Ok so my wife brought home a new heeler Australian puppy while we currently have a six month old baby, and a 7 year old son.. I just don’t know how I feel about it. We’ve had him for almost a week and he seems like a good dog and trainable, the research I’ve done on this breed is they are loyal, family oriented but require training and a lot of activity…
My cons:
He’s biting a lot, not hard but it’s enough to where he made our baby cry and ripped up some of our couch and my wife’s night gown. (This is my biggest con as baby comes as #1)
Along with having what is practically a new born, I’ll now have to spend my time training this puppy for months/years.
Long trips are now difficult as we will need to secure either a dog sitter or spend hundreds on a dog hotel.
My wife despite bringing the dog home now has had a change of heart and wants the dog gone.
My Pro’s
My kids get a dog and that’s always awesome for kids and teaches responsibility.
If I could choose a dog years from now it would be this one as he’s already showing signs of being trainable and has already started going outside for restroom breaks. All around seems like a good dog but im not sure if that’s just the breed?
I’ve become attached as has my son.
We’ve found a friend that will take the dog, big yard nice people, I’m just a pet guy and have become attached and just want to know what some of you guys would do in this situation or you older guys what you did do. [Reply]
Originally Posted by TripleThreat:
Do you ever leave them in the kennel at the hotel and go out and about? For example some restaurants won’t allow a dog so say we go somewhere and what to dine out, a few hours in the kennel isn’t an issue right?
Oh yeah. When we kennel train them we make them spend the night in the Kennel. In a new place it makes them feel safe. [Reply]
Your wife is fickle as fuck, as most women are. Make her live with the decision to bring the puppy into your home. She can buy a new nightgown.
Who’s to say she won’t have second thoughts all over again if you were to ditch the puppy? She already made one decision, only to second guess herself. Now you get to call the shots. [Reply]
Originally Posted by JohnnyHammersticks:
I could never give up a pet I’ve become attached to, and me becoming attached to them happens immediately. They become part of the family and I feel responsible for their happiness and wellbeing. Making an innocent pet feel abandoned or unloved would eat at me too much.
Now if it was truly a danger to my child it would obviously be a different story, but I feel like I’d either recognize that before I brought it home or be able to train them out of that quickly.
No way could I give a dog back. It would break my heart first. [Reply]
I advise those thinking of getting a dog to read Family Dog by Richard Wolters. Its an oldie but goodie and gives you a great understanding of things to consider and discuss before bringing a new puppy home. It is an excellent training book. Very often folks bring the dog home first and then say "how do we do this"? and are behind the 8 ball at the start. Puppies are more tiresome than newborns but it goes by quickly. Good luck! [Reply]
It’s a dog. Make it sleep in a kennel overnight, train it properly for its specific needs, play with it, and it’ll be perfectly happy and content in no time. For trips take it to a hotel. It’s not that complicated. [Reply]
Seems like a bad lesson to teach your 7 year old if you give up the dog because it is currently inconvenient. Raise the puppy right and you will have a great dog in a year or so and you will be mad at yourself for ever thinking they shouldn't be part of the family. Most dogs have a great soul and are full of unconditional love. [Reply]
