DH wants to get rid of our puppy!!

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Long story so please bear with me...

Puppy is actually one year old GSD, who is absolutely lovely. She has so many positives including being a genuine sweetheart and cuddling up to me when I'm feeling low, I love her, pretty much do everything including feeding, grooming etc. DH takes her on long walks which he seems to enjoy!

Problem being she has started to blow her coat and it is irritating DH no end, he's constantly moaning about all the hair even though I'm trying to brush her and keep the house clean. She is also at times quite naughty, nipping and chewing on all manner of items! She can jump the baby gates to stop her getting up the stairs and just generally trashes the place!

He's said a few times over the last week that we've made a mistake and wants to get rid of her!

Im also 8 weeks pregnant and he is using the new baby as an excuse that there will be hair everywhere when baby arrives. I hate people who get rid of dogs because their pregnant and would never be that person!

I think he's being very unreasonable to expect me to get rid of her and I won't even discuss it with him, I just tell him she is not going end of!! He tells me I'm BU! What does everyone think?

Daytona79 - dogs and young children don't mix!!! There are many many homes where young children and dogs get along fine.

Your attitude is disgusting. I hate people who get rid of pets when they are pregnant. If you honestly don't think children and animals should live together, even though that is a moronic thing to think, then DON'T GET an animal if you want children. Pretty simple isn't it?

But had he been allowed near her either him or dog would of ended up seriously hurt

My toddler soon learned to respect the cat's personal space when the cat took a swipe at him. Job done.

Young children and dogs don't mix? I wonder if all of the thousands of households who manage it know about this fact?

And why couldn't you sort your 2 yo out?

Wow. Seriously, just, wow.

Op your dh is being a prick, and of course no sensible dog owner gets rid of their dog due to pregnancy. You can taken that from a lifelong human with a sense of basic responsibility for a pet.

Daytona sorry, but that's nonsense. It sounds like an excuse to make you feel better about rehoming your dog. 👎

As long as dog and child are both absolutely clear re. boundaries there is nothing to stop babies and dogs living together happily.

Definitely purchase a Furminator. They have different ones for different coat lengths. If you do it every day, you will notice a difference in the amount of fur needing to be vacuumed. We had a GSD/Lab x Collie and she shed terribly, but this saved our sanity.

Perhaps your DH should have researched dog breeds and got a non-shedding dog if he was that bothered about shedding fur. He can't moan about it really as he chose the breed! At least she has you on her side.

So she's acting up when she's left? Create a safe space where she can't cause damage or hurt herself or don't leave her.

Training Training Training and NEVER leave baby in room with them on their own - I agree babies can be had in dog households but you must manage the risks and be present and if there is any sign of aggression or jealousy then train train train it out

The hair is a nightmare though and clean as many times as you like there is still hair. Personally I would get your place professionally cleaned to a v high standard then work on controlling areas dog can go and making them easy to clean on a regular basis and as others have said use a pro groomer in malting season etc

I think your dh is BU as I don't think pets should be 'trialled' before you commit to having one but what's going to happen when the baby is here? Are you going to look after the dog by yourself? If he doesn't want a dog at the end of the day he won't look after it and then what will happen?

I don't want any pets but my dh wants a cat. I've made it clear that if we ever get one it will be his responsibility to look after. Seems like you might end up in a similar situation of looking after it yourself. And anyone saying they'd keep a dog instead of a husband is clearly not in the right relationship!

Ah, the joys of of an adolescent dog! Just when you are at the end of your tether and seriously considering leaving them tied to the gate at the nearest dog rescue, they will make you laugh or do something endearing and you fall in love with them all over again.

I know someone who s a very experienced dog trainer (her dogs have been in films and tv programmes). She gives the following advice for dealing with dogs that "trash stuff".

First you take a newspaper, ideally a broadsheet.

Roll it up into as tight a cylinder as you can manage.

Then beat yourself over the head with it repeatedly, while chanting "I must not leave stuff where the dog can get it". If partners, children or guests refuse to follow your example, hit them over the head while performing the incantation.

GSDs are smart so need to be kept occupied. Things like Buster balls, kongs stuffed with food and so on are good for this. And she will be much more sensible in a few months' time!

The shedding is a pain, and I agree with all the advice on here. I think if I had a moulty dog (mine's a wiry coated beast, so not really an issue) I'd go for hard floors all round and just sweep a couple of times a day. A fine spray of water first will help stop the fine undercoat from becoming airborne, just to settle on the floor as soon as you've put the broom away.

She's a beautiful dog, I can't believe your DH can countenance rehoming her.

LakieLady 😂 😂 😂 😂. Especially to the tie to a gate idea and bonking people on the head!

I used to think like you op, I love all animals but a friend had a puppy and not long after a baby arrived. The dog was totally ignored and left in his cage for ages at a time. he was a gorgeous little pup but far too boisterous and hard work to look after especially with a baby in the home too. I felt really sorry for him and in the end his owner saw sense and rehomed him. I honestly felt like it was for the best the dog went to a good home to someone who loved him and looked after him and they had their peace,clean house and home back.

I'm wondering if perhaps your husband is having a bit of a panic about your pregnancy. Is it possible that he's feeling nervous about the responsibility and life change coming up and projecting it on to the dog? If he is normally attached to the dog, maybe give him a chance and see if it settles down. Have you tried talking to him about what might make him feel more comfortable with it all? Agree regular groomer visits or do a training course? It might make him feel a bit more on top of it all. Do you have any friends with kids and dogs he could talk to?

