Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

What's harder - puppy or baby?

118 replies

CommunistLegoBloc · 03/07/2021 14:05

Cast your votes...

OP posts:
Greylamp100 · 03/07/2021 14:08

Baby

Hellocatshome · 03/07/2021 14:08

Baby

ChubbyLittleManInACampervan · 03/07/2021 14:09

Baby

As you are physically and mentally wrecked before you even start!

Pikachusbutt · 03/07/2021 14:09

Its not really socially acceptable to give your baby away to the RSCPA or sell it on Gumtree when your circumstances change, is it? So definitely baby.

Purplegrass572 · 03/07/2021 14:09

Baby

waitingforwinter · 03/07/2021 14:11

@Pikachusbutt

Its not really socially acceptable to give your baby away to the RSCPA or sell it on Gumtree when your circumstances change, is it? So definitely baby.
@Pikachusbutt Thankfully 🤣 I

I agree, definitely baby!

Terrazzo · 03/07/2021 14:11

Hmm I’d go against the grain and say puppy. Because they grow into needy dogs. Kids grow up AND they come on holiday with you, can go to nursery etc. My parents are always worried about leaving their dog too long, organising holidays for the dog so that THEY can go on holiday, you have to go walk the dog every day and pick up their shit til they die. With a baby you can sit on your bum if you want, and you only have to be in contact with their poop for a couple of years - and it’s your own baby’s poo so I never found it as repulsive as dog turd.

LittleLottieChaos · 03/07/2021 14:12

A baby, I think a lot of people get a dog before having a child under some weird impression that this will give them a similar experience. No.

AwkwardPaws27 · 03/07/2021 14:12

Oooo I don't know. I thought baby (no luck having one yet though!) but MIL said she thought our puppy was harder work as he was able to run around and get into things from the moment we brought him home.
Puppyhood is over more quickly though, although currently navigating the new challenges of adolescence.

Terrazzo · 03/07/2021 14:12

Essentially, we have 2 kids and I would have another 2 over getting a dog!

user237990 · 03/07/2021 14:15

Puppy

PogoBob · 03/07/2021 14:18

For me puppy but both my kids were fairly easy babies apart from being bad sleepers (and I don't really suffer if my sleep is interrupted so that wasn't a problem)

Rockitrosie · 03/07/2021 14:21

Puppy. Babies can be hard but you are so in love with them you can cope better IMO. Having a puppy was the hardest thing ever, i deeply regretted it and I’d never do it again. Ive had 4 dc’s so that speaks for itself!

andthedogtoo · 03/07/2021 14:23

puppy

Gertie75 · 03/07/2021 14:23

Baby.
Puppies take a couple of days to housetrain, you can leave them for a couple of hours while you go to the shop, you don't have to carry them around when they're awake, they easily entertain themselves while you do housework.

Strugglingtodomybest · 03/07/2021 14:24

Baby

Poppins2016 · 03/07/2021 14:25

Baby.

girlmom21 · 03/07/2021 14:25

Baby.
I'd have 5 dogs before a 3rd baby and number 2 isn't even here yet Grin

Sparechange · 03/07/2021 14:26

Baby

When a puppy is driving you up the wall, you shut it in its bed and go to the pub without it

Rockitrosie · 03/07/2021 14:26

Puppies take a couple of days to housetrain

You were very lucky if that’s true. My dog never housetrained properly! When he died the first thing I did was have to rip out all the carpets..

anotherboyontheway · 03/07/2021 14:27

Puppy! The unconditional love for your children makes it easier to forgive them after a sleepless night or 24/7 demands etc... also you can take your baby with you no matter where you go. You can't always take dogs to places so means you're more restricted. Would have 5 more babies rather than a dog x

Summertwilight · 03/07/2021 14:28

Baby, but if I was a MN dog owner I’d probably say puppy!

GoodVibesHere · 03/07/2021 14:28

Baby

Mrstowelll · 03/07/2021 14:29

Baby 110%

DentonsFringeArnottsWaistcoat · 03/07/2021 14:30

Puppy definitely. But I say that as a mum to two very easy babies through to being very easy teenagers so that probably makes a difference.