To not want to get rid of my dogs? And to be really annoyed when people suggest I do?

[Frillsandspills]

I have 2 beautiful dogs. Both males, one bichon frise who is 2, and a 4 year old King Charles spaniel.
They're both really well behaved dogs and I can't fault them really. They live with my parents and I've decided to live with my parents for a while as I'm 17 weeks pregnant and due to quite a traumatic break up I feel I need the support from them for a while. Because of this, a few other family members have made comments about how we need to get rid of our dogs.

Our house is a decent size with two living rooms. The dogs aren't allowed in the front living room as my mum likes to keep it a 'dog free zone' for any visitors, and apart from my room that is where I'd probably spend most of my time with my baby once he's here (as well as my room as there's no point in making the spare room into a nursery as I will probably move out before I'd want my baby in his own room anyway).
I'd never under any circumstances leave a child alone with a dog no matter how small or gentle they are. My dad is really attached to the dogs and he takes over the walks as he likes an excuse to get out of the house.
What I'm trying to say is, the dogs get plenty of attention and walks from my parents so they'd never be left out because a baby is here. I know when the baby is here it may be difficult for them to get used to it, but I don't agree that we should giving them away.
I feel that as its my child, if I feel comfortable living with my two lovely dogs then that's my choice. Not only that but I'm not going to be living with my parents forever (although I refer to them as MY dogs, they're family pets not just mine but my mum did tell me if I wanted them rehomed because of the baby then that's fine).
Other family members are convinced it's a bad idea to keep them because the majority don't like dogs, but I really don't see the problem as they're very well behaved and have been around small children and babies before, but like I said they'd never be left along with a baby.

AIBU for wanting to keep them in the same house as a baby? Everyone who has suggest not keeping them has gave their dogs away when they had babies , and when I tell them I'm 100% keeping my dogs they look at me as though I'm about to play Russian roullete with my babies life??

Has anyone else successfully introduced a baby to a household with dogs?

We've had three babies and three dogs, and the dogs have all been fantastic. No problems at all with them. DH took a worn sleep suit home from hospital when they were newborns, and let the dogs smell it, and then we just allowed the dogs to approach in their own time.

My mother had the wonderful idea to get a alsaition puppy when she left work a month before having my sister. We always had dogs in the house after that and were fine. You know them better and not to leave them alone etc. Ignore the woofer haters

We had a lovely dog when I had ds1, she was no problem at all.

I think it's such a bad attitude to have, that a dog is a disposable commodity.
As long as there are no issues in the family why get rid of the dogs?
At least give them a chance.
I'm glad you want to keep them and I think that unless you as a family decide that it is in everyone's (including the dogs) best interests to re home them then stick to your guns and keep the family intact.

YANBU. It sounds like you have a very sensible plan in place. New baby doesn't mean dogs must go.

We had two dogs and four cats when I was expecting dd1 - I was shocked at how many people expected us to get rid of them. My DC are all now adult, we've never been without dogs and cats all through their childhoods, they learned to walk by holding onto our golden retriever who seemed to think her life's work was to be a toddler toy

Dogs are also very handy at clearing up baby food mess under high chairs .

Ignore them.

we have a bichon and introduced our baby into his territory when the dog was about 2. it has never been a hassle. the poor dog gets pushed and pulled around by all of my children and he has never once snapped.

I'm glad everyone has the same attitude as me! Dogs are definitely not disposable although rehoming is often best.

Some years ago we rehomed one of our dogs, she had health issues that costed a fortune in vet bills and required a lot of attention, we were fine with it although it was a struggle but a close family friend who'd had experience caring for dogs with similar issues offered to have her (she knew her well anyway) and it was just a lovely suggestion and felt it was best for everyone. It was a heartbreaking decision even though we knew it was for the best and I'd never see it as just 'getting rid' in that sense. She's so well cared for now which is lovely, my family still feels guilty for rehoming her however it wasn't what we set out to do just because she began to be a bit difficult to look after iyswim.

Our DD was born into a house with 11 cats, 5 dogs and a myriad of other animals. (She's a farmers daughter ).

2 smallish/medium dogs on their own would be considered a "non animal house" for us!

You will be fine and your dogs will be fine. If they are well mannered and looked after properly (and they sound like they are) and you are sensible, everyone will be fine and there is no need to "get rid" of anyone. Your family are being unreasonable.

My sister and BIL had a dog for several years before their babies came along and it had more or less been the "baby" of the house. When my sister was pregnant I think a few people they knew were concerned about how the dog would adjust. However, it was fine, though they did start preparing the dog for the change some time before the birth. For instance, they got it used to certain rooms being out of bounds. They had no trouble at all.

How fucking dare they, those dogs have as much right to live on this planet as we do, there are many human brings I would rather euthanise than the majority of dogs! You obviously have things worked out, tell the anti lot to xxxx off!

We had our dog before either of our DDs and he accepted them both with no problems. However on a practical level, once you move out of your parents' house and are living alone, I don't know how you'll be able to look after 2 dogs properly with a new baby. How will you walk them in the evening when the baby's sleeping etc? I think you'll have to be realistic about what's practical in the longer term.

