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Porrruss
Nya nya nya
Member since 5/05 11618 total posts
Name:
Amy
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Did having a dog "prepare" you for being a parent?
One of my *friends* on FB made her status "Should we get a dog?" She and her DH are newlyweds and plan to have kids in the future if that matters.
Anyway, a few people posted that getting a dog is a GREAT way to prepare for having children and that they should most definitely get one.
A few people who have kids (including myself) responded "NO". My feeling is that had we had it to do over again, we would have waited to get a dog AFTER having children- to make sure a dog would be a good fit.
I don't feel that having adopted Luna prepared me for having children at all. I mean, we've always taken really good care of her, but it doesn't compare to the attention that my kids needed. I often feel terribly guilty that Luna has slipped down to the bottom of the list of VIPs in our house.
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Posted 8/27/10 10:48 PM  |
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Re: Did having a dog "prepare" you for being a parent?
Havign my dog def did not prepare me for having a child so I have to agree with you!
YEs,my dog is a PITA at times and def doesn't get the samne atteniton from mommy that she used to..but def no regrets. Now, my son adores her and she amuses him too. ALthough I don't love having to clean up after her bc I don't have the time I used to, I love having her and the baby together SHe is still a great fit with the family and I love her to pieces.
Now..with all of that said...I would never get another dog right now. I love her,I've had her,she is my first baby ect ect but...if I didn't have her I would not want the headache of another dog and if I was in your friends position and I knew I wanted to have a baby soon I would have the baby first then get the dog when the baby is a little older.
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| Posted 8/27/10 10:56 PM |
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DeniseMarie
<3
Member since 8/07 10682 total posts
Name:
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Re: Did having a dog "prepare" you for being a parent?
No, no way.
Like you said, it does not even come close to comparing with the attention a baby needs.
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| Posted 8/27/10 11:06 PM |
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katiebug
I'll love you for always
Member since 2/08 4624 total posts
Name:
Katie
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Re: Did having a dog "prepare" you for being a parent?
No. When a dog gets on your nerves you can put them in a kennel and go out for a drink. Not so much with a kid.
My first dog was my first baby. I loved her with all my heart. But she did not prepare me for the responsibility of being a parent. But I did love her like a she was apart of me.
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| Posted 8/27/10 11:07 PM |
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MsMBV
:P
Member since 5/05 28602 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Did having a dog "prepare" you for being a parent?
As much as my fur-babies are spoiled, they in NO way prepared me for motherhood, with the exception of being schooled on how much emergency doctor visits can cost!
Honestly, I think having a pet is wonderful, and I think that if you are still questioning it, and looking for others to tell you it is OK, then maybe it is not the right time despite what future plans may or may not be. And the premise that it will be good to help prepare for future children to me is just too much.
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| Posted 8/27/10 11:13 PM |
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chickiemom
LOVE my boys!!
Member since 10/09 1473 total posts
Name:
Leanne
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Re: Did having a dog "prepare" you for being a parent?
I got my Ali (german shepherd) at 8 weeks old and she definately helped me prepare for motherhood.. She prepared me with responsibility.. she woke me up 3+ times a night to go outside and had to feed her and keep her active and socialize her so in that way she helped me... I see how it can be different if you adopt a dog that is already and older puppy or an adult compared to an 8 week old.. She is my baby girl and always will be.. and now she watches over my ds and me.
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| Posted 8/27/10 11:21 PM |
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Re: Did having a dog "prepare" you for being a parent?
My dog is more difficult than my child. Sure, it is different but my dog is a rescue and he is high maintenance while my toddler is usually laid back. A friend of mine pointed out to me that you can take your child wherever you go, such as on vacation, but you can't always bring your dog. Or maybe you can, depending on which LIF thread you read.
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| Posted 8/27/10 11:23 PM |
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waterspout4
My loves
Member since 5/06 19150 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: Did having a dog "prepare" you for being a parent?
My neighbors got a puppy as they had trouble TTC. Just after getting the puppy, she got PG!!! 
Their puppy began to have unexplained seizures soon as the baby was born. The poor parents brought the puppy to the vet and went through rigorous testing. Since the puppy is now 2 years, she has endured many seizures and they love her so much. But they say they wish they could've gotten rid of her. She would've been fine had she not had these medical problems. They told me they wished they never got the puppy, but now feel obligated to help her through all her medical issues.
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| Posted 8/28/10 1:11 AM |
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waterspout4
My loves
Member since 5/06 19150 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: Did having a dog "prepare" you for being a parent?
