new dog with baby on the way?

acastillo272 · January 2010

my fi and i have being wanting a dog since we started dating but now that we have a baby on the way am not so sure about it. I told him that maybe we could just get an older dog that was already potty trained so we wouldnt have to train them. Am just so unsure about it

**Octoberbride09** · January 2010

Because I have a dog I'll tell you there's nothing like a dog and baby. It's freaking awesome and I can't wait till LO get's to play with our furbaby. That being said, we adopted our pup when she was 8 weeks old and have raised her. We spent hours training her and we know what sort of temperment she has. She's been around babies and children and knows how to behave like an angel.

Would I be comfortable with a new baby and a dog I didn't know too much about? Probably not.

shmily78 · January 2010

My husband and I are stuggling with this also. We decided to wait until after the baby is born to jump off into new puppy training. Getting an older dog who is already potty trained is a good idea.

Hope it works out Big Smile

~Kat~ · January 2010

We got a new dog when I was pg with DS. Everything is ok now, but honestly it is one of my biggest regrets ever. The dog had to adjust to being in a new home, and then pretty soon after that had to adjust to a new baby. Also, it was one more thing to stress out about when I was in labor and had to figure out what to do with her.

Jenelifant · January 2010

I am a HUGE dog lover and I wouldn't be so concerned about the potty training as much as the puppy phase. My lab didn't chill out or stop getting into mischief until she was about 2 1/2 years old, however she only took us a month or two to potty train. It's such a tough decision because they are such wonderful companions!! GL and hope this helps!

Dobie_Mama · January 2010

Well, I'm always an advocate for adopting older animals vs. puppies, so that would be my pick.

But, personally, no how no way would I adopt a dog while I was pregnant. I have five dogs and was eternally grateful that they were already "settled" when I was pregnant with DD. I think I would have lost my mind with hardcore chewing, training, etc.

**Octoberbride09** · January 2010

shmily78:

My husband and I are stuggling with this also. We decided to wait until after the baby is born to jump off into new puppy training. Getting an older dog who is already potty trained is a good idea.

Hope it works out

Ok, I've got to disagree here. Potty training is not going to be your biggest problem with a baby. Is is a problem? yes. Is it the first thing you should be worried about? No. No matter how old a dog is and how potty trained he is you still don't know anything about his temperment. Is he going to bark at the baby because it cries? Bark or bite because the baby plays with his toy? What happens if they baby goes near the food bowl? Takes a bone? What happens if the baby sticks it's hand around the dogs face or mouth? Pulls it's tail?

Much bigger problems IMHO.

veebug22 · January 2010

I'm thrilled that we have two dogs that are great with kids and settled -- one is 7, the other 3 1/2, so they both know their manners and I know their personalities and reactions completely, so we trust them and they trust us. They also know they are here to stay. I think dogs that are older and get adopted tend to have abandonment issues. I've had a number of dogs like this, including my 7 year old, and it takes awhile for them to feel comfortable with their place in the house. I think a new baby could make a new dog feel unsure of its place in the household, and this could either lead to behavorial issues or general neediness. So I would suggest holding off until the kiddo is born and a little older, although if the right dog came along -- say one that is older and you know has good manners and is wonderful with kids -- I would consider it.

acastillo272 · January 2010

Thanks for all the advice... My fi and i have been talking a lot about it and i am a huge dog lover have been all my life. He swears he will take care of the training and all the puppy stuff if we do get a puppy but the first dog is my choice and i want an older dog i have already been looking at local places around my area and have found a couple of good dogs. I know getting an older maybe different but i know they dont really get adopted often enough. I guess i will just have to wait and see how my pregnancy goes.

Dobie_Mama · January 2010

**Octoberbride09**:
shmily78:

My husband and I are stuggling with this also. We decided to wait until after the baby is born to jump off into new puppy training. Getting an older dog who is already potty trained is a good idea.

Hope it works out

Ok, I've got to disagree here. Potty training is not going to be your biggest problem with a baby. Is is a problem? yes. Is it the first thing you should be worried about? No. No matter how old a dog is and how potty trained he is you still don't know anything about his temperment. Is he going to bark at the baby because it cries? Bark or bite because the baby plays with his toy? What happens if they baby goes near the food bowl? Takes a bone? What happens if the baby sticks it's hand around the dogs face or mouth? Pulls it's tail?

Much bigger problems IMHO.

You run that same risk with a puppy has has never been around children, as well. Plus, if you get a dog from a reputable rescue, most are temperment tested and you know how they'll behave around babies and/or small children. Even if you don't, you can work through those issues.