The dogs can be exercised during the day, an evening walk isn't essential!
Stick to your guns and keep your dogs, thankfully you understand that they are not something you can "get rid of".
I have 2 German shepherds and have managed them along with 3 DCs no problem.

I disagree...dogs need exercised at regular intervals. It's unfair on a young dog to leave it unexercised for extended periods of time. It might break your heart to admit you can't give a dog what it needs but it's about what's best for the dog - not the owner.

Daytime walks is not leaving a dog without exercise, a young dog should also not be over walked. A nice walk in the day, and a game of ball in the garden in an evening is sufficient.

We'll have to agree to disagree on that, I'm afraid.

[b]Frillsandspills[b]

Good luck trying to take your dogs with you when you move out, you might find your dad is too attached.

We sent out pit bull cross to live with our in laws as a temporary measure when our landlord panicked about the breed. 2.5 years later and he's still there!

He's so attached to his 'grandad' that we couldn't ever bring him home so we've admitted defeat and given up any hope of getting him back.

If that happens with you it's heartbreaking but if the dogs are happier staying it's the right thing to do.

I've always had dogs and with the exception of one who was ill, never had a problem with dogs and small children.

There was a news story recently about a baby being killed by a dog described as a 'small terrier'. (I'm not going to google for a source, as it's to upsetting to read - you'll just have to do that yourself or take my word for it.) My point is that all dogs, regardless of size, are animals capable of killing a baby if provoked in some way or other. Apparently they can get really stressed by a baby's cry, as the sound is similar to that of an injured animal, and this can trigger some kind of instinct to kill. I would no sooner have a dog near my baby than a crocodile. I have seen many reckless idiots people on social media who post photos of babies lying next to dogs, though (as in "aaaw, isn't my potentially aggressive animal cute lying within biting distance of my newborn child?"), so I know that many people will shoot me down for this and think I'm being ridiculous. In reality my mind, all animals are equally capable of violence, but some are physically stronger and therefore more dangerous (like those hogs on a leash Staffordshire bullterriers.) Maybe I'm biased, as my parents had a Cairn terrier that bit everyone who came close, and I used to have a cat that tore people to shreds every chance she got.

My dog was 5 years old and she was my baby before the dc's came along. I had 2 babies during her lifetime and had no problems with her at all. If you handle the transition well, there's every chance it will go smoothly. Good luck!

frillsandspills YANBU. DH and I have two large mixed breed rescues and a 14 month old DS. When we brought ds home from hospital we just let the dogs have a sniff of him and after that they quickly lost interest. Now he's more mobile they're all good friends, but as previous posters have said (and I'm sure you know) always supervise kids and dogs when they're together, and make sure the dogs know not to go into the baby's room. My DS also knows not to bother the dogs when they're resting, so everybody has their own space.

Just ignore those ignorant people who clearly know nothing op.
The dogs will be fine & the baby will be fine. Congratulations on your pregnancy & I hope it all goes well for you.

Yes robot and once again the dog was left alone with the baby.

You should no sooner leave your baby with a dog than u would leave it at the top of the stairs or not strap it into to the car seat.

human error that leads to the problem.

Most dogs are fine

We had this too, to a certain extent. I generally find it's a expectation from non pet owners. Saying that, we often get pregnant ladies in at the vets I work in telling us they were rehoming their pets in case they caught some imaginary disease nevermind the heavily pregnant vet nurse standing in front of them surrounded by animals everyday and still pregnant!.

(N.B: there are diseases you could catch in theory but often they have no idea what these might be nor how unlikely it was if you are averagely hygienic. You probably have more chance of catching something by interacting with other humans)

If the current arrangement works for you and your parents and the dogs are happy, god no, don't get rid of them! Just do what you can to get them ready for the new arrival, don't leave baby & dogs together unsupervised, seek help if behaviour problems arise and you'll be grand.

We had a dog age 8 when we had our DD1. Never occured to us that the dog would have to go. He had a small sniff under supervision when baby came home and then showed very litle interest for ages, just carries on as normal! You just have to be sensible as you would in all sorts of situations eg. Fire guard round an open fire or stair gate on stairs. Walked him at 9am when DD1 had nap In pram/baby bjorn carrier and 4pm for 2nd nap. Then let him out for run round the garden in evening. It also meant that i had to leave the house twice a day and got some exercise so win win! Had Dd2 since then and same scenario. They both see him as part of the family.

We have two dogs, one big and a little one. We also have a toddler and a baby on the way. Since having pfb my feelings towards them have changed and I consider them another chore to do. They still get a walk in the morning and quite often the afternoon as well but are not too bothered by the second walk. I don't think dogs need to be walked twice a day as long as they have access to go out to the loo. If you had a high energy dog this would be different but the breeds you have are generally pretty relaxed (not like having a working spaniel). The dogs are very good with the toddler but are never left alone, now more for their sake rather than the toddler! I also never have to worry about spilt food as they are ever so efficient at cleaning up (we have wooden floors)