Hello, We have the opportunity to get a lab puppy next Friday of almost 3-months old. We always wanted one our whole life and now the opportunity is there, we get afraid… and are hoping for some advice. my partner is fulltime at home and I have my own company and also work 90% of the time at home. We have a regular sized house and a small garden. And… we also have a daughter 9 months old. When we went to the puppy she really liked it. But we are afraid that the time isn’t right at 9-months. That the risk of biting and getting hurt is to big. However, we ourself grow up with puppies and that was the best thing ever happened for me, for my confidence and to have a friend. My daughter is really, really really shy. So maybe this can help her a bit. She can help the puppy (female) and the puppy can help her. we hope to get some honest answers, positive and negative. We are aware of the work and already scheduled a 10-weeks puppy training to feel more confident. But we have a week to make our final decision. Thank you in advance. Susan
To be honest as a mum and a lab owber I would say wait a while. Your daughter is heading into todder stage and you need wings on your feet and eyes in the back if your head to manage that stage. You need the same for a puppy and that is really hard to balance. You dog will not be settled into the wonderful family pet you want until well into their second year and that with is with lots of dedicated training. Pups bite alot in those early weeks and are very bouncy, not suitable to be near little ones, even with supervision. I would say wait until your daughter can really enjoy dog ownership. My boys were 6, I kept them apart whilst the crocodile stage was in full flow but otherwise it has worked out wonderfully. They are best pals.
