Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
Nobody Gets a Puppy When They Have a 7 Month Old Baby...Riiiiiiiight???
Where to begin?
Since losing two of our three wonderful dogs earlier this year, we've thought and talked and pondered the idea of adding another doodle. I've looked and looked at possible breeders...hoping for a chocolate or black F1 (or F1 looking) pup.
I started communicating with a few breeders...with the intention of a possible pup NEXT year. 2011. We were/are looking at one breeder more seriously.... That same breeder has a litter on the ground NOW, ready for the end of July.
So then we thought...well...maybe THIS summer might be better. Who wants to potty train in the winter when you can do it in nice weather? So I collected some opinions and then decided ... no. Why ruin a good thing? There's a baby who will crawl soon that's like a puppy or two in herself. And there's Rosco who is the lowest maintenance dog I can imagine...well behaved, easy-going, loving and settled. Done deal. No puppy. And so I've told myself and others over and over and over again.
But of course...I still looked. And since I was considering this breeder...I still had to visit her home, right? I still had to meet the parents of the 'future' litter and see how puppies live, etc. That's where I went today. My evil husband told me "and if you bring one home, that's okay" (here everyone is trying to convince their husbands to let them get another dood...and mine is trying to ruin my resolve to NOT get one).
Natalie and I paid a visit to a 5 week old litter of reds, apricots, and creams. I flexed my "puppy-resistance" muscles, took my anti-puppy supplement, packed up Natalie and drove 2 hours.
And all was fine. I didn't feel like I *HAD* to leave with one...but there were some cuuuute ones! And in showing Clark the photos we got to talking more about what it would take to make bringing home a puppy this summer WORK.
Here's where we're at though...while there is no 'hurry' here's my dilemma(s) and some positives:
-- Rosco is a big dog...big dogs don't usually last for 15+ years. Since we want to get a second dog while he's around...if we wait too long, we're worried he'll be too old to like the puppy and it will mostly be a nuisance to him, rather than a friend. Clark thinks he waited too long in Cass' life to add Thule. Cass was 10 and she really didn't ever play with Thule or interact with her, except competitively. It didn't brighten her day, anyway.
-- Natalie is 7 months old. She'll crawl soon. And yet...we want more kids...and if we waited till all our potential babies were 5 years old...it will be awhile and we might be down to a one dog house again. We WANT two dogs of different ages. Not that this can be always planned precisely, but it's something to think about. It might be better to get the pup now because by the time any future kids come along...it will be surely done potty training and out of nipping stage and more or less have basic manners and obedience down pat. Yes it will take more time to train while I have a babe under 1 year old...but it would take even MORE time with several kiddos around, right?
-- Here I am, an admin of a big doodle site. I don't want to set a 'bad' example...so I feel some pressure.
-- The area that is now our 'mud room' is a great spot for gating off puppy. It is right next to the back door and perfect for confinement away from Natalie and a safe place to slowly acclimate puppy to our home. We have baby gates and crates and expens...it can't be too hard to make it work.
-- Socialization seems relatively a non-issue. I can take puppy many safe places while Natalie is in a front pack that I wear or in her stroller...both able to experience the world.
I'm not a 'newbie' dog owner...so I have a decent skill set at dog care. Am I crazy? One adviser told me essentially "sure you could do it, and do it well...but WHY?" And I don't have an answer other than I kinda want to! And it kind of scares me.
So help me out friends! I don't want puppy cheerleaders giving me the "rah rah rah...get a puppy!" I want sincere, thought-out, advice. Help me sort this out. To get a puppy or not to get a puppy!?
Since losing two of our three wonderful dogs earlier this year, we've thought and talked and pondered the idea of adding another doodle. I've looked and looked at possible breeders...hoping for a chocolate or black F1 (or F1 looking) pup.
I started communicating with a few breeders...with the intention of a possible pup NEXT year. 2011. We were/are looking at one breeder more seriously.... That same breeder has a litter on the ground NOW, ready for the end of July.
So then we thought...well...maybe THIS summer might be better. Who wants to potty train in the winter when you can do it in nice weather? So I collected some opinions and then decided ... no. Why ruin a good thing? There's a baby who will crawl soon that's like a puppy or two in herself. And there's Rosco who is the lowest maintenance dog I can imagine...well behaved, easy-going, loving and settled. Done deal. No puppy. And so I've told myself and others over and over and over again.
But of course...I still looked. And since I was considering this breeder...I still had to visit her home, right? I still had to meet the parents of the 'future' litter and see how puppies live, etc. That's where I went today. My evil husband told me "and if you bring one home, that's okay" (here everyone is trying to convince their husbands to let them get another dood...and mine is trying to ruin my resolve to NOT get one).
