https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:39:59 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817906 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 10:50:45 +0000 snowjewelz 2817906@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Go for it if you're realistic and really understand what to expect. In a lot of ways a young puppy is like a baby. They get separation anxiety, you have to toilet train them. and puppys can be mouthy so you will need to train it (or pay someone to). Could be messy in the beginning with accidents. Someone will need to give it walks and exercise, no matter if it's raining or snowing! If it sheds, a lot of vacuuming. </p> <p>I've had a dog way before marriage/kids. My dog was older when I had LO1 so I could slack a little with the walks (and she's not a big dog). But it's def more work to take care of another 1/2 kid basically. BUT at the same time it is super rewarding. I'm a dog lover and while my first isn't super into the dog, my 2nd LO looooooves the dog and I just love seeing their bond and fostering their love of animals in general. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817893 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 10:21:56 +0000 808love 2817893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Personal Cons<br /> -care (DH agreed to do it but we encourage DD to take responsibility)<br /> -travel (FIL watches it)<br /> -cost (Only food and flea/heartworm meds/occasional vet checkup or accessory-$600-700 year?)<br /> -dirty on rainy days (don’t keep high value furnishings and have a high foyer baby gate to keep her in designated areas)<br /> Pros<br /> -loving, perfect family member<br /> -like a kid but not<br /> -cuddly<br /> -cute<br /> -fun<br /> -healthy lifestyle<br /> -fun to train<br /> -teaches LO lots of life lessons<br /> -lots of fodder for DD’s writing and makes life interesting<br /> -just the best<br /> -DDs favorite ‘thing’<br /> PUTS DD TO SLEEP IN HER BED </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817884 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 09:55:11 +0000 psw27 2817884@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with everyone else. I love, love, love dogs. Ours died about 2.5 years ago and it was the worst. But, I am in no position to get another dog. I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old and I want another baby someday. My kids won't do anything to help with a dog except possibly feed it sometimes and it would be another person for me to care for when I already feel pretty stretched thin at times. My caveats for getting a dog are: 1. we have a fenced in yard. 2. we can afford it (including vacations and possibly doggie daycare) 3. all of my children can wipe their own butts and everyone sleeps through the night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817881 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 09:47:30 +0000 alphagam84 2817881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not an option on your poll, but I'd say get her a full grown adult dog from a shelter. Raising a puppy is hard work. And they are nippy until they outgrow it which may scare your child. By getting an adult dog it will be calmer, house trained, and it won't be nippy. Plus you'll be saving a life! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817867 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 09:14:15 +0000 krispi 2817867@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Puppies are a lot of work! Not as much as a baby, but still a lot of work. They have to be housebroken, and mine chewed on stuff until he was 3. </p> <p>If you really want your daughter to have a pet to play with, is it an option to adopt one that's a bit older from a rescue organization? If you find a dog that's already housebroken and around 2-3 years old, they'll be out of the puppy phase but still playful enough for your kids to enjoy. That's what I would do if we were ready for another dog at this point with small kids to take care of.</p> <p>Either way, keep in mind that dogs require feeding, walks and lots of play time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817735 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 21:35:22 +0000 Hypatia 2817735@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for all the advice! This has definitely been a reality check for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817734 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 21:23:17 +0000 Amorini 2817734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: I hear you! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817727 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 21:05:43 +0000 gotkimchi 2817727@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Amorini: we have 2 cats and I still done have enough time for them but it’s so nice to be able to leave them for the weekend and not have to worry about letting them out during the day or taking them on walks etc </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817726 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 21:02:34 +0000 Amorini 2817726@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh my gosh, all the respect in the world, but I would so NOT do this. And I love my (calm child-friendly, adult, well-trained) dogs. And dog-owning is only survivable with a toddler because DH is a great partner about dog-care. And I'm still wracked with guilt over the lack of time that we have for them.</p> <p>This might sound horrible to cat-lovers (I'm a cat-liker...) but what about a kitten instead of a puppy? Cats are so much more independent and easier to train and still very lovable.