DP said no to baby 3 but thinks he can have a puppy !!!

@Idontwantapuppy, has your DP ever had a dog?

His comparison of your wish for a child and his for a dog shows a lack of thought, a shallowness that bodes ill for his taking responsibility.
In one crucial way a dog is like a baby; neither asked to be with you and you owe them everything and forever.

Stand firm, say no, and I say this as a dog owner.

Not to mention training the children on

• how to behave around dogs
• not to share their food with the dog
• how to read the dogs body language
• leaving puppy alone so it can get much needed sleep

It’s silly logic he is using. By his own logic, him saying he wants a puppy should mean he wants a 3rd baby. It the same argument in reverse!

puppies are heck load of work and as pp said with lots of responsibility.

Also consider your lifestyle and if it’s realistic in terms of how long you’re out of the house each day including weekends and holidays! You can’t take dogs everywhere and even if dogs are permitted your dog would need to be comfortable/well trained enough to a variety of environments otherwise it can be stressful for them

His argument is both ridiculous and, as you point out, either dumb or manipulative.

No way would I agree to a dog.

Neither of you are bu.

Puppies are cheaper. However, you are right a dog is quite time consuming/demanding.

They're two completely different issues.

But with both of them, everyone has to be enthusiastic about it.

Oh but they are if looked after properly! Having had dogs myself, taking care of a dog involves
Daily or twice daily walks in all weathers
Daily grooming
Washing of paws/cleaning floor in muddy weather after every trip outside
Worming
Poop scooping
immunisations
house training
feeding
immunisations
vets bills/check ups
Limitations of where you can take them
Cleaning up mess from muddy paws/dog hair
Discipline and training
And if a puppy, house training and not being able to leave it by itself for any length of time as needs frequent small feeds.
Pet insurance

The OP is quite right to refuse to have a dog, and add into that her allergy should stick to her guns.
What’s the betting DH would take it for granted OP would be doing all the above as well as looking after their two children.

same as others puppies are harder than babies.

regardless something of that commitment level
should be a joint decision if you don’t want a dog it’s totally unreasonable of him to try to force you into it - they are very hard work.

I don’t think it is - they are a living breathing creature that will need permanent care its entire life. It won’t grow up or take on more responsibility it is something to think very long and hard about becuase the fact is not enough people actually recognise that fact.

Dogs are wifework.

It'll all fall to you when he gets tired of the dog.

Puppy's are hard work! Like children you both have to be on board!

Just say that the rule is always whoever wants to add to the household has to get the permission of the other. He didn't want to add a child so you gave way. You don't want to add a puppy so the same rule applies to him. Tell him you'll compromise on another child rather than a dog if he feels there is something lacking.

@Idontwantapuppy
Things that you can't do with a baby / young child:

• chuck them into the garden to do their business
• lock them in a crate if they are naughty or annoying
• leave them home alone (in crate) when popping to the shops
• feed them kibble every day

Stand your ground if it's you that will end up holding the puppy!

Hes unkind and thoughtless. Dogs are just as much work as children and are a constant tie whose needs are never ending.

The baby thing is irrelevant, every adult in the house has to be onboard to get a pet

@Idontwantapuppy noooooo don't do it.

DH has 2 dogs. Entirely his responsibility supposedly. I'm a neat freak and spend my entire life cleaning and vacuuming as they make so much mess. He walks them morning and night but the mud and dust is unreal and sometimes never ending and depressing.

I have 3 DC but only because DC2 turned out to be twins. 3rd child is easier than dogs!!

DH has always had a dog so we can't not have one. When his last dog died he was miserable so it was either another dog or divorce.

The kids love the dogs and i hate coming across as the naggy clean the house parent.

Surely they're two separate decisions and both fine for each of you to veto. A baby or a puppy mean major and long term upheaval. He shouldn't be using your desire for a third child against you and you're not obliged to say yes to a puppy. I hope you find a way to get through this.

Urgh, hard no to a furry child who never grows up.

I would have thought 2 or 3 DC would be quite messy

Pets (and babies) are one of those "2 yes" things.

If you don't want a puppy, he doesn'T get a puppy
if he doesn't want a baby, you don't get a baby

I have 4 DC and a dog (skipped the puppy stage). We won’t be getting another dog as it limits us more than having young DC ever did.

One puppy was more work and stress than all my DC put together.

Why don't you suggest to DH that he can have his puppy if you can have DC3? 😁

I've done both. Puppy and baby.

I found puppy waaaaay harder than newborn baby. And I had the puppy 1st 😂 she's 10 now and still far harder work than my children.

Several of my friends who have dogs find that they are a huge tie and they find they have to run their day around the dogs needs, not to mention the dirt, noise and expense.