Bringing a new Pet into my home

[h3ather]

My cousin has a beautiful Red Pitt Bull with 6 pups and I want one so bad but I am torn because my daughter is so little.

[debraleesparks]

 :thumbsup:Get her a doll, and wait until she is old enough not to hurt the pup. Young children don't understand that pets are living things, with feelings.

[irishlady1970]

I agree with Debralee, definitely wait until your daughter is older to get the puppy. Pitbulls make great pets if raised in the right environment, but they can be tempermental. Children can be very rough with pets and often hurt them without realizing it. I waited until my child was about 8 years old before I got a puppy and that has made all the difference in the world.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

[hicaniplay]

That's true, but she wants it for herself, and a pit pup isn't so small it'd be that easily hurt, I don't think. As long as she makes sure the kid doesn't throw the puppy down the stairs or out a window, something like being pushed off a couch isn't too likely to hurt the pup that much (btw - true stories of bad supervision of toddlers and small dogs).

I think that as long as you watch them and keep them separate when not supervised, it's more a question of you having enough time and finances for two - that pup will need vet attention and housebreaking and obedience school, as well as food and toys and things. It's also a good idea to have money set aside in case of emergency care, just like for your daughter and other family members.

It's really not worth it (or fair!) to buy the pup now and six months down the road realize you never had the time or money for it and drop it off at the pound.

[tsubasa731]

not only that, a puppy isn't like a dog that's mature and used to people, it might accidentaly hurt the girl during teething

[karenkpc]

agreed, puppies and toddlers aren't terribly compatible.  there is always the possibility of the toddler backing the pup into a corner and getting bitten, totally by accident.  true story from my teenage years (dog had to be put down after that, was a newf puppy)!  children need to really be of school age to make a success, unless a caregiver has LOTS of time for both child and critter.  good thoughts toward whatever you decide, though.