to get a puppy 4 weeks before DC3 is due?

[FanellaFidget]

Other Dc's are 5 and 2.

Well... am I ?!

[Goblinchild]

Why do you want one, and who will be doing all the puppy training and socialisation of small animals and puppy?

[sourdoughface]

yes

[NinkyNonker]

Yes, I would say so. (I say that with 2 dogs sat by my feet and a baby sleeping fingers crossed upstairs so not a dog hater.)

[AppleyEverAfter]

Not if you're a glutton for punishment! Good luck!

[wendylovesbob]

Yes. Very unfair to the puppy.

[psiloveyou]

YABU

[Choufleur]

You're mad to consider it. Really do you want to be house training a puppy while looking after a baby, being knackered and have two other children wanting your attention. It's not fair on the DCs or the puppy.

I have a dog btw too so am not anti-dog.

[Honeydragon]

yup

[Rhinestone]

Not a good idea. Are you up for taking the pup outside very very frequently, including during the night, in your advanced state? Who will look after the puppy when you go in to hospital?

[fruitshootsandheaves]

Don't do it

I worked in an animal centre and due to the pillock in charge who never liked to upset anyone by turning them down for an animal we homed puppies to people who were expecting as they wanted their baby to grow up around dogs. 9 times out of 10 the dog would come back completely over the top and untrained at 9 months as they had had no time for it.

Wait for a year

[MothershipG]

Yes! And I think you know it, really making a rod for your own back.

Have you had a dog before? Training a puppy needs time and commitment, 2 things you're not going to have much of. Never mind energy.

Give yourself a chance to really enjoy getting a dog and wait for a good while yet. Remember toddlers and dogs together can be even harder work!

[YesPleaseDrChristian]

YABU you won't have five minutes to scratch your arse let alone train and housebreak a puppy.

Wait until your youngest is much, much older.

We got our puppy before children and I spent a huge amount of time on training and discipline, I mean hours each day. He is ten and still is impecibly behaved, he was four and a chilled adult dog by the time the children came along.

[TheBolter]

Complete madness, you have enough on your plate. Are you bored or something?!

[sarabara]

Our dog was born the day before our third child, so he came to live with us when she was v young. Maybe we were just lucky, but didn't have any problems. DH did first course of puppy training and I did the second - took DD along and she slept in the corner of the village hall. They're nearly 3 now and he's a fab family dog, despite being the size of a small horse!

[daisydotandgertie]

And insane.

Have you any idea how much work goes into having a puppy - and more importantly turning it into anything approaching trained? It takes months. And the patience of a saint.

Actually, I take back insane and change it to irresponsible.

[jonicomelately]

YABU. And I also say that as a dog lover. You will not be able to give it the attention it deserves.

[FanellaFidget]

Okay.



We live in the perfect place for a dog... massive garden, lots of lovely walks. Thought I would take advantage of me being at home for the forseeable furture. Really want the DC's growing up with a dog, they love them.

I knew I was being UR, really.

I am glutton for punishment though, like to be kept busy

[howdidthishappenthen]

YABU. I did it. Recklessly. Meant the poor dog had a really shitty first 6 months. He was only a baby himself and got absolutely no slack. I feel awful about it now. He's a nice dog and doesn;t hold it against us, but I should have listened to all those telling me not to.

[Bananamash]

YABU

Have you had a puppy before?

Do you have any idea how much work is involved???

I'm sorry but it is a ill thought out and tbh ridiculous idea.

[Rhinestone]

Just wait until after the baby is here and see how you feel and how much time and energy you have.

[bemybebe]

i am afraid - yes

[Gingefringe]

Sorry, but a mad idea.

Dogs are really hard work especially in the puppy/adolescent stages and if you don't train them reasonably well then you're asking for more trouble in the future.

How committed is your partner? IMO it's always the woman of the house that gets lumbered with the walking/feeding/shit shovelling. How will you manage that with a new baby?

I have a 2yr old dog that we all love very much as a family but it's me that has to do the majority of the work even though the kids pleaded with us to get him and promised to do everything! DH isn't much better. DH works long hours but I also have a PT job and find it difficult to fit in the 2 daily walks.

[fookinell]

you must be barking mad....

[BarbaraBar]

YABU. Why would you do that? You'll regret it and the dog will suffer.

Wait a year or so.