Hi - I was also going to suggest training classes but with 4 young children I can imagine its going to be hard work taking the time out to do this.

I guess you have to ask yourself if you really have the time to devote yourself to this dog, they need alot of stimulation and exercise.

I always though labs were a great family dog especially with young children ... does your husband have much free time he can devote to training the dog?

4 young children .... I dont know how you do it! LOL I can just about cope with one! Everyones different though and you just have to work out how much time can be spent with the dog.

You plight sounds very similar to what I went through a year ago. I have a different breed from yourself, Dalmatians who noutoriously have a very poor public perception. Logan was our first dog and all our friends and family thought we were stupid having a Dalmatian. We got all the arguments, they need 8 hours of excercise a day, they are very difficult to train, they are completely hyper, they aren't a breed for first time dog owners!!

Now I am probably the most stubborn person I know, and I will stop at nothing to proove people wrong. My boy is now 16 months old, has gone to weekly training sessions from 12 weeks old, has his Kennel Club good citizens Silver test on Tuesday which I am positive he will pass. He goes on long walks every day regardless of the weather and has recently started coming cycling with us (something that should only be done when dog is fully grown) He is a joy to be around. All my friends and family are gobsmacked at how good my boy is. He can put the Labradors and Collies in my family to shame because we have put the work in with our dog and we are now seeing the benefits. I can take him anywhere and I'm so proud of him.

We even got our second Dalmatian 6 weeks ago, and funnily enough not one friend or family tried to talk us out of it this time

I'm not saying its easy, it takes a lot of hard work, paitience, time and dedication. But if you love this pup and want to keep it you can put the work in and proove everyone wrong like I did.

I really hope you make the decision after trying other things like training and how you and your immediate family feel without listening to the negativity of friends and family.

I'm sure he will turn out to be a wonderful boy with the right guidance

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Gill & my beautiful boy Logan & gorgeous girl Piper

Thank you for all the replies, they have all been really helpful.

I have been thinking about this all morning and have taken some action and made a decision.

Just found a local training school, in fact one of the trainers owns springers herself... We are starting our training on Monday, puppy training to start but the club runs other classes later on, agility, training to music and has its own little in house competitions/shows etc. The training is reward based and I think this is really going to help me and my pup.

I do love this pup he is part of our family and I am going to make this work.

I must stop letting other people doubt my capabilities. Onwards and upwards!

well done you..i'm so pleased you have decided to keep him..please let us know how he progresses

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Well done you!!! You go and proove them all wrong Be proud of yourself for making the right decision for you, your pup and your family.... sod everyone else

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Gill & my beautiful boy Logan & gorgeous girl Piper

To be honest, you seem a very capable person. To successfully rear four children is no mean feat. But the fact you manage that shows you are very well organised. You and your pup will do well and will become a much loved part of your family. Well done!

Im so glad you have decided to keep your pup. Although I understand peoples concern there are many benefits to having puppies around young children. It never hurt me. You shouldnt concentrate on breed traits too much as every dog is an individual and many perfectly nice dogs get put into categories and given up on because of those stereotypes. I wish you every success in showing people how wrong they are about you, your family and your pup.

There's your answer. If you and your family really love the dog that's all that matters. You've said you've spent long hours training him. That's really good. When he's trained them hours can be used to give him jobs/tasks.

When you've trained his recall to let him off lead. Take him to a field and hide a toy and let him try and find it to challenge him.

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Updated 27/08/08

been reading through im glad you decided to keep the pup, they do make great pet with kids as are also very active, and will play fetch and hide and seek for hours with the kids.

it will be hard work for you but if you make the time therewards are endless but you having 4 young kids you could teach them how to train the pup as well and the pup will repect them for it as well.

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