After Baby's born...feeling safe at home

shanmoyer

SO...I'm pushing for a dog right now. I have a hard time feeling safe at home at is it now when DH isn't there, and we have two silly cats who would rather flop over and wait for a belly rub than disuade an intruder from harming anyone/thing in the house.

Is anyone contemplating getting a dog or security system or anything? DH seems to think that dog = puppy and doesn't want to get a puppy, but I'm talking about adopting a year old pooch from the Humane Society or something.

WDYT?

vegandy

I would get a security system if it's based on safety.  There's no guarantee a dog will be protective and they are a lot of extra work!

rohansmom

adopting a dog is a great idea. You can save an animal and they can match you with the right dog. I think resuced pets are the best.

Ruthgers

I think German Shepherd mixes are awesome and very easy to train.  Ours has a super-loud bark that scares the crap out of people.  If someone threatened us or broke into our home I have no doubt she would defend us.  She is also super-loving and loyal, a great family dog.    Both of our dogs are rescues. 

micaelasmakeup

We have a dog but it is def not a security system!  Just get a security system it's CHEAPER! lol:)  And we are so worried about how our spoiled only child dog is going to react to LO.

radiokate

I've heard that dogs aren't actually deterrants for criminals who want to break in your house. I have a 70 pound bull dog, and although he may look "tough," he wouldn't do a thing.

I think a security system would be better IMO, if you seriously think you need something.

Lisa_Ont

I agree with the PP if your worried, get a security system.

Dogs are a lot of extra work and that is the last thing I would want with a newborn.  You'll be cleaning up enough pee and poop from the baby!!!

 

adamstodrake

Well, if you do go the dog route, I would say to get the dog sooner rather than later so the dog can acclimate to your home before the baby comes. I could be wrong though. Just my thought!

 Our home does not have a security system, but we do have the yappiest yorkie known to man who really dislikes strangers. So not that he would be protection or anything, he'd sure as heck let us know someone was trying to get in the house! Our doors are also "kickproof" (something that was really pushed on us as awesome when we purchased the house in June), but one of the "kickproof" doors is 80% glass, so all someone would have to do is break the glass. We live in a safe area though and I've never felt worried being here alone.

micaelasmakeup

rohansmom:

adopting a dog is a great idea. You can save an animal and they can match you with the right dog. I think resuced pets are the best.

This tho if you just want a dog:)

StrawberryAlarmClock

We're looking into alarm systems right now.  We've both had dogs in the past and are enjoying not scooping poop! Well, that's not true. We have two cats, but that's not the same level of poop-scooping as with a dog! LOL

Here (US) there are a lot of alarm companies that give you free hardware with a one or two year contract.  I think ADT does it - do you have them?

I have also been looking at gas/co alarms, fire extinguishers and fire escape ladders. 

caseybuchda

Props for thinking of adoption first!

trapani2be

We have both a dog and a system.  I love having the system for emergencies too like abulance and fire.  My dog however would show the intruder where we hide the good stuff, not much of a watchdog. However he does make alot of noise so maybe that would deter someone from trying.

kes77

We have a security system and IMO it's obviously much less work than a dog - especially with a newborn around.  

Alyssa102

vegandy:

I would get a security system if it's based on safety.  There's no guarantee a dog will be protective and they are a lot of extra work!

This!  We have a German Sherpherd/Border Collie Mix.  Check out my bio for her "On Duty" picture. 

She is a great dog and I have no doubt will be a great protector when the baby is born, but she is also a big suck and requires alot of attention and belly rubs

vagirl06

I wouldn't do a new dog and baby at the same time. You'll have enough to do with the baby without trying to train/get adjusted to having a dog. My girlfriend got a lab puppy right after her first child was born. Since then, she's spent no time trying to train her and the dog is crazy wild. We have a 100lb lab that wouldn't protect us in the event of a breakin. If the robber is smart, all they'd have to do with our dog is rub his belly or give him a milkbone and then they'd be able to take whatever they wanted.

