Tell me to stop being silly? -___-

oystercatcher

Just over two weeks ago we adopted a dog who looks almost identical to the one in your picture. She was found on the streets in Cyprus . She is adorable but also very hard work. More so than a puppy and I have had puppies over the years.
I have a feeling she hasn't lived in a house, she isn't house trained or anything else trained and because she is a year old I think the 'bad' habits are imprinted and will take longer to resolve. She doesn't seem to have any agression but that doesn't mean another dog wouldn't have though. She toilets indoors, snatches food, jumps amazingly high and hides if she feels threatened for no apparent reason. Also very difficult to walk as she is very fearful of traffic. I am working hard and hoping to resolve these problems. I would not want to be juggling her needs with those of two small children.

I am very much in favour of rescue dogs but as a family with children you need a dog that is used to children and that can be trusted. These dogs do come up in rescue so you need to wait your time and get the right dog for you.
On-line dog rescue is a bit like on-line dating, you fall in love with what you imagine the dog/person is like. When you meet them in real life they are very often a whole lot different.

Find a local reputable rescue, maybe see if you can help out by walking some of the dogs there, you might get to know the dogs and have a better idea of what to expect. There's plenty of time to rescue dogs when the children older and more helpful

Katiehound

Rescue dogs and young children are essentially a 'no-no' Children are not used to furries unless they are furry toys- they are then tempted to repeat the toy behaviour with a real live dog! so that's one of the problems.
The other route would be to buy a puppy from a reputable breeder, but a reputable breeder might well veto the plan. Added to that a puppy is a huge amount of work.
I have had dogs all my life.... there was a dog when I was around 2- I've got the photo..... sadly there are foolish people with unsuitable dogs, who don't understand the problems that might arise and then a child gets killed.

If you have a rescue near you why not ask if you could go and help.?
Find a friend with a dog who your children could safely meet.
I am always happy to let quiet controlled children! meet my dog in the street if the parent/child asks me first and we quietly let the child (even in a push chair) stroke the dog.

xbethanyx

NO NO NO NO NO!! Do not get any sort of dog in your current situation. A dog can sometimes be more work than one child let alone 2. Put your efforts into your children rather than looking for dogs. I think the only situation worse than a dog being in a dog home, is a dog who was taken out of a dog home to be rehomed with a family and for the dog to have hope and happiness for then him to suddenly find himself abandonded again back in the dog home unwanted. Its cruel to consider it.
It's joked my dog is my shadow. Cleaning the house he is behind me, in the shower he watches me haha. He never leaves my side and always wants cuddles or to play ball. How would you fit your children in with that sort of dog? Would your children get jelous you are spending more time with the dog? Or will the dog get jelous you are spending more time with the children? Do you have someone to watch the dog if you are out all day or night? Dogs still sometimes need dog-sitters. Will you walk him minimum twice a day?

Kayalana99

xbethanyx wrote: »

NO NO NO NO NO!! Do not get any sort of dog in your current situation. A dog can sometimes be more work than one child let alone 2. Put your efforts into your children rather than looking for dogs. I think the only situation worse than a dog being in a dog home, is a dog who was taken out of a dog home to be rehomed with a family and for the dog to have hope and happiness for then him to suddenly find himself abandonded again back in the dog home unwanted. Its cruel to consider it.
It's joked my dog is my shadow. Cleaning the house he is behind me, in the shower he watches me haha. He never leaves my side and always wants cuddles or to play ball. How would you fit your children in with that sort of dog? Would your children get jelous you are spending more time with the dog? Or will the dog get jelous you are spending more time with the children? Do you have someone to watch the dog if you are out all day or night? Dogs still sometimes need dog-sitters. Will you walk him minimum twice a day?

I think it's quite a harsh assumption that because I have kids I will just abandon the dog at some point.

Thank you for all your advice anyway

Person_one

Remember the thread you started last month about how you struggle to stick at things you start, that you are all enthusiasm for a new project at first but then lose interest and decide to try something new instead?

If you're ever going to welcome a dog (or cat, or any pet) into your family, you need to be absolutely sure they aren't just the latest new project and that you aren't going to lose interest or have the novelty wear off or get bored of them a bit further down the line.

A rescue dog is a big commitment, even fairly steady well adjusted ones can create problems for you to manage and require a lot of input with training/socialisation/settling in. From your recent threads it sounds like you've got enough on your plate at the moment! When your little ones are older, they'll be so excited on the day you tell them they're getting a dog, and they can help in their own way.

oystercatcher

One of OP's recent posts !.....

[Another moan day.... DS2 won't stop crying despite nappy change two bottles and breakfast...I suppose its getting on for dinner time now tho & sitting on my knee being bounced isn't really helping much.

DS1 has been a nightmare today, just going for everything he isn't allowed screaming blue murder if you take something off him biting throwing things at me and DS2....he's coming into terrible twos I guess ]

OP How are you going to cope with this kind of day and a demanding dog also demanding attention and walks. House training a dog is as time and attention consuming as potty training a toddler .... but without the pull-ups to catch accidents!

Kayalana99

I know but a pet isn't a project its a family member, & will only be looking at dogs that has a good background (thanks to this thread) and not a rescue as above has said that it's not worth the risk with children.

Admittedly as I have just put on another thread we are having a home check today for a dog I enquired about but tbh I feel a bit pushed into this home check without given any information about the dog and it feels a bit pointless and I don't see it going ahead but I will see what they say anyway.

Kayalana99

oystercatcher wrote: »

One of OP's recent posts !.....

[Another moan day.... DS2 won't stop crying despite nappy change two bottles and breakfast...I suppose its getting on for dinner time now tho & sitting on my knee being bounced isn't really helping much.

DS1 has been a nightmare today, just going for everything he isn't allowed screaming blue murder if you take something off him biting throwing things at me and DS2....he's coming into terrible twos I guess ]

OP How are you going to cope with this kind of day and a demanding dog also demanding attention and walks. House training a dog is as time and attention consuming as potty training a toddler .... but without the pull-ups to catch accidents!

That thread is made for us mothers to get stuff off our chest ...they are little things that build up but same time it's not me crying out for help its simply a moaning thread....

I can see this is going off topic now I do thank everyone for the help advice.

Person_one

If anything, a pup is harder work than a rescue. You're likely to be up all night, they'll need pretty intensive housetraining, they chew and mouth, and its a long time before you can leave them alone for any length of time.

A new pup needs almost as much attention as a young child. Do you really think you can cope with one that's just left its mother and littermates, on top of all the attention your little ones currently need? Background doesn't really mean anything in terms of how much work you'll need to put in. Training and socialisation of a new pup are a huge commitment no matter where it comes from.

If I were you, I'd call to cancel the homecheck. The checkers are usually volunteers and its better not to waste their time.

peachyprice

Kayalana99 wrote: »

we are having a home check today for a dog I enquired about but tbh I feel a bit pushed into this home check without given any information about the dog and it feels a bit pointless and I don't see it going ahead but I will see what they say anyway.

Why? Why have you arranged a home check?

What's the point in posting on here and ignoring everything that has been posted?

I'm out of here.