</p> <p>If you are dead set on getting a puppy, I would ask your friend for a trial period with one the puppies for at least one full week to see how it would work. Best of luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817714 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 19:09:50 +0000 Iced Tea 2817714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Every time I look at our budget, or pay an expense for our dog, I feel guilty about all the money that isn’t going toward our future. Our dog literally costs us thousands each year. It’s a hard pill to swallow, especially in this stage of life full of daycare costs, college saving, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817712 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 19:01:40 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2817712@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a 4 year old and almost 2 year old. We’ve had our dogs since before the kids. We’d never get another. It honestly adds so much more work and they are house trained/sleep fine/etc. It’s just always something! For example we just went away for a week and spent $500 on a dog sitter. The big dog loves chewing kids toys. Having friends over with kids we always put the dogs away because you just never know. Travelling to visit family we have to bring them and it’s more to bring. We can’t play outside without first cleaning up poop (which isn’t terrible because we are always outside so the poop doesn’t build up since we clean it daily basically). </p> <p>The kids love them but obviously can’t be trusted to do any care on their own at this point. Like my son will feed them if I load up the bowls... </p> <p>All that said- puppies are real cute and I love dogs but you couldn’t pay me to get another one, haha 😬 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817711 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 18:28:18 +0000 Iced Tea 2817711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lots of very good insight above. </p> <p>I will add that we have a four year old dog we got shortly before having kids. I already felt bad at how neglected the dog became after having kids. We spent money taking her to an active doggie daycare to help make up for that. Planning vacations (heck, even spending the day out somewhere) became so much more expensive and complicated because of the dog. I feel like I just don’t have any mental energy left for the dog I so dearly loved. Then in January, she suffered a back injury, was paralyzed, has been in rehab multiple times a week (2 hours driving each time to and fro) to recover. I feel like shit concerning our dog. I could never rehome her, but the expense and energy expenditure is enormous, even with pet insurance. If I had known, I would have waited until we were past the early childhood stage. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817707 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 17:57:38 +0000 pinkcupcake 2817707@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would never get a puppy because my kids begged for one and said they would take care of it - I know that willing ness to help will last a day ;) </p> <p>We have an older Yorkie and a 10 week old Yorkie puppy. A lotta work but I am totally a dog person so it’s enjoyable for me. But it’s like having a baby all over again. </p> <p>I also have a 6 year old and 2 year old human children :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817706 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 17:03:37 +0000 misolee 2817706@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would just keep in mind that puppies are like newborns. They’ll keep you awake all night and still need to be taken care of round the clock. But if you’re okay with that, go for it! </p> <p>My almost six year old has been begging for one but I have a two year old and a newborn. It’s gonna be a while before we’re ready😬 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817704 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 16:45:25 +0000 Pollywog 2817704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got a dog 4 years ago and now have a 2 year old and newborn. My dog is so much work. I cannot imagine adding a puppy right now. Before you get one, evaluate how it will fit in your life. It'll need to pee at least 6 times a day. Who will walk it? How will that work with kids? Who will train it? Who will play with it so it won't be destructive. </p> <p>I'd honestly get a senior citizen dog who's personality you know and a much lower energy level than getting a puppy. You have no idea what the puppy will be like </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817701 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 16:11:30 +0000 crazydoglady 2817701@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have three dogs, so...😅 I always say yes to all the puppies but agree with PP that it has to be YOUR dog. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817693 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 15:07:48 +0000 birdofafeather 2817693@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>ONLY get a dog if you’re willing to take care of it 💯% of the time and you want a dog. I want a dog but with 3 kids, no way do I want to take on that responsibility at the moment. Heck, my parents got me a dog when I was 10, and they still took care of it 💯%. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817677 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 10:26:31 +0000 LCTBQE 2817677@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: re kids "helping"--I have no idea why this fantasy persists in parents' minds. the kid will *never* help even if he/she is 15 years old, at least not reliably, which as any parent knows is the only help that is actually useful, otherwise it's just additional mental load. my husband and his siblings still laugh about how my FIL when they were all pre-teen to adult age would rant about how he found Bucky's water dish "BONE DRY" like every day! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817676 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 10:20:42 +0000 LCTBQE 2817676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm getting a puppy in a month, and I have a 20-month-old and I'm having a baby in late August. We are already calling the puppy and the to-be-born baby "the twins". So if you want to gauge where you are for considering this on the sane-insane bell curve, you are nowhere near the insane side, probably somewhere in the middle :) </p> <p>Also, as a seasoned dog owner and now a human parent, a dog who is not a hyperactive nutcase is about 1000x easier than a healthy kid. genetics of the dog are enormously important IMO, so if you know you're not getting an insane doodle-puppy-mill thing, it will probably be okay. what breeds are the parents? </p> <p>All of this said, it's a huge amount of work that can't be understated--I'm doing it because I'm delighted to sacrifice like ALL other activities to just hang with my dog. I don't want to go on vacations or weekends away unless the dog can come, I'm happy about the financial sacrifice, and I'm a huge homebody who is thrilled at the prospect of not going anywhere and throwing a tennis ball and doing training in my free time. Husband feels the same. </p> <p>one thing that is really important is the point @JMOM: made--our toddler is CRAZY for animals, but exactly, my husband and I are doing this for ourselves, not for the kids. I think taking full responsibility that you want the pet for *you* is the only way to be able to do it with joy and not resentment at all the extra work. I see people run into a lot of trouble and want to give the dog away when they get it for their kid and then it takes over the adult's life, which it will. