On a scale of 1 to 10, how crazy is this thought....

KatieM558 · October 2012

Last week we had to put our dog to sleep. I am, of course, heartbroken. We raised him to be a family dog so our baby would grow up with a dog. He would have been the gentlest big doggie brother ever! Well now I'm thinking crazy thoughts about getting a puppy when I'm on maternity leave. Not right off the bat of course, but I'm a teacher I'm going to take the rest of the year off so I'd have summer too. I was thinking of maybe a slightly older puppy....

I'm totally gonna think that's nuts once the baby comes right? I'm just so desperate for doggie love. UGH!

Jessie333 · October 2012

My parents got 2 Akita puppies when my mom was 8 months pregnant with my youngest sister. They were wonderful dogs, but ended up being outdoor dogs. I honestly would wait. Keep in mind, the first 6 months of a puppies life are really the most expensive between vaccines, spay or neuter, and the cost of puppy itself.

ReeceFamily · October 2012

Hmmm. I think my main concern would be for the puppy...friends have told me that their animals definitely get knocked down in priority for quite awhile after the birth of the baby. This is something that an older dog could weather...but if the puppy gets "neglected" (not that you'd really neglect it, but you know what I mean) in his formative stages, it could mean a not-so-well-adjusted dog down the line. I suppose it also depends on the breed of puppy you'd be getting? I know my shepherd mix puppy took a TON of energy and training, and he probably would be an unbearable adult dog if we hadn't been able to put that effort into him.

Just one person's opinion . Sorry about your dog, by the way. You must be missing him so much right now.

brianabrad · October 2012

It wouldn't be something I would want to do but to each thier own. I can understand wanting to get another dog or puppy but I would wait to make that committment till you see how baby changes your life.

nycitygirl1 · October 2012

Don't do it!! I can totally understand as a dog owner why this thought would cross your mind, but you will have your HANDS FULL with a new baby in a few months. The last thing you need is a new puppy (or even new adult dog) in your household. I also feel like you need some time to grieve the loss of your dog that you just lost before moving on to a "rebound" pet.

I feel like it would be pretty selfish of you and wouldn't be fair to the new pet, who would be arriving in the midst of all of the hubbub of a new baby (and let's be honest - who will probably be ignored a little bit because of this). Will you have energy to house train, play fetch, take to the vet, and give lots of cuddles to this new member of the family? How will you feel when he does things all puppies do...nip, chew on toys/furniture that aren't his, etc?

Plus, it would be a nightmare for you and YH. Do you really want to worry about walking a new dog or training a new dog while your baby is screaming to be fed, in the middle of the night?

I don't think you've thought this one through.

AuntieKelsey07 · October 2012

Honestly, I would wait until the baby was old enough to "beat up" (for lack of a better phrase) the dog. Not only will you be able to give more attention to the dog, but he/she will get used to being around your kid and get used to the pushing and pulling that tends to happen with kids.

BLPL101 · October 2012

I would wait.

Allycat11 · October 2012

I would absolutely wait.

Even older puppies are high maintenance. Our black lab is 3 and just now calming down, he still has a ridiculous amount of energy when people come over though. It also took a long time for us to break his chewing habit and for him to stop having accidents out of excitement. I understand all breeds are different but puppies are a lot of work and there is no way I would try training one while adjusting to having an infant in the house.

graciesmurf · October 2012

I am so sorry for your loss.

An idea for you: Wait until you have a little bit of a routine with your LO. If you get used to LO's routine and realize that you still have time for a puppy I say go for it. I think it would be an awesome first Christmas present for LO (assuming you deliver in January and not before Christmas). Then, they grow up together.

On the same note, if after a year with LO you realize that you don't have time to devote to a puppy you should wait a while longer. That while might be when LO is sleeping through the night, when LO is out of diapers, when LO starts preschool, or whenever is the right time for you.

DMG122183 · October 2012

I'm so sorry for your loss! Losing a pet is such a horrible feeling

If you are missing puppy love, is there an animal shelter you can volunteer at? Or maybe a friend would let you doggy sit for a fix? I just went through the puppy training stage, and I just posted a new post about a new concern I am having. I think it would be really hard to have a puppy and a baby. Just two little ones that need very very different things. I can't imagine bringing a little puppy outside a bunch of times a day to train while also caring for a baby- especially in the middle of winter!

