While I completely agree with Janice, my logic
was reversed....
>>the temperament of the dog has a lot to do with the acceptance of a
>>new child.
While my daughter (now 10 and an aspiring Vet) would have been
absolutely fine with a puppy/young dog from the very beginning, my
son is something else entirely!
Because I already had little ones, I held off on getting a beloved berner
because of the temperment of my SON, not the dog.
My son was close to 5 before I brought Zeus home.
They are completely attached and adore each other, but had I added Zeus
at an earlier age, my SON would have - due to his being a healthy and
exhuberent little boy - harassed the DOG. I watched my son chase the
cat, in spite of being put in constant "time-outs", constantly while he
was a toddler. That combined with a mouthy puppy is not a good mix!
Now that my son is 6, he limits his harassment to his older sister and
is always gentle and loving with Zeus.
Gee, I guess it's time to have another one!
....dog! another DOG!
Antoinette & (the only furchild) Zeus
San Ramon, Ca.
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Message-ID: <00fa01c29e55$46dafa40$98cc5b18@OFFICE>
From: "Janice Parky" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Berner List" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Fw: berner pup or baby - which should come first???
Date: Sat, 7 Dec 2002 20:01:01 -0500
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Kerry-
I think the answer to your question is a very individual one. Hopefully the
advice you get will help you and your husband decide what will work for you.
For me, personally, it was baby first. It was also a looong time ago. I
waited until my first child was 2 years old to add a dog to the family. I
believe, and I'm sure some will disagree, that it is easier to add a dog to
a family with a small child, than a small child to a family with a dog. Of
course, the temperament of the dog has a lot to do with the acceptance of a
new child. If you decide dog first, find a breeder who will help you find a
pup that they feel will do well when baby arrives. I believe very stongly,
that dogs raised with children have a better chance of learning
child-tolerance and respect than a dog that has not and then is asked to
accept another "pack" member. I also have know of two beloved family
dogs-one rehomed, one euthanized because of it's intolerence of the new
child. It is also important that you and you husband, as parents of both
the pup and child realize that it is your job to make it work. Small
children need constant vigilence amd training around puppies, as puppies and
older dogs need socialization, training and viglience around small children.
I would also not advise, which ever "first" happens, that you wait until you
are confident you can handle the "other".
As for the ticking clock, both scenarios will be exhausting. Sorry.<G>. Of
course, you also have no idea of what "Mother Nature" and the ticking clock
will decide, so eventually that may need to be factored in as well
Janice Parky
> Cape Cod, MA.
>
>
