We had a dog before we had kids and after the first was born. The dog disappeared around the time we had our second son, and my wife did not want to get another dog right away. When we moved to the farm, I had always figured we would get another dog, but by then my wife, the dog person, said she was tired of cleaning up shit from the yard...I think our oldest son is still kinda heartbroken he couldn't grow up with a cool dog/buddy, and I know my Dad always wanted us to have a dog here. Since we have the cats and cows to take care of everyday anyways, it isn't a big deal, but I would have demanded a very well trained dog- no jumping, etc.

That's a coincidence. I also had to get rid of my dog when your son was born.

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Kid Cairo's Boers & Bernstein YouTube Channel

Kid Cairo: 2013 March Madness Tournament Winner!

"Cowabunga? Cowa fucking piece of dog shit! This game is diarrhea coming out of my dick!"

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Kid Cairo's Boers & Bernstein YouTube Channel

Kid Cairo: 2013 March Madness Tournament Winner!

"Cowabunga? Cowa fucking piece of dog shit! This game is diarrhea coming out of my dick!"

I would absolutely say yes to this. The only caveat IMO is that you choose a breed known to be good with kids or (if adopting) expose the dog to the kids prior to bringing them into your family. If you're worried about the hassle, adopting a dog that is already house trained really minimizes that concern. There are many more benefits than drawbacks. Go for it.

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“Mr. Trump is unfit for our nation’s highest office.”- JD Vance
“My god, what an !diot.”- JD Vance tweet on Trump
“I’m a ‘Never Trump’ guy”- JD Vance

Depends on the people, depends on the dog. We got a dog when we found out my wife was pregnant to train me (I was never around young children and I was not allowed to have a dog growing up b/c my mom and sisters were allergic). We got a low hassle, non shedding dog (so my family could visit) and she's great with the kids. We are not at the stage where the kids can take care of the dog, but having the dog has taught the kids not to be so afraid of animals. My 5 year old daughter has a friend that when he comes over, if our dog is out, he starts screaming and crying because he is afraid. My dog is 10 pounds, I really want to tell the kid to grow a pair.

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This isnt really funny but I am laughing out load for some reason.

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Your wife has a lot of hand.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

See? I can be funny at times.

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Kid Cairo's Boers & Bernstein YouTube Channel

Kid Cairo: 2013 March Madness Tournament Winner!

"Cowabunga? Cowa fucking piece of dog shit! This game is diarrhea coming out of my dick!"

8 and 5 here also. Had two older dogs that had to be put down and we replaced them with 2 now 13 year old dogs. Senior dogs are awesome. (No I'm not talking about Joan Rivers or Phyllis Diller.)

"Ever had a drink of watermelon wine," he asked.
He told me all about it, though I didn't answer back.
"Ain't but three things in this world that's worth a solitary dime,
But old dogs and children and watermelon wine."

He said, "Women think about themselves, when men-folk ain't around.
And friends are hard to find when they discover that you're down."
He said, "I tried it all when I was young and in my natural prime,
Now it's old dogs and children and watermelon wine."

"Old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes.
God bless little children while they're still to young to hate."
When he moved away I found my pen and copied down that line
About old dogs and children and watermelon wine.

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Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

Nay, for now.

Buy them kids a goldfish or two first. Teach them the basics of pet responsibilities. See if the childrens can keep the fish alive for a few months. Take the kids to the pet store and check out dogs. Let the kids be around dogs if your friends/family/neighbors have pooches. Start to think worse-case scenario about dog ownership with kids. I'm talking mud soaked paws running through the house on a rainy day like this. Do you have a fenced in, secured yard? How will you react when dog has a nice steamy shit wedged in his paw and stomps it in the white berber carpeting? What about a nip on the finger or face of one of the kids? Poochy taking a wiz on some laundry? Dog may take up randomly barking in the middle of the night. I'm not saying your going to receive one of Satan's hellhounds, but I've been around enough dogs to know these things happen.

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CSFMB: Home of the small minded

I have a schnauzer. He's a friendly and affectionate dog. Very good with kids. They can be stubborn at times and their bark is very loud and deep. My guy's not a giant but he sounds about three times his size when he barks. They're good watch dogs, don't shed hair, but their beards/mustaches need a good brushing every so often.

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Back off, Warchild. Seriously.

Also, chewing things up. Whether it's pillows or something off the counter, or the dog acquires a taste for baseboards on the wall. I will assume the house has been child proofed, but things get knocked over or broken. May want to get a cage, ERR, crate for the dog. Not so much to lock dog up, but give him a place to hangout and refuge from the kids. Think about how your house is setup and the fact the dog will want to look out every single window you got. Is there a park or a reasonable route to take the dog for a stroll? I'd see if the kids can keep the fish alive then move on to a small to medium sized dog. PS, labs are the stupidest dogs ever. Get any kind of dog than that worthless breed.

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CSFMB: Home of the small minded

The thing is too is when the kids start getting into activities or you want to go out on the weekend who will take care of the dog? Every time you want to take the day and go into the city, who is going to come to let the dog out so it doesn't decide your tv looks like a nice place to pee? And when you go on vacation you have to find some one to watch it or pay to put it into a kennel. Also who ends up walking the dog 1-2 times a day in -20 below temps or the rain, mom and dad.

We have gerbils...Tora helps feed them everyday and makes sure they have something to chew or play with. When we clean their cage she takes care of them in the tub or their run about balls. They are a pet that if you are out all day it's not like they are going to destroy the house or decide to take it out on your shoes because they can't speak to say hey, give me love and attention.

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Eloquently stated.

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fock this club. I should manayer.

Thanks for all the advice. I'd judge its probably 2/3 pro, 1/3 con. I'm going to send the $200 deposit on a puppy.

I had a 185 lb English mastiff for 10 years so I'm well aware of many of the difficulties of dog ownership, just never had kids and a dog at the same time.

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Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

Is that a typo?

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No. And I did not have a saddle for him.

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Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

100% agree with this. Owning a dog while also raising young children is prefectly fine, depending on the breed of dog. As others have also said in this thread, dogs help teach kids responsibility and helps them become more comfortable around animals in general. Most breeds know the difference between a grown human and a child, and are typically more gentle and calm around children.

Also, dogs aren't as expensive as some of the responses here may lead you to believe. They are an added expense, yes, but it won't break the bank to own a dog. Obviously know your limits.

Mans best friend..should get one for sure.. loyal and intelligent..better than an alarm when you are gone, someone wants to break into your place..they hear/see a big dog and go to your neighbors home.only negative is when you want to take a vacation you need someone to coe over and let dog in/out/food/water...giant schnauzers are great dogs..good choice

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you took in a puppy for a week or so? that ain't trying it..puppies are cute but a pain in the ass..should have seen it through..when dog is house broken it is much better.

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Were on our 4th Golden Retriever. Brandy, Alex, Madison, & Wrigley. Got our first a couple of years after we got Married in 1983. Goldens are great with kids. They are very very tolerant, & also become very attached to the Family. They are smart, easy to train, & very obedient.
I have had a Dog pretty much every year of my life, but Mrs. Scorehead & I have decided that Wrigley will be our last, since the kids are older & were not far from being empty nesters, we want to travel & not have to worry about someone watching the Dog. Also looking forward to a house without the dog hair that Goldens shed.

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CSFMB 2014 Nascar Pick 'em Champion

We don’t have a trillion-dollar debt because we haven’t taxed enough; we have a trillion-dollar debt because we spend too much. — Ronald Reagan