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Old May 8th 08, 02:40 AM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Janet Boss
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Posts: 4,368
Default 11-Month Old Baby, Any Problems with Getting a Puppy

In article
,
wrote:

Should we should wait another a year
or so. Does anyone have any experience with introducing puppies into a
home with a baby?


Existing dogs with babies are generally great. A new puppy is a recipe
for a ton of work. I used to do in home daycare along with puppy
sitting, fostering and raising. Talk about exhausting!

Toilet training the child before having to housebreak a puppy is a
REALLY good thing. So is having the child old enough to take direction
well, not be knocked over easily, and not be seen as a chew toy.

An adult dog is a better choice than a puppy. I *do* understand the
desire for a puppy, but keep in mind that baby toys and puppy toys are
very similar and a lot of work needs to be done to differentiate.
Puppies are very oral and diapers are very appealing. Puppies use their
mouths a lot (especially a retriever puppy) and baby skin can be easily
damaged. You'll be in teaching mode 24/7 between baby and puppy.

Is a parent home during the day? If so, the day will NOT have much down
time. Are both parents working and the kid in daycare? How will there
be time for child AND puppy once home? Will there be daycare for the
puppy too?

There are a huge number of considerations. Think very seriously about
your ability to commit TIME, not just space, before embarking on adding
a puppy.

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com