Owning a dog

Hello!! I have all but convinced myself that I would like to get a puppy /young dog. I have been thinking about this for about 4 months and have really decided I would love to have one - I feel it is a now or never decision as I have been working full time as a teacher and couldn't have had a dog.
I will be looking to get the puppy at the end of term and will therefore have 6 weeks to settle / train (!) the new pet.

I'm going through my head how I think it will work and how maybe it won't work - can anyone who owns a dog give me some advice on what I may be missing?

I would socialise and train the puppy as have children myself.
I would keep puppy in its own area separate from the childminding children - for the dogs sake as much as for the children!
I would give puppy food, water, toys, bed.
I am thinking very small dog so as not to be intimidating or likely to knock children over when we out.
I am checking out kid friendly breeds (although always aware dependent on individual dog)
I would do safety / risk assessment of where dog would be and a policy to share with parents.
I would be able to take dog with me when going to parks, woods, beach (except when hot obviously) etc but would be restricted to not take when going to local attractions such as zoo so would have to think carefully about whether dog is going to be able to be alone for 6 hours on the odd occasion when we have an all day trip.
I think it would be an amazing experience for my own children who are getting a bit older to have a dog to grow up with and also nice for the children to have some (limited) interaction with a pet too that they might not get at home.

I just wonder if I am mad and or naive?! Is there anything - probably something really obvious - that hasn't occurred to me or a reason not to do this? Before I always put child-minding before family decisions and now I feel like if I don't do this now I never will and would love to do this but obviously just need to make sure I can make it work with going back to childminding.

*****mind full time and my daughter is my assistant so we have a lot of children. Like you I have always put the minded children over my preferred options but I have just got a puppy. I thought one day when I retire that would be the ideal time to get a dog as was worried how it would be while still working but I lost my husband in December and it's very quiet in the evenings once my working day has finished as it's now just me. So I have to keep on working to pay the bills (and mortgage) and this puppy sort of fell into my lap! It was meant to be for a number of reasons. I let him and the children mix all the time and I have 2 who were a bit nervous of dogs but you want to see them now! parents are over the moon as well. Yes it's a bit hard at the moment but once he's a bit older it will be fine, I got him at 8 weeks , he's now 11 weeks and in one more week he will have his 2nd vaccination so will be able to go out which will be great. I wouldn't get too small a dog and after lots of research I found the absolute perfect breed - a cavalier king charles spaniel. Look it up and hopefully you will get a great one like I have. good luck.

Wow Bluebell, lots of changes for you! x

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Originally Posted by Bluebell

Hello!! I have all but convinced myself that I would like to get a puppy /young dog. I have been thinking about this for about 4 months and have really decided I would love to have one - I feel it is a now or never decision as I have been working full time as a teacher and couldn't have had a dog.
I will be looking to get the puppy at the end of term and will therefore have 6 weeks to settle / train (!) the new pet.

I'm going through my head how I think it will work and how maybe it won't work - can anyone who owns a dog give me some advice on what I may be missing?

I would socialise and train the puppy as have children myself.
I would keep puppy in its own area separate from the childminding children - for the dogs sake as much as for the children!
I would give puppy food, water, toys, bed.
I am thinking very small dog so as not to be intimidating or likely to knock children over when we out.
I am checking out kid friendly breeds (although always aware dependent on individual dog)
I would do safety / risk assessment of where dog would be and a policy to share with parents.
I would be able to take dog with me when going to parks, woods, beach (except when hot obviously) etc but would be restricted to not take when going to local attractions such as zoo so would have to think carefully about whether dog is going to be able to be alone for 6 hours on the odd occasion when we have an all day trip.
I think it would be an amazing experience for my own children who are getting a bit older to have a dog to grow up with and also nice for the children to have some (limited) interaction with a pet too that they might not get at home.