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
My dog is more difficult than my child. Sure, it is different but my dog is a rescue and he is high maintenance while my toddler is usually laid back. A friend of mine pointed out to me that you can take your child wherever you go, such as on vacation, but you can't always bring your dog. Or maybe you can, depending on which LIF thread you read.
Kerie, you know I love you, but this is a crock of Sh!t to me.
I would love to go to the store for 30 minutes without my toddler. Can't leave him home alone.
I would love to go to dinner with my husband without a boucning toddler. Can't leave him home alone.
Last I knew, you could leave a dog in a crate (or home, if older and trained) for an hour or two. Kid, not so much.
How is a dog harder than a child?!?!?
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| Posted 8/28/10 1:17 AM |
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monkeybride
My Everything
Member since 5/05 20541 total posts
Name:
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Re: Did having a dog "prepare" you for being a parent?
Hell No!!
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| Posted 8/28/10 1:18 AM |
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Re: Did having a dog "prepare" you for being a parent?
Posted by waterspout4
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
My dog is more difficult than my child. Sure, it is different but my dog is a rescue and he is high maintenance while my toddler is usually laid back. A friend of mine pointed out to me that you can take your child wherever you go, such as on vacation, but you can't always bring your dog. Or maybe you can, depending on which LIF thread you read.
Kerie, you know I love you, but this is a crock of Sh!t to me.
I would love to go to the store for 30 minutes without my toddler. Can't leave him home alone.
I would love to go to dinner with my husband without a boucning toddler. Can't leave him home alone.
Last I knew, you could leave a dog in a crate (or home, if older and trained) for an hour or two. Kid, not so much.
How is a dog harder than a child?!?!?
I said it was different and it is. I was being facetious to say that either was more difficult. Ever hear the expression "2 different animals." Well they are and you cannot compare them.
My own dog's temperament is a lot more difficult than my own child's temperament. Is there anyone who knows my family who would not say that?
One of my closest friends took his kids everywhere when they were little. They took numerous vacations (and still do) and they were constantly over one friend's house or another. The friend is the type not to sit still so he was never home but he took his kids everywhere. He and his wife were always making arrangements for the care of the dog but the kids went with him so he made the comment I posted above.
I no longer feel that we would need baby gates for my kid. The gates are staying up because of the dog. Back when we had a childproofing professional come over so that we could have a safety check, he found that I had already done it all because of the things I do for my dog. No one stays away from my house because of my child yet some people are allergic to my dog or scared of dogs. My dog is 6 inches tall but he has hang time like Michael Jordan and he will steal anything that he can possibly consider to be food. Ask the LIW 06 brides who were at my house when he got up onto the dining room table and ate all of the desserts that everyone brought. Then I was up all night worrying because chocolate can be poisonous for dogs.
The dog cost us nothing but we spent thousands on training because I was not giving up on him. My dog and my kid are now best friends but my dog is not everyone's best friend and I still know how he was before training so he never spend a minute alone with my kid.
To the question of whether having a dog prepared you for having a kid? I do not feel that I was blindsided by what it takes to care for a kid. Some of that was because many of my old friends and my sister had kids before I did but I attribute some of it to the dog.
To answer the other question that the OP posted, I would not get a dog close in time to when I wanted to have a child and if I did not have a dog when the child came along I would probably wait until the child was at least 2.
Well, this made for an interesting Friday night.
Here is how my DH learned to give a bath in the kitchen sink.
He seems to do a lot of what kids do, so why can't he come with me to a restaurant?
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| Posted 8/28/10 2:36 AM |
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waterspout4
My loves
Member since 5/06 19150 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: Did having a dog "prepare" you for being a parent?
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
Posted by waterspout4
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
My dog is more difficult than my child. Sure, it is different but my dog is a rescue and he is high maintenance while my toddler is usually laid back. A friend of mine pointed out to me that you can take your child wherever you go, such as on vacation, but you can't always bring your dog. Or maybe you can, depending on which LIF thread you read.
Kerie, you know I love you, but this is a crock of Sh!t to me.
I would love to go to the store for 30 minutes without my toddler. Can't leave him home alone.
I would love to go to dinner with my husband without a boucning toddler. Can't leave him home alone.
Last I knew, you could leave a dog in a crate (or home, if older and trained) for an hour or two. Kid, not so much.
How is a dog harder than a child?!?!?
I said it was different and it is. I was being facetious to say that either was more difficult. Ever hear the expression "2 different animals." Well they are and you cannot compare them.
My own dog's temperament is a lot more difficult than my own child's temperament. Is there anyone who knows my family who would not say that?
