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 Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie on
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Okay, I have read many of the comments and want to put my two cents in before I read the rest.
Having met both of you and watched you in action with Natalie and a bunch of strange dogs, one of which was a difficult dog, I say get another dog. Both of you have magic with dogs and babies and you are a team. It is not a one person show at your house and someone will always be around to do whatever needs doing.
The only caveat I have is that if you really want a dark colored dood, I would think twice about the ones available = however Ned is our red doodle and Clancy is our - "We are NOT getting a fourth dog doodle." I can still wish Ned was red and Clancy was smaller, but I am content with what they are.
Just read MaryAnn's comment - ditto.
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Permalink Reply by Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom on
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That's funny Nancy ..... Lucy and Sophie are our "Oh No, we will not be getting another dog, dog's" (Said 1 week before we got them). lol :o)
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Permalink Reply by 2m42srv7vi6sq on
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Caeleach was out "One dog is enough, we are NOT getting another dog dog".
Seamus was our "We do NOT need 3 dogs dog"
CJ is our "The puppies are so cute, we have to keep one. Bella is 10 and won't be around forever, dog".
Bella will be 11, in September. All the dogs get along well. the house stays clean (with the help of a maid oce a week)
The older dogs actually trained the puppy, so we really haven't had to do much besides command training. Housebreaking is a breeze because the puppy learns to go out and go where the older dog goes.
We are DEFININTELY not getting another dog. 4 IS enough!
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Permalink Reply by shelly on
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"Get the Puppy.... Get the Puppy".... BUT ~ get the color that you want ... so maybe wait a bit - or find another breeder that you trust!
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Permalink Reply by Deirdre on
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Adina,
Something that my Mom always said, "You only remember the Good and not the Bad" It's true, everyday is a challenge but at the end of the day if you can think of the "Good" then the "Bad" won't mean a thing. Natalie's smile after she's completely soiled her cloths... Rosco when he does something not right, his big brown eyes looking into you........ puppy....lots of work yet lots of kisses only the good and not the bad.
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Permalink Reply by Shelley, Traveller & Zuzi on
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I don't know about raising babies but puppies are a handful of joys and stress. You need to look at you own personality to see if you can handle the added stress a puppy brings into a house.
Being a baby...a long time ago...my brother had a basset hound puppy that was about 6 months older than me. We grew up together and were best friends. He let me do anything to him. I think I was the only one who got away with that. LOL. Babies and puppies can go hand in hand but you know yourself best so be sure to listen to that inner voice.
Good luck with your decision.
Shelley
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Permalink Reply by Katie P & Wally on
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ok im probably different to everyone else but there is noooooooooooooo wayyyyy id get a dog with a 7 month.... i have a 7 month old baby and that keeps me busy enough, i couldnt imagine trying to deal with a puppy aswell!!! our labradoodle (wally) is 3 and i struggle with trying to do all the baby stuff and the doggie stuff!!! i guess that's just me but each to their own....
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Permalink Reply by Adina P on
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The final conclusion here: http://www.doodlekisses.com/xn/detail/2065244:BlogPost:1225579
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