2 yr old and puppy

Diane - posted on 06/04/2010

Julie z.- your strange.
and I dont let them play in the room together but the dog follows my son everywere and i didn't realize they were in there together. it was only for a few min. but im am most deff. keeping a better eye on them =]

Ashley - posted on 06/04/2010

Julie. I'm sorry but I dont think she was saying that she expects her 2 year old son to "take care of the puppy" She got the dog for her son she he can have a wonderful companion to grow up with and perhaps learn a little bit of responsibiliy with the help of her or his Dad. I have a 2 year old puppy and I say all the time that our dog is our 6 and a half month olds. Its not to say I expect my baby to walk him or feed him. They are just friends and hes is part of the family too. Just like the cats are our babies as well. I think she knows she is the one that is going to have to care for the dog. I just had to say I think its rude that you would even think that she would expect her 2 year old to train a puppy.

Julie - posted on 06/03/2010

2 is way too young to "have a puppy". The dog is yours, not his. You will need to train it (Labs can be goofy & puppyish until 7 years old) and that takes a lot of time.

If the dog is to be his, the American Veterinary Association recommends that kids do not have the capability to be responsible for a dog until age 10.

Bottom line: this is YOUR dog, not your son's, not for many years. YOU will have to train him properly so that both are safe and well-taken care of (a big job!).

Julia - posted on 06/03/2010

If your son loves the dog, don't get rid of him on account of a few scratches. I do have to say, though, why on earth are you leaving a two-year-old and puppy alone in a room together? DON'T leave them alone - they MUST be supervised together...you may well find that you'll prevent scratches because you'll intervene before things get out of hand.

Remember that no matter how good natured a dog is, if it's poked in the eye and up the bum too many times, it may just snap and bite, and you'll find yourself having your beloved family pet put to sleep for being aggressive. It is your responsibility to make sure that both baby and puppy are raised responsibly, and your child shouldn't be left alone with the dog until he's a) old enough to understand what you do and don't do to dogs, and b) physically large enough that he won't get knocked flying into furniture during boisterous play.

I don't know if you've already done this, but make sure the dog has a place where he is able to get away from your son and have some quiet time as and when he needs it - if a dog feels continually pestered and stressed, it'll grow up neurotic and more likely to snap.

Raising children around animals is, in my opinion, a wonderful thing to do and it teaches them to love and respect animals and gives them a great sense of responsibility (we have a lurcher, and he's fantastic with our 10-month-old daughter). However, you must be cautious, particularly until the dog is properly trained and your son is a bit older. And finally, no matter what anyone tells you, NEVER physically abuse your dog as a part of training - smacking a dog only shows it that aggression is ok.

Good luck, and hope it all works out ok!

Ashley - posted on 06/03/2010

We got a lab almost 2 years ago. And trust me I know how crazy labs can be. We got him before we had our baby. He was a wedding gift from each other. I guess it was a little different for me because he was around when I was pregnant and new NEVER to jump up on me witch he dose. After about a year he calmed down a bit. He is still nuts when we have companie. We also have a cage for him and when he dose something bad (He likes to steel our sons toys because he wants attention) he goes into his "bed" for 10 min. Then when he comes out he knows he was bad and hes had time to calm down. It sounds like with the scratchs he is jumping up. Every time Guinness (our dog) jumps up we put up our knee in to his chest. Not hard but enough to get him down. He dosnt jump on us anymore, Just the companie. lol. Also I have found you have to be very consistant. Tell your son when the puppy jumps to put his arms out (because your son is probibly to small for the knee) and say no. Firmly. I have a almost 4 year old neice and my dog dosent bother with her. When your puppy gets bigger he will probibly realize he is too big to be playing the jumping game on you son. They are great dogs just have paitionts with him. Unless something drastic happens a few scratches hear and there never hurt anyone. Your son will stop pravoking him once he gets sick of getting scratched. Hope I helped.

Amy - posted on 06/03/2010

Thats what puppies do, if you know the puppy gets too excited and scratches your son he shouldn't be allowed to be unsupervised with the dog. Even adult dogs can be unpredictable and should not be unattended with 2 year olds, because all it takes is for that child to pull on the dog wrong and for that dog to bite in self defense. My sons first step was towards our dog who was sleeping on the floor, he fell, she was startled and jumped up and he had to walk around looking like he was attacked by a tiger for a week and my husband was there supervising. I know you said you have been training the puppy but I would do puppy training classes and get your son involved with the training so the puppy learns that what he does for you he has to do for everyone and what's unacceptable behavior with you is definitely not allowed with the little one!

Erin - posted on 06/02/2010

i have an 18 month old n im due again in 4 weeks, we have 2 puppies, a bullmastiff- 6 months old and a kelpie-8 weeks old, i teach my daughter 2 be gentle with the dogs and its working, i think its great 4 dogs n kids 2 grow up 2getha, maybe try 2 teach ur lil one 2 pat the dog gently-even if it takes a few weeks-i hope this helps u :)

Kelina - posted on 06/02/2010

I have a 15 month old and two puppies. We got our first dog when our son was only 8 months old and it ended up being a little too much as a couple of months later my mom ended up in hospital and I had to be tehre all the time. so instead of getting rid of the dog, we got another one! It's actually worked out great, they play together a lot, outside for most of the day although i expect that to change come fall and having the second dog has helped calm our first one down a lot! We have a springer spaniel(1) and a black lab (6 months). The funny thing is, when they are inside we have the opposite problem with our son-He's too much of a pushover! It's funny cause the dogs will both let him walk all over them, but if they haven't played outside yet, they tend to push him over. Don't give up, it does get easier, but it takes a LOT of patience, and like others have said, don't let them alone together, to the point of putting baby gates up if you have to and when the dog starts getting a little too excited, put it somewhere it can calm down for a little while. And have fun!