Molly Jean

vegandy:

I would get a security system if it's based on safety.  There's no guarantee a dog will be protective and they are a lot of extra work!

That's true.  Our black lab is VERY protective of us and is quite the little security system all by himself... but that being said, he's 8 years old and we've had him since he was a puppy.  So it might take time for a dog to become protective of you and baby.

But I love that you would adopt if you chose to go the dog route.  It's the only way to go

kb1005

Our 2 dogs are the worst securtiy system ever.  Our Golden Retriever would just lick anyone to death that broke in and our terrier mix would only protect us from squirrel/cat invasions.

 

I vote alarm. 

tomkat35728

Ruthgers:

I think German Shepherd mixes are awesome and very easy to train.  Ours has a super-loud bark that scares the crap out of people.  If someone threatened us or broke into our home I have no doubt she would defend us.  She is also super-loving and loyal, a great family dog.    Both of our dogs are rescues. 

This exactly!  My mom has a German Shepherd/Great Dane mix from our local Humane Society that is a spoiled brat, but also a sweetheart.  She is incredibly protective and actually roams the house at night to make sure that everyone is safe and sleeping.  If you aren't sleeping, she will lie down with you until you do.  My mom lives in a pretty rough area and I know that she feels much safer having her dog.

I own a Lab and a Lab/Shepherd mix that were rescued.  Both are pretty protective, but I think that their barks sound way worse than their bites. They are big babies. 

bobbidall

If I were you, I'd do it sooner than later.  We have 2 dogs and an alarm system, so I feel pretty safe.  Dogs that are adopted take longer to get used to his/her new home than if it was a puppy.  Thats a lot to take on though, an alarm system might be easier!

shanmoyer

I think we would adopt a pooch probably the beginning of the year so that it's well adusted into the family before the baby comes so it's not like raising two babies at the same time (also why I want to get an older dog rather than a puppy)

Rachelilly23

vegandy:

I would get a security system if it's based on safety.  There's no guarantee a dog will be protective and they are a lot of extra work!

100% this. But they are great companions!

islandgirl79

Get an alarm system.  There is no guarantee with a guard dog.  Rescue dogs are wonderful but probably will need a lot of training.  I personally wouldn't even feel safe with a guard dog in my house with a newborn.  Easy way for a child to get hurt.

ChristinaD09

I live in rural America.  We have guns and I've got a husband who isn't afraid to use them.    We do need to get on top of getting the safe for our bedroom though...

mysticporter

I think if you'd like to adopt a dog, it's a great idea, and I agree to go with ASAP to have it as long as possible before baby comes.  If you haven't had a dog, make sure you are aware of the time and money that goes in...they can be much more labor intensive than cats, honestly (walking, exercise, training).

That said, while it's true that most housepets are not great security dogs, their presence (particularly one that will bark) can be a deterrent to some thieves (not all, but then, people with security systems are sometimes robbed, too). Some of the types of dogs that might be the biggest deterrent for their presence alone can also be poorest choices for a first time dog owner (a larger, active, or 'noisy'/bark-prone dog, for example, can be intimidating for a first time owner).  The security system in the long haul would probably be cheaper.

I'd say if you want a dog anyway, and it will give you some company and piece of mind, go for it.  If it's purely a security thing, though, it's going to be more trouble than it's worth, just get the system.

amykins1283

I have two 50 pound dogs.  One is a Pit-Basenji mix and the other is a total mutt.  My husband travels a lot for work and says that he feels so much better about leaving me knowing that they are there.  They are protective of the house and bark if any stranger approaches the house so I always have ample warning if someone is outside.  They really sound intimidating and would more than likely deter anyone from actually trying to enter the house.  They definitely react differently when it's someone they know at the door, too.  More excited, less pissed off, haha. 