Of our five dogs - four were adopted as older dogs (the oldest being 6 when we adopted him) and one was a puppy when we adopted her. They are all fabulous with our daughter because they've been taught how to be, and she's been taught how to behave appropriately with them.

pixy_stix · January 2010

**Octoberbride09**:
No matter how old a dog is and how potty trained he is you still don't know anything about his temperment. Is he going to bark at the baby because it cries? Bark or bite because the baby plays with his toy? What happens if they baby goes near the food bowl? Takes a bone? What happens if the baby sticks it's hand around the dogs face or mouth? Pulls it's tail?
Much bigger problems IMHO.

Hmm Older dogs are temperament tested and come from foster homes who usually have a good handle on how the dog reacts.

Your concerns are for EVERY dog, even the ones that you've had for years.

Everyone who has a dog should be working on them to baby-proof them RIGHT NOW. I have links in my bio to get started.

OP, its up to you, but integrated a new dog now wouldn't be a good idea. I'd hate to have you adopt a dog now, and then give it up later "because it isn't getting the attention it deserves" when the babe comes.

smbckr2 · January 2010

DH and I got a black lab puppy a few weeks before we got our BFP. We have had him for two months now and he is already house trained. His 1 year birthday will be 2 days before my due date. Dogs grow fast and I think he will do good with our little baby. If you get a dog now, you have like 8 months before your baby arrives. I think it would be fine. Plus, lots of people tell me that dogs attach to babies really fast. GL!

ValAndRyan · January 2010

There is no way in hell I would get a dog while pg. This is only because I had one experience with my lab. If I got her and a baby at the same time, I'd shoot myself. She is 2 now and is finally starting to calm down. I'm sure with an older dog it may be a bit easier but there is a trust factor that would take awhile for me with the dog and the owners and then there is getting used to the new surroundings. That is just me though. Others have a lot more patience than I do too. GL in your decision!

HRMJPC · January 2010

When I married DH, I inherited his dog. Let me tell you, LOTS of work. I've never been a dog person but really do love the dog. If you're a clean freak like me, try to get something small or that does not shed, because the shedding literally makes me insane at times. I am not looking forward to keeping the house clean while taking care of a baby.

B3Bride · January 2010

Hi,

I adopted an older dog about 10mos. ago - she is a 5yr. old dalmatian. She is awesome but it seriously took her a long time to get adjusted and just recently has she become fully settled and confident. When we first got her she would not leave my side and if the house made a noise she freaked. Then you have introducing her to other family members and friends. So, if you want a dog now - I would contact a rescue of a dog you like because those dogs will have been fostered by a family and possibly around kids unlike shelter dogs where you or the shelter may not know the dog's history with children/people and no way to observe it except for some testing.

lalalalindsy · January 2010

I REALLY wanted a dog before DD was conceived, and I kept asking DH if we could get one the entire time we were pregnant. He said "let's wait and see after the baby is born". I have one smart husband--there's no way I want a dog now (even a house-trained one); I do enough cleaning up after a little being who doesn't always listen to me and can barely get out of the house to do errands, let alone walk a dog.

momofolivia · January 2010

we had 3 dogs and when I was 4 months pg I saw a 45-pound lab mix running loose on the street with a collar on. VERY long story short - I hauled that dog into my car and he is the sweetest dog. He IS DD's dog. The other dogs don't like her or tolerate her.

We were meant to get that dog.

CrunchOoEezyMama · January 2010

I would wait until your child is older (it's not a good idea to get a new dog with a toddler in the house). we have a dog that we had from a pup, trained, etc and she was 2.5 when the baby arrived. It's a lot of work to care for a baby and a dog at the same time. especially if you will still be in the process of training the dog.

HBaylies · January 2010

Getting a well trained rescue dog could be a good option. There are PLENTY of non-puppies out there that are living in foster homes and are already familiar with typical household rules and potty training. Check out petfinder.com and see what's available and be sure to find out info about the breed before choosing your pet! Good luck!

FYI: My husband and I have a 3 year old chihuahua and a 1 year old 30lb mystery mix.

NantucketSunset · January 2010

~Kat~:
We got a new dog when I was pg with DS. Everything is ok now, but honestly it is one of my biggest regrets ever. The dog had to adjust to being in a new home, and then pretty soon after that had to adjust to a new baby. Also, it was one more thing to stress out about when I was in labor and had to figure out what to do with her.

Thanks for posting this! This is exactly what I needed to hear! (We too were considering getting a puppy while pg)

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