Natalie and I paid a visit to a 5 week old litter of reds, apricots, and creams. I flexed my "puppy-resistance" muscles, took my anti-puppy supplement, packed up Natalie and drove 2 hours.
And all was fine. I didn't feel like I *HAD* to leave with one...but there were some cuuuute ones! And in showing Clark the photos we got to talking more about what it would take to make bringing home a puppy this summer WORK.
Here's where we're at though...while there is no 'hurry' here's my dilemma(s) and some positives:
-- Rosco is a big dog...big dogs don't usually last for 15+ years. Since we want to get a second dog while he's around...if we wait too long, we're worried he'll be too old to like the puppy and it will mostly be a nuisance to him, rather than a friend. Clark thinks he waited too long in Cass' life to add Thule. Cass was 10 and she really didn't ever play with Thule or interact with her, except competitively. It didn't brighten her day, anyway.
-- Natalie is 7 months old. She'll crawl soon. And yet...we want more kids...and if we waited till all our potential babies were 5 years old...it will be awhile and we might be down to a one dog house again. We WANT two dogs of different ages. Not that this can be always planned precisely, but it's something to think about. It might be better to get the pup now because by the time any future kids come along...it will be surely done potty training and out of nipping stage and more or less have basic manners and obedience down pat. Yes it will take more time to train while I have a babe under 1 year old...but it would take even MORE time with several kiddos around, right?
-- Here I am, an admin of a big doodle site. I don't want to set a 'bad' example...so I feel some pressure.
-- The area that is now our 'mud room' is a great spot for gating off puppy. It is right next to the back door and perfect for confinement away from Natalie and a safe place to slowly acclimate puppy to our home. We have baby gates and crates and expens...it can't be too hard to make it work.
-- Socialization seems relatively a non-issue. I can take puppy many safe places while Natalie is in a front pack that I wear or in her stroller...both able to experience the world.
I'm not a 'newbie' dog owner...so I have a decent skill set at dog care. Am I crazy? One adviser told me essentially "sure you could do it, and do it well...but WHY?" And I don't have an answer other than I kinda want to! And it kind of scares me.
So help me out friends! I don't want puppy cheerleaders giving me the "rah rah rah...get a puppy!" I want sincere, thought-out, advice. Help me sort this out. To get a puppy or not to get a puppy!?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Adina P on
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My favorite part of what you just said is: In reference to babies and puppies...to get "as many of each as you both want."
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Permalink Reply by F, Calla & Luca on
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Somehow, much as I'm suffering as the plants wilt, there is a world of difference between a petunia and a puppy.
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Permalink Reply by Penny, Comiskey & Beemer on
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Just went back and read between the lines.....you definately want a puppy!
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If you weren't confused before I'm sure you are now. But you've got to admit, the DK world responds to you requests : )
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I'm pretty sure I won't want a puppy with baby #2. If we wait, it will be later than baby #2 I would imagine.
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Permalink Reply by Allyson, Peri & Taquito on
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Then go ahead and get the puppy!!!!!!!!!!
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Still thinking... we definitely won't have an answer by tonight at 9pm.
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Did I miss why this is a magic hour?
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Ahh, the heat addled brain was reminded by the sports section, LeBron James decision. Believe me, your puppy decision is far more important!
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Permalink Reply by Wendy and Eddie on
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How about by 9:00 am this morning? That gives you about 40 minutes to decide, Pacific NW time. :-)
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Permalink Reply by Barbara Burrows on
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You and Clark are experienced dog owners. I don't think either of you would consider getting a puppy if you didn't think it would work for you. If you feel you have found the right one, make the call and make it yours.
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Permalink Reply by Christy Stevens on
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I am not going to be a sugar-coater....lol. I say there is no hurry. Unless you are pregnant right now, you can wait next year, like you planned, and be much better off. I would not want a baby crawling around on a floor where I'm potty training a puppy. I'd rather have her upright and steady first. I also would not feel like I have to keep a puppy shoved in the back corner of the house so the puppy doesn't overwhelm my crawling child. Also, the whole situation is bound to stress you out to some extent. You know that puppies are very good about feeling a person's emotions. That can lead to a dog with an unsettled personality. I feel certain that you can time it right and get a puppy between children. If you get a puppy next year, you could even get pregnant a few months later and when the baby is born, your child would be over 2 yrs od and your puppy would be 1 yr old. You'd be grateful you did it this way. These kinds of decisions have to be made without your heart involved. That is my opinion and how I would do it, if I were thinking logically and practically about it. That is the good part about not actually being in your shoes right now....lol. Good luck in whatever you decide!!
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