Excuse me sort out my 2 year old..? 2 years olds do not understand why dog don't want to be dragged about and harrassed and yes we did keep dog and child separate hence why poor dog was miserable

I was a volenteer for many years for the breed rescue prior to having children I had no idea how much toddlers cannot be trusted around dogs

My dog is old and did not deserve to be dragged about by a toddler , we kept her behind a stair gate but she was bloody miserable - so you would keep a dog in that environment just so you don't rehome it

How bloody selfish of you. You are keeping the dog to stop yourself feeling guilty NOT doing what's best for the dog

My dog was taken back by the charity and is now living her finally years out with a old man, say all day long with him either in the garden or on his lap in front of a coal fire , getting 1 to 1 attention all day long , and living a life of peace which all old dogs like to do

Yes I could of been selfish like some of you would be and kept my dog , stair gates away from my toddler and my baby . Spending her life looking through bars wanted attention. Attention I cannot give her as running about after two young children but I put my dog needs First

It's people like you who make me sick keeping a dog to make you feel better.

So yes young kids and dogs don't mix. A dog living life gated away from the family isn't mixing and isn't a life...

OP I'm sorry but your husband is right about the baby, the dog will be happier elsewhere , with either older children or no children . Please don't listen to people who say shut it away, use a gate etc. The dog will be unhappy

The situation Mrsmadevans describes is what happens all to often, luckily that family seen sense and put the dogs needs first and rehome it. Rehoming a dog is heart breaking but the dog has to be the priority. But many don't as this thread has shown and the dog will be unhappy.

Dogs in house holds before children are often treated like children, get loads of attention etc then kids come along and owners just don't have the time or the patience anymore and the dogs get ignored, Shut away etc and it's hard for them. Also many people think they won't be like that, but untill you have the child you won't understand how your life changes and how little time you will have for your dog also the stress you will feeltrying to make sure baby/toddler is never left alone with the dog

Please please never leave your dog unattended with a baby or a child. Never not even for a second.

That situation wouldn't arise in the first place for a start so, no, I absolutely would not shut my dog away for 12 hours a day. I don't doubt it's hard for some households but I don't believe I've been lucky to have managed to have 2 small DC understand that mistreating their pet is unacceptable.

I'm glad the charity took him back though. Sounds like it was definitely for the best for him.

daytona
Your dog was miserable being in a seperate room to you for a few hours a day? I'm calling bullshit on that unless you had created some pretty awful seperation anxiety.

Your attitude stinks. Doing a bit of volunteering for a rescue doesn't them absolve you of treating your dog like some Primark clothing to be binned when you can't be arsed with it any more.

I was brought up with a dog - my parents bought him just after I was born. She was a lab (an andrex puppy when they got her, not that I remember that) - and she was the best dog ever. I can't imagine my childhood without her.

Ridiculous to say you can't have a dog with children. A 2 year can be taught how to treat animals. You start the learning process at about a year 'gentle" etc and continue it as they grow up.

A few hours a day..? A child is up from 7am to 7pm that's half its life... spent Shut away - sorry but that it cruel.

Gah B what you have been is lucky to not have had a child bitten, whilst training said children how to be around dogs as no toddler can be trusted with a dog.

Doing a bit.. 10 years is slightly more than a bit in my eyes. And my dog needs came before my own and said dog is a lot happier now in her new home. But hey of course I should of just lock led her in a play pen for 12 hours a day or Shut her in a garden or a kennel or behind bars. What a lovely life for a beloved pet.

What utter garbage you speak. You clearly haven't a clue about dogs in the family home. Our charity wouldn't rehome dogs to homes with under 5 for this reasons alone and the risk of a child being bitten if dogs weren't to be kept separate.

OP if you have any doubts I suggest you speak to your dogs breed specific charity, they will advise you and will most likely recommend rehoming and should be able to help your dog find a lovely home. Speak to people who actually have a understanding of your situation

Tbh Daytona I wonder if you have just been unlucky to only know of instances where dog and DC mixing has gone so wrong? I genuinely mean that, because personally I've only ever known families with dogs and DC has been just fine and a lovely relationship. And nearly everyone I know with dc has at least one dog.

I don't think OP's getting rid of the dog, Daytona.

Wow Daytona, so you don't leave the house for 13 hours a day? You don't take your DC to the park or for a walk or for any activities?

And from 7pm onwards, you can't spend any time with your dog?

It's a miracle how all the dog owners I know happily manage dogs and children together, and keep them both happy when it is clearly so impossible

I have lots of friends with dogs and small children and they either allow them to mix with zero thought to what's actually going on, I've witnessed dogs being pulled , poked , prodded chased etc and told oh he is fine with the kids , he loves them. When dogs are clearly displaying signs of stress.

A accident waiting to happen but it's not my dog or children so nothing I can do

Also through charity I've seen so many dogs needing rehomed as dogs lives have become miserable, as family's do not have time for them. Said dogs have all been rehomed and settled in fine, and gone on to live happy lives. Most Dogs adapt fine to being rehomed and live perfectly happy lives with new owners.

Yeah 7pm till 10pm of Human company just dosent cut it in the stakes of making a dog happy. Not much of a life for one.

Anyway OP as I said take advice not from people here but those experienced with dog , contact your local breed charity they will offer you correct advice.

Said dogs have all been rehomed and settled in fine

Yeah, now I'm definitely calling bullshit on this
A rescue with a 100% successful rehoming rate, with no dogs lingering in rescue.
That's as imaginary are your assertion that dogs and toddlers can't live in the same house