Raising a child vs raising a puppy

[BG and Gavin]

I just want to say that I think that parenting a child is the most challenging job in the world!  I in no way wish to make light of that fact.  However, during tonight’s walk I was thinking about all of the recent posts looking for advice on dealing with puppy behaviour.  So…just for fun I began listing all of the things that I could think of in common between raising a happy healthy child and raising a happy healthy dog.  So here is the recipe as I see it:

-         Patience

-         Consistency

-         A good routine

-         Discipline and structure

-         A healthy diet

-         Plenty of time for play, learning, exercise and fresh air

-         Sense of humour

-         Short memory

-         Affection

-         Love

Does anyone have anything to add to the list?

 

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Thanks friends...DH and I always look at each other and tell our kids, "one day, Peri and Tacky, you will have human siblings". We are weird like that.....

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

LOL LOL That makes me laugh Allyson :-) Looking back it probably would be helpful to have the dog experience first. My oldest daughter is 11 and just started middle school - knows EVERYTHING - I don't even need Google anymore I just have to ask her! Whenever she has a meltdown and tells me I don't understand or just flat don't know I remind her that she was my "first" child - therefore my "practice" child but we are lucky because I have managed to keep her alive for 11 years, not loose her or starve her so its all good :-) Luckily she laughs at that and the meltdown ends. Taquito and Peri can be your practice kids :-) You real human baby will have it made!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Don't worry, Denise. They grow out of thinking that you're "really dumb", and then they actually start looking for your advice. It's pretty amazing how it all works.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Yep, I pretty much think my mom is incredible. I call her daily for advice and she is probably my best friend. 15 years ago I couldn't stand to be in the same room with her. I have admitted that many times.

Maybe that is why Peri is starting to take daddy's side right now? She favors him and is approaching her teenage years. LOL!

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

Right now I know NOTHING - its amazing that I am even able to find my way out of the garage according to my precious 11 year old (choke choke) Ava!!!

[Leslie J]

Reminds me of one of my favorite quotes about adolescence:

When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.
- Mark Twain

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That's what I meant by "not taking adolescence personally". At 11, my daughter had me wondering how in the world I had managed to survive to that point, considering the fact that I was the most clueless human being on the face of the earth.
Jane is right...it does get better and they do start to like you again eventually.

[Laura & Chewie]

Nothing to add...just wanted to say this is a great discussion and so accurate!

[Jennifer Tramell]

We had our dog for 7 years before kids. I was very disappointed to see that my kids don't learn as quickly or happily as my dogs learn. After about 2 yrs old, my dog was reliable in his commands and manners. My kids have to be re-taught every few months or less! I have often said "if my kids could be a well-behaved as my dog......." :-)

[Adina P]

Oh kids learn plenty fast...they are just far more complicated and smarter :)  That's partly why I think that human kids are eons more difficult and more work than dogs :)

[BG and Gavin]

Too bad you can't just tell your kids to "stay" and give them a cookie everytime they do something right! lol

[Adina P]

Well you could, but then you'd end up with some very obese children ;) LOL... I start to give my 9 mo old DD commands all the time and then realize she doesn't know them: Natalie 'sit', Natalie 'drop it', Natalie 'not for baby -- that's for doggies'... :)