I just wonder if I am mad and or naive?! Is there anything - probably something really obvious - that hasn't occurred to me or a reason not to do this? Before I always put child-minding before family decisions and now I feel like if I don't do this now I never will and would love to do this but obviously just need to make sure I can make it work with going back to childminding.

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Getting a dog was the best decision we ever made.
We got a pre owned jack Russell. I didn't want to go through potty training a dog and I only wanted a small dog that I could control around the mindees. She shares our space but has a cage she can retreat to if things get too much.
She adores the kids and they adore her. She sulks at weekends when the house is quiet.
I can't say about days out as my hubby is retired so always around. Could you maybe get a neighbour /friend to have it?

I am thoroughly mad - we have 2 fantastic dogs, a cocker spaniel and a whippet and in February we got a cocker cross puppy.

All are rescue dogs - the cocker was 8 when we rescued him, the whippet was about 18m and the puppy was 11 weeks.

After 9 weeks (age 20 weeks) the puppy is mainly house trained, we have a very occasional accident.

When they are puppies they don't need too much exercise - recommended 5 minutes exercise per month of life, twice a day - due to their growth plates still developing. By 8 months they should have finished growing ( you try telling my puppy that he has had his quota of exercise though!)

All of mine can interact with the children - until we got the puppy now the gate is on the door as he steals toys from the children and eats them!

It will be a while before we can leave him alone for a long period (he has a crate) but he needs to be let out regularly at the moment - like a newly potty trained child :)

We all love and so do the children the puppy and the other 2 dogs.

Hubby works split shifts and we have fields around us that we can use when there is no livestock in them x

Oh thank you - I love these puppy stories! I'm so so sorry to hear you lost your husband Chris Goodyear- it must be such a hard time for you right now. I was looking at the cavachon - a cross between the cavalier and a bichon. Or maybe a similar small dog. Have been looking at all sorts and then looking up breed characteristics and advice -End of July is still a long way off!

We've got a new puppy...had him 4 weeks and now he's nearly 13weeks. I chose a Cavapoo because of the calm temperament and the non shedding.

The first two weeks were really hard and I thought 'what the heck have I done!!' but now he's settled in he's part of the family.

I'm not going to lie, it is hard work trying to juggle childminding and having a new dog. I've gated off the kitchen and at first the children were so excited all they wanted to do was touch him and be with him but I had to put rules in place for both them and him.
I don't leave them alone in the same room so I have to put him in the kitchen if the doorbell goes as he can be quite boisterous at time and his claws are a little sharp as they've not been filed down yet by the pavement.

The children have found it hard actually, he's not a toy and they have strict rules in place. They cant just pick him up (9yr old loves to) so I have to tell her a lot not to pick him up (she also doe it to the smaller children!)

But despite the hard work he is a joy :D

So, six months ago we said goodbye to our 15 year old Labrador Ozzy.
Having experienced childminding with a dog and without I can honestly say that it is easier without him.
If you just childminder 2plus then a dog around is easier but I categorically feel that if you have children under two - it will be difficult.
I have seen so many young families take on a puppy with enthusiasm and cages ....but give up the dogs at one year old because it is difficult that I have to be the negative thought and say it is not easy, you have to be that certain sort of person to manage a pup, a young family and childminding. Training is paramount.
I know it is a cliche ' a dog is for life' but it really is. We loved Ozzy for 15 years it wasn't easy going and we were not the best at training but we loved him and didn't mind the sacrifices we gave to having him in our lives....extra costs to pay for a sitter / kennel for weekends away that he could not join us, 5 o'clock walks to ensure he was regularly excercised before work, constant vacuuming to make sure the crawlers didn't go home with dog hair on their clothes. Life in my business as a childminder without him is so much easier. But....I still think children should experience a love of a pet.

