New baby...and a puppy? Are we crazy?!

mtinmia · May 2015

My husband and I love our furbaby (a goldendoodle) and have wanted to get a second for years. Because of my rigorous work travel schedule though (I'm gone at least a week per month, and he works 12 hour shifts in the ER) we haven't been able to take on a puppy.

Now, I'm pregnant and looking forward to almost a year of no traveling, between the end of 3rd trimester, maternity leave, and breastfeeding. We're also moving from our apartment into a house with a fenced yard.

In many ways, this feels like the ideal time to get a new puppy! But we are also going to be first time parents this December. Are we totally crazy for thinking we can handle a new puppy and a baby at the same time? We'd probably get the pup about 2 months before I'm due (December 17).

Thoughts?

krick43 · May 2015

We have a one year old puppy ourselves and just prior to getting pregnant (it took a while and was very difficult) we thought about getting another pup. Ultimately we decided against it when we found out I was pregnant but I still think how excited our little guy would be to have a furry brother or sister. I guess he will have to do with a two legged one for now

Whatever you decide you'll make it work for your family!

Erin12382 · May 2015

We got our dog when my oldest was 2.5 months old. I was very nervous because I had never had a dog let alone train one. They are both 5.5 years old now. We have also added two more boys (almost 4 and 2) and pregnant with #4. Charlie (our dog) is great with kids, very protective of my boys. We had my nephews here this past weekend and Charlie was loving the extra kiddos and attention and he kept an eye on all of them in the yard. He is a yellow lab/ german sheppard mix, I couldn't ask for a better dog.

queenklau · May 2015

We lost our first fur baby at 4 years old last year, he would have been a great big brother. We couldn't help ourselves, even though we are actively TTC, to get a puppy early this year. He is almost 6 months old and has a ton of energy! As others have stated, it IS a lot of work, especially if you want to train him right. I can't imagine training him during last trimester of pg. You should do what makes you happy and works for your family, anything is possible if you set your mind to it.

TheThornBird · May 2015

We'll hopefully be getting a puppy after the baby is born....but I'm also a professional dog trainer

Check out familypaws.com. They are the best resource for integrating dogs and children/babies, and I believe they have certified trainers. I recommend working with one of their trainers or another trainer in your area that specializes in families. It'll cost a bit, but will save you a lot of trouble in the long run.

And let me know if you have any questions!

LandonModena · May 2015

We had been having the same debate and ultimately got another puppy (in addition to our 1.5 year old guy) three days after we found out we were having our first baby.

It's absolutely crazy, but it's so fun to have them both and I can't imagine it any differently.

We will, however, now need to get a bigger car to accommodate the whole family now.

Shanna729 · May 2015

Yes you are crazy but who cares! You can do it and there is nothing like kids and dogs and their bond. We have a bullmastiff and our son is obsessed with him. Good luck!

gracefulruby33 · May 2015

I think this is ultimately a question for your hubby. You will undoubtedly be doing most, if not all, the feeding of the baby, which is a lot of work if you are going to be BF. If he thinks he can do the majority of potty training and what not, then I say go for it.

stivaleta · May 2015

In all honest, talking from experience, if you were to get another fur baby, maybe adopt/rescue and older dog. I have a 10mo puppy befriend our older dog but he is very very needy, and cries a lot if he doesn't get attention if I am busy with the kids. I get no help from my husband, so I am responsible for feeding and cleaning up after them as well as the other million things you need to do for your children. The pup is exactly a year younger then my youngest child. I am at the point of hiring a dog walker to help put a bit. But ultimately if you think you can handle it by all means, but I would get the puppy sooner so you can have it trained by the time the LO comes around

RSB1982 · May 2015

I almost started a thread just like this @mtinmia. We lost our dog of 11 years in April of 2014. We knew we were going to ttc so we put off getting another pup. Well almost a year and a miscarriage later and we decided to start the process of getting another pup. I found a great breeder and got on her waiting list for a May puppy. They were just born last week and are so cute (golden retrievers!!).