Mamapoo · October 2012

I got my puppy in November of 2010 as a 6 week old puppy, and December 1st 2010 found out we were expecting my son! I think him being around through the pregnancy, and being there right off the bat with my son being home really made him love my son. They're the best of friends, and play all the time.

KatieM558 · October 2012

nycitygirl1:
Don't do it!! I can totally understand as a dog owner why this thought would cross your mind, but you will have your HANDS FULL with a new baby in a few months. The last thing you need is a new puppy (or even new adult dog) in your household. I also feel like you need some time to grieve the loss of your dog that you just lost before moving on to a "rebound" pet.
I feel like it would be pretty selfish of you and wouldn't be fair to the new pet, who would be arriving in the midst of all of the hubbub of a new baby (and let's be honest - who will probably be ignored a little bit because of this). Will you have energy to house train, play fetch, take to the vet, and give lots of cuddles to this new member of the family? How will you feel when he does things all puppies do...nip, chew on toys/furniture that aren't his, etc?
Plus, it would be a nightmare for you and YH. Do you really want to worry about walking a new dog or training a new dog while your baby is screaming to be fed, in the middle of the night?
I don't think you've thought this one through.

I was merely entertaining the thought.....

TofuMama7 · October 2012

I would probably wait. I know how hard it is to be doggie-less when you're a dog lover, but having a baby is overwhelming, and having a puppy is overwhelming, so having both at the same time might be too much.

If you got an older (already housetrained?) puppy/dog that might work out better. Good luck, and I'm so sorry you lost your dog.

Allison546 · October 2012

ADOPT an middle-aged dog who is already housetrained and calm really needs a home. We adopted a 5-ish year old yellow lab last year and she has been absolutely wonderful; I have no concerns about when the baby gets here. I wouldn't get a puppy at this point.

Mrs.DeliaMarieP · October 2012

I would wait. It won't be fair to you, the baby, or the dog, and will most likely end up being a decision that you will regret. Puppies need LOTS of attention especially during the first year, so that they can be trained and worked with to become proper family dogs. Otherwise, you will just have a crazy monster running around eating and chewing on things, peeing and pooping all over the place, and stressing yourself out.

this decaf life · October 2012

I agree with a PP about how expensive puppies are and they're so time consuming. I wouldn't get a puppy now, we're all only 3-4 months away from having a baby and when we got our puppy [she's 3+ now] DH & I set our schedules so someone was always home with her. I'd wait until your schedule with LO is set and you're comfortable in your new routine.

nadja1121 · October 2012

We got a puppy in May and he is now 8 months old. I do have to say that it has been a lot of work housetraining him and I couldn't imagine doing it with a newborn. I am so glad he has his housetraining under control now and we have a good routine with him but he does still have a crazy amount of puppy energy.

I honestly would say if you are serious about getting a puppy you might want to do it now so you have a good three months to housetrain before the baby arrives.

As OP mentioned, you could also adopt an older dog that has already been trained and is a little more calm.

This is a tough decision either way so good luck and do what is best for your family.

Oriam · October 2012

nycitygirl1:
Don't do it!! I can totally understand as a dog owner why this thought would cross your mind, but you will have your HANDS FULL with a new baby in a few months. The last thing you need is a new puppy (or even new adult dog) in your household. I also feel like you need some time to grieve the loss of your dog that you just lost before moving on to a "rebound" pet.
I feel like it would be pretty selfish of you and wouldn't be fair to the new pet, who would be arriving in the midst of all of the hubbub of a new baby (and let's be honest - who will probably be ignored a little bit because of this). Will you have energy to house train, play fetch, take to the vet, and give lots of cuddles to this new member of the family? How will you feel when he does things all puppies do...nip, chew on toys/furniture that aren't his, etc?
Plus, it would be a nightmare for you and YH. Do you really want to worry about walking a new dog or training a new dog while your baby is screaming to be fed, in the middle of the night?
I don't think you've thought this one through.

ALL of this!

mommywagner · October 2012

I would love to have a puppy but I remember how hard it was constantly taking the puppy out in the middle of the night so I'm guessing between middle of the night feedings for baby and middle of the night potty trips for puppy you wouldn't be getting much sleep.

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