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817670 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 09:19:52 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2817670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have had a dog since before having our son and TBH we are busy enough with one kid and one on the way that I would not get a dog until my kids were like age 8-10 and up. And they will be able to help but definitely don’t count on them at any age...you will always be the one to look after it. I find I cannot devote the time and attention to him that I would like so I can imagine a puppy being way worse. We do family walks and outside time but our kids and ourselves come first. </p> <p>If you do decide to do it, Definitely consider an older dog. Ours was 1 year old when we got him so already yard trained and had some knowledge of commands. We did obedience and leash training and it was a lot of work but he’s an awesome dog. And all that training happened pre kids and I still found it to be a lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817666 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 08:22:51 +0000 Foodnerd81 2817666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So you have a 4 year old and a baby? I know I personally could not handle adding a puppy to that mix. I would wait a few more years. We figure we will get a dog when our youngest is a little more self sufficient- and yes can “help” with the dog but also we realize the grown ups will actually be doing the work of dog care. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817662 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 08:02:05 +0000 JMOM 2817662@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a 10 week old puppy now and it's like having a newborn/potty training kid all over again. There's not much sleep and there is pee everywhere. Well, that's not completely truthful because he did just sleep through the night for the first time last night but there is still at least one pee accident a day. I take him out at least 20 times a day. Do you have the time to do that with a baby? I'm not saying you shouldn't get a puppy but I spend a lot of time focusing on the puppy. Everybody says, "your kids must love the puppy" and I tell them that we got the puppy for me and my husband, my kids are not animal people. I don't take my kids opinions/begging on animals into consideration because they are not going to be a consistent help in the care. Good luck in whatever you decide - puppies are the sweetest things and also the most frustrating! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817660 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 07:15:59 +0000 gotkimchi 2817660@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2 of my friends recently got puppies - one has an only child 3yo and one has a 2 and 4yo. Both moms are being driven crazy by the dogs. One paid 2000 for training now and the other is trying to leave the dog with her mil for the summer to get a break and hopefully let the puppy mature a little. So based on those reviews i would vote against a puppy. What about a slightly older dog? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817659 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 07:09:38 +0000 Tanjowen 2817659@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Hypatia: I think it is a great age for a puppy. I want one for our 4 year old, but we have 2 very old dogs that would hate us forever for getting a puppy into the mix. I feel bad because our dogs ignore our kids and don't play with them.</p> <p>I grew up with puppies - my mom raised cocker spaniels - and LOVED it. And 4 year olds are reasonably independent, so you aren't dealing with a baby and a puppy at the same time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817650 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 05:50:18 +0000 PixieStix 2817650@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not to be a negative Nancy but I wanted to point out how expensive they can be. Growing up, a lot of our pets got health issues that made for costly vet bills. Of course the memories and bonding were great, but it can become very stressful when medical conditions pop up that no one could predict. Just another thought. 😊 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817648 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 05:25:06 +0000 erinbaderin 2817648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you’re ready to have a puppy, go go for it! I think you’re probably kidding yourself if you think a kid is ever going to take full responsibility for a pet, that’s always going to end up being your job. :silly: It would be great for them to grow up together! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817643 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 00:16:18 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 2817643@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes!! Go for it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/puppy-for-a-4-yo#post-2817642 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 00:02:01 +0000 Hypatia 2817642@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Out daughter has been asking for a puppy for about a year now. Well, she wants both a dog and a unicorn. :wink: </p> <p>Some friends have puppies available, and they would give us a really good deal on one. Plus, we know the parents of the puppies are calm, child friendly dogs. </p> <p>To be honest, I hadn't really considered getting a dog until much later when DD could totally take care of it herself. But she wants one so badly, and I think she's a little lonely (her sister is only a baby, and we live in the middle of no where without other kids nearby). What would you do? </p>