Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum and found the website after reading The Happy Puppy Handbook and The Labrador Handbook. So much information! But very useful. I've had dogs and cats in my family when I was younger and love animals and now I have my own family, with children aged 5 and 3. My husband and I are thinking of adding a puppy to our family as we know what a great addition a dog would be. We're not having any more children so now seems the right time and a dog can grow up with our children. Also I am home most of the time and when my youngest starts school may go back to work but only part time or a few hours a week depending on the job. Are we allowed to mention breeders on here? We would like to get a yellow Labrador and have seen a popular breeder JJ Labradors who says their dogs are bred with a great temperament. They may have puppies available in late summer or Autumn for us. Just waiting to hear as we're on the waiting list. Does anyone have experience with this breeder and would you recommend? One day I would like to rehome dogs however at this stage I feel a younger one where we know its background would be the best option as our children are small and our local rehoming centre, sensibly, will also only rehome where children are over 5. Thank you!
Welcome from first time dog owner Sally and 7 month old Jessie. Exciting times! No experience with that breeder. If you are on the waiting list, follow the advice in Pippa's books about finding a good breeder and ensuring health checks etc are in place. We took our kids along to the breeders and were able to meet Mum and Dad and gauge what they were like with children which was reassuring. I have two children aged 4 and 7 and this has been a good time for us to get a dog, however, boy, it was hard work to begin with! Even having done my research and expecting biting, I was totally unprepared for just how difficult this can be with small children. Have a good plan how to keep them separate and how you are going to teach the children to behave around the puppy to discourage biting and jumping, it does however improve quickly, just stressful at the time! Also make sure you have time for training, my eldest is at school and youngest at preschool, so I get some time each day. But to begin with nothing else got done and we were living in a dog hairy tip, but again that is better now! The kids love Jessie and she enhances all our lives. Things aren't perfect, there is often moaning about walking her, but they generally love being out once we are out the door! Good luck, I am sure you will find a lovely new addition to your family soon.
I was actually on the waiting list with that breeder but Molly came along first! I'm no expert but seems to be very reputable. Molly has a jj dog in her lineage according to her kennel Club certificate and she's lovely, not that I'm biased.... I have a 4 year old and in hindsight I'd probably wait until she was at school and I had more time. Its already loads easier but I do have to keep them separate at home or under constant supervision which will still end on tears more often than not. Molly's so big at 19 weeks and my daughter is tiny.....
How exciting! I got my second puppy when my daughter was 2 and that was hard work. I had to keep them separate or heavily supervised. Now at 4 she can understand how to interact with them correctly and safely for them both. Best of luck finding your puppy
I honestly don't know how people with younger children manage having a puppy. Those early weeks are more exhausting than I could have anticipated, and the CONSTANT VIGILANCE that's required for toilet training made me glad that my kid was 8 and somewhat independent. I mean, when you're in/out every 15-20 mins in those early weeks it feels like you barely have time to take yourself to the toilet, never mind a small child! The fog has only just started to lift for me now that Xena's 11 weeks, long may it last!
I guess people with a couple young children are already so busy they are just used it it. It's probably a bit like going from 2 children to 3. Yes you're busy but you just get on with it. Plus as this stage in my life I'm still used to broken sleep and being tired most of the time
My daughter does start preschool in September (which is around when we're hoping to get a puppy) for 4 mornings per week. Two days 9-1 and two days 9-12. So that will give me time to spend training
We were planning to keep a puppy in the hard floor area of the house at first, which is the kitchen, diner and utility room, just until chewing and biting stage is over. We would probably put a stair gate up on a door. My daughter starts preschool 4 mornings a week from September so hopefully that will give me some time for training etc.
Thanks for your replies. We are also looking to get a male puppy, just as I've had a male collie cross lab in the past and loved him, also the op for neutering a male dog is simpler. I've heard there's not much difference in personality or temperament between sexes. Would you agree?
I find boys a bit more straightforward but I'm generally comparing dogs that haven't been spay/neutered. I didn't want to deal with the hormonal ups and downs of seasons. The girls I see really bonded with their owners have incredibly close relationships but I also see more girls who are more self reliant and less engaged with their owners. I doubt there's really much in it though so go with how you feel
That sounds perfect! We have had Jessie separated far longer that I had anticipated. She still spends the majority of time in the kitchen as she is a terrible chewer. It means the kitchen can be dog friendly and the kids can continue to spread the rest of the house with lego etc without the dog eating it! We also have a baby gate and she is crate trained, which is ace with kids as you can crate her if it all gets too much! It is hard, but things improve FAR more quickly than they do with a baby! I think the kids get so much from having a dog and I love walking her once the school run is done. Beats hoovering!
