I have been thinking about buying my 2 1/2 year old daughter a dog. She loves the neighbours dog.

But I do not like pets, I think they are a restriction.

I had a Golden Lab puppy when I was about 6 years old and she drowned a few days after I got her.

Do you think having a pet is beneficial for a child that young? or would she appreciate the dog a bit better if she was older?

Small children are not capable of taking care of a pet themselves so it will be up to the parents to do all the feeding, cleaning and training necessary. Ask yourself and your wife if you feel up to all that.

Personally, I would wait a few years to get a dog. Very small children usually do not comprehend the need for appropriate behavior with a dog.

I agree with SBK! And as you are not a petlover yourselve, I wouldn't even get one, because they will need more then only food! And what if you want to go on holiday, visarun or whatever? Is there a good dogpension in the neigborhood? Remember that a pet is not a toy and will be with you for many, many years!

get a gold fish; for that age they are perfect and cheap and replacable

no dogs for you if u dont love pets since u would be the primary caretaker (or your wife would)....

I am waiting for my daughter to be old enongh to pick out the pet herself. Then I think she would be more ready to take care of it.

from my 18 yrs of petting zoo/animal rescue experience children are NEVER able to take care of their pets and lose interest after a week or two and it doesnt matter if its a ferret gerbil rabbit or dog (or baby sister eithr for that matter), its the parents who take care of it in the end

i dont sell pets of any type including donkeys or goats to children under the age of 16... and then only to those that are absolutely crazy about animals as a hobby etc unless they are involved in petcare classes, junior zoo classes, breed/raise a particular animal as a hobby i.e. they own more then one or show knowlege of the animals they breed or they have farming background....or their parents are crazy about animals

for very young children, a fish is best and cheapest, and easier on the parents to deal with when having to travel etc... or travel to a petting zoo, nearby farm, etc.. to see animals first, or help in an adoption center,

Pet rocks are cheap and low maintenance.......

Ok, thanks for the thoughts folks. I think it is best to stick with the hunt for a barney doll then as I know she loves him.

Pet rocks are cheap and low maintenance.......

I broke our granite coffee table when I was dancing on it, I can only imagine what a pet rock would do the glass replacement

How about a "garok"?

You know... one of those tamed little furry things that live in trees and eat bananas... what are their English names?... squirrels.

I've seen a lot of Thais in the city with pet garok's sitting on their shoulders, or just being petted.

How about a "garok"?

You know... one of those tamed little furry things that live in trees and eat bananas... what are their English names?... squirrels.

I've seen a lot of Thais in the city with pet garok's sitting on their shoulders, or just being petted.

Naah nothing beats the joy of a nice doggy, she and my oldest son just love to play together! She is such a happy dog, you can read it in her eyes !

Edited May 18, 200620 yr by KhunMarco

She is such a happy dog, you can read it in her eyes !

That looks more like fear... from being hurled across the room.

She is such a happy dog, you can read it in her eyes !

That looks more like fear... from being hurled across the room.

scratch scratch.. eh that was meant to be a joke. That's not my dog and that sshole is not my son either

She is such a happy dog, you can read it in her eyes !

That looks more like fear... from being hurled across the room.

scratch scratch.. eh that was meant to be a joke. That's not my dog and that sshole is not my son either

Don't worry, the rest of us got it. Jai Dee, just really likes animals.

Don't worry, the rest of us got it. Jai Dee, just really likes animals.

Ah well no problem, I always say I have a strange sense of humor.

To be forgiven by JD I'm gonna post a nice pix of the kitty I gave to my daughter for her 5 birthday.

Bedtime is no more an issue, they both love it!

ps. yup I love funny pix

Jai Dee, I think you got a new friend?