That being said, though, there is no guarantee that every dog is going to react that way.  Some dogs aren't as attuned to these sorts of things or automatically see everyone as friendly.  An alarm system would be more reliable than a dog and it would be one less mouth to feed.    

emily0829

caseybuchda:

Props for thinking of adoption first!

This!

Puppies are adorable, but they most often come from breeders or puppy mills, unless they're in the shelter, and in that case, they are the first to be adopted.

I adopted my Chocolate Lab and even though I didn't get to see him when he was a cuddly, cute puppy, he is a cuddly and cute dog now. Agree with PP that you shouldn't adopt a dog solely for security. When I have Carson with me, I feel safer, but he isn't a guarantee. A security system will call the cops FOR you. I'm sure that if Carson has opposable thumbs he would do that, but until he does, he can't.

PS- the energy level of a dog is going to depend on their personality. I know some dogs that still act like they're 4 months old when they're 2 years, while others grow out of the puppy stage much faster.

I'm all for you having a dog and a built in security system! Why the heck not.

ejh090305

Just my two cents but I would be against a dog if I were about to have a first baby. You won't be sure of how much time you'll have for a dog until the baby actually gets there. We had our dog for 3 years prior to our dd but she got on our nerves so badly once LO came hom from the hospital. She was extremely protective at that point and barked incessantly when anyone even walked past the house and woke up the baby. Plus we felt really bad about not having as much time for her. She didn't get to go on as many walks and while we still loved her we truly contemplated finding her a new home. In the end we toughed it out and she and Elena play great together but it was rough at first. Go with a security system and contemplate a dog later.

chris27

get a security system! dogs are wonderful and I fully support it but not with a newborn. even with an older dog you get the barking and extra care involved.

believe me as a mom of 2 plus one on the way with a 70 lbs 11 yr old well trained weimeraner.....you won't want the extra burden that comes with having a dog and a neworn.

Don't get me wrong I LOVE our dog but having gone through this twice...i wouldn't have made that decision.

magdalina.h

We have a dog and he would rather sniff you then bark at you.  We're getting a better security system.

irishfyrgirl

We were going to get a dog around the time I got BFP with DS. I'm so thankful we didn't go through with it. I can't imagine what life would have been like with a dog and a newborn/infant/toddler. But we did get the security system and it has helped with my peace of mind a lot! Well worth that investment for us.

KRISTA555

as long as the dog is house-trained and not overly hyper, then go for it. 

Pregnant+hyper dog/dog that pees everywhere= a REALLY bad experience for everyone involved (including the dog)

jhanse01

We have 3 dogs and I think that they would do anything they could to protect me from an intruder.  Our German Shepherd doesn't seem like he would be very protective because he is the biggest baby around friends and family, but he has growled at strangers that have gotten too close to me, and people know well enough to stay away from an angry German Shepherd.  We also have a lab/shar pei mix and she is a very watchful dog, she's always looking out the window and would be the first to let us know if someone was here, I also think she would be the most vicious in the event of a burglar.  Our third dog is a rottweiler and she is still a puppy, so I don't know how aggressive/protective she would be of us.  She truly is the biggest baby and has broken all of my family's beliefs about them being dogs out for blood, but I have no idea what she will be like with an intruder. 

jacquelinethorne

DH had a security system installed while I was pregnant with DS2, and I typically keep a pistol (which, yes, I use very well, thank you) in my bedroom. If someone were to come in and not stop when they heard the alarm, I'm thinking they'd probably stop when I started cranking rounds into them. DH is a police officer, so if our alarm went off he'd hear the call and be racing home, I'm sure.

missyjg

Adopt a dog if you're going to get one. We adopted a german shepard and a brown lab and they are great deterrents. We have an alarm system but remember..... electric goes out so does your alarm system.... if the phone goes out so does your alarm system (unless you pay more for cellular backup). Our "free" system ended up costing us 2500 b/c we added the windows, glass breaks and 2 more doors which wasn't "included" in the free system. My dogs never shut up when someone is near or around the house so I am always going to opt for a big dog.