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?

Keep them. You sound sensible enough to realise dogs and children should never be left alone together. We have two Siberian Huskies had them for five years. DS is 2 nearly 3. Plenty of people offered their "opinion" on having a baby with our idiotic, very licky and very soft teddy bears "dangerous" dogs and how we need to get rid of them.

It never even crossed our minds unless they showed aggression towards DS. They never have and the way they idolise DS I doubt very much that they will.

We have a dog and 2 under 5s. The dog is an angel.

You know your dogs, if they have good temperaments then I would have no concern.

You could always 'practice' with a doll to see the dogs' reactions.

My animals have always been as much part of the family as a human, you wouldn't get rid of your grandmother so why your pet?

As long as they are ok with the baby and not left alone I cannot see a problem.
One thing I struggled with in my tired new newborn stage was everyone wanting something, so baby on boob, cat/ dog wanting tickles and sitting on me, everyone needing feeding, walking etc. It Just felt like everyone wanted something from me, but it lasted weeks and you've family support with dogs and baby so it will help. The animals probably picked up on it and wanted reassurance themselves, but it honestly didn't last long.

I think it's great for children to grow up with animals around.

The only thing I wonder about is dealing with them when you have moved into your new house

By that, I mean you could be feeling pretty sleep deprived as all the chikdcare/housekeeping etc will be your responsibility. But instead of being able to rest, you'll need to take the dogs out. Plus, if you're breast-feeding, I would find it hard to take a small baby out in the pram along with two dogs and perhaps be having to make unscheduled feeding stops en route

Could you investigate a dog walker etc?

I don't think keeping the baby and the dogs apart/supervised is hard when the baby is immobile but it is a lot more difficult when the baby is moving

I honestly think that it's a much more recent concept for people to get rid of a perfectly well behaved pet because they're having a child.

I think it's an awful thing to do and I really do wish people that feel that way wouldn't become pet owners in the first place,it's so unfair on the poor animal.

We have 5DC and 3 dogs,one of them is massive,he's a Greyhound but he's very large for a Greyhound,we also have a Maine Coon cat,anyone that knows that breed knows how large they are and we also have 3 Rabbits and 2 Hamsters.

So 5 children and 9 pets.None of us could imagine life without our animals they're as much a part of the family as all of us humans are.

Myself and my DH were both raised in the same way,around numerous animals and we were both taught from a tiny age just how important those animals and all other animals were and how they should always be cared for and that you should always respect, look after and love animals.

Are children are all the same.I think growing up in an household with animals(if you can)is a really good lesson in empathy and lessons in life skills of how to look after something else.

I'd ignore those that are telling you to get rid of your dogs OP,they're about as different from people like you and me as you could get!

I hope your pregnancy goes smoothly for you and good luck with the future. I know it's really difficult going through a bad breakup whilst your pregnant,I went though it with my 4th pregnancy and ex fiance.

Thanks everyone.
I knew my dogs wouldn't be going anywhere anyway, i knew people were being ridiculously over cautious, making me feel guilty as if I somehow prefer my dogs over the safety of my baby.

I've attached a pic of them. They're just so bloody lovely!

We had one 'friend' tell us we should rehome the cat and all our dogs (only had 4 dogs then, have 6 now) as it was irresponsible to have a baby and animals in the same house. We are no longer friends with that loon, her child freaks out if a dog is on the same field as she is while ds is safe and sane around dogs...

I can't stand the number of child safe dogs in rescues especially when the rescue then tells you the dogs have been handed over because of a new baby. If it's child safe why the fook say you're getting rid because you're scared of having a dog and a baby in the same house. Dogs and in fact any animal you bring into your home are not through away items you can pawn off as soon as you have to put some effort in!

There are some many resources out there to help you to help your dog acclimatise to live with a new baby so to me it makes no sense to get rid of the dog :-)

Thank you for your kind wishes regarding my pregnancy, fingers crossed everything goes well!

