Dog...yes or no
@messageme (2821)
United States
January 19, 2009 3:32pm CST
My boyfriend wants to get a dog. He is trying to talk me into because I just do not want one at all! We have six kids that don't pick up after themselves we have him that don't pick up after himself! Guess who has to do it all...Yep that is right, ME! I told him I have enough to do and I don't want to be picking up after a dog too. He says he and the kids will. Yeah right! I told him he couldn't do that until they learned how to pick up after themselves first. Plus we have a baby that just turned one and he will put everything in his mouth. If the dog takes a dump on the floor guess who is going to eat it. He says he will train it, ok and until then is he going to follow the dog around the house to make sure he don't poop so the baby don't eat it. I don't think so.
Do you think I am being to harsh? Should I let them have a dog? I think I have good reason why not too. Oh and not to mention, I hate dog hair all over everything! Guess who will have to clean that up too, yep you guessed it again...ME!
I know kids like puppies, but my gosh we have six kids I don't need to and anything else to run around the house and not listen!
Help what should I do? Yes or No?
5 people like this
11 responses
@leenie50 (3992)
• United States
20 Jan 09
Hi Me,
Now this is a good discussion. I have to agree with you on this one. SIX KIDS? How do you ever have time for the computer? I have a shih tzu 4 month old pup I got for Christmas and yes your baby would with out a doubt be eating puppy poop!! Maybe if he was taking care of the kids on a regular basis but we know that will never happen. Sounds like you know how to put your foot down and this is the time to do it. Good luck.
leenie
3 people like this
@messageme (2821)
• United States
20 Jan 09
During the day when most of them are at school is usually when I am on the computer. Yeah I have a feeling he would eat it, seems babies find more things on the floor before you spot them...It is at their level 
Thanks for your response!
Thanks for your response!1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
20 Jan 09
Forget about the dog! When you are the one that does most of the upkeep of the house you will most likely be the one to care for the dog! I found this one out the hard way. When my kids were teens and preteens I was gifted to dachshunds. They were adorable. The kids promised to walk them in the morning and evening and to make sure they were fed and watered. I begged them to take the dogs outside to do their duty and ended up doing it myself. This wasn't much fun at 6:30 a.m. especially when I had to be at work by 7:00. So after only a few months, I asked the girl who gave them to us to take them back. She did, but was angry at me. I told her I couldn't devote the time to them that they needed and wanted them to find a home that could.
@messageme (2821)
• United States
20 Jan 09
And that is what I think will happen here too. We tried it once with kittens. We had the for about a year. And no one wanted to water them, feed them, clean their box, nothing. So I gave them to my sister and the sad part is none of the kids noticed the cats were gone untill two weeks later! Shows how much they paid attention to them.
1 person likes this
@mnishant_7 (35)
• India
20 Jan 09
first tell me, can u afford a dog?
i mean do u have money to buy and keep it?
(keeping means its food & injections & everything)
will u be able to take care of your kids against that dog?
i'm sure u & ur boyfrnd both are working.
so, if u ask me, my answer is NO.
@messageme (2821)
• United States
20 Jan 09
That is one issue I brought up with him also, The cost of its food and everything else. No I am not working, I stay home with the kids so I have plenty of time to care for the kids.
1 person likes this
@walijo2008 (4644)
• United States
20 Jan 09
All I can say is that there are dog people, and there are some that aren't, I don't think you are..lol. If I were you I'd get a dog that was little older than a puppy, possibly one that is already house trained, and thats good with kids, because puppies are alot of work, we've got two right now, we had six but we gave four away and kept two, and they are work, you've got to have the time and energy to train them, they are alot like kids..lol. Like I said, if they really want one, and you just can't win, get a older dog, and teach them to take it out for a walk, and feed and water it, and play with it.
2 people like this
@messageme (2821)
• United States
20 Jan 09
yeah I would rather not have a puppy, but an older one if I have too. I know I will love it, I just don't think I want the extra work right now. Plus I think there dog food can add up and get expensive! I just hope the subject will get dropped
1 person likes this
@snowcat46 (2322)
• United States
19 Jan 09
No. But don't phrase it like that. Give them the option to earn one. For one month, they have to prove they will pick up after themselves. Make a chart on what you expect for that sentence.