One of my closest friends took his kids everywhere when they were little. They took numerous vacations (and still do) and they were constantly over one friend's house or another. The friend is the type not to sit still so he was never home but he took his kids everywhere. He and his wife were always making arrangements for the care of the dog but the kids went with him so he made the comment I posted above.
I no longer feel that we would need baby gates for my kid. The gates are staying up because of the dog. Back when we had a childproofing professional come over so that we could have a safety check, he found that I had already done it all because of the things I do for my dog. No one stays away from my house because of my child yet some people are allergic to my dog or scared of dogs. My dog is 6 inches tall but he has hang time like Michael Jordan and he will steal anything that he can possibly consider to be food. Ask the LIW 06 brides who were at my house when he got up onto the dining room table and ate all of the desserts that everyone brought. Then I was up all night worrying because chocolate can be poisonous for dogs.
The dog cost us nothing but we spent thousands on training because I was not giving up on him. My dog and my kid are now best friends but my dog is not everyone's best friend and I still know how he was before training so he never spend a minute alone with my kid.
To the question of whether having a dog prepared you for having a kid? I do not feel that I was blindsided by what it takes to care for a kid. Some of that was because many of my old friends and my sister had kids before I did but I attribute some of it to the dog.
To answer the other question that the OP posted, I would not get a dog close in time to when I wanted to have a child and if I did not have a dog when the child came along I would probably wait until the child was at least 2.
Well, this made for an interesting Friday night.
Here is how my DH learned to give a bath in the kitchen sink.
IMAGE
He seems to do a lot of what kids do, so why can't he come with me to a restaurant?
IMAGE
IMAGE
IMAGE
I understand where you are coming from, and I totally agree to not get a pet before you attempt TTC, but I still don't understand how bringing a child on vacation compares to bringing an animal. A child can never be left alone. Animal could be boarded, or at least left alone long enough to buy a shirt at the store. A child is 24 hours, but a pet is not.
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| Posted 8/28/10 2:48 AM |
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Re: Did having a dog "prepare" you for being a parent?
Posted by waterspout4
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
Posted by waterspout4
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
My dog is more difficult than my child. Sure, it is different but my dog is a rescue and he is high maintenance while my toddler is usually laid back. A friend of mine pointed out to me that you can take your child wherever you go, such as on vacation, but you can't always bring your dog. Or maybe you can, depending on which LIF thread you read.
Kerie, you know I love you, but this is a crock of Sh!t to me.
I would love to go to the store for 30 minutes without my toddler. Can't leave him home alone.
I would love to go to dinner with my husband without a boucning toddler. Can't leave him home alone.
Last I knew, you could leave a dog in a crate (or home, if older and trained) for an hour or two. Kid, not so much.
How is a dog harder than a child?!?!?
I said it was different and it is. I was being facetious to say that either was more difficult. Ever hear the expression "2 different animals." Well they are and you cannot compare them.
My own dog's temperament is a lot more difficult than my own child's temperament. Is there anyone who knows my family who would not say that?
One of my closest friends took his kids everywhere when they were little. They took numerous vacations (and still do) and they were constantly over one friend's house or another. The friend is the type not to sit still so he was never home but he took his kids everywhere. He and his wife were always making arrangements for the care of the dog but the kids went with him so he made the comment I posted above.
I no longer feel that we would need baby gates for my kid. The gates are staying up because of the dog. Back when we had a childproofing professional come over so that we could have a safety check, he found that I had already done it all because of the things I do for my dog. No one stays away from my house because of my child yet some people are allergic to my dog or scared of dogs. My dog is 6 inches tall but he has hang time like Michael Jordan and he will steal anything that he can possibly consider to be food. Ask the LIW 06 brides who were at my house when he got up onto the dining room table and ate all of the desserts that everyone brought. Then I was up all night worrying because chocolate can be poisonous for dogs.
The dog cost us nothing but we spent thousands on training because I was not giving up on him. My dog and my kid are now best friends but my dog is not everyone's best friend and I still know how he was before training so he never spend a minute alone with my kid.
To the question of whether having a dog prepared you for having a kid? I do not feel that I was blindsided by what it takes to care for a kid. Some of that was because many of my old friends and my sister had kids before I did but I attribute some of it to the dog.
To answer the other question that the OP posted, I would not get a dog close in time to when I wanted to have a child and if I did not have a dog when the child came along I would probably wait until the child was at least 2.
Well, this made for an interesting Friday night.
Here is how my DH learned to give a bath in the kitchen sink.
IMAGE
He seems to do a lot of what kids do, so why can't he come with me to a restaurant?
