| Have you ever seen a toddler running around holding a | | | | always mesh with the schedule of the young puppy. In |
| puppy by the neck, and grinning? Usually, the puppy is | | | | no time, the baby will be crawling on the floor, and the |
| not as happy as the baby. While having pets is a great | | | | growing puppy will want to romp and play. Watching |
| learning experience for a child, it has to be safe for the | | | | both of them might prove to be a daunting task. |
| child and for the pet. So when is the right time to get a | | | | Is it a good time to get a puppy when the baby is |
| dog? | | | | walking? Perhaps not. That is when we find junior |
| Deciding when to get a dog is not an easy decision. | | | | carrying a whimpering puppy around by the neck. |
| Nor is it one that is the same in every household. | | | | Again, each one deserves love and care. Each one |
| For the young newlywed couple wanting to get a dog, | | | | needs special attention. Acquiring a mellow older dog |
| there are many things to consider. | | | | might work. It might not think that having its hair pulled is |
| 1) Will the couple have a child in the next year or two? | | | | an invitation to jump and play. |
| If so, they should select a dog breed that is calm under | | | | Dogs make an excellent addition to any home, but |
| pressure. | | | | knowing when is the right time for that addition is a |
| 2) Will the couple wait three or four years to have a | | | | tricky decision. Depending upon the disposition and |
| child? If so, the dog they select now should be one | | | | personality of the child, it might make more sense to |
| that will not exhibit jealous behavior when a child does | | | | forego getting a dog until the child is old enough to |
| enter the home and the family. | | | | understand that it is a living, breathing, caring creature. |
| For a dog already established as part of the family, the | | | | Adding a dog to the family after a child is in preschool |
| animal needs to know that it is still loved and cherished | | | | or elementary is often a great choice in timing. Even |
| is important once a new squirming baby arrives on the | | | | so, a young child should never be given sole |
| scene. If long walks were a routine before the baby | | | | responsibility for caring for the family pet. Most kids are |
| arrived, maintaining that routine will be important. How | | | | not capable or mature enough to be being fully |
| one accomplishes that is a personal preference. There | | | | responsible for another living being until they are about |
| might be times when it makes sense to take the baby | | | | ten years old. Even then, being called to play might |
| in a stroller, while walking the dog on a leash. At other | | | | take preference over feeding or walking their charge. |
| times, it might be important for the dog to have its own | | | | No matter what decision your family makes in the |
| walking or running time with one of its owners. The | | | | timing for acquiring a new canine family member, the |
| dog certainly will not be comfortable with a crying | | | | selection process should include extensive research |
| baby in the house if it is completely ignored once the | | | | into the breed or breeds that make sense for your |
| new baby arrives. | | | | particular family. Certain breeds are known for being |
| Some people think it is a wonderful idea to have a | | | | more family and kid friendly. One should never allow |
| new baby and a new puppy in the house at the same | | | | emotions and being overwhelmed by the sheer |
| time so they can grow up together. But training a | | | | number of animals at the local shelter be the deciding |
| puppy takes time, and the baby's schedule may not | | | | factors in the selection of a family dog. |