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Original poster

What is it really like with a puppy/dog

24 replies

Sprinkles32 · 23/10/2021 19:11

Dp’s friend is selling puppy French bull dogs. DP really wants one, I’m not so sure. I’ve heard it’s like having a baby. I have my hands quite full as it is with my 4 year old and my 7 month old. The 4 year old isn’t really an issue, it’s more my 7 month old. He’s just started crawling and trying to stand himself up on the sofa and I’d rather not make my life even more harder than it is at the moment. Money isn’t the issue, neither would be the walks, picking up poo and all that. I’m just really unsure at the moment!

OP posts:

Lauraloveshimback · 23/10/2021 19:17

I wouldn’t! Not whilst your little one is so young. You’ll find yourself getting up in the night to take the pup out for it to do its business alongside with your baby waking up. Plus, puppies will mouth and bite/nip and try to show the baby who is boss by probably climbing on him to show who’s in control. It’s going to be an extra stress with having a floor bound baby. Avoid like the plague!! (And I’m a dog lover!)

LadyCatStark · 23/10/2021 19:20

It’s exactly like having a baby! French bull dogs are notoriously reluctant to be toilet trained too. Our friends’ is the same age as our puppy (7 months) and is still not toilet trained while our lab basically trained himself.

LadyCleathStuart · 23/10/2021 19:22

Not with kids that young.

Puppies need an awful lot of work and training and frankly deserve your full attention which now, quite rightly, is on your children.

I already had a fully grown and trained dog when I had my first DC and it was still difficult giving her the attention she needed. We got a pup last year when my DC where 7 and 4 and it was tough, it is still tough now although I wouldn't be without him.

Young dogs are like babies and toddlers only stronger and with teeth.

Don't do it to yourself.

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kikipie · 23/10/2021 19:22

No. Babies and puppies don’t mix. Just have a look at a few of the puppy regret threads on here

FFSFFSFFS · 23/10/2021 19:24

Fuck no! Dot even think about it!!!!

Pinkchocolate · 23/10/2021 19:24

I wouldn’t either and I’m a dog owner. Toilet training an excitable puppy while an excitable toddler crawls around would be a nightmare. They nip a lot while they’re teething and most rip clothes with their sharp little baby nails. I’d leave it a little longer in your position.

megletthesecond · 23/10/2021 19:25

Just don't.
You have too much to deal with already.

BrilliantBulb · 23/10/2021 19:25

I definitely wouldn’t. Especially with a Frenchie, they’re such hard work and cost so much in vets bills.

Fallagain · 23/10/2021 19:27

It’s not fair on your toddler or puppy at this age.

GirlWithAGuitar · 23/10/2021 19:27

I love dogs, have 2, but I wouldn’t even consider it with the ages your children are. It’s not like having a baby, it’s like having a baby/toddler without the nappy, which is harder. A puppy and a crawling 7 month old is an awful combination. You would have literally no spare time between the kids and the dog. Maybe you’re the sort of person that can cope with that but you only need to read posts on here to see how hard people find it and they often don’t have a baby.

Puppies need a lot of attention, they chew things, nip/mouth, have zoomies, poo/wee anywhere/everywhere, eat anything that’s left lying around, need to be taken out at night to toilet, cry when you’re not with them, can’t be left for long etc.

It’s a ridiculous idea. Sorry! 😬

Original poster

Sprinkles32 · 23/10/2021 19:32

Glad I posted as I’ve definitely made my mind up now I did think it was a crazy idea to begin with, but I just thought I’d confirm it! I shall show dp this thread

OP posts:

Moonlaserbearwolf · 23/10/2021 19:32

I wouldn’t! Puppies are a lot like babies - imagine if you had just settled your baby and needed some rest, but then had to get up to attend to the puppy - exhausting!
I wanted a dog for years and waited until my youngest child was 7, so my children could enjoy the puppy phase and help out with training/feeding/walking. I’m so glad we didn’t get one sooner.
And while our dog is fairly small, he is bouncy and I find friends with toddlers are a bit wary of him. Even the friendliest of dogs can be threatening to small children.