Ex.--There can be no piece of clothing on the floor after 7 pm.
There can only be 5 or less toys on the floor after 6 pm.
No arguing over .....
Or give them points per rule. For following one rule, each kid who followed it gets one point. For each kid who doesn't follow it, -1. You don't even have to include him in this. If the kids start doing it, he might be shamed into it.
Keep a running count per day on what's accomplished and how many points are accumulated, and subtracted. Come up with a good number they have to earn within one month before you'll even consider it. With 6 kids, going by oh--5 points they can earn per day, multiplied by 30 days, say they have to earn 800 points each month. Either they'll see how hard it is and give up on asking, or they'll learn to pick up after themselves. If you can stick with it, it could turn into a win-win situation. (With kids, those are rare and far between!)
@messageme (2821)
• United States
20 Jan 09
WOW thanks for the advice!! I wish you were around when I started my discussion a while back about misbehved kids and how to get them to listen! This sounds like a good deal. Right now I am working on a star system with them of earning stars and them also being taken away when they break a house rule. First week went great, this week not so well! Maybe I could also use the puppy as a special something if all of them earn all there stars in a week! I like your thinking with the points too. Once again thanks for the advice!
1 person likes this
@snowcat46 (2322)
• United States
20 Jan 09
Thank you for such kind words. I sure wish you the best.
1 person likes this
@nyao2x (53)
• Philippines
20 Jan 09
oh, oh, i think you don't have to buy one. lol. probably, it's just your boyfriend's liking for a mean time, and hopefully, he'll get over it. i love dogs, but in your case, i'll have to say that it wouldn't be convenient. You have much things to do and getting a dog, who also needs care and attention, will not at all make you happy. And the dog would not be totally happy either. Because you might develop an attitude towards him/her. lol. And besides, i don't think it's safe for your new baby.
They say that when a couple gets a pet, it's a good way to practice parenting. But in your case, you already have six kids and maybe you do not need a dog anymore. :) just my opinion :) good luck :)
2 people like this
@messageme (2821)
• United States
20 Jan 09
He has always wanted one so I don't think the discussion will completely go away until we have one, but maybe I could push it off for a while. Thanks for sharing!
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36447)
• United States
20 Jan 09
A dog is a Big responsibility for sure, and one I think you could be wiser to keep on insisting as to not getting. Your claims against wanting one are very valid and your boyfriend should be smart enough to understand your concerns. Also I would think it would be wise to wait until the youngest is a little older as well before getting a dog just to be able to insure his safety as well. I know it is a hard thing to make him see, but I am wishing you the Best on this as well.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (47724)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
20 Jan 09
Put your foot down and say NO DOG! END OF DISCUSSION.
Not only that, but tell the boyfriend to shape up or ship out! 
1 person likes this
@messageme (2821)
• United States
20 Jan 09
Thanks for sharing! I know how much fun they can be. You are making me want to change my mind!
@zandy985186 (434)
• China
20 Jan 09
Hi,friend.I suggest you that won't agree with your boyfriend to raise a dog any way.You can let him to take care your children by himself without your help.Maybe he would give up the idea from looking after the children.
1 person likes this
@joniebee (182)
•
20 Jan 09
Hi messageme,You clearly have reservations about bringing a dog into you're home and i would never dream of telling you what to do,But we had a similair situation at my house.I always wanted a dog and my Mother didn't,Then my Brother bought me a puppy one day and we just ended up keeping him,He,Bryn is now five and we all adore him,He is wonderful,He never chews anything,Now he's house trained he never ever does any mess in the house,He's loving and is always making us laugh with his cheeky personality,I think you should talk seriously with your partner about cleaning up after the dog if he comes,As it would be unfair if it's left to you to see to the dog constantly.If you bring a puppy into you're home just watch the look on your children's face,They will soon grow to love he or she and will form a solid bond together,Also your dog will always be there for you're children loving them unconditionally,No matter what.I don't want to sound biased but dogs are wonderful.
1 person likes this
@messageme (2821)
• United States
20 Jan 09
I love dogs and I think they are wonderful. I have always had one growing up. I just don't think we have the time to give it the attention it needs.
