All,

Our dog died the 7th May, we had to have her put sleep since she was diagnosed with terminal cancer, can not put into words how it felt having to make the decision before and after, still get a little upset giving someone else's dog a scratch. Planning to get another, but well think we should wait until the kids get a little older (son is 2, daughter is 6).

What do you think... is 2 too young for a puppy?

No 2 is not too young They'll grow up together.
Labrador puppies are fabulous with children.

I'm very sorry for your loss, I too have been throught that situation twice before and it is something I dread in the future.

Two is not too young for bringing a new dog into the home as long as all safety precautions are met. Obviously nothing is 100% safe but it would be great for the pup to grow up alongside the 2yr old.

What dog are you after?

Good luck

I am so sorry that you have lost your "best friend", I have gone through it a few times and it is truly awful.

I think you should get another. Two is not too young and kids and puppies go so well together.

I grew up with dogs and my children too - they learn so much from each other, the children grow up without fear of dogs and usually when your dog has grow up with them, you know that they are safe around them.

I remember so clearly one of our dogs that we had when I was 3 and am filled with such happy memories so -

YES,YES,YES

Ive had dogs throughout my life.
Ive worked with children for the last 8 years and i truely believe a dog in a childs life is so important.
So sorry for your loss, been there myself and i know its very difficult.
Hope your ready for another 4 legged friend and find the perfect pooch for your family

Losing a dog leaves a big hole, that a new dog never quite fills, so I understand and am sorry for your loss.

Getting another mutley is fine but avoid the snappy breeds as 2 year olds doesn't always know when to stop, and pup's have a mouth full of needles. So rather than a puppy maybe a slightly older rescue dog would work, then you can maybe take it for test days to see how you all get on?

I'm a lab man now, and can't say anything negative about them... other than their ability to eat. I've had Dobies and helped in a rescue centre for them, don't believe the hype, I had 3 of my own and they are great family pet's, but will take over if allowed and that is not good. I also used to have O.E.S's many years ago and they are great to, a lot of work on the coat though, and daft as a brush, but totally soppy. But for me none can shade a lab

Good luck with whatever you decide

Very sorry for your loss. Absolutely get another dog, but in your shoes I would advise against a puppy unless you plan to use a crate and have eyes in the back of your head as 2 years olds and puppies are a handful. Why not adopt a dog that might be a little older? There are so many dogs needing homes. All our dogs are rescues, so I am biased. I know people will tell you dogs in shelters come with "baggage" and you are better off to start with a puppy. To this I say not all "baggage" means problems.

Totally agree with everyone here--definitely get a new dog. I think the concern about a puppy-aged dog is a valid one, and as long as you are around and watching the interaction between the two at all times (and know what you are getting yourself into), then you will be fine. Remember, puppies have very sharp teeth and like to play, so when it is something similar in size (like your two-year-old), it is usually the thing the puppy will want to play with. And the puppy won't know better, so it is your responsibility to monitor that interaction.

If this is a (more serious) concern for you, then I would recommend going with an older dog. And older can just be a couple years old, through the "growing-up" phase, and thus, calmer in temperament. Usually, they then know how to "play nice(r)" and your children will still grow up with him/her. It is a great addition to the family as long as you have time to take care of it, and I think you should definitely do it. Good luck with your decision and keep us posted (preferably with pictures of your new addition)!

id recommend also a bigger dog from a shelter as kids are less likely to hurt it. small dogs snap fairly easy as the kid is actually capable of hurting the dog.....GET ONE

Two is not too young, but it's all down to haw you feel about replacing your loved pet. I personally believe you should get another dog because there are so many of them out there that really deserve a loving owner like yourself.

Markalex, I am so very sorry to hear about your dog. May you and your family take comfort in the memories of all the happy times shared.

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As for your question re: puppies/dogs and small children... I am of mixed opinion. So much depends on the individual child(ren) - and on the commitment to safety, commitment to training (dog and child) that the parents are able to make, and on going into it with realistic expectations.

