MemberI love kids and figure if we are going to have another we may as well do it sooner rather than wait a few years. Our financial situation looks better and my husband and I are seeing eye to eye more, especially with previous issues. I am willing to work hard for what’s important to me, as long as I get time to recharge when I need it!
Membertheresabow : also train the kids to keep their toys put away at the same time lol. I’ve told my daughter not to leave a bowl of cheerios on the floor because the dog will eat them and I let her learn the hard way if she doesn’t listen. She doesn’t leave her snacks on the floor anymore at least! I would do the same for toys. I train them both to be good “siblings” to each other.
Lastly a tired dog is a good dog. Running around in the yard isn’t always enough exercise or stimulation. Make sure she gets structured walks every day and run through training exercises on your own to stimulate her (it can be 5-10 minutes, nothing crazy).
MemberLilliV : Thank you. My biggest concern is the dog taking up too much time and attention away from my kids. For example, the dog barks at neighbors at night and I spend the time getting my dog to quiet down rather than read my kids a book and get them to relax and go to bed. That is a brief example to fit many situations. I love her so much but because we never had dogs before now, I’ve been able to raise kids with more sanity. I had dogs growing up but never had to be a mom and a dog mom, per say. It is harder with the puppy and I feel out of control and stressed, which is why I’m somewhat “blaming” having a hard time TTC on the puppy.
Membertheresabow : Im sorry but three months TTC does not = “hard time!” You have 6 other kids…did you conceive all of those on your first cycle or something? I’m not trying to be snarky here but I really don’t understand why you think you’re having a hard time after three months…
Membertheresabow : Don’t split your time – take care of them together! Put the little ones in a stroller and take everyone for a nice long walk around the neighborhood after dinner. The kids will enjoy some time with you and some fresh air, and the dog will get tired out and less likely to bark all night. Let the dog curl up with you all on the floor while you read books to the kids so she doesn’t feel abandoned. My daughter will toss a ball for the dog while I’m making dinner so that they’re both entertained and I can get shit done (obviously make sure you trust the kids and the dog to play nicely before leaving them with minimal supervision). Don’t try to parent them separately or else you’ll be pulled in too many directions.
Memberyour dog barks and chews on things. I’m sorry but what exactly did you expect having a puppy with 6 other kids would be like?
MemberSome neighbors are rude about her barking and getting out of the yard. We bought an expensive electric fence and she still goes through it. We live on a corner street and cars dodge her when she walks in the street. The kids (mostly the three year old) constantly let her out the front door and she slips right past us. When we are leaving to be somewhere on time, she gets loose and doesn’t let us catch her. She thinks we are playing around and runs away so we are either late from time catching her or we leave her out. It is hard but I do love her. Anyway, I guess I thought she would be a little easier and at least be able to contain. I did not think she’d draw negative attention among neighbors by running out etc.
MemberNeighbors come up to us with threatening remarks and I don’t want anyone to take her without us knowing. My older kids help a little and we made rules about letting her out. It gets hard to control with neighbors and friends coming and going all summer too.
MemberHaving a dog escape through a nice electric fence all the time doesn’t seem quite normal to me. Have you had anyone help you train the dog with the fence? Is there any chance it might not be set properly?
If the dog is getting out all the time and cars have to dodge it, I think that puts a slightly different spin on the rehoming idea. It’s understandable that young kids let a dog out, but if the fence can’t contain the dog, then this is not a safe situation for the dog to be in. I know it’s against the grain of most of these comments, but I’d consider rehoming. The dog sounds like an excellent pet and deserves an environment where cars do not pose a frequent danger.