Daughter wants a labrador

iMax

Hi,

Hoping someone could give some advice, my four year old daughter is dog mad, favourite toy(s) are dogs, plays with her granny's (both of them) dogs all the time, obsesses over dog movies (Disney's "Buddies"), fox & hound, Lady & tramp, Even wants to move to america so she can have a doggy door in the house... basically anything with a dog in it...

So she's been wanting a dog for about a year, & now has her heart set on a labrador (thank you Disney's Buddies). We were considering getting her one for her birthday this summer, but the problem is both of us are out all day (work).

We do have a walled, secure back garden & if we were getting one, we'd be going for a pedigree pup rather than a rescue dog...

The problem is, we have no idea of the social or otherwise requirements of having one. Obviously muggens here would end up walking it (morning & evening), but apart from that it's gonna be on it's own most of the day. Can they adapt to that or would we be better off going for one of the yappy scrappy varieties (I'd prefer a boxer or something that's gonna be a potential threat to burglars)

star-pants

The only thing I'd say against getting a pup is that if you guys are out at work most of the day it will make training very difficult, and it'd be unfair to leave a young pup on it's own during the day. (no matter what breed)
Btw I don't see how a boxer is more of a threat to burglars than a lab, labs can be quite big you know.

Rescue or buying is up to yourselves really, people here will give insight into both.
I've rescued and bought and had the same love from them.

If the dog is to be left for hours during the day, I'd say a walk before ye leave and when ye come home. Make sure there are toys / filled kongs / etc left for the dog when ye go out so it doesn't get bored. And if it's possible for one of ye to come home at lunch time or someone drop in during the day wouldn't be a bad idea.

This dog has to be something you and your OH wants too, don't get a dog purely for your daughter, because its you two that have to mind it, walk it, bring it to the vet, feed it etc. There's bills to consider too. Insurance, microchipping, vaccinations, food, toys, bedding and so forth.

Mr Benevolent

I'd advise against it. Unless someone can be there at least some of the day it's not wroth it. Plus there's the cost. Labs get big and hungry, and pedigrees are more susceptible to health problems then crosses.

Your daughter doesn't understand what's involved in raising a dog. They're expensive, loud and difficult to train without ample time spent doing things right. All your daughter wants is something cute to pet. Buy her a cat instead, the screams and tantrums over not getting her way will vanish in a few days.

star-pants

Confab wrote: »

Buy her a cat instead, the screams and tantrums over not getting her way will vanish in a few days.

I'm sorry, but I don't get when people trot out this when they're saying not to get a dog. Cats are not consolation prizes.
Cats can require just as much as dogs do. Ok they may not be in the house all the time / get to be trained, but they still have vet fees, food, bedding, toys, looking after. Cats can get ill / have diseases just as much as dogs can.

ppink

I think you have a number of things to think of here

Labs are very big and very strong for a 4 yr old, also for an adult if they are not trained on the lead properly, so you would need to research training when he is young.
If he is left home alone all day will he bark and annoy the neighbours?
Will he be lonely?
Why pedigree pup instead of rescue??

Dont forget to neuter:D

Mr Benevolent

star-pants wrote: »

I'm sorry, but I don't get when people trot out this when they're saying not to get a dog. Cats are not consolation prizes.
Cats can require just as much as dogs do. Ok they may not be in the house all the time / get to be trained, but they still have vet fees, food, bedding, toys, looking after. Cats can get ill / have diseases just as much as dogs can.

I didn't mention anything about consolation prizes. Cats are simply easier to look after, more independent and don't need to be lead trained. Also, they're cuter

bmmck

OP, labs are gorgeous , you think they will be cute like on the film and they will be for a few weeks but they grow and get quite big! believe me you dont want to do this esp when there is no one in the house during the day, they get very destructive when left alone, if you have a decent back garden you may kiss goodbye to it! my lab is 3 now and I love him to bits even though he is mental still, but seriously dont get one if your not going to have time for it, leaving the pup alone all day is just not fair.

Sigma Force

Children that age can be easily talked around to anything, because she likes the animal on tv she will like most kids get bored after a while.
Labs are highly energectic and a pup of any breed isn't a great idea if you are at work all day because they need to be let out for a pee every ten seconds when they are young (well seems like every 10 they are very demanding). A dog minder would be an idea but labs are big, need lots of training.

Perhaps it would be best to wait until she is a bit older and can help more with the day to day care. There's a fur real toy dog called Biscuit and he's a lab..some kids are happy with something like that until they get older.

I waited until our young one was 10 before getting her her own pup and although she's great and plays with him, she'd forget to feed him unless told so it's still left up me to do all the work. She's great with all the dogs but kids get bored and want to go off and do something else even when the dog needs entertaining.

Xiney

I've had Labradors for most of my life, but I was 8 when we got our first one.

I was still far too young to take him for walks, even on a head collar, as he was very strong.