The rescue I volunteer with has a guideline of not allowing families with small children to adopt from us, especially when the dog in question is a puppy. This guideline is in place because one of the most frequent reasons we see for giving up a dog is that the parents can't cope with the needs of both a young child and a dog.

Let's face it: parenting is a 24/7 job. Training a puppy/dog is also a 24/7 job. Given the demands on our time today, given what society expects of us today, what society expects of a dog, some parents have trouble juggling the training and socialization necessary for a dog's development with the needs of their children. A puppy (or an older dog in need of further training) is as much work as a baby in the first year or so. If parents do not have the time to invest in proper training at this critical time in the dog's life, the family is setting itself up for a disaster.

I have to be honest - of the families with young children that I have assessed, I have recommended that many should not adopt at this time simply because the children are too young to understand how they should behave with a dog. Some families are better off adopting an older, steadier dog who is known to be good with children, some are counseled to wait to bring a dog of any age into the family until the children are older, say of school age. Some, however, are clearly ready and able to take on the commitment of raising a dog and young children together.

So first a bit of soul-searching: These are questions to ponder yourselves, no need to answer here:

Do you - the parents - have the time to invest several hours a day in training the dog?

For instance, think about house training - when the pup needs out, he needs out NOW - can you drop everything to take him out, as you must do if he is to learn? What will you do with your young child as you run the pup outside? Of course many parents manage house training with a small child in tow - but some cannot, and then the dog gets sent to a shelter for lack of house training.

Think about socialization: The puppy needs to get out and about daily, meeting new people, being introduced to new experiences, in a safe environment. Do you have the time to focus on this while you also have your children in tow?

Do you have time to attend puppy classes? Do you have time to attend further classes throughout the dog's first few years?(Remember that at a minimum you are required to do the SKN practical course within the first 12 months.) While in class your attention must be on your dog - what will you do with your child while you are in training classes?

How much time can you realistically devote to the dog's daily exercise (physical and mental)? What will your children do as you exercise your dog?

Think about supervision. Are you prepared to ensure that your young child and the puppy are not left alone, that you are there to supervise at all times? Do you have the time to teach your child how to safely play with a puppy, when to leave the puppy/dog alone?

Puppies have sharp needle-like teeth which they naturally use to explore the world. It is your job to teach bite inhibition and appropriate play. How would you react if the puppy bit your child, even accidentally in play?

And with an eye to preventing that, will your youngster follow your instructions at all times with regards to interaction with the puppy? If the answer is no, then I would recommend waiting until the child is old enough to do so.

Think six months down the road to when the dog has an almost-adult body, but still the wild exuberance of a puppy - is your young child steady enough on his feet to cope with a boisterous teenage dog bouncing around? How would you react if the dog accidentally knocked your child down?

These are just a few of the things to think of when bringing a dog into a home with a very young child.

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I grew up with a dog - she was my second mother, my nanny, my best friend and confidante. Practically all my happy childhood memories involve my dog, I wish every child could have that fantastic experience. But working in rescue, I see all too often what happens when the family can't cope with the needs of a child and a dog. I just want to throw a few questions out there for reflection as you think this through.

All the best to you and your family - which I hope will someday include a new four-footed friend.

So sorry to hear your dog died, I was once in that position with one of our dogs, when my parents were away on holiday, it was an awful decision to make on my own to call the vet and hear him say the best would be ...

We did not have small kids around, and bought another dog, same breed - standard poodle.

Myself I would do the same. I come from a family where the dog spent time during the day in my pram!

Hi Markalex


I felt really sorry to hear that. Pets become a part of our family and losing them in such a condition bring a lot of grief and sorrow. But your kids are small and I think this time is the best to get a puppy. Both puupy and your kid will enjoy each others company. But do consider that you need to take good care for a new puppy. So the work load and responsibility for you might increase. Do consider all these factors and decide accordingly.