[jkvkdailey]

Hello everyone, I am WAHM with DH and 2 boys - ages 5 1/2 and 1 1/2. I keep thinking I want a pet (both boys are crazy about dogs), but not sure if I'm up for the potty training/extra work. I have done a little research and think that a pekapoo would be great for us (small dog, no shedding, smart/easy to train from what I have found), but I'm not sure. I don't worry about him/her messing up the house because the boys do that enough already , but I wonder if it will be too much for us. I'm involved in a few organizations that take me to meetings about 3x a month, Vince will start Kindergarten in a couple weeks, and Kevin will be 2 in November. We also travel 2 hours "up north" about once a month to see our extended families, so the dog would have to be OK with road trips. I need to make sure the dog won't be barking while I'm at work/on the phone during the day. We plan on getting him/her fixed, no breeding for this household.

I had pets when I was a kid growing up on the farm, but have never had a house dog. We wouldn't get one until next spring/summer, close to school getting out. The boys are at daycare during the day while I work, but I would be able to take the puppy out often for training. Our neighbors just got a Chihuahua (the type with hair), and I'm in love with him! He's got a lot of energy but is just so dang lovable

Bottom line, I'm looking for advise to pet owners that make frequent trips with their dogs, is it too hard on them? How about general tips for having an inside dog - how much room do they need for themselves, how much time do they have to spend in their kennel, etc?

I want to have as much info as possible before adding to our family - thanks for your help!

Kim

[mrmnmom82]

Depending on the dog's personality, it may need to stay kenneled during the day. If it eats your shoes, and jumps on the table when you're not there, it would need to be in a kennel during the day.

I think most dogs travel well, I have yet to meet a dog that doesn't love a car ride!

If you adopt a dog from a shelter, they'll probably allready be potty trained.

I personally won't get a dog right now, my kids aren't old enough to help out, so I don't want to have to do it all myself. It sounds like you're ready to put in the time and effort though.

I don't know of any way to know ahead of time, or stop a dog, from barking during the day while you're gone. That's just personallity. And in my experience, little dogs bark a lot more than bigger dogs. You know the type, over compensating. Kind of like a short guy driving a massive sized truck. They think they have something to prove. Most dogs will bark at passers by, no matter the size.

It's all about finding a dog with a personallity that meshes with your family.

[PetScribe]

Hey Kim!
The great things about dogs is they go with the flow. The family travels and wants to take them along too? GREAT! They'll learn to love car rides. (Just make sure you don't leave the dog alone in a hot car, say when you stop for potty or food breaks. Keep in mind cars get hot quick. And cold, if you happen to head into that kind of territory.)
Dogs also learn that their kennels become their safe zones during the day if that's where you have to keep them while you're away. But to minimize barking let them out and be with the family when you guys are home and can pay attention to him or her.
And if you get a puppy, be prepared for having a semi-baby again for a few weeks. They cry at night just like babies do. You'll find a lot of variation in this next bit of advice but...I believe when they cry you should at least check on them and make sure they're not hurting or needing to go potty. But dogs are smart. They'll learn if they whine you'll come and if it's attention they're seeking, guess what? They'll keep it up. Having a radio or something else to soothe them and provide noise works.
Good luck!

[hbowne]

Getting a puppy is very similar to having a new baby; they will initially suck up ALL your time. But on the positive side, it goes much faster than raising a child! You do need to put in the training time in the beginning, it will pay off in the end. And you will cry a few times in the beginning, but this too shall pass.

As far as dogs barking at passersby when you're on the phone, the only way I know of to prevent this is to not let the dog see outside when you're on an important call. The first two years are the toughest, after that it's a piece of cake. And you can't imagine or remember what life was like without them.

I agree with the other posters that most dogs LOVE car rides. It's when you leave them behind that they're sad. Good luck

[Samual]

Remember you have to give both your children and the dog attention at the same time without ever leaving any of the children alone with the dog. You have to hold the dogs lead, your childrens hands and pick up dog poo at the same time. You need to give at the very least an hours worth of walks a day, that doesn't mean lots of 5-10 minute walks. When you havn't had a dog or any animal for a long time, you do forget exactly what it was like taking care of one.

[punkytina]

I agree with all the others in this post, so i have nothing more to add. But i have 4 dogs, 1 pedigree Rotweiller, 2 collie Mixes and a Great Dane mix. 3 females and a dog... we take them for walks an hour at a time 3 times a day, if we go anywhere,(shop,park,school,) we take all 4 dogs with us, you need a lot of energy for any dog, no matter how big or small, but i would advise against a puppy, although they are reallllllyyyy cute, you have small children therefore i wouldnt have a puppy with small children. I'm sure you have rehoming centres near you if you call them they will go through all breeds that would be perfect for you and your small children (please get your dog spayed/neutered)
Out of all my dogs, my male collie is my favourite, hes so cute and well behaved,unlike his sister who tends to get over excited.
But i do spend at least 7 hours a day constantly training my dogs and have done so since i had them all as pups.
hope you enjoy your dog (should you get one, and that you have many happy years with him/her )
xxx