Dog Health Questions: Whats the best age to bring in a new family dog with a child?

Our daughter Chyler will be growing up in a home with 2 dogs already.

But I know the day will come that Chyler is going to start asking for her own puppy.
Now when I say her own puppy, the family dog that she calls her own but is still a family dog.

Now my parents got me my first dog when I was 7 years old and my responsiblities were to feed him, make sure he had water, and to exercise him outside.

I want Chyler to also be able to be involved in the dog training classes with us and the dog.Also we are planning on getting a dog that is somewhere between 30lbs and 65lbs and adopting from the shelter. (We will getting a puppy)
So we aren't looking at getting a small dog. Which is what we have right now.

Just wondering what you think a good age is to bring in a 3rd dog with a child in the house.

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I think you could be bring a new puppy in whenever your ready and she starts asking for one. I feel like since she already has dog experience getting a puppy at anytime would be good

My mom had a Chihuahua in the house before I was born and there was never an incident between me and the dog...I would feed him and play with him but he was more of my moms dog...I then got a cat around 6 years old and then my/family dog at 9 that I asked for.

I started making my own cereal around age 7,so whenever she starts showing some responsibility would be a good age...lol I guess I always figure that when kids start to make their own bed and give themselves basic cereal means that they are pretty responsible imo...or at least responsible enough to help take care of an animal.

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• I was 4 yrs old when I got my very own first dog. He was an abused 5 yr old chihuahua on death row...I instantly fell in love with him when I saw him. My parents made sure I took care of him and handled him properly. Whenever you feel like your child can handle the responsibilities, with parental help of course, then go ahead and get a pup. I love the idea of getting one from a shelter too! It teaches kids that saving a life is such a special thing, and life time commitments are for LIFE. So many people get rid of their dogs...but children need to learn that they are not "disposable." So, just think about when your personal situation will allow you to get another dog...hope this helps!!
  
  ADD: i still have this dog and he is 17 yrs old...he is the best dog and i really thank my parents for giving him to me! I had him before kindergarten and now I'm a senior in high school. It really gave me stability growing up with the same dog for so many years.


• I got my first dog when i was 11. but since you have other dogs give your daughter responsibilities with those dogs to see when she is ready.


• That is something you will have to decide as a family when the time comes.
  
  Determining factors may be if your child is even responsible enough at the time to help with pet-care chores. If your family feels you have the time and finances for another dog. It may also depend on other interests your child has at the time.. say she is into karate, or ballet, or some type of sport.. you may feel that classes/games take up too much time to consider getting a puppy at that moment.


• to bring a dog into the family can really happen at any age but I would suggest the child be old enough to understand the word no and follow your no instructions...ie. pulling the tail of the dog or grabbing the ears.
  My son was 1.5 and he was excellent with our bull mastiff. The dog was a saint to say the least.
  Our dog was simular to the dog in size from the movie "Turner and Hooch". We named our dog "Hooch". He was the best dog I ever had.
  The dog died at 13 from cancer. My son is now 15 and considers that dog like a brother and said the dog was like a best friend to him.
  
  I believe a child can care for a dog by the time they get to about 6 yrs old as long as a parent is supervising.


• You should not assume your daughter will ask for her own puppy. She may not.
  
  There are "dog people" and "not dog people".
  
  You should also not "plan" on getting your daughter a puppy. That is "assuming" on your part she will want one...and most importantly assuming she will be responsible enough for one and will actually dedicate herself to one.
  
  ie: My daughter got a puppy because she demonstrated she had the love, dedication and natural ability to deal with one. My son didn't get a puppy because he didn't have the desire, love, yadda.
  
  I have a 12 year old agility student in our training classes. She is brilliant; has a natural knack in communicating with dogs and dedication to training. She is working with one of the family's dogs she rather "took over". Her sister doesn't "do dogs", she is into sports.
  
  So, don't "plan". Wait, and see if your daughter is a natural. If she has the desire and dedication and develops a responsibility. Age is not as much a factor as maturity.