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 lewdog:
I don't know, OP has a slight beta vibe.
I used to give my brother shit saying he was pussy whipped. Now I laugh with my dad telling him how I’m pussy whipped so hard to argue with you there. [Reply]
Originally Posted by mr. tegu:
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.
I spoke with my uncle who has quite a few number of dogs and he says I should just give it to the friend. In the op I mention my baby girl. He says the dog/puppy is going to continue to nip at the baby, crawling is around the corner so she will be face level which everything I’ve read says to avoid that scenario, and he says she will hate dogs by the time she is 2 years old. Any truth to that? Please anyone feel free to respond to this as well. [Reply]
Most any dog can hurt a baby or toddler. I have a sweet mutt and beagle mixes and I still try to keep space between her and the dogs as much as possible. Supervise them when they’re around her. Mine are older so they are more chill but still prone to spurts of wildness. They are food aggressive because she feeds them and they trail her after both my kids for scraps. So there’s times when they get downright wild with each other but they always avoid the kids in the madness. Son will be 8 soon. Daughter just turned 1
A puppy may view her as a playmate for a while but it you actively stimulate and train the dog it will learn to steer clear for the most part. And when your kid gets up and moving they will play together again. I know they will herd but i don’t know how serious their nip is.
I wouldn’t be worried about that breed spazzing out and attacking so if it does nip way too aggressively at some point and can’t be corrected offload it to this other party. My kids both grew up like this and they both love the dogs and aren’t scared if them in any fashion [Reply]
Originally Posted by Pablo:
Giving away a 7 year olds puppy is some prime trauma shit too btw
You got a baby to worry about but if your son is attached to this dog in any fashion it’s gonna ruin his little world for a bit
He’s the main thought in this process for me at least. If he wasn’t in the picture I’d say fuck my feelings, my daughter will have a dog for her 5th Christmas or whatever. But, we have made it transparent that this isn’t a commitment yet and we can look at it as we found someone’s dog and took care of it for a week while the owner came to take it home…. IF we give it to the other family, I’m 100% positive he cries on the way home but he’s been resilient with the other things he’s faced in life and he’s also acknowledged that maybe getting a dog when baby sis is 2 Christmas morning might be a better option.
However it doesn’t make me feel like any less of a dick of a father. [Reply]
Originally Posted by TripleThreat:
I spoke with my uncle who has quite a few number of dogs and he says I should just give it to the friend. In the op I mention my baby girl. He says the dog/puppy is going to continue to nip at the baby, crawling is around the corner so she will be face level which everything I’ve read says to avoid that scenario, and he says she will hate dogs by the time she is 2 years old. Any truth to that? Please anyone feel free to respond to this as well.
I mean, it's going to take work. They learn pretty quick if something isn't OK. If you just let it do whatever it wants it's going to be a fucking land shark, but they learn fast as long as you're consistent. So you have to micromanage that thing - along with your toddler constantly in the beginning.
And you'll need to work the dog some. If they just lay around the house, they'll get full of energy, get the zoomies, and get themselves into trouble. Plus they have some quirks to learn and manage.
It's not some lazy house dog you just chill with, but once they're part of your family they are a damned rewarding dog to own. But let's be clear - it's not without work. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Buehler445:
I mean, it's going to take work. They learn pretty quick if something isn't OK. If you just let it do whatever it wants it's going to be a ****ing land shark, but they learn fast as long as you're consistent. So you have to micromanage that thing - along with your toddler constantly in the beginning.
And you'll need to work the dog some. If they just lay around the house, they'll get full of energy, get the zoomies, and get themselves into trouble. Plus they have some quirks to learn and manage.
It's not some lazy house dog you just chill with, but once they're part of your family they are a damned rewarding dog to own. But let's be clear - it's not without work.
What do you use to say no to biting? Just “no”? I’ve read that hitting the butt or nose is a no no. During the puppy phase and so on what do you suggest? [Reply]
Originally Posted by TripleThreat:
What do you use to say no to biting? Just “no”? I’ve read that hitting the butt or nose is a no no. During the puppy phase and so on what do you suggest?
Yeah. They have to learn no. No bite or leave it.
I’ve booped them on the butt. Not a beating, but a bop. You. An also act like it hurts so they’ll stop.
A big thing you can do is redirect with a toy. If they want to chew for the sake of chewing, make them chew a Toy. If they want affection make them do it without teeth. If they want to chase and herd make them play fetch. That kind of stuff. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Pablo:
If the kid fully understands it’s a trial run then that’s more reassuring. I’m framing a lot of this thru the views of my son
Did you guys name this dog already?
Yes :/ he attacks my face btw every once in a while when laying down together but if I give him a chew toy immediately after he’s like “thank god”. But again, that concerns me with baby girl. [Reply]
A heeler can be one of the best dogs you will ever have but they need training. I had one in the past and have a Heeler mix now.
First thing to do is decide whether or not you want to put the effort into making the dog work for you guys. If you don't then just find a good home for the dog and wash your hands of the whole thing.
If you decide to keep the dog (this info is based on how hessistant you seem to be around the dog):
* get it up to date on vaccinations and spay/neuter
* find a puppy socialization class which is basically puppy pre-school where they learn to interact with other dogs and people appropriately. from there start looking for an obedience class once they become old enough. after that there are even sports that you. the kids, and the dog can participate in such as flyball... at which heelers tend to be fantastic.
* come to terms that you have a dog specifically bred to nip at the heels (thus Heeler) of livestock (my Louie does a good job and he loves his goats) and it is gonna be a bit of a chore to break them of that when it comes to the kids.
* you are gonna need to have a conversation with the 7 year old and let him know he has to help train the dog. if the dog comes up and nips... whomever is nipped should let out a sharp and loud pain squeak/noise. puppies communicate to one another that play is too rough with those types of noises. Gotta speak their language. Follow up the pain noise with a firm, but gentle, *NO*. heavily praise the dog when it is playing appropriately.
* whomever the dog bonds with the most in the family is going to be the one most likely to have success in training it and should be the person to introduce the dog to the baby. make a big show, especially with a puppy, expressing care and love for the baby. the dog will pick up on the fact that it is important to the person and will likely become very protective of it.
If you aren't willing to do the above listed things... best thing for everyone is for the dog to get a new home. [Reply]
