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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be thinking of getting a puppy...

64 replies

lola88 · 09/12/2012 19:07

... when i have a 10mo and am going back to work 2 days a week?

DP is desperate for a dog he's always had them and misses having one we had planned to get one when we moved in together but things have got in the way mostly working and baby. His friend has offered us one of his pups very cheap as an xmas pressie for DS/DP they have 6 chug pups we can have our pick from.

I've never had a dog so am a bit worried about how a puppy would be with a baby and also how long it would be before it could be left alone? I would be going back to work mon and friday around the same time as the pup will be ready to come, i can leave the pup with my sister these days but would it be ok to do that? Also long term how long before it could be left for a few hours with a walk in the day?

AIBU to even think about accepting

OP posts:
TidyDancer · 09/12/2012 19:09

Yes YABU.

There are so many rescue dogs in need of homes that IMO it would be unacceptable to pay someone who breeds dogs for money.

It doesn't sound like you're ready to have a dog anyway. You need to do your research first.

Original poster
lola88 · 09/12/2012 19:13

I have thought of adopting but they won't let me due to DS's age.

The offer was only last night so i am starting to research it now partly by asking if it is reasonable to even consider it.

OP posts:
TidyDancer · 09/12/2012 19:16

Maybe wait until your DS is older.

Live animals shouldn't be given as Christmas presents anyway.

MerryChristmasEverybody · 09/12/2012 19:17

what the hell is a chug

tiredemma · 09/12/2012 19:17

What's a chug?

Original poster
lola88 · 09/12/2012 19:19

It's a cross between a Chihuahua and a Pug

The xmas pressie isn't the dog it's the fact he won't charge us a lot for it.

OP posts:
MrsWolowitz · 09/12/2012 19:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

tabulahrasa · 09/12/2012 19:23

I've got a puppy, he's lovely, but he is harder work than either of my children were...

goingupinfairylights · 09/12/2012 19:24

Hello - I would say its more of a long term question dogs live 10-15 years ( sorry no knowing the breed chug?, thinking pug cross??

So the two days a week to be fair would be OK for most small dogs, if they are loved and walked lots but you sort of have to think am I going to be full time at any point, are we having more children, does a dog fit in with our house, area and life?

With dogs very much like children they always have to be considered but unlike children they are not always welcome at friends houses, holidays etc - so it's a different set of needs.

You sound like your not the type to rush in but it's tempting to get a puppy if you know the breeder and you've been offered one, again is it a breed you would choose anyway?

The training you would need to do would be tricky maybe with a 10mo old around, so dog training classes if needed etc, the cleaning up in the first weeks of house truing can be exhausting, they can get you up in the nights lots in the first few weeks, so it's as hard work as getting a newborn in the house and at christmas time it's tricky?

I would maybe be inclined if it's your first pup in the family to get one in the spring time, where walks are easier, clearing up wee at 3am doesn't seem so grim..

~ If DH is going to be around to help that's great but they do take lots of work.

I agree rescue dogs are fine for people who have had dogs before and know how to train them, and maybe have older children they are not right for everyone.

squeakytoy · 09/12/2012 19:26

I wouldnt say they were great family pet types of dogs to be honest. I also think that you would be better off waiting until your child is a bit older. The child will be at the crawling inquisitive toddler stage while you still have a boisterous puppy with sharp teeth. I wouldnt do it.

Original poster
lola88 · 09/12/2012 19:27

Thanks MrsW My mum and sister have cats and uncle has a dog which DS see's almost daily for the cats and weekly for the dog so he already understands to a point how to treat animals. Thanks to my mums old grumpy cat he's learned tails are not for pulling i also have safty gates up so i can keep them apart if i need to pop to the loo etc.

My sister can keep the pup when i work and DP knows exactly what he's doing with dogs it's just me thats a newbie

OP posts:
festivelyfocussed · 09/12/2012 19:27

It's Up to you of course but I wouldn't even consider having a dog in your position (or in mine, having a toddler). Too much work, too much extra supervision, massive list actually but can't manage it all with the iPad. The fact they you've been turned down to adopt a dog I think speaks volumes - personally I don't think dogs and v.small children mix well -too much risk.

OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos · 09/12/2012 19:27

I wouldn't do it. There will be other ways of having a puppy or a dog in years to come when you haven't got a baby to think about too. Save it for when your children are older so they can be involved with it. It's a lot of fun getting a puppy when you have children (as well as a lot of effort, obviously), but it won't be much fun having to train a puppy and look after a baby.

tabulahrasa · 09/12/2012 19:28

Thinking about it - how would you do housetraining with a crawling baby? Puppies need out about every half hour, sometimes you're out there for twenty minutes or more and they still have accidents in the house.

festivelyfocussed · 09/12/2012 19:28

Sorry, that, not they.

MrsWolowitz · 09/12/2012 19:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HazleNutt · 09/12/2012 19:32

Have you researched the breed mix? Chugs are not recommended for families with small children. First because they are often not very child friendly and also because of their size, a small child can easily hurt them.

tiredemma · 09/12/2012 19:33

I wouldn't do it. We have a 10 month old puppy, had her since 8 weeks. It's harder than having a baby.

NothingIsAsBadAsItSeems · 09/12/2012 19:35

I'm guessing that a chug is a chihuahua cross Pug?

Reasons against getting one:

  • It will be riddled with health problems since both breeds have a lot of them and their is no such thing a hybrid vigor
  • It will be tiny I really don't like tiny dogs so prone to being stepped on/more easy to hurt when playing with them
  • I don't believe in giving animals to people as presents - It implies that animals are a disposable whim
  • Really cheap better mean under £80 or you have mug written on your forehead
  • Doubt the parents will have been health tested
  • Why did your friend breed them?
  • Do both parents have impeccable temperaments? If not why did your friend breed them?

^ I really don't agree with breeding 'designer' crossbreeds ^

If you do get one then please get it checked by a vet - undershot jaws/ holes in their hearts and other defects are common in poorly bred dogs

SauvignonBlanche · 09/12/2012 19:37

I would wait, my DH was the same but I insisted that we waited until our DCs were older and got a rescue dog.

GhostShip · 09/12/2012 19:39

I would wait.

And a chug? Yet another designer breed. This makes me so sad :(

shockers · 09/12/2012 19:40

You sound like you've really considered a lot of the implications of puppy/dog ownership already lola. I second that in the short term, they're harder work than a baby and it can be incredibly stressful. If you get through that part and are committed to training, you are onto a winner... dogs do enrich family life.

The downside is, you will find that some friends are allergic to dogs.

I type this with a doggy chin upon my knee. Grin

acceptableinthe80s · 09/12/2012 19:40

I've never heard of a chug and I was a veterinary nurse for 15 yrs. Sounds like a recipie for a whole host of medical problems for starters. Plus puppies are high maintenance, training them takes a lot of time and patience. Personally I'd wait until your baby was a bit older and able to understand and respond to the word no. eg no we don't sit on the dog.

GooseEnthusiast · 09/12/2012 19:40

I got a German Shepherd puppy in May and have a toddler in the house (DNiece was 1.8yrs). It was fine. We had baby gates up to keep them separated and there were a few minor incidents but nothing serious (puppies use teeth a lot when they play).

The only issue we have had is that now the puppy is a lot bigger, it can jump the baby gates, so it is harder to keep them separated (we have locks on just about every door in the house now Grin)

shockers · 09/12/2012 19:42

A rescue doggy chin.... just sayin Wink

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