Ok so here's my delima. I really want a puppy, my boyfriend doesn't (we were going to get married later this year, things changed) and right now we're expecting twins(I'm 15 weeks or so). We have two cats that are around nine months old. He works nights so he's not home from around ten in the evening to about nine in the morning. I hate being alone and although I love my cats there's something to be said for the companionship of a dog. Not to mention the protection factor. I have always had a dog and although he doesn't want one he and I have discussed getting one. I like bigger breeds, rotts, pitts... ext. We do live on a half acre of land so there's room for one. I would like to get one now so that the potty training can be done before the twins arrive. I don't really want an extreamly hyper dog, but I know how puppies are! I would like to have one while I still have the energy to keep up with it. I would like your opinions on a breed and if you think that it's a possibility before the babies arrive... thanks

I'm not an expert on dogs and I'm sure labman will come on here later with lots of great advice for you, but I thought I'd offer my 2 cents, since I am in a similar situation to you... with having dogs, a cat, young kids AND being pregnant. Phew!

I have 2 big dogs, both labs. They are wonderful pets, and great with children. I think labs are generally a good breed to have around kids, but labman can advise you on that better than me. They are a TON of work though. Feeding, grooming, training, exercising and cleaning up after them takes a lot of time. I don't do it all myself, thank goodness. I am teaching the children to help with the dog care, and my husband helps when he's home. It's a team effort.

A young dog will need a lot of care. If you have the cooperation of your children and boyfriend, I'd say go for it, but it sounds like your boyfriend doesn't want the dog. Does that mean that if you get it anyway he will not help to care for it? That might be hard for you, if he doesn't help, with having the babies, the house and your other children. Is he good with helping around the house in other ways? Those are all things I would consider.

You might also consider getting an older dog, not a puppy, as long as it has a good temperament around children and is reasonably well trained. Both of my dogs were adults when I got them. My husband raised the one from a puppy before we were married, and the other is my adopted children's pet. I definitely didn't miss the puppy days (other than the cuteness haha). It's nice to have dogs that are already trained.

Anyway my main concern for you is time and effort... if you have your family's cooperation, a dog is great, but if all the care is going to be up to you, I might wait until your twins are a little older. Good luck either way and let us know if you do get a dog!

HI,
I would not recommend a Pitt Bull, or a Rot, because these breeds require training, and will take a lot of your time learning how to handle them.

Oh He will take care of it like he helped me with the stray we found a few months back. I know he saw one of his kittens killed by a dog and that's where that stems from. The kids would definitely help. They have all been a big help so far. As for training and the such. I've trained chows, sharpais *?* and my friend paid me to train his red nosed pit. I am a very patient person... even now being pregy and all. A large dog is similar to a horse in the fact that you need to let them both know who's boss, albeit in different ways. I figure if I could out stubborn my horse *gone now* My chows and my kids I'm doing pretty good. With dogs I tend to work in the pack mentality way with my dogs and I'm not above a nip on the ear to show them.
I will most definitely keep that in mind kp
http://www.petfinder.org/pet.cgi?act...ew=1&row=0&tmp

I know this is maybe something that is not on the top of your list, but another thing to consider, especially with the little ones on the way, is besides having the disposition for children, its nice to have an animal that doesn't throw a lot of hair.

The little ones will have their face in everything, especially the floor. So after you get great advice on what dogs would be good choices, one's that don't shed a lot will mean less cleaning and less dog hair in babies faces.

We actually had a friend who was willing to take care of our dog for the first 1.5 years of my sons life. Our dog sheds like MAD, MAD, MAD. Not like we don't clean, but it was easier for us to not have him around.

Now that my son it an upright walking/running/streaking/naughty boy, the dog is back, though limited to certain areas of the house. Great to have him back, great to not have to be pulling animal hair out of his mouth for two years. Of course now he eats dirt, crayons, etc. so what's a little dog hair?

I found this lovely little guy on petfinder.com. I have sent a letter of inqury to the site asking about him and telling about my situation. He's beautiful and from what I read has a great disposition. He's a young dog but not a puppy and likes to be outside which is great. What do you think?
http://www.petfinder.org/pet.cgi?act...ew=1&row=0&tmp

The idea of another pet seems nice now but once the child arrives I can pretty much guaranteed that your time and affection will be diverted elsewhere. I've seen it at my house and with other couples.

You bit your dog?? why? A chow is not a good choice for children, I run a city daycare and that is one of the dogs on the list of "no no's"... now I know there are exceptions... but why risk it? A mature lab is really what you should be looking at.