I can still back out, I haven't put any money down or anything, but I think we are going to go for it. I'm lucky enough not to have to work, so from August-December I am going to focus on dog training. I do feel a little crazy, first time parents and a puppy at the same time!!? I think it can be done though. I love golden-doodles by the way, that was my first choice. My DH preferred the retriever. Good luck to us both!

shesha15zap · May 2015

We got a puppy about 4 months before DS was born. It was a little crazy but totally worth it. I'd say just make sure it's a dog that has a good temperament and energy level for your situation. If you have a puppy that needs a ton of exercise but you don't have time to exercise them then you might be in for some destruction.

lmgagliardi@hotmail.com · May 2015

So I got a puppy (our first ever) about a week before I found out I was pregnant- don't know that I would willingly make that decision had I known- first tri with a puppy has been crazy I can't even imagine 3rd tri or with a newborn

esscapelle · May 2015

Oh boy. I have a 1 year old lab now, and I am SO glad that he's a little bit older now. I cannot IMAGINE having a new puppy & a new baby all at once. Our new puppy drove me nuts for a few months, and it is so much work. It definitely is a personal decision, but for me, I would never get a puppy at the same time as having a new baby.

groovylocks · May 2015

We're taking on two dogs. One around the time of the birth (Yeah i know..) and our second, a rescue, after we've given birth, settled in and closed on our first house.

babypi · May 2015

My husband and I got a puppy in February after months of trying, figuring that if we did manage to get pregnant this year that the pup would be mostly grown and out of the puppy phase before baby. We also got a small breed rescue (6 lbs then, ~15 full-grown) thinking that by a year old, he'll be pretty calm and won't be crazy around the baby.

On a side note, we thought that the month after getting him would be a lost cause because of how busy and tired we were, so we took a break from 'actively' trying, and even thought we missed our fertile window altogether. That happened to be the month we got pregnant, so I think focusing on our little pup helped us out!

Rawr052992 · May 2015

I have 3 dogs, a bird, 2 snakes, and a guinea pig. Taking care of my animals is very light labor for me. & Im pretty good at training, we're even training the bird now. lol. Shes learning quiet hours.

This is my first baby, Im in the middle of my 9th week.

As easy as taking care of my animals is for me, I know soon Im not going to be getting any sleep for a while. So if it was me wanting a puppy, Id probable get one around 5 - 6 months pregnant, giving you time to train atleast basic obedience, OR, wait until things calm down with the baby & are getting some sleep again, giving you energy to work with a puppy.

Rawr052992 · May 2015

I also think bringing a puppy in AFTER baby will help with training him to the baby. Some dogs get adjusted to how things are, and then the new baby can throw them off.

Jamiezcatz · May 2015

I think if you and your spouse want a second dog, and u will have the time when home with the baby to train the puppy. Why not.
Of course you will no dought be tired from baby and puppy but a puppy will learn fast. If u and your spouse work as a team in no little time you will have a house trained dog. Good luck

Bubbz · May 2015

Nope! Nope. Nope. A puppy alone drove me bonkers, and I'm always the primary pet caregiver. Puppy + baby would have me in tears.

mtinmia · May 2015

Thanks for all the thoughtful responses! This gives me a lot more to think about. The dog we already have is so insanely well behaved that sometimes I forget how much work she was as a puppy...and that we might not be as lucky with the next one.

I think if we go for it, we'll do it around my 5 month mark so we have some time to work with the pup before baby comes.

If anyone else has other opinions/ experiences, don't hesitate to share!

TomekiaB · May 2015

From watching people get puppies pregnant they often seem to regret it, I would wait. I would say if you are going to get one, early in the pregnancy is probably better so the puppy can be potty trained by the time you have the baby or wait until the baby is around a year to consider another dog.

kjswan3 · May 2015

I would wait until things start settling with the baby...there is a lot of time in the beginning spent sitting and feeding etc...so you might not have that last minute chance to run and open the door to let the dog out to pee before he/she goes in the house. I feel like it is hard adjusting to life with a newborn and you want to soak up every minute though (it goes so fast), that worrying/taking care of a puppy would take away from that bonding time.

DecemberBabe15 · May 2015

We have a one year old goldendoodle who we love! And plan to get another goldendoodle in about 10 weeks. I will be 22 weeks pregnant by then. We are up for the challenge and excited for our pup to have a puppy sibling. Do what works best for your family!

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