so this dog (Cookie monster) has been a godsend.
Mel bryan 29

[Mum2Tyla]

Hi,
I am a vet nurse and a puppy preschool instructor and amother of a 13 week old we have an Alaskan Malamute and i have had her for 9 years, she is great with Tyla nad all kids but I spent alot of time training her there is no way I would get a puppy now as I feel that I don't have the time to train and socialise it properly but if you have the time to put into a puppy then any breed is suitable as long as you train and socialise it, my dog weighs 55kg and I would rather have her around my child than a lot of little dogs I have met as she does not jump and is very gentle but can handle it when kids get a bit rough with her , I am not suggesting you go get an Alaskan Malamute as they are alot of work and hard to train. I hope this helps, there is a website that helps you pick breeds that are suitable for you, www.petnet.com.au
Kelly:ecomcity:

[mummybeast]

We have had puppies with both kids when they were very young, and they are a great combination for us. Luckily we happened to get a big docile lazy thing the first time (baby about 6ths) who loved being cuddled and also was (eventually)conveniently the right height for a walking aid for the baby.
The next one we got was with the next baby who was about 18ths at the time, and we got a staffy, who is now very playful and protective of both kids. She loves all the attention.

I have had many people who think the reason my kids very rarely get sick is because they played with the dogs all the time. ALSO drank dog's water and tried to eat their food too ... but that's a diffferent story :eek:

I agree with some of the others though - you have to establish who is the boss, and what YOUR rules are and be consistent.