I was a big strapping child and by the time I was 11 I was our dog's primary care giver, but there's a huge difference between a 4 year old and an 11 year old (especially an 11 year old who's 5'5 or so)


Personally I feel your daughter is probably too young for any sort of dog unless you're well used to dogs and know enough about their behaviour to sort out any problems that will arise between such a young child and a dog. A labrador is boistrous, and a puppy will be teething for 2.5 months. Those needle sharp teeth are not fun for adults, nevermind a small kid. In fact, our current labrador was abandoned at the height of his teething period, and one of my theories is that he was originally purchased by a family who wasn't prepared to deal with his annoying attempts at alleviating his teething pain. You can give a puppy as many chew toys as you want, some of them will simply much prefer your limbs

The average labrador grows to be between 65 - 80 lbs. Your daughter probably weighs about half that presently. Labradors love to play and will jump - it's simply not a good idea unless you are a very good dog trainer.

Additionally, although many Labs are great with children, you can never be sure that the one you're getting will be. A pedigree dog is certainly no guarantee. We had to put a purebred labrador down because he was a fear biter - he bit my little sister.

Lastly, since you won't be home, the dog will get lonely. He will likely get destructive, and will probably bark his fool head off all day leading to ire with your neighbours.

morganafay

I would say to get one only if you and your OH really want one. Not just for your daughter, or else wait until your daughter is about 12 or so. Because otherwise you will be doing all the work and your daughter might get bored of it.

And if it's your first dog then I wouldn't really recommend a lab cos they're so energetic and big and strong. They could easily hurt your daughter just by knocking her over.

And I know it's more work, but having two dogs would be good so they can keep each other company all day? Some people might disagree with that, but I would get two small or medium dogs. I know your daughter really loves labs but she might be just as happy with any breed of dog. I recommend Cavalier King Charleses! I think they're the perfect dog for kids for their first dog

morganafay

And I really wanted to get a lab (some day) til I was grooming on in college the other day, and it was absolutely massive. I thought it was part rottweiler or something but it wasn't. It was so strong, about 5 people had to lift it. And it drooled all over my arm, horrible mucousy drool . . . now I don't want one anymore!

tk123

Firstly the Buddies are golden retrievers - not that I've watched the movies lol I just know cos we have a GR puppy
Anyhoos where to start?! I love my little baby but he's hard work which is not his fault - he's a puppy! If you get the puppy it'll basically be like having another baby/kid. Obviously there's loads of great things about having a puppy but here's some points that might put things into persective

Finding a good/responsible breader

Finding a good/responsible with puppies actually available

The cost of the puppy

The cost of vaccinations (depending on if the breeder has the pup long enough for both rounds)

House training - I was lucky with our guy and and usually only had to get up once a night to take him out so 3-4am the first week or two then it got later as he got older 4-5,5-6 - he gets up between 6:30-8:00 these days but I was knackerd for the first few weeks. If you're not around to take the pup outside at least once an hour you're going to have problems house training it

Puppys will eat anything - especially Labs and GRs - if they gobble up something that doesn't agree with them think back to when you're daughter was teething - this is the kind of poop you'll be cleaning/mopping up until the pups tummy is settled!

Training/Socialisation classes if you choose to go to them - I did and I learned loads

Destruction derby :pac: - the pup will dig up the garden and one it starts teething will chew anything it can sink it's teeth into including chairs, skirting boards, shoes etc

Nipping - the puppy will play bite you/your daughter when it's playing which might frighten her/turn her off the idea of having a pup

Energy - the puppy will have LOADS of energy which you're not going to be able to walk off for months. Large breeds should only be walked 5 mins per month of age per day

Size - the puppy is going to grow fast - our guy is 26kgs - a pup this size will send your daughter flying if it jumps up on her. Also without training he'll pull you aroud when you take him for a walk which is no fun.

Insurance for a pedigree - i can't rememebr how much ours was €150-200

Food - our guy goes thru around 15kg a month - €50-70 depending on special offers in the pet shop

Noise - Labs/GRs have a loud/deep bark which is great for being a watch dog but your neighbors could complain if it's barking all day from separation anxiety

Mess - my grandad used to call us 'mucky pups' when we were little and I never fully understood until we got our puppy he tracks muck all over the floors, dribbles water everywhere, drools, stinks when he rolls in mud etc etc

Toys/Collars (ours has outgrown 3 already)/Lead/Bed etc

Waterproofs etc for you when you're out in the rain walking the dog

Magenta

Confab wrote: »

I didn't mention anything about consolation prizes. Cats are simply easier to look after

Yes but they still need looking after and should not be suggested as an afterthought "instead" of a dog.

boomerang

I don't know of any cat that would appreciate being mauled cuddled/petted by a toddler - your little girl would likely get quite a few scratches. If it's a kitten, even more so.

madrabui

A lab will need a minimum of a four-mile walk a day. Also, say goodbye to any shred of grass you have in the garden.

Try and get a loan of a friend’s dog for a week.

Mr. Presentable

To be honest the OP should be in the Parenting forum. A four year old should not be dictating how you spend the next 10 years of your life. Make no mistake, a dog like this is not a toy and will cost money to keep (food, shots, grooming, insurance), and eat into your free time (two hours of walking, every day, even when it is cold and dark and wet out).

