Girls...is it just me???

[becks]

I am moving into a 3 bedroom house with my 2 beautiful girls on monday but i'm really worried ( and I know i'm being pathetic!!! ) I worry that we will get broken into because theres no man in the house. Do you do anything inparticular to feel more secure? I have already thought of door chains and dead locks on certain doors but what else can you do?? I want us to be happy and feel secure in our new home... not worry about people breaking in, lol xx Even thought about getting a dog?? xx

 

[Dezireey]

If you are home most days I would highly recommend getting a dog or even two to keep each other company. I have two amazing labradors ( see my profile pic) and they are great with kids and make me feel super secure and safe. When they bark at strange noises or people approaching the house / knocking the door, friends have said they felt a bit scared as their barks are so deep and loud it could be rotweillers or dobermans in there, no-one would know. think my dogs would probably lick a burglar to death but they would go for someone if they attacked the family, definitely. They are a real deterrent. failing that hun, get yourself an alarm system or check access points and get good door bolts etc, or maybe join neighbourhood watch?

I don't think having a man around makes you feel all that much safer. I know some women whose husbands would rather let their wives go downstairs first if they heard a noise in the night! lol wusses.

 

[VmrsbabcockV]

Dogs. I have two. Great with kids and so loving. But even the sight of my german shepherd mix scares people and even our friends. In addition to scaring ppl off they have waayyy better smelling and hearing than humans so any noise they hear snd dont like you will know and if they smell someone around they'll let you know. both my dogs r rescues i paid nothing for my littler dog and about $200 for my big dog bc he had all his shots. They r cuddly snd friendly as well and will become very protective of you and your girls i reccomend a shelter dog 1 year old or so bc they are already house trained and are outgrown of a lot of their bad puppy habits yet they r still young so will bond easily with you all. Older dogs in shelters can tend to have more baggage and may have problems youre not aware of.good luck hun!

 

[Ceejay123]

I agree about the dog thing, whenever I'm home alone my little collie makes me feel so much more secure x

 

[becks]

A dog it is then Thanks girls, I feel so silly for saying it but I really do worry about it!!! I will 100% get a rescue dog about 12 months old! I wanted a golden retriever but i've heard they lose loads of fur?? I want a dog that will put people off breaking in, but not 1 that could knock my 2 year old over xxx

 

[VmrsbabcockV]

Yes goldens do shed but they are amazing with children. Ive always had mutts and they have been rly good dogs i def reccomend a bigger dog if u have space in my experience little dogs can tend to get more snippy and jealous. My family has had 10 or so dogs over the course of my life and i own two myself so thats my experience. And to be honest in all likelihood no matter what kind of dog its probably goimg to knock the toddler over at some point but my parents always told me when i got knocked over by the dog i never cried cuz i was super attachrd to the dog and didn't want to get him in trouble lmao. Have ur girls come with you to visit with the dogs if u can and see which one has the most gentle nature.

 

[VmrsbabcockV]

A dog who has been fostered out can also be a good option when getting a shelter dog especially if the foster home has kids then the dog will already be used to being around little ones

 

[AmySan]

Definitely a dog - and maybe an ADT security system (it isn't that expensive!) Labs are SO good with kids (my ex and I had 2 labs with his 3 little kids, they would tolerate having their eyes poked at, ears pulled, etc

 

[lemontree12]

i totally felt like this too when i moved in, the walls are so thin i can hear next door run up their stairs and walk around up stairs. it lasted a month mayb and logic told me it would be be unlikely, but my friends suggested getting a lock for my living room door if it made me feel safe.
a dog is a good idea too, i just wont have time to look after one when i go back to work x

 

[Jennifurball]

LOL yes don't assume a man would save you!!

I have been burgled twice so know how you feel in the sense of feeling unsafe but I have lived alone since, ex was too pissed to even wake up if anything happened

A dog is a good idea.

 

[elsielouise]

Can I add a voice of caution here please.

A twelve month old large dog in a rescue is there for a reason. A twelve month old lab or GR WILL knock over a child of that age.

Please consider security cameras, panic buttons, red care links to instant help before proceeding directly with a twelve month old large rescue dog.


https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=570067

And note the stats about badly bred Labradors biting children.

Sorry not wishing to be negative but there is a lot to consider and many rescue dogs won't home large dogs to homes with small children anyway. The ones tht will may not be the best rescues with your children's interests at heart.

 

[MommaAlexis]

I'd also err on the side of caution with labs. They are very hyperactive, so the 12monthers are usually horribly trained, think they're still puppies, and are up the walls. It would be a lot more work because of the breed. Retrievers are more intelligent then labs and more docile. (I have had labs, retrievers,huskies, dobermans, etc.) I rescue animals a lot, and rehome them after I've trained them. Labs who were never properly trained are really hard to retrain when they get older. If she was 5-6 I'd say go for it but two is iffy. I'd say make darn sure it's a suuuuper calm lab if you get one. They can't help their breed and it's kind of sad for them that everyone thinks they're easy family pets. They are... After you train them. It's why there's so many lab rescues. People think it's a breed that just trains itself. Retrievers take a little more kindly to retraining, my mum shaves hers. He just looks like a lab shaved lol.

 

[VmrsbabcockV]

I think the op said golden retriever which is probably one of the best choices but growing up we had a 7 month old lab and a 13 month old german shepherd that we adopted togethrr when i was 5 and my sisyer was an infant we never had a single problem with either yes we got knocked over occasionaly but that just comes with pretty much any dog and small kids. The lab never snipped or anything close to biting all wr did was put both of them through basic sit stay obedience classes for about a month snd that was it. Any dog can be a mean dog im definitely of the opinion that its all in the owner most children who get bit by dogs r not handling the dog properly i.e. grabbing their taild and ears and climbing all over them.

 

[becks]

well.... i got a dog a 10 month old yorkshire terrier, haha ( not quite a golden retriever ) BUT i am so so pleased with him. He is the softest little bundle of joy ever and at the same time yaps if he sees or hears anyone coming up the path. I know that he couldnt do anything if someone were to break in but he can definitely let me know someones outside He is so soft with the girls and they love him. I saw him advertised as his owners no longer wanted him and getting him was the best thing I ever did. His name is Murph... hahaha xx I am going to get an alarm fitted and dead locks put on the living room door just so I feel a little more secure, hopefully i'm worrying for no reason. xx

 

[VmrsbabcockV]

Congrats lol both my furbabies r laying on me as i type this lol