IMAGE
IMAGE
IMAGE
I understand where you are coming from, and I totally agree to not get a pet before you attempt TTC, but I still don't understand how bringing a child on vacation compares to bringing an animal. A child can never be left alone. Animal could be boarded, or at least left alone long enough to buy a shirt at the store. A child is 24 hours, but a pet is not.
Your Honor, I am glad you understand. The defense rests.
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| Posted 8/28/10 2:55 AM |
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waterspout4
My loves
Member since 5/06 19150 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: Did having a dog "prepare" you for being a parent?
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
Posted by waterspout4
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
Posted by waterspout4
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
My dog is more difficult than my child. Sure, it is different but my dog is a rescue and he is high maintenance while my toddler is usually laid back. A friend of mine pointed out to me that you can take your child wherever you go, such as on vacation, but you can't always bring your dog. Or maybe you can, depending on which LIF thread you read.
Kerie, you know I love you, but this is a crock of Sh!t to me.
I would love to go to the store for 30 minutes without my toddler. Can't leave him home alone.
I would love to go to dinner with my husband without a boucning toddler. Can't leave him home alone.
Last I knew, you could leave a dog in a crate (or home, if older and trained) for an hour or two. Kid, not so much.
How is a dog harder than a child?!?!?
I said it was different and it is. I was being facetious to say that either was more difficult. Ever hear the expression "2 different animals." Well they are and you cannot compare them.
My own dog's temperament is a lot more difficult than my own child's temperament. Is there anyone who knows my family who would not say that?
One of my closest friends took his kids everywhere when they were little. They took numerous vacations (and still do) and they were constantly over one friend's house or another. The friend is the type not to sit still so he was never home but he took his kids everywhere. He and his wife were always making arrangements for the care of the dog but the kids went with him so he made the comment I posted above.
I no longer feel that we would need baby gates for my kid. The gates are staying up because of the dog. Back when we had a childproofing professional come over so that we could have a safety check, he found that I had already done it all because of the things I do for my dog. No one stays away from my house because of my child yet some people are allergic to my dog or scared of dogs. My dog is 6 inches tall but he has hang time like Michael Jordan and he will steal anything that he can possibly consider to be food. Ask the LIW 06 brides who were at my house when he got up onto the dining room table and ate all of the desserts that everyone brought. Then I was up all night worrying because chocolate can be poisonous for dogs.
The dog cost us nothing but we spent thousands on training because I was not giving up on him. My dog and my kid are now best friends but my dog is not everyone's best friend and I still know how he was before training so he never spend a minute alone with my kid.
To the question of whether having a dog prepared you for having a kid? I do not feel that I was blindsided by what it takes to care for a kid. Some of that was because many of my old friends and my sister had kids before I did but I attribute some of it to the dog.
To answer the other question that the OP posted, I would not get a dog close in time to when I wanted to have a child and if I did not have a dog when the child came along I would probably wait until the child was at least 2.
Well, this made for an interesting Friday night.
Here is how my DH learned to give a bath in the kitchen sink.
IMAGE
He seems to do a lot of what kids do, so why can't he come with me to a restaurant?
IMAGE
IMAGE
IMAGE
I understand where you are coming from, and I totally agree to not get a pet before you attempt TTC, but I still don't understand how bringing a child on vacation compares to bringing an animal. A child can never be left alone. Animal could be boarded, or at least left alone long enough to buy a shirt at the store. A child is 24 hours, but a pet is not.
Your Honor, I am glad you understand. The defense rests.
 
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| Posted 8/28/10 3:05 AM |
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MrsSpring
I'm a lucky mama
Member since 1/10 7585 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: Did having a dog "prepare" you for being a parent?
welll I am now up at 4am with a crying dog-not a crying child. 
i def think it helped prepare but doesnt compare exactly-but it helped.
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| Posted 8/28/10 4:27 AM |
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Peainapod
Peanuts are here!
Member since 1/09 13591 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Did having a dog "prepare" you for being a parent?
nothing prepares you for having a kid..LOL
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| Posted 8/28/10 6:45 AM |
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headoverheels
s'il vous plaît
Member since 6/07 42079 total posts
Name:
LB
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Re: Did having a dog "prepare" you for being a parent?
Posted by Kerie-is-so-very
My dog is more difficult than my child. Sure, it is different but my dog is a rescue and he is high maintenance while my toddler is usually laid back. A friend of mine pointed out to me that you can take your child wherever you go, such as on vacation, but you can't always bring your dog. Or maybe you can, depending on which LIF thread you read.
