[myhandfull]

My family and I have an 11mth old puppy. The kids adore her, but boy she is a handful. We've been to obedience classes etc, and she really isn't too bad, just very excitable. She likes to jump and destroy everything in the back yard. We give her bones, Kong's toys etc, but she still digs, eats the swing set, trampoline and dog kennel. I was hoping to walk her most days when I'm out wandering with the kids (5 children 9yrs and under), but keeping an eye on my human companions seems to keep me rather busy lol.

Do your family have a pet? How do you manage to fulfil its needs and work it inwith your busy lives. We are currently renting and we are unable to let her inside.

Tia... guilty pet owner :-/

[The Old Bag]

Well for starters, we chose a young adult rather than a puppy, so she's just a bit older than yours but we just got her recently. We also deliberately sought out one who was calm and low energy, because we knew what we could cope with.

She's still a bit in her chewy stage so we block off the problem area (washing line in her case!) when we are not there, and when we are home we are vigilant with supervision and teaching her what she can and can't chew.

Ours is so low maintenance it isn't funny, but I've fostered some really mental energetic dogs in the past, and we do these things:

Allowed inside in a crate so they can't run amok. Train to go straight to their beds and stay there once inside, then you can remove the crate.

I encourage the kids to spend time with them every day. If they're bored, they get sent out to play with the dogs. If they nag me to watch TV - out with the dogs. If they're fighting - out with the dogs. You get the picture!

Unless it's a stinking hot day and they would be left in the car too long, they come with us when we go out. This helps with socialisation and stops the boredom. It just becomes part of your routine after awhile.

Either DH or I walk them either first thing in the morning or last thing at night while the kids are in bed. Even if it's just a 5 minute spin around the block, it makes a big difference to energy levels.

You sound like you're tempted to chuck it in, OP, in which case you have every reason to feel guilty. Please remember that a large chunk of that dog's personality and behaviour is a reflection on how she's been brought up, and I really hope you can set a good example for your kids by stepping up and working with her, rather than dumping her because it's all too hard .

I'm sure the experts will be in soon with some great advice.

[myhandfull]

Oh no! She's not going anywhere. The Kids would be very upset. We just need to try and give her more attention. I know that. Just needed advice on how to betterinclude her in more family activities, that sort of thing. Is she too old for a crate inside? I' d be happy to sneak her inside ;-)

[beljane]

No we do not. There are a few reasons for this, Raising 4 Boys is expensive and time consuming enough, we go away a lot camping and other holidays, we were both working full time till number 4 came along and I will be going back to work 3 days per week next month and the last thing I want to do is have to find time in the day for walking a dog etc and lastly I am a neat freak and dog hair, drool and poop cause a see bit of anxiety!

We may consider a fish or something in the near future but that will be the extent of it. I do feel guilty sometimes that the boys are missing out but I think it would be extremely irresponsible to get a pet and not be able to care for it properly.

[gettheetoanunner...]

Yep we have a dog.
I won't say what breed as it tends to unleash hell, but he is now two and just getting over the chew the crap outta everything mode.

We incorporated him into a lifestyle that was pretty active - i like to wear both the kids and the dog out.

We go to the dog parks every other day and the oldest boy and I walk him every morning.
We all play with him - rope toys, balls and frisbee's .

The smaller ones - 2, 4 and 5 can't really walk him as such, but they play with him and they all take part in the maintenance - poo patrol, brushing, washing.

I'd say start small and build up. Summer is a great time to embark on this.

Perhaps alternate kids and walking him daily.
Get the others included in throwing games and looking after him - checking for ticks also.
Teaching the dog some simple tricks may also improve a bond?
Mine tends to get a bit disdainful over tricks - I swear he eyerolls me.
Also caught him smirking at me busting some moves when i thought I was alone.

[jovana]

Does the 14yr old cat that sleeps most of the day count as a pet?
He's great for us, I don't think we would be able to keep up with a dog. We also have fish tank, it is huge, but it's a once a week, 30 minute clean up job.

[password123]

She is bored. She needs to be walked and played with. If she is on a leash, then I don't see how it can be such a stretch to walk her along with the kids.
I have 2 dogs and they are very much a part of the family.
Please don't let this dog be one of those dogs kept in the backyard and never looked at save for dumping a tin of chum in its bowl. I have seen too many like that and it's sad. Dogs are social creatures, and if their needs are not met, then they relieve their boredom in destructive ways - or become a nuisance with their barking.

[The Old Bag]

Not too old to crate train. Our girl had never been indoors when we got her and was sleeping all night in a closed crate within a few days!

Spikey has posted a sticky thread with lots of crate training info in the Pets section.

[monkeys mum]

We have snakes two bearded dragons a fish tank two budgies and our new baby a trove week old galah. Reptiles is dps domain as I can't feed them due to allergies dp s also a bit obsessive overvthe fish tank but the kids feed the fish. The galah is my baby well the families but I'm the main one. He's the most time consuming but it's nothing really we give him breakfast when we have breakfast he come out of his cage for a while then goes back in when he's tired. His feeding and cleaning the kids help with and the handling the kids help with but they need supervision the little on gets very over excited by him.

[myhandfull]

She's not one of those dogs. The Kids play with her daily, DH takes her to work with him a few times a week. I'm not overly confident, kids and DH are very confident with her. Guess that is the main reason. There is a 'dog beach' near by, I'll take her there for a little adventure. I'm guilty because I know I can do more, hence why I'm asking here in large families, as other families like mine might have some great suggestions.

Thankyou too for the ones above.