Dogs And Daycare Help Please

[renodeb]

Sometimes having a dog with a dc is crazy but I wouldnt trade it for the world. If you get a puppy then it will grow up learning how to deal with the dc kids maybe having a place where the dog can get away from the kids would be a good idea. Also your dc kids will learn how to treat the pup with kindness and respect. Do your research. We have a border colie shepard mix and shes been good. Good luck with your decision.
A dog can be a great companion for your family.
Debbie

[iheartkids]

I have a 90 lb intimidating looking dog. But my daycare is downstairs and ever since I started it he doesn't even attempt to come down there (he's afraid of the baby gate). When parents are expected to drop off or pick up I pin him in an upstairs area so he doesn't bother them. But not always do I get it done before they come and he's just an over excited greeter at the door. The kids will come across him when we are going outside and I teach them to respect him as I train him to be aware of the kids. He loves kids, just gets quite clumsy with his big body. But I have children, including a baby, that he has grown up with and does wonderful with! And my parents have actually grown to like him as well and sometimes asks me to let him out of his secluded area so they can see him.
As far as getting a puppy, I don't know if I could train a puppy at the same time as taking care of dck's. I am all about crate training and I would suggest that during the day until your puppy is potty trained and kid trained.

[Christian Mother]

ALL opinions welcome and needed here please. I know some of you have dogs and cats as pets and manage to run a daycare too. My question is how? What came 1st? What were your original thoughts? How do you manage it?

I have always loved animals and after losing my last dog to cancer 7 years ago I thought no animal would ever take my heart again. Since then my son (now 9) has been asking for a dog for many years now. Since I started my daycare a little over 5 years ago I just didn't feel it was safe to bring in a dog. (Our family always has large dogs but now I am willing to go small) The past 2 years I have really been wanting to get a pup or even a young dog yet again I worry about daycare kids and risks. My son is an only child and we don't have much family so he is alone a lot with the exception of a couple friends who visit now and then and of course the toddlers at daycare. I really want him to grow up with a dog. I feel it really helps children to have pets to cuddle and bond with. It also helps them to love. I don't see me changing my career anytime soon so what do I do? Never allow my child the beauty of knowing the love of a pet? How could I mix the daycare and the pet? I don't want to have a risk yet I can't leave a new dog locked up all day. What do you do?

My family was exsactly like yours. We lost our beloved Bubba (Rotty) when he was 10 yrs due to cancer. It was close to 5-6yrs before we where able to reconcile having another pet bc we where so lost with out Bubba. What I did however was talk to each parent and asked there thoughts on having a pet in the house. We let them know that we where entertaining the thought of getting a dog for our daycare and family. Everyone was very receptive to us getting one. One family was a little nervous as the father had been bitten and worried about the breed. We thought about another rottie but decided later on a mix breed (lab and golden retriever). We found her and rescued her at 8mos. She had already been potty trained and was very good around children. Although she was fearful of adults and other animals. We watched quite a bit of the Dog Whisper shoes and read books on how to best get her over her fear. Caesar Milan is a Awesome!! He gave wonderful advice and she is sooo much better now. She does still bark when parents come in and she has scratched the kids a couple times bc she gets over excited and jumps. I am lucky that my parents have pets at home and are very understanding. We haven't had many incidents and the ones we did have where in that first month of owning her. Everyone knew it would be a adjustment and she is truly part of the family now. These kids are her kids also. We really love having her here with us and she's a perfect addition. I think you should def. get another pet for your home and daycare. My son will be 9 yrs in Dec. and him and his sister don't complain at all about picking up poop or feeding her. There at that age now where they can understand the responsibility of owning a pet.

[Zoe]

We have 3 dogs and a cat. One is a pomeranian. She grew up with my kids and while she's leary around children, she has places to hide away and all of the dck's have learned to leave her alone. She will nip so she's always supervised.

The lab mix grew up again with my kids and is a lump and will basically stay on the couch all day and take hugs and kisses. She LOVES kids!

The black lab is a puppy and has always been around daycare kids. She's just barely a year so still has a lot of energy so she's outside a lot. We have a completely fenced in yard that she has free range in. It's nice for when she's being extra pesty. She is still learning what are her toys and what are kid toys. ::

The cat I've had since I was 13 and is old and cranky. She doesn't like kids so she stays in my room all day and is happy as a clam.

Obviously you have to be an animal lover to come here. Love me love my dogs! I wouldn't have it any other way.

[Ariana]

LOL! I don't mind little dogs, I would personally never own one...I have a 225 lb three year old St. Bernard. He loves kids but has a hard time playing with them...(think Clifford) . He sheds everywhere and is no where near hypoallergenic!! He is trained and listens very well (at least when he feels like it..)

Good thing I run my child care in a separate home than where the dog lives. ::

225 lbs!!! Yep i couldn't handle that. You can barely see my dog

[PitterPatter]

My family was exsactly like yours. We lost our beloved Bubba (Rotty) when he was 10 yrs due to cancer. It was close to 5-6yrs before we where able to reconcile having another pet bc we where so lost with out Bubba. What I did however was talk to each parent and asked there thoughts on having a pet in the house. We let them know that we where entertaining the thought of getting a dog for our daycare and family. Everyone was very receptive to us getting one. One family was a little nervous as the father had been bitten and worried about the breed. We thought about another rottie but decided later on a mix breed (lab and golden retriever). We found her and rescued her at 8mos. She had already been potty trained and was very good around children. Although she was fearful of adults and other animals. We watched quite a bit of the Dog Whisper shoes and read books on how to best get her over her fear. Caesar Milan is a Awesome!! He gave wonderful advice and she is sooo much better now. She does still bark when parents come in and she has scratched the kids a couple times bc she gets over excited and jumps. I am lucky that my parents have pets at home and are very understanding. We haven't had many incidents and the ones we did have where in that first month of owning her. Everyone knew it would be a adjustment and she is truly part of the family now. These kids are her kids also. We really love having her here with us and she's a perfect addition. I think you should def. get another pet for your home and daycare. My son will be 9 yrs in Dec. and him and his sister don't complain at all about picking up poop or feeding her. There at that age now where they can understand the responsibility of owning a pet.

She's so sweet!! That's what I am thinking about, saving a dog from the shelter but it will have to be young as I want to know the history as much as possible. People can and do lie so I want a pup to train myself. I am sad not wanting an older dog but I just cant take the risk of them snapping due to history etc. I would love to get a purebred retriever or lab but I just can't bring myself to pay hundreds when there are good dogs dying every day in shelters. If I can save 1 then that's what I prefer. I saved my beautiful Chow from certain disaster. I had a Chow / Samoyed actually and she was the most wonderful dog ever! So easy to train! She knew many commands and tricks. Everyone praised me for her brilliance but I think it was all her.

Thank you eveyone for your advise. I am taking it all in and it won't be a quick decision.

[MsMe]

I have two dogs. Both are Cavachons. One is 22lbs and the other is 8lbs. They are the sweetest dogs EVER!!!!!!! They need tons of attention and teh daycare is perfect for them. They have both been with me since they were 6 wks, (4 years and two years)

Do your research and find a dog with a good temperement that loves kids and attention. look up Cavachons.....I think they are the perfect daycare/family dog ever....except they hate to be left alone so if you plan on seperating them or spending lots of time away from home they are not for you.

Good luck on your search!!