I understand when I move out it will be a struggle, something I've spoken to my parents about and they've told me they actually want The dogs to stay with them. My dad is retired and its walking the dogs and taking them places that really keeps him going. My mum still works so she's out of the house a lot and as they have no other children he gets really lonely. I do a lot of voluntary work at the minute too so I can't compete with how much time my dad gets with them. They'll always be my dogs in my heart even if they do stay with my parents as this is their home as much as it is mine. My parents were the ones who actually bought them both for me!! (I deep down think it was for them to be honest..)
It's something to bare in mind, I'd love them with me but if it's more practical for everyone to stay with my parents then that's fine. I don't think I could compete with the amount of attention they get from my Dad when I have my baby and I'm on my own but I'd say they're just as much my parents dogs as they are mine.
It saddened me that members of my family even told my parents to get rid of them because I was having a baby! Needless to say the others aren't animal lovers like my mum and dad.

Having a baby is quite frankly a completely feckless reason to rehome a dog and I wouldn't be interested in the opinion of anyone who thought it was an ok thing to do.

An actual reason, like the dog having behavioural issues or struggling to cope with looking after a dog after they've had a baby is different, but to get rid of a dog purely because there's a baby is just shitty behaviour.

I know a few people who have gotten rid of their pets because they were pregnant and half of them handed them over to anyone who'd have them. I don't know if it's relevant but, most people I know personally who did this had really small cute fluffy dogs I can only assume was some sort of fashion statement rather than pet.
Mine are just as much family as anyone else and I honestly think the next time someone tells me what I should and shouldn't do regarding my pets and my child I'll have to tell them where to stick their opinion. (Ever since my pregnancy announcement it's been "but two dogs around a baby? Really?" YES two dogs around a baby and three other adults in the house!

I find this so strange. Not one single person suggested to me I'd have to get rid of our dog (German shepherd) when I was pregnant. One person did tell DH we'd have to but I thought that was just one crazy comment. I didn't realise how common an opinion it was!

We now have two dogs, two cats and two DSs and never had an issue. I was brought up with dogs, too, and again no issue! If you're sensible, I don't see why there needs to be a problem.

Nobody ever suggested I rehome my dog, it was great having both a dog and a baby. My DD had a better routine than a lot because she was in the sling or buggy at the same time twice a day (dog got morning and night time walk too without her) and napped then. Now she is 3.5 and walks everywhere in all weathers without moaning.

I would say I get told, at least once a week, how lovely it is for children to grow up with a dog. It is either by other dog owners, impressed by how sensible and gentle they are (younger DS as well) or people who would like a dog but can't make it work. There is no general wisdom about children and dogs, just opinions on both sides - your opinions in this case are more informed than your relatives, so just ignore them.

Yanbu.
I would keep the dogs and get rid of the people who suggested this.
Your dogs look lovely btw.

Cute dogs!

Your dogs look adorable

I'm glad you've got plenty of support from your Mum and Dad,that helps make things so much easier.

Yanbu at all op. I was 1 when my parents got a dog. It was great growing up with a dog, made me the animal lover i am today!
My parents always taught me what not to do around the dog.
Only time i was ever bit was when i was a teenager and was playing him up! we were all devestated when he died at a very old age he was part of the family x

What beautiful dogs!

I was on my own with DD and my 6 year old rescue dog. I was so worried about how the dog would react when I brought DD home. To prepare the dog I bought a doll that I would mother and show to her. She was never interested! Not sure why I thought that it would help, a plastic baby didn't mean anything to the dog. Anyway, DD (6), me and our old dog are currently cuddled up on the sofa.

That first year on maternity leave was blissful. DD NEVER slept and so the 3 of us would often go out for long walks, early in the morning or late in the evening, trying to get her to sleep. Maybe we would stop off for some breakfast in a café on the way home or to pickup some chips on the way back. Cause we were walking a lot the dog was knackered and would sleep a lot. It got a little bit more difficult when DD started walking and wouldn't go in the buggy. Now it's back to being easy again as we walk the dog to and from school in the morning and afternoon.

You'll be fine, you sound like a very conscientious mother who is making an informed decision about your dog and future child. I wish you well and congratulations on your pregnancy.

I lived with my dad and his gf when I had ds1 and we had two dogs. They were about 6 months old when ds1 was born and we all lived in perfect harmony. The dogs were well trained, exercised plenty and never left along with the baby. It was fine!