Kristin - posted on 06/02/2010

We got a lab when my son was 8 months old we supervised their time together, and it worked at great of course there were time the puppy got too excited and jumped on him and knocked him down but we handled each situation as it came. Now are lab has puppies and my son is great around them. He know when to leave them alone and we still monitor him around the puppies and momma. I think that is the most important part of a child/pet relationship is monitoring. Lab are very loyal and protective it will make a wonder pet for you whole family.

Rebecca - posted on 06/02/2010

We got our son a dog when he was about 1.5yrs old because we were expecting another baby and we wanted him to have something for him. We got a pug puppy...omg stupid. Seriously. The dog could NOT be trained. I have had dogs my whole life but this was the first time i had a pug and i had no idea how hard they were to train. I should have stuck with a shitzu(?) they are very smart. Anyways, my sons feet were so bloody and just tore apart after 3 weeks i said enough was enough. Yes i know 3 weeks wants a lot of time and i feel horrible for getting the dog in the first place, but i lived and learned and say my son was in no way ready for a dog. We plan on getting a family dog,like you got, in a few YEARS when our kids are older and can understand a bit better.
Don't give up on the dog and like others have mentioned never leave them alone together and try to separate the dog and boy when possible so the dog can get some relax time. Keep the dogs nails clipped and keep an eye for jumping and stop it immediately. I remember how tiring that was when we had our husky lab...she was so old(11) when our first was born and died a few months after he was born and the best dog we ever had. Our shitzu(2) died the year before of liver failure that i had no idea existed because he was so small...i learned small breeds have this fault so be cautious if you ever get a smaller dog.
Anyways, i'm sure you will make a good decision for you and your family so push on or give the dog up before he's too old. I was able to sell our puppy for the same price i bought him for,minus the 50$ gas it took us to get him, and he was gone 2 days after i posted an ad...i interviewed 5 families and one family drove 4 hours. Pick one you feel he would work good with.
Good luck!

Erica - posted on 06/02/2010

Diane, Labs are known as good family dogs, but as puppies they are CRAZY. Especially the chocolate ones. A 2 year old doesn't really know how to control himself around something as enticing as a puppy, a watchful eye is required when your son is playing with the pup. They should never be left alone with a dog, even if you've had the dog 10 years you cannot predict what a child will do to provoke the dog. Ashlee is correct that if you are going to get rid of the dog do it soon cause grown dogs are almost impossible to get rid of. I have 6 dogs and a 4 yr old and a 1 yr old. It is completely possible to raise a child to respect animals and be gentle with them. There are times when you need to seperate your son from the dog so the dog gets a break from him. You don't want your son OR the puppy to get hurt. Remember to be watchful. If this pup doesn't work out, try it again in 2-3 years when your son understands better. Good luck on whatever you decide :)

Diane - posted on 06/02/2010

yes i know..i am training him and he is a smart dog, he is potty trained, he sits, comes, stay, he goes in his cage when we tell him to. He plays outside about 4 hrs a day if its nice and we play with him indoors. he dosent meen to hurt him but his nails are sooo sharp..one touch with his paw will scratch.

Abbie - posted on 06/02/2010

Puppy training would help this situation. Also depending on how long you have had this puppy will make a difference also. All i have to say is don't make the dog pay because you don't want to do the work. Dogs take a ton of work, Labs especially they are hunting dogs, they need to run and work. You can't just expect them to be calm and laying around as puppies.

Diane - posted on 06/02/2010

thanks a ton!! yesterday mason had the puppy in his room and came out with a scratch from the bottom of his eye lid to his cheek..I about killed that dog. im about to just give him a brother and get rid of the dog but im gonna hold it out a lil longer =]

Ashlee - posted on 06/02/2010

It would be a wonderful experience to have them grow up together. Unfortunately babies and pets don't mesh 99% of the time. But if it's something you can muster up a little patients for, your baby and puppy will both grow out of that stage and have an unbreakable and amazing bond. If you are set on getting rid of the puppy, just make sure you do it sooner than later so that you insure that he finds a loving home (everyone loves a puppy!) and make sure to educate the new home to the behavior of puppies and children if they do in fact also have small kiddos. If you plan to keep the puppy, just make sure to always keep an eye on the two to make sure one of them doesn't hurt the other too severely! I really hope it works out for you!



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Jessica - posted on 06/02/2010

Its great for them to grow up together..Just make sure you remind your son to be easy cause the dog is a baby too..when the dog gets rowdy, pull him away from you son and say no. The more you do this, the more the dog will understand. Its a learning process for everyone, in the end, it will all work out fine. I have 3 dogs, and 2 kids, so I know exactly what you are going through, and I just had to take my time, and correct all parties involved and it has turned out great! =)