Getting a dog as a "test child"

[irotas]

I hear people all the time talking about getting a dog as a "test child". To be honest, I also had that thought when my wife and I decided to get a dog just after getting married. However, I think in the end we got the dog because we wanted a DOG and not a baby (yet).

We don't have any kids yet, but I'm wondering how much truth there is that a dog is (to a limited extent) a "test child". What skills do you learn as a dog owner that carry over to having a child of your own?


P.S. I sure hope that we find a forum like Chazhound when we do decide to have a baby. It's amazing how easily you can screw up your dog even if you think you've done your research and are doing "the right thing". Chazhound has been a great resource for us to quickly discover and correct our mistakes with our dog. Having a baby is so much more complicated, and correcting your screw-ups with a baby is much harder than with a dog!

 

[Aussie Red]

The sad reality is that many do get dogs as " Test Children " and then when they have the human child the " Test Child " is dropped off at a shelter for many reasons
1. not enough time for him anymore
2. does not get along with baby
3. chews up babies things
4. too expensive for both
5. because test child changed and isn't as cute anymore
and the list goes on> I hate dogs being used to replace the children one hopes to have later on. If you want a dog then want it for all the right reasons and realize that it too is a lifetime committment !!!!!!

 

[ToscasMom]

Lots of test children, dogs and cats, are sitting in the shelter now waiting for their number to be up. Makes me sick.

 

[Red_ACD_for_me]

First I'd like to say "hi" to a fellow Mass. person LOL! What part of Mass are you from??
I have heard that term used often too. I have a 5 year old daughter and her dad and I split up 3 years ago. I'm still young early 30's but unless I meet Mr.right I may have more children....not really sure. I wanted a dog to grow up with my daughter and also be my hiking and walking buddy. I call Caiza my "son" who walks on 4 legs. The only thing children and dogs have in common is responsibility in caring for them which is a big thing, but of course it differs to an extent. So I guess as far as the learning skills go like having children you just can't get up and go anymore because you have the other responsibilities in your life to take care of more than yourself being it kids or dogs. IMO though getting a dog as a so called "test child" is not a GOOD reason to get a dog in the first place.

 

[milos_mommy]

i got Milo because i wasn't ready for a baby but i wanted someone to take care of. not to "test" myself and see if i would be able to care for a child. that's ridiculous. getting a dog because you don't feel ready for a child is ok. comparing the care of a dog to the care of a child is not.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Hubby and I always joked that if we did okay with the dogs then we'd have a baby. But, that was always -and still is- just a joke.

I think it's really sad.. the whole idea.

If someone feels the need to "test" than they probably shouldn't be having pets OR children.

 

[ACooper]

First I will say that yes I have heard and seen people who get a dog for a "test child" always a bad idea.

Now to do your comparison question of what dog ownership and children have in common............this is MY OPINION, as I have both

1. I think a good skill that you and your wife learn with having a dog is consistency. You should both agree on how best to provide for the dog, care for the dog, give discipline to the dog, and so on and so on............This is a very important thing for children as well, if they see a crack in your unity they will divide and conquer. As will the dog.

2. I think another skill that should be learned is sharing in duties, feeding, walking, poop detail, vet appointments etc.....Also very important for raising kids. Kids benefit from seeing mom & dad share in the load, whether it's diapers, school conferences, homework help or tossing a ball. It should never be one sided, with dogs or kids.

Those are the 2 things I can think of right now, I am sure there are many other comparisons, but having a dog is much easier than having a kid............easier to board them at a kennel, put them in a crate, and soooooo much easier to train than a child

 

[FoxyWench]

test child? no, my dogs are not my test children...i cant have children...

but i too have seen too many "test children" dropped off at shelters

 

[smkie]

I got Bin because i wanted another baby and couldn't...he was my baby not a test. HE got all the love i had for another infant and he didn't mind a bit. People get rid of their test because they don't know how to be devoted to love. IF that is the case, i hope they never ever have children.