As of right now, I agree! Our dog is also a rescue and while we've only had her a month, so far she is WAY harder to handle than my terrible-two-year-old DS.
Ask me again in a year 
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| Posted 8/28/10 7:41 AM |
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ME75
Member since 10/06 4563 total posts
Name:
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Re: Did having a dog "prepare" you for being a parent?
NOPE! but she did have major medical issues that somewhat prepped me for the money-thing and having patience etc. other than that no. having kids was way more responsibility and work.
my dog died the day my DS was born  kerie: your dachshund is a twin of mine and i love the pics you posted! 
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| Posted 8/28/10 8:01 AM |
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Diana1215
Living on a prayer!!!
Member since 10/05 29450 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Did having a dog "prepare" you for being a parent?
I think it teaches you responsibilty, and also a Parenting style.
When your dog is sick, you are upset. You bring them to the vet.
You have to feed them. Let them out to do their business. Keep them clean. You are responsible for those things. Just as you are responsible for a child.
For us, it was good practice. Is it the same as having a child? Hell to the NO. But it's a good way to get your feet wet with some responsibility.
Message edited 8/28/2010 8:22:18 AM.
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| Posted 8/28/10 8:22 AM |
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chelle
It's a Good Life
Member since 8/06 15404 total posts
Name:
Isn't it obvious?
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Re: Did having a dog "prepare" you for being a parent?
No way
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| Posted 8/28/10 8:42 AM |
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Heather617
My Babies
Member since 5/05 2566 total posts
Name:
Heather
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Re: Did having a dog "prepare" you for being a parent?
Posted by Diana1215
I think it teaches you responsibilty, and also a Parenting style.
When your dog is sick, you are upset. You bring them to the vet.
You have to feed them. Let them out to do their business. Keep them clean. You are responsible for those things. Just as you are responsible for a child.
For us, it was good practice. Is it the same as having a child? Hell to the NO. But it's a good way to get your feet wet with some responsibility.
I agree with this. I think it teaches your responsibility. It does not teach parenting.
Edited for spelling
Message edited 8/28/2010 8:51:45 AM.
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| Posted 8/28/10 8:47 AM |
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Sunday
In love with a boy named Luca
Member since 6/09 1799 total posts
Name:
`
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Re: Did having a dog "prepare" you for being a parent?
Haha, no, but I might have thought that BEFORE I had a baby.
I walk my dog four times a day and feed her twice. She gets a bath like once every three months. When we go away for the weekend we just leave her home and my SIL stops by a few times a day. Can't do that with a baby, lol.
The responsibility of a child is like 1000x that of a pet.
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| Posted 8/28/10 8:51 AM |
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Sunday
In love with a boy named Luca
Member since 6/09 1799 total posts
Name:
`
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Re: Did having a dog "prepare" you for being a parent?
Posted by Porrruss
I often feel terribly guilty that Luna has slipped down to the bottom of the list of VIPs in our house.
I have the same guilt too.
I think for me it was extra tough b/c I was home the last month of my pregnancy so it went from me literally laying under a blanket with the dog all day to sorry the baby is more important and I don't have enough time 
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| Posted 8/28/10 8:54 AM |
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Jen2999
Baby girls & beagles rock!
Member since 8/06 10356 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: Did having a dog "prepare" you for being a parent?
Fred is a PITA sometimes. He is a menace when people come over cause he gets people anxiety and barks constantly unless he is on a leash.
As a puppy he was very sick and very needy. He cried all night long and had stomach issues. I had to puy 9 million types of dog food before I found the right one. He also broke his tail and needed surgery on his paw within the first year or two.
I was constantly at the vet and spent $$$$$$$$ on him.
I think it definitely teaches responsibility, but I also think you cant compare.
Sadie has never been sick-knock on wood- in 19 months, but that doesnt mean that Fred is "harder" or prepared me for being a mom...I just think it is totally different. Fred taught me how to care about something other than myself with unconditional love. Sadie taught me that x ten thousand!
I remember crying at night when fred wouldnt settle down as a puppy and having to clean up constant diarrhea. I also remember crying at night when sadie wouldnt stop screaming and having to clean up loads of baby puke.
Similar, but in NO WAY the same thing as a human baby.
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| Posted 8/28/10 9:12 AM |
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GioiaMia
Let's Go Rangers!
Member since 1/07 14818 total posts
Name:
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Re: Did having a dog "prepare" you for being a parent?
My first month with Brutus was 100x harder than this past month with DD. I think he helped us form a "team" and brought us together to be good parents.
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| Posted 8/28/10 9:38 AM |
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