UPDATED... Push me one way or the other: should I get a puppy?

[hillview]

Honestly I would give it a miss for a while. It is a lot of work unless you are going to get a dog walker daily a puppy needs a lot of play time and it sounds like you are just catching your breath. We got our dog last year (DS2 was 4) and I have a daily dog walker and it was still a lot of work for the first 12 weeks -- out every 10 minutes it seemed like. Also if there is any behavior issue at all you need to dedicate a lot of time and effort to get that sorted sooner vs waiting. Anyway if it were me I'd think about it some.

[Green_Tea]

I had puppy fever all winter long. As recently as two weeks ago I was begging DH for a dog. What made me change my mind was that every friend with a dog I have in RL - really, every single one - told me not to get a dog. Pretty much every one I know who has school age kids and full plates thinks their dogs are a PITA. I don't know why, exactly, but it's enough to make me think twice.

[wellyes]

You are the expert on your kids. This lady is the expert on these pups. If she says it's probably not a good fit - it's probably not a good fit.

My advice is to not see the puppies. If you see the puppies, you'll either end up with one (which may not be the best) or you'll be very sad.

You sound like a well organized high energy person who accomplishes what she wants. You'll be a great dog owner

[KLD313]

I would wait until the fall, I don't think it's fair to the puppy if you're not going to be around for it. It may prolong training too.

[cvanbrunt]

Are you prepared for dog hair EVERYWHERE? Your floor or carpet will always have dog hair on it. So will your clothes. And your furniture. Always. Dogs can be destructive. If you have hardwood floors, they will be scratched. My first boxer puppy chewed off the corner of an oak coffee table. We were home. We got a second boxer. They ate a couch. I'm not kidding. They had a dog door and a fenced half-acre. These animals were very well behaved and never did anything else as destructive, but they it happened. It's a possibility to consider.

[twowhat?]

I voted now is not the right time. DEFINITELY not for a JR terrier!!! Those puppies are HIGH ENERGY and will get into trouble unless you keep them physically AND mentally occupied!!

Dogs = fur and mess - it sounds like you would be willing to clean up to your satisfaction but I think this would also add to your stress level in trying to keep things as clean as they have been without a dog in the house. When you have a dog in the house, you must accept that it's going to be one level dirtier than it was previously unless you want to chase the dog around with a mop. Especially if you have no grass and only dirt in the backyard.

DH not on board is another red flag - he'll add to your stress - you won't ever be able to vent to him about the naughtiness your puppy got into. He'll pull the "I told you so" whenever you get frazzled over the 10th puddle on the rug...and so on.

Anyway that's just my $0.02!!

[BayGirl2]

I think I'd try to get an older dog who's already house trained if you don't want to wait. That would work better with your schedule and your kids ages. I got my dog when she was 10 months old, she was already housebroken and crate trained. I worked full time, far away from home, but she was fine. With a puppy it would have been much harder.

I agree, don't go see the dogs if you are on the fence. Don't stress about disappointing the breeder. If she was asking that many questions then she cares about where the dogs end up. She'll probably be relieved that you made a good decision before adopting one and having it not work out.

[carolinamama]

I don't know which way to vote! We got a rescue dog 2+ years ago when we only had 2 kids and the dog was 10 months old. Already PT'd and crate trained. It was still so stressful. He couldn't be left alone or he'd start eating the kids' toys, chewing on woodwork or furniture. I'm certainly laid-back about our house and it drove me crazy. I would do it all over again, but I definitely questioned if it was the right thing to do or not daily for a few months. Now? He is a member of our family and I cannot imagine our house without him hanging out at our sides.

I'm not sure about these particular puppies, but it's like having another kid. There is never a perfect time - only a decent time, iykwim. I do recommend an older dog if that's an option at all. We were looking for one under 3.

I wanted to add that it is stressful when your DH isn't on board. DH gave me the go-ahead to take in our dog. But he wasn't really into being super-involved and got mad about the puppy destruction. So if you are on the fence and your DH isn't really onboard, it will make it harder.

[Twin Mom]

I had puppy fever all winter long. As recently as two weeks ago I was begging DH for a dog. What made me change my mind was that every friend with a dog I have in RL - really, every single one - told me not to get a dog. Pretty much every one I know who has school age kids and full plates thinks their dogs are a PITA. I don't know why, exactly, but it's enough to make me think twice.

I know you already decided and I haven't read all of the posts but I have to say

[twowhat?]

I'm sorry you're so sad When the time is right, then the time will be right - you are not giving up your dream to own a dog!

I had puppy fever all winter long. As recently as two weeks ago I was begging DH for a dog. What made me change my mind was that every friend with a dog I have in RL - really, every single one - told me not to get a dog. Pretty much every one I know who has school age kids and full plates thinks their dogs are a PITA. I don't know why, exactly, but it's enough to make me think twice.

I don't think our dogs are a PITA and that's in part due to the fact that they really are good, good dogs and I put the time and energy into training pre-kids....but here's the kicker...we don't have school-aged kids yet - LOLOL. Once the kids are busy with after school activities, homework, and this and that on the weekends, then our poor dogs are going to go even a step lower on the totem pole - and they're already neglected as it is! Seriously, they get tossed a bowl of breakfast and a bowl of dinner and a heartworm pill every month and we do not interact with them the rest of the day on most days. It's really kind of sad because dogs are such social animals and thrive on it. Our dogs are OK though because they're well-trained and well-adjusted AND because they're middle aged and simply don't have the mind/body requirements of a puppy. That said, I think it pays to put the time and energy into finding a dog that will adjust well to busy family life and will do fine being left alone/ignored for much of the day but that adjustment period can take a while and I DO think we are WAY lucky to have 2 dogs that have adjusted so well.