 

[irotas]

It's sad but true, a lot of people adopt puppies and spoil them rotten until they become adolescents, then they get shipped straight to a shelter.

My wife and I decided on rescuing an older abandoned dog, both because we didn't have time (or experience) to handle a puppy and because it seemed like "the right thing" to do. We ended up getting a 5 y/o yellow lab (Manni) who is anything but a puppy.

 

[~Jessie~]

I think that it is really sad when people buy pets as "test children."

My fiancee and I bought our dogs because we love dogs. Having children will not change that love for our dogs.

 

[Dreeza]

I would definately want to own a dog with my future husband, or if already married, then husband before getting a kid.

Not as a test child...but because i want my own dog!

I DO think it would help 'test' a marriage more than anything...there are so many things to agree/disagree on....i think it would help a couple see how they can handle those things.

I would never, ever, ever, ever get a dog TO test something...i just think getting one has those added benefits...if that makes sense.

 

[2BlackDogs]

For us the child came first then the dog came after. I never thought of getting a dog for a "test". I wanted to get a dog because I wanted a dog.

I think that caring for a dog and caring for a child is similar since they both need your constant care and attention. But I would never test my parental skills on a dog first to make sure I'm suitable to care for children. If anyone needs to do that, they should probably hold off on having kids.

 

[tessa_s212]

First I will say that yes I have heard and seen people who get a dog for a "test child" always a bad idea.

Now to do your comparison question of what dog ownership and children have in common............this is MY OPINION, as I have both

1. I think a good skill that you and your wife learn with having a dog is consistency. You should both agree on how best to provide for the dog, care for the dog, give discipline to the dog, and so on and so on............This is a very important thing for children as well, if they see a crack in your unity they will divide and conquer. As will the dog.

2. I think another skill that should be learned is sharing in duties, feeding, walking, poop detail, vet appointments etc.....Also very important for raising kids. Kids benefit from seeing mom & dad share in the load, whether it's diapers, school conferences, homework help or tossing a ball. It should never be one sided, with dogs or kids.

Those are the 2 things I can think of right now, I am sure there are many other comparisons, but having a dog is much easier than having a kid............easier to board them at a kennel, put them in a crate, and soooooo much easier to train than a child

I agree.

Having a dog can be a good comparison of how a couple might handle a child together. You know, they say you should take baby steps, and I'm thinking this wouldn't be all that bad of a baby step so long as, that dog NEVER becomes something that can just be thrown away. When THAT becomes the case, then I surely no longer agree with the "test child" idea.

 

[Melissa_W]

I think it's definitely a bad idea... once you have a child, what happens to the dog?

 

[Dreeza]

I think it's definitely a bad idea... once you have a child, what happens to the dog?

you keep it!!!

 

[Melissa_W]

you keep it!!!

You'd hope so! But I'm afraid that's not always be the case.

You should get a dog because you want a dog.

 

[krisykris]

Well I think that my dogs have taught me a lot that will be beneficial for when I have a child.

They've taught me responsibility, dedication, setting boundaries and being consistent with routines. I think that all of those qualities are important to have when raising a child.

I got a puppy because I saw one and it was "cute" and I wanted to care for something and love it. That might not be the right reason, but it's what I did.. and now I've discovered a really deep love for dogs and have 3!

I'd never ship them off when I have a child because they're part of the family and will always be my "furbabies" no matter what children I have

 

[~Jessie~]

^^^I agree, Krisykris. I think that dogs really do teach responsibility, but I do not think that people should get them solely to "test out" whether or not they can have kids.

I have 3 chihuahuas... having a kid would be a piece of cake J/k!

 

[krisykris]

^^^I agree, Krisykris. I think that dogs really do teach responsibility, but I do not think that people should get them solely to "test out" whether or not they can have kids.

I have 3 chihuahuas... having a kid would be a piece of cake J/k!

I hear you there! Sometimes I think a baby would be a lot easier! *lol*