You have to be that type of person that can go that extra mile, that is totally dedicated to thinking that children benefit from living with a dog and that can have time and energy to really train your pup.a

Thank you so much - I am still mulling it over - I really worry it would be a bad decision and it would be a dog for life. My children who I thought would be thrilled were at first horrified and still not really that convinced. Then my eldest wanted to get a dog the same as our neighbours - a springer spaniel - which would need lots of walking and too big really and its all getting really complicated so he is not very happy when i said no way! I am concerned about the cost as much as everything and I wonder if I am rushing an idea because i am going through a divorce. i really need a change of lifestyle and getting out and about walking a dog seems like a healthy happy choice.

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Originally Posted by Bluebell

Thank you so much - I am still mulling it over - I really worry it would be a bad decision and it would be a dog for life. My children who I thought would be thrilled were at first horrified and still not really that convinced. Then my eldest wanted to get a dog the same as our neighbours - a springer spaniel - which would need lots of walking and too big really and its all getting really complicated so he is not very happy when i said no way! I am concerned about the cost as much as everything and I wonder if I am rushing an idea because i am going through a divorce. i really need a change of lifestyle and getting out and about walking a dog seems like a healthy happy choice.

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Like with everything there is good and bad. My list since having a puppy is

Good
Great companion - gets me out at weekends on walks
My dd wanted a dog since she was 3yrs...she's now 14 so she's happy
He is a joy to have around the house, always happy and pleased to see us (unlike the cats)

Bad
Having to get up early EVERY morning....I've got 2 teenagers so was used to my weekend lie ins
The extra cost - vets bills, insurance, boarding, food, grooming costs. My dog cost £850 plus microchipping, worming, fleaing, 2 injections, cage, bedding, bowl, chew toys, collar, name tag, lead, training.
Having to be extra vigilant and planned for work. Gates on kitchen, rules in place

So, its a big decision...its taken me 11yrs to say yes to my dd :laughing: I knew I couldn't cope with a dog but now my dd is 14yrs she can walk him as being a puppy its not easy to walk him whilst pushing a pushchair.

If you do decide to get one they do bring a lot of joy and will be a life long friend but the hard work needs to be put in. Its hard in the first few months but gets easier as they get older.

Jumping in on the thread as I've been considering getting a dog too. Although I think I may struggle with a new puppy. What are the experienced dog owners thoughts on going for a slightly older dog?

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Originally Posted by natlou82

Jumping in on the thread as I've been considering getting a dog too. Although I think I may struggle with a new puppy. What are the experienced dog owners thoughts on going for a slightly older dog?

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I have 2 older adopted dogs from a rescue. My cocker spaniel was 8 years and my whippet was around 18m. (and then madly got a puppy in feb). Both were over the puppy stage so not quite as mad and no teething although Stanley does sometimes rip letters/ paper and chew somethings while I am out as his stress relief.

Podgy (cocker) was perfect, he had been picked up as a stray and we happened to go to my local rescue and ask what they had suitable for children and cats - I have known the owner years and her grandchildren are around the dogs so she is able to assess them well. He fitted in as if he had always been here. However he only has basic training, pulls on the lead and terrible recall, we have taken him to training but things haven't improved much.

Stanley (whippet) had probably never been in a home and had to be house-trained. He came over Christmas as a foster but has never left ;) from the same rescue . He is very gentle and has learnt quickly but he is going teenage on me at the moment and ignoring, pulling on the lead (something he has never done) and jumping up when we are out (never does it at home) so is going back to school.

Some rescues do not home with small children, all home check. Buying through the ad sites is sometimes iffy as "hot" dogs can change hands, or dogs with illnesses. However a lot are older puppies/young dogs that people have got and found they do not have the time or it is harder than they thought often with little training that do just need a good home where they can thrive :)

Good luck xx

Thank you tulip I'm taking my time on this and really thinking everything through. Like the OP it will be after summer at the earliest. I want to be sure about everything for me, my family, the minded children and most importantly the dog :-)

I love having dogs so would say go for it (i have had up to 4 at anyone time)

