https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 16 May 2026 19:19:56 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-idea-time-to-get-a-family-dog#post-2695131 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 20:46:03 +0000 808love 2695131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We got ours when LO was 3 1/2. She was still a bit young and it was a spontaneous decision with a rescue dog but it really worked out for us. We all LOVE our family dog, but LO is especially attached. Aside from the responsibility of it all, it has been such a plus. DH definitely had to be on board to shoulder the majority of the care. It is a LOT of work. If you are a pet lover or previous dog owner then you know what you are getting into. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-idea-time-to-get-a-family-dog#post-2695104 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 20:30:04 +0000 mamabolt 2695104@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had one before kids, he died when DD was 3 and I was 3 months pregnant. I wanted to wait until baby born and out of the baby stage but DH freaked out so we got one immediately. I wish we hadn't because we didn't have the time to devote to proper training, so I vote whenever you'll be able to do training classes etc with at least the older kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-idea-time-to-get-a-family-dog#post-2695088 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 20:18:42 +0000 bookwormmama 2695088@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This won't really help you now, but we got our dog about 3.5 years before DS was born and it worked great for us. I think it's a combination of him being older and also generally a pretty chill dog, but it was a pretty easy transition and I don't regret getting a dog and having young kids.</p> <p>I think my family got a puppy when my younger brother was like 18 months. I don't remember it being overly crazy, but I was only like 10. Adopting an older (like 3-4 years old) dog that has a good history with kids might be easier with 3 younger kids (no potty training and probably less training in general). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-idea-time-to-get-a-family-dog#post-2695084 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 20:18:10 +0000 thepicklemonster 2695084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have two -- DH and I each had one before we met. I vote wait until your youngest is at least 8? Seriously. Maybe if we only had one dog I'd feel differently, but they make life with a baby so much more difficult. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-idea-time-to-get-a-family-dog#post-2695073 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 20:11:50 +0000 snowjewelz 2695073@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It depends. Our dog now is 11 and really high maintenance.... I would only want one while the girls are young if its gonna be "easy" - no shed, somewhat trained from shelter. Otherwise would wait till the younger one is in K </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-idea-time-to-get-a-family-dog#post-2695068 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 20:08:15 +0000 bushelandapeck 2695068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a lab and when she's no longer with us (she's 11+) we will not be getting another dog for a long time. We just don't have the time to give her all the attention she needs/wants and we travel a fair amount and it's hard to find someone to take her. I didn't have a dog until I was 10 either, so that plays into my feelings about it too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-idea-time-to-get-a-family-dog#post-2695046 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 19:54:42 +0000 SweetCaroline 2695046@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with your timeline. Honestly though, at this point in my life I am on team no-dog indefinitely. We have our hands full, I don't think I can handle the additional responsibilities of a dog. This includes both caring for the dog and the extra housework as a result of having a dog. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-idea-time-to-get-a-family-dog#post-2695041 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 19:52:28 +0000 Silva 2695041@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are planning to wait until the youngest is probably 5 or so. So not for another 7 years probably. My daughter (3.75) has been asking for a dog for a year. Once we saw a pug outside of a store when she was two, and I kid you not she said "Mama! Its the dog I've always wanted!!!"</p> <p> Sorry kids- I have enough things I'm responsible for keeping alive. Our cat pisses me off enough as it is. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-idea-time-to-get-a-family-dog#post-2695038 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 19:51:14 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2695038@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@youboots: yes. So much harder to travel. We finally found a dog sitter but she's $40 per night so it ads almost $300 to trips if we go for a week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-idea-time-to-get-a-family-dog#post-2695035 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 19:50:09 +0000 FaithFertility 2695035@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We plan to get one this summer<br /> DD 2.5<br /> DS 5 months<br /> I think for us this is the ideal time<br /> I am off all summer so I can potty train </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-idea-time-to-get-a-family-dog#post-2695001 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 19:30:26 +0000 youboots 2695001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have 2. I doubt we will ever get another. It's so tough epecially if you will regularly travel sans dog. Could you do a dog share? Or borrow one? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-idea-time-to-get-a-family-dog#post-2694988 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 19:25:20 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2694988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have 2 and I vote never!</p> <p>Lol. So much extra work. Maybe when the kids are older it will be better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-idea-time-to-get-a-family-dog#post-2694982 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 19:22:26 +0000 petitenoisette 2694982@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In your case I would either get one right now (and not get a puppy probably) or wait until your littlest is old enough to know how he is with dogs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-idea-time-to-get-a-family-dog#post-2694974 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 19:17:39 +0000 skipra 2694974@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thinking of this too! We are having a tough time with our 2 year old and my mom's dog - he is really rough with her and as much as we show him how to treat her gently, he keeps going back to pulling her by the collar and trying to jump on her. We were originally thinking about getting one this spring so the baby would learn from the start how to treat dogs but I don't think we can unless it clicks for his brother how to be nice. My oldest is almost 4.5 and he is really good with dogs and would LOVE one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-idea-time-to-get-a-family-dog#post-2694965 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 19:03:42 +0000 lilteacherbee 2694965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was just thinking about this the other day! DH is a dog person, but I have no desire to get one right now (we currently have two cats and we're about to have 3 kids under 4). Maybe when my kids are 7, 5, and 3? My parents got a cat when I was 5/my sister was 2 and she lived my entire childhood and passed away when I was 22. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-idea-time-to-get-a-family-dog#post-2692476 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 19:00:00 +0000 winniebee 2692476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have always wanted to get a dog and now that our oldest is old enough to ask for one, he asks for one ALL the time. He's almost 5 and then we've got DS2 who is 2 and another baby on the way due end of June/early July. My thought is let's wait until the youngest is around 3 or 4. Seems so far away but I feel like by that time, everyone will be potty trained and our oldest will be old enough to have some dog responsibilities. </p> <p>What do you think is the ideal time to get a family dog? </p>