Kiduknot · 23/10/2021 19:35

Absolutely stupid idea I agree.

Chunkymenrock · 23/10/2021 19:36

Don't do it OP. Utterly expensive, restrictive, so much hassle, very little gain with such young children. It wouldn't be fair on the dog either.

BrilloPaddy · 23/10/2021 19:37

Frenchies are plagued with health issues and frankly I think it's cruel to even breed from them. Our neighbours have one and it spends more time at the vets than at home.

We didn't get a dog until our youngest was 6.

OldWivesTale · 23/10/2021 19:39

If you've got a baby then no way!!! You will end up rehoming it because it will be too much. Its like having a baby at first. Why do men always do this??

PugWhiskers · 23/10/2021 19:42

My kids are teens. I have a puppy who is a few months old. It's hard and enough of an adjustment as it is. I couldn't contemplate doing this with a baby/toddler.

Also - and I know you didn't ask this - french bulldogs are prone to health issues especially if poorly bred - I'd want to be extremely careful that if I wanted a dog that was the breed for me and entirely sure of where it came from/parents/health tests etc

GirlWithAGuitar · 23/10/2021 19:42

Glad I posted as I’ve definitely made my mind up nowgrin I did think it was a crazy idea to begin with, but I just thought I’d confirm it! I shall show dp this thread

I’m pleased that you’ve come to that decision OP. Dogs are amazing, I think they do wonders for older children and we’ll never be without dogs now. But having a dog, especially a puppy with young kids really just takes the fun out of having children and also the fun out of having a dog. It’s just one big stress and fight for time and sleep.

I’d say, enjoy your kids now and look at getting a dog when your youngest child is at least 6/7. They’ll absolutely love it then and it will be really exciting and enjoyable for everyone.

scully29 · 23/10/2021 19:43

Glad you've decided against it, it would be bonkers! Having a puppy is indeed like having a newborn. French bulldogs difficult in particular due to their brachycephalic being a huge health issue so a terrible breed to spend money on. www.bva.co.uk/take-action/our-policies/brachycephalic-dogs/

wetotter · 23/10/2021 19:43

If you're not absolutely sure, then don't.

Some doggy people just add a puppy alongside small,DC and seem to breeze through, but they're usually experienced and alarmingly capable.

Having a dog is like having a perpetual furry toddler - mobile and fast, wilful, stubborn, no common sense, no sense of danger, highly likely to end up in trouble if you're not paying enough attention. I think they're wonderful, endearing, quirky, affectionate and just lovely. But I think a novice owner would be much better off waiting until their youngest child is at least school,age and ideally 7+

3teens2cats · 23/10/2021 19:45

It's like having a baby with sharp teeth and no nappy!

WhoWearsShortShorts · 23/10/2021 19:46

I wouldn't get a frenchie with young kids. They're stubborn and strong willed as well as physically strong. Like others have said they're also plagued with health issues. I'd wait a few years and have a proper look into suitable breeds, not just get a frenchie cos a mate has some - there could be a much more suitable dog out there for you

Naimee87 · 23/10/2021 19:46

Yea you won’t be able to enjoy the puppy which would be a shame! When you’re kids are a little
older you’ll all be able to enjoy a him/her! They are hard work sometimes and a lot more time consuming than i’d imagined, but we don’t regret getting her. My DS is 12 though and is really hands on with her, loves her, takes care of her. Great way to show older kids how to take on responsibility! Enjoy your tiny children for now!

MissBPotter · 23/10/2021 19:47

absolutely not with a baby that young. To be honest I would say no anyway unless you have loads and I mean loads of time and inclination to train the puppy. Ours has serious issues with barking at strangers even though we thought we had socialized him well. It’s a total pain in the arse, though we do love him, I kind of regret getting him due to this. You honestly couldn’t do it properly and care for a baby.

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