Is this a bad idea?

[ses02e]

OK...There is a family I used to babysit for who have three children. I don't babysit for them anymore as I live in a different town but I still have contact with the mother. I saw her a few weeks ago at my sister's baby shower and she said they were giving the kids a "goldendoodle" for Christmas. Now at the time I thought this was a bad idea because I know how her family works, as I was their babysitter. I love the family to death but they really don't have it all together. They are like chickens with their heads cut off (best way to describe it). They DO NOT need a puppy! Well, I didn't say anything at the time but I spoke to her today. They have had the puppy since Thursday, it is Tuesday and she already has an ad out in the paper for this dog. She wants to sell it as she paid quite a bit of money for it. I told her it takes time and patience and she needs to train the children how to deal with the puppy etc. It seems like the children don't really want to help with the puppy chores and she won't make the effort if they won't. I could sit here and bad mouth the whole situation, maybe I should have told her before she got the dog that I thought it was a bad idea. Point is, I have my own idea and I want your advice on the situation. I thought that I would offer to take this 12 week old male and train him for her and then give the puppy back to the family as a pretty well trained dog. I just think it would be wonderful for these 3 children to grow up with a dog. The little boy is 5 and I just know they would be best friends but currently he thinks the dog is "mean". I would take him until he is about 6 months of age. Is this a bad idea? He has his own crate and I would ask her to cover all of his expenses. Mischka is almost 6 months now and I feel like she could help with his training. The more I type, the more I want to do this. I know it would be a lot of work but I feel like I could do this and it would be worth it to me as this family is very close to me. Please let me know what you think!!
Thank you.

 

[Brookesmami]

I think that is a good idea. My ex hubby and his fiance did something similar. They got his mother a dachsound(sp) for her birthday and house broke him before they gave him to her.

My only question is aren't you afraid you will fall in love with it and not want to give it back?

 

[ses02e]

I have thought of the possibility of me falling in love with this little boy and I am sure I will but if I wanted another dog, I would get another boxer. I don't own another boxer because I cannot afford one. But I can certainly train another baby for somebody else's benefit. I really care for these children and want to do something good for them.

 

[JulieM]

If you train the dog, what makes you think the dog will respond to these other people? One of the biggest problems with sending a dog out for training is that if the owner doesn't learn how to work with the dog, the dog won't do what the owner asks. It's a generous idea, but I don't think it's a practical one.

From what you wrote, these people seem completely unwilling to do any kind of work with a dog, and frankly never should have had one in the first place. I'm honestly a bit ill at the thought that they're trying to sell it because they paid so much for it to begin with, when if they'd put any kind of thought into the purchase they wouldn't have spent the money in the first place. (This has the potential for a major rant, so I'll stop here!)

 

[bxrcrzy13]

i think it's great that you would be so willing to help but you have to consider that just because the pup comes back well trained it might not make a differance. i agree that it's wonderful for children to grow up with a fur friend i have 3 boxers and 2 girls 9 and 7 and they have a great time spending playing together. i would talk to the mother to see if this is something she would consider. some people just don't like to deal with the care of a dog, although the love you get in return is infinate. good luck with whatever you decide!!!

 

[abradbury.5]

I think it's very generous of you to even consider taking the dog and training it. BUT, Julie is right, and the entire family would have to be willing to work with the dog so it would listen to them as well. Plus, it sounds like they're not into the chores related to taking care of a dog, and that won't change whether the dog is trained or not--it will still need to be fed, watered, taken on walks, given playtime, and given attention. If the family has only ha dthe dog for 5 days and they're ready to give it up, I would say they're not ready for any dog--trained or otherwise.

 

[Rlr.Giraffe]

I agree with the others that say to let her give the puppy up... it is a very generous offer you are making, but like others have said, it really doesn't sound like they are willing to put in the work. What happens if the dog gets excited and knocks a kid down, or gets sick and poops on the carpet? I doubt they would be willing to tolerate any of the "doggie" things that happen... Best this pup finds a new loving home where they can be the center of attention .

 

[Luvnmyboxer]

True, and no offense but the way it sounds to me is they'd let you train it, then take it back and try to sell it for even more b/c he's house broke and trained--surely they could get another hundred or two for that :rolleyes: makes me want to say, "Come on people think first before you put someone or somethings life in jeopardy"

Kudos to you though for thinking enough of both the family and the dog for wanting to help both of them out.

 

[Shanz]

I really dont think its a good idea either. Its very nice of you but keeping him for 6 months and you will get attached to him, and him to you and it will probably just confuse him when you gavve him back. Also, if they arent willing to do work now, what makes you think they will when hes "trained", or when hes getting old and his body isnt as good as it used to be and he needs special care and medicine?

 

[boxer]

It is a kind offer indeed. But IMO not a good idea. A dog trained by one person does not automatically obey others, so without the continued education, your six months with it will be worthless anyway. Plus, you'd be giving them back an adolescent... LOL

I don't think it is likely that they would have any greater interest in a six month old than a cute cuddly puppy - quite the reverse, in fact. Added to that, there is a much better chance of finding a good home for a young puppy than an older one - just one of the sad facts of life. IMHO holding onto the pup for them for six months just increases the likelihood that the dog will end in a shelter. Very kind thought, but I don't think it is in the best interests of that dog.