What would you do? Puppy question.

[Ang]

Ok, soooo.

I'm moving to a house with a yard Jan 1st. I've been wanting a dog for a while, but cant seem to make a decision for my life. (this is just how i am)
I have a 1 yr old son and he takes up a lot of time, but is now getting to the age where his energy is limitless and mine is....well... limited.

So maybe a dog could help keep him satisfied when I just need to sit down.

My horseback riding instructor has had a beautiful female Yellow lab for a few years and bred her a bit ago to a very handsome stocky yellow lab.

She is now selling the puppies for $350.

Both parents were x-rayed and vet check and all that and have great pedigrees of their own. Very gentle, laid back and well behaved.
She said i could take my pick and she would hold the pup for me until I'm ready to take him mid January after we have moved in and gotten settled (for the most part)
She would continue training him and i just need to pay for food.
(mind you, she is a good dog trainer as well as horse trainer)
She had the whole litter of puppies sitting still just wagging their tails when she commanded them to.



So, for those of you who have had children OR baby brothers. .....

Would you take the added responsibility of a puppy given the same situation?

Or any comments are welcome.

 

[Camshaft Ramrod]

Get a cat.........

 

[Knowdafish]

Wait until your kid gets older. A Lab will just mow him over all the time giving you more work!

 

[latshki]

Get a cat.........

cats are mean ad self centered
well if you want to go for the yellow lab, but befor you do please go to your local pound and you might just meet the perfect dog
and pound dogs usually are a lot more aprectiative

 

[Camshaft Ramrod]

I agree with knowda.


And I'm just gunnu ignore that comment by latshki.....

 

[Ang]

pount dogs also have emotional baggage and no way to know if they would be safe with a child. Plus they can turn into different dogs once you get them home.

cats are mean ad self centered

and I have 2 cats and they are great with him. he uses them as pillows
so lets not turn this into a cat bashing thread.

 

[cichlaguapote]

While I understand your son has alot of energy and dogs usually do as well. IMPO It's not a good match at the moment. The lab will need alot of care, your son is at the age where he could get pushed out of the way by a happy carefree dog pretty easy, and I don't see the dog keeping your son content and I don't see a 1 y/o keeping the dog content as far as exercise needs.

I think if you want a dog and can take care of it as an added responsibility, or incorporate it into excercise with your son like walks/etc then go for it. Dogs especially more active breeds need alot of excercise to stay mentally sound. And this doesn't mean free roam in a yard but walks/things like that. But I don't think they'd make a good match for tiring each other out til your son was at least a few years older.

 

[krzr3000]

It sounds like a good opportunity...but i would suggest putting a lot of thought into it. Mainly because you are committing to something really far in advance. Keep the "what if" in mind. Other than that it sounds as though it would be the right dog to buy, especially to have with a kid though the puppy will be another kid so i think it may be 2x the work?

And about getting a rescue dog...not necessarily pounds..but humane societies and rescues have dogs of all ages typically. I would really only worry about "emotional baggage" with mature dogs anyways. Speaking of, i was at the humane society today and they had two black lab pups, 10 weeks old ready to go. Adoption costs less and you are supporting the lives of animals down the road.

 

[Red Devil]

I think the lab is the perfect child and family dog.. so your choice is perfect.. but when you mention that your kind of in need of a break with your one year old.. which i can understand because they are so active.. just times that by two... you may as well have twins with a young lab puppy and a one year old.. they together will keep you twice as busy...

 

[msjinkzd]

and both in diapers! LOL