- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
1st Trimester
Puppy and a baby - are we crazy?
I need a reality check here from anyone who has a dog and kids or who will have both soon. My husband and I are considering getting a puppy in a couple weeks and are due with our first in October. Are we crazy? I have wanted a dog for years and my husband is finally on board because he's convinced our life will be appropriately slow enough with the pregnancy/baby, i.e. traveling less, staying out late less. Now it's me who's worried I won't be able to handle a baby and a young dog. Can this work?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Puppy and a baby - are we crazy?
I have 3 dogs, but they are all older. The youngest is, we think, about 1 1/2 years, but very much a puppy so we're working on that. I wouldn't raise a kid without a dog, but that's just me.
That said, I would HIGHLY recommend adopting a dog from a rescue that is a bit older and you know will be good with kids and is already somewhat trained. You'll be doing a good thing for the animal who will be SO thankful (I HATE breeders w/ a passion) and will find it MUCH easier and less stressful. I am a very experienced dog owner and there is no way I'd get a puppy (not that I'd buy a puppy in the first place, but even from a shelter) at this point in our lives.
It's doable - I did it with DD.
However, I'd be careful about what breed you choose (or what breeds are involved if you get a mutt). Some are prone to behaving like puppies longer than others, which you'll get tired of pretty quick once you have a baby in the house.
nah- i think everyone needs a dog. you could try getting an older dog from the shelter like JCM said- then you won't have to deal with the potty training & such. and plus, you'll save a dog
we have 2 doxies & 1 is a puppy still & she's a pain. i love her- but meh!
look at the birds | bless this food
We have a puppy who just turned a year after DD was born they are best buddies. He lays on the floor with her, and runs circles around her and makes her giggle.
We made sure to kennel train the dog, and he can stay about 8 hours in the kennel if he has to. As far as travelling, I guess he comes with us or stays at grampa's house.
haha. Maybe a little but it can work. Puppies are hard to deal with if your not home. If your going to be home with the lil one.. I think you can probably juggle both. I would say the sooner you get the pup, the BETTER. You can get him trained and prepped.. plus its kinda cute they will grow up together.
I miss my Boxer. We gave her to the IL's (his aunt and her family) she is soooooo sweet and happy and I can see her anytime we want. I didnt have the time for her switching jobs and I felt I was being neglectful and selfish for keeping her. I am happy with my lil girl being so happy. MY doberman on the other hand is the laziest buttface on the planet. HE LAYS On the couch and whines when he is outside for too long. I WOULD SAY BREED IS THE KEY TO YOUR HAPPINESS. (((boxers are amazing with children, like my Allie is.. but like I said, at the time I was allll over the place and she was practically living in her crate.))) I would steal her back now if I could.
Good luck and def investigate the behavior of dogs..
We have a cat that I've had since before we got married, and then we adopted a young dog right after our honeymoon. We found out that we were having a baby about 6 weeks later. I have no intention of giving up either of the pets; I know we can make it work. We were able to get the dog on a schedule fairly quickly, and he's kennel trained for when we're out. I think if you get the dog now, and give yourself time to get him/her used to a routine, you'll be okay. Fortunately, we have family close enough to watch the pets when we're out of town.
My IL's are doberman breeders and they love those dogs more than they love us.. They adopt anything on the planet that needs a good home and TAKE BACK any dog that is neglected or isnt "working out" at the home they were adopted to. I understand the hatred cuz so many are just money hungry douchebags out there but there are some genuine breeders out there that do it for the genuine love. Its kinda sick and annoying how they favor those dogs over us.. THEY BETTER not Favor over their first grandchild! LOL
I don't doubt they love the dogs. many breeders do. Do they do every health test known to man on their dogs? Are they shown and have titles? Do they have spay/neuter clauses when they sell a dog, etc? Unless ALL of that is true and MORE, they are backyard/hobby breeders. They may love the dogs, take good care of them, and make some decent dogs, but there's no need for that.
I have two BIG dogs..and I love them very much but I think they are more work than kids sometimes..but I know you will do fine! Good luck on picking one out!
Are you going to pick out a big or little dog?
All their dogs have papers (AKC), most are shown.. (their sires and madams I guess mostly) and they have a vet come WEEKLY to the ranch to check on them, vaccinate, etc. The ongoing joke is that they use the vet as their personal dr.(they also have him come for the horses) The AKC ppl make trips to their ranch several times a yr as well to follow up and regulate.
and YES, they are spayed/neuterd as in the clause. They also do follow ups on the dogs at their new home, often traveling across the country to visit the homes of the owners. This isnt a hobby.. this is a life for them.
I appreciate your passion about animals. I am the same way.. altho I dont really feel I need to justify my ILs breeding habits. I am most certainly not into the game of it as they arent either.... I understand the difference. I just was refering to the stereotype of breeders and mentioning that NOT ALL breeders are "backyard/hobby" breeders.
AKC papers meaning nothing in terms of good vs. bad breeders, but whatever. I have a hard time w/ people making more dogs when there are so many wonderful ones put to sleep every day. It's my biggest "issue" so I feel incredibly strongly about it.
I think for the OP a rescue dog would be a much better fit. There are good and bad dogs in EVERY breed so please don't go by soemone saying "breed X" is great with kids. THEIR dog might be and majority of the breed might be, but you just never know. If you go w/ a rescue (vs. a shelter even) you can work with someone who KNOWS their adult dogs and can match one that is perfect for your family.
One of mine is part Aussie. Yes, very smart, but they are puppies for A LONG time. And can be jumpers...mine is 4 and she is the only dog (and I've worked w/ a lot) who I cannot break of jumping.
We got a Cairn Terrier puppy (like Toto) a week before we found out we were pregnant. We've had her for just over a month. It is an incredible amount of work. And getting a puppy in the middle of winter in Buffalo, NY was not my smartest idea. We are *hoping* she will be trained by the time the baby comes...she was doing REALLY well and hasn't been doing as well lately. I grew up with a Cairn and my sister also has one now and we love their temperment with children (although I know all dogs are different).
Good luck with your decision!
Well at least you're honest... but here...with about 30 seconds of minimal effort.
Ditto all pp's. Just watch the breed.
We have a working dog, which means she is HIGH energy & has stayed a puppy until later this year.
Personally, I wouldn't want a puppy. But, I am very puppied out....I fostered two litters at the end of last year. It depends on how much time you have and how much you will be at home. If you do decide on a puppy get it now so you have plenty of time to potty train and obedience train before LO comes.
There are puppies available from rescue groups (we have had three litters just in the past few months!) but many rescues will not adopt out to someone who is expecting or has small children at home. Animal Regulation / Pounds usually adopt to anyone.
Just a note about Aussies....they have a ton of energy and need a lot of exercise. They are wonderful dogs though!
Whatever you do - Don't buy from a petstore, please. GL
This is all relative to the breed, but.....
Puppies have a tendency to grow pretty quickly there are still roughly 7-8 months, depending on when you are due to get used to the puppy. Plus, housebreaking them won't take too terribly long. With our 2 year old pup he took like 1-1.5 months to housebreak, but our 1.5 year old pup it took, literally, 3 days. It'll be fine. Try not to overthink it. Who doesn't love a puppy??