Benefits

Children learn how to care
Walks every day no matter what.
Because i take no pushchair on dog walks my ds has been able to do the walk since he was 12 months old so now does not complain if i take him hiking.
Ds finds them calming
Its also a friend for him when mindies are gone.
They are very loving n whenever i am sad they come lay their head on my lap which make me happy

Disadvantages

Money
Having to keep children n dogs separate. This is no a bog to me as i keep them in the kitchen then when children have lunch put them on decking. Dogs r happy with that but i know many people want there dogs to be a part of it. I just know i can't safety watch multiple children n dogs

We have 2 lab crosses and they are the most lovable adorable loyal members of the family. But I wont be replacing them as they get older and die. Regardless of what everybody else says in the family.

Its nice at the minute so walking the dogs is not a chore and every will want to come chuck in the bad weather when it freezing and wet no one wants to do it so it gets left to muggins here.

The mess the dog hair and believe me the destruction they can do as pups is absolutely unbelieveable. Did I mention the howling they can make as a pup because they dont want to be left alone.

You also have to consider what you will do with your dog when you want to go away or out for the day.

I love my dogs I really do but what on earth possessed me to suggest having 2 I dont know even if she is gorgeous and my youngest childrens best friend.

What I would say if you have any doubt dont do it people are not joking when they say its like having a baby in the house.

Good luck in whatever you hope to do now to go and check the graden and clean the kitchen floor again because its rained.

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Originally Posted by Bluebell

Hello!! I have all but convinced myself that I would like to get a puppy /young dog. I have been thinking about this for about 4 months and have really decided I would love to have one - I feel it is a now or never decision as I have been working full time as a teacher and couldn't have had a dog.
I will be looking to get the puppy at the end of term and will therefore have 6 weeks to settle / train (!) the new pet.

I'm going through my head how I think it will work and how maybe it won't work - can anyone who owns a dog give me some advice on what I may be missing?

I would socialise and train the puppy as have children myself.
I would keep puppy in its own area separate from the childminding children - for the dogs sake as much as for the children!
I would give puppy food, water, toys, bed.
I am thinking very small dog so as not to be intimidating or likely to knock children over when we out.
I am checking out kid friendly breeds (although always aware dependent on individual dog)
I would do safety / risk assessment of where dog would be and a policy to share with parents.
I would be able to take dog with me when going to parks, woods, beach (except when hot obviously) etc but would be restricted to not take when going to local attractions such as zoo so would have to think carefully about whether dog is going to be able to be alone for 6 hours on the odd occasion when we have an all day trip.
I think it would be an amazing experience for my own children who are getting a bit older to have a dog to grow up with and also nice for the children to have some (limited) interaction with a pet too that they might not get at home.

I just wonder if I am mad and or naive?! Is there anything - probably something really obvious - that hasn't occurred to me or a reason not to do this? Before I always put child-minding before family decisions and now I feel like if I don't do this now I never will and would love to do this but obviously just need to make sure I can make it work with going back to childminding.

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Could you look after a friend's dog over a weekend to see how you get on and then maybe borrow it for a childminding day to see how you get on - dogs are easy when it's summer and long daylight hours but it can be hard in the winter when it's raining all day and dark when children have gone home. I have 2 small dogs and they stay in their beds in my kitchen all day - there is a stair gate to stop children going in and dogs coming out. I try to go on a walk with the dogs and children each day but it's not always easy to find a pushchair / dog friendly route and as it's going to be constant rain in the West country today looks like I will be taking dogs out at 5 when children have all gone home. My husband takes dogs out about 7 and I take them out again in the day with children or after 5pm, they only go in garden after they have had their supper at 10pm for a quick wee (rarely anything else). We always get our dogs from rescue centres, so they aren't puppies and are normally house trained (last one was 6 months old), if I get another dog I may consider getting a miniature schnauzer as they don't molt - I hoover every day and 90% of contents of my hoover is dog hair!

I have a Cavapoo and he doesn't shed. He's quite calm for a puppy, I did lots of research before we collected him :D

Here he is
Attachment 8875