I've raised both of my children around chow's they are some of the best dogs I have ever had. I have never had problems with them as a breed because it's the owners that are the ones that teach the dogs their manners. I wouldn't judge a dog because of it's breed I would judge a dog by it's owners temper and that would tell me more. You hear it all over the news about the dogs attacking people but you have to ask yourself why? What did that person do to that dog, or what was that dog trained to do? No breed is a "no no" as you put it. Although dobermans tend to get headaches because their skull is to small for their brain... I read that somewhere years ago, not quite sure that I believe it. So just cause sociaty says that these dogs are bad doesn't mean there are. There's good and bad in everything, look at people. Just because a few people in comparison to the masses murder, rape and kill doesn't mean all humans are bad does it? Besides smaller dogs seem to have a more aggressive streak than the larger breeds. In my opinion at least. Everyone of the small breeds I've been around tend to have a shorter fuse than there larger counter parts... probably because people don't fear them as much so they are touched, poked, and prodded more. I don't judge a book by it's cover so why should I judge a dog by it's breed?

But why did you bite your dog??

She was going into heat and was being aggressive. I lightly bit her ear and put her on her back. She grumbled a bit but stopped with her bad attitude.

Hi, Myth,
I am sorry about implying that you might not know how to handle a Pitt Bull or Rot! You sure do know how!
As I'm sure you know, Pitt Bulls have been banned in some areas in the US, due to aggressiveness. It's very unfortunate that the problem isn't the dogs, but rather the owners. Many, many owners are not as "savvy" as you, and do not know to be the boss or the dominant figure.
You might be interested in the following:

I highly recommend a video by Ceaser Millan, a Professional Dog Behaviorist. He rehabilitates dogs, and trains people.

He has his own TV program, the Dog Whisperer, on the NGEO (National Geographic) channel, on Friday nights mainly, but also comes on some other days. This video is available from:
http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/

There are other good videos available on the web, but this one is really worth your attention.

I mention the TV show because it is very good, and shows how to control "aggressiveness"... I don't mean you need it, just that it's interesting.
I do wish you the best, and good luck with your dog choice. It sounds like whatever you choose will have a very good home.

Myth, Buster looks like a very nice dog! Have you decided yet if you are going to get him? We had a chow (pure bred) next door named Buddy where we used to live. I used to take him for a walk quite often, as his owner was elderly. The only thing I never could get used to was his black tongue, lol. I'm used to dogs having pink tongues.

Anyway, it sounds like you know how to take care of dogs and that you will get lots of help at home, so that's great. Good luck with the new dog, whether it's Buster or another pet.

Thanks for your guys input. Sorry if I came across as a little irritated... It wasn't you guys,lol... my boyfriend was picking on me and it was kind of getting to me... guess it reflected here. Sorry. I really want to get Buster and I sent a letter of inquiry email but haven't gotten a response back yet... I just love those black tounges... There are only three animals that have black tounges like that two are dogs and the other is the giraffe. Lol... I am just full of useless facts. Hehehe.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Myth

I just love those black tounges... There are only three animals that have black tounges like that two are dogs and the other is the giraffe. lol... I am just full of useless facts. hehehe.

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its always an interesting day when you learn something new about tongues. =)

Lol... always... hehehe. I think I'll ask my dr. what he thinks about adding a dog to the family before the babes get here. I just don't know though. I want one but I do understand that it will be a lot of work. My boyfriend has an interview tomorrow that will take him out of town for a week at a time. I think that the security of having a dog with the kids while he's gone will give me piece of mind as well. Well that dog buster is part chow chow and they kind of cough not bark so he won't be waking the little ones up either. He's also shorter haired so not as much shedding *thanks kp*. I'm still waiting to here back from the people that have him. I hate waiting... lol

Sorry orange didn't see your question. The other dog is a sharpei. Another chinese breed similar to the chow... only not hairy but wrinkly. Lol. Still waiting on a response to my email about buster... *sigh*. It's been a couple of days now.

Hi,
The answer before this one asked why you bit your dog.
Probably because it worked!
The dog understood it. There are many, many different methods of training. Some not accepted by all, but they are options.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Myth

still waiting on a response to my email about buster....*sigh*. It's been a couple of days now.

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Ugh that sucks. He looked so cute and I was hoping you would get him. They should at least respond to you and let you know he's already been adopted or whatever.