Just say no until she is old enough to take care of the dog herself.

Toulouse

Dogs are pack animals, they need company. It would be very unfair of you to leave a dog all day on it's own not to mention training would take forever. Pedigree Labs are surrendered into pounds everyday in this country because people thought they were cute pups and soon discovered the reality. They are bouncing, clever, high energy dogs who need stimulation. If you leave a dog out the back on it's own all day your garden will be destroyed. When you arrive home you won't have a nice calm dog waiting for you, you'll have a hyper dog jumping all over you and your 4 year old and in the winter it'll be a muddy hyper dog.

Your daughter is 4, she may want a dog but the reality here is that you are the adult and you have to make the right decision and a dog that's going to be left on it's own all day is not it. Dogs are hard work, please don't be under any other illusion.

kippy

The inlaws have a lab for just over a year now. Lovely dog however there are some serious consequences to getting an animal like this.
1. It can grow pretty big, they are strong. Walking them can be a major chore for a strong enough person and they need their walks and their run around time every day.
2. You need to spend a serious amount of time with them to train them. This particular dog hasnt had enough training and is still jumping up on people, nearly knocking them over. If trained properly they are good to deal with and they are well able to be trained.
3. They need feeding and watering, which can become expensive, both financially and time wise. What happens when you want to go on holiday or leave the house for a few days?
4. Vets bills.

Its like taking on another child but worse, I would say. At least you can take a child on a trip and a child can entertain itself for a while.
I wouldnt recommend it to be honest unless you had the space, the time and the long term views that this is a potential 14 year project.
In yer situation I dont think it would be fair on the lab to get one.

As others have said, talk the child around.
Kippy

fatmammycat

star-pants wrote: »

I'm sorry, but I don't get when people trot out this when they're saying not to get a dog. Cats are not consolation prizes.
Cats can require just as much as dogs do. Ok they may not be in the house all the time / get to be trained, but they still have vet fees, food, bedding, toys, looking after. Cats can get ill / have diseases just as much as dogs can.

This, oh god this! Cats can be hard work AND demanding AND be in the house all day.
Stupid weather, stupid animals refusal to leave radiators. Stupid shedding. Le sigh.

seamus

kippy wrote: »

1. It can grow pretty big, they are strong. Walking them can be a major chore for a strong enough person and they need their walks and their run around time every day.

You also need to consider that the person walking the dog needs to be strong enough to control them if they get into a fight.
Resisting a dog who's pulling on a lead is one thing, dragging the dog out of a fight and keeping him away is another thing entirely.

I agree with everyone else here that a lab probably won't suit your lifestyle. Smaller dogs still require walking, though not quite so much, however they won't handle being left alone all day any better than a big dog.

Is there any chance that the dog could join your daughter during the day, whatever it is that she does? The dog shouldn't really be on it's own for any more than 4 consecutive hours at a time, and even then you should be aiming to minimise that. So if your daughter is in school till 2.30, what happens then? If she goes to a childminders, any chance the child minder will take the dog also?

cranog

IMax don't get a dog just because your 4 year old wants one. Having a pup in the house is like having a new baby, lots of work. We have had dogs for years, at present we have two dogs to keep each other company, they are insured, chipped, regular vet visits. Walked at least 3 miles every day. Groomed daily, nails clipped every month, anal glands cleared if necessary, etc etc etc etc etc

There are too many dogs in rescue centres because they have been neglected, have grown too big, "we are out all day long and it destroys the garden, eats the cushions...."

Spend your money on a donation to the local rescue centre.

mymo

OP, any dog is a big commitment and a Lab is a very big dog to have around a 4 year old. My Daughter also loves animals and wanted a dog from very young, I waited until she was 10 to get a dog(for me) and got her a dog last summer when she was 11. I still won't allow her to walk either dog alone as its just too dangerous(mine are friendly but theres a lot of off lead dogs around here, not all friendly), and wouldn't expect her to take sole responsibility for her dog. She understands about rules and training, and loves both dogs dearly, but there's no way she was ready for it when younger.
I did get 2 cats when she was 3(I always had animals all my life), and she was very good and loves them dearly too. She learned about brushing them and feeding etc from a young age, and I think it has been a great benefit for her. But All our animals are in the house, I'm out 4 hrs at a time most days and dogs get 4 walks a day, and seem very happy together. As others have said, a Lab alone outside all day is not going to be happy, and what happens when the dog knocks her over with excitement? Will she get afraid of the dog? Will it upset her? What will you do about it?
I know someone who got two Lab pups to keep each other company while her and hubby worked, the dogs didn't have enough training as young pups and became to difficult to walk, they were left in the garden all the time until the barking caused trouble, then they were shut indoors and destroyed all the doors, skirting and doorframes. I think they even ate the windowsils.
Then they had a baby, so the dogs had to go.
She's 4, please wait a few years, at 4 my daughter wanted a pet dragon and for a few weeks cried at bedtime as she couldn't have one.