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Original poster

Getting a new dog before birth of 2nd child. Is this too ambitious? Please tell me if we're being crazy.

19 replies

greenday · 12/03/2007 16:22

DD is 2.5yrs. I'm expecting my 2nd one in late Aug.
We recently had to put our elderly dog to sleep last year. While we miss our dog, I am also enjoying the lack of chores that come with owning a dog.
We plan to get a new dog in the future (like 1-2 year's time) but my DH recently suggested one for my Bday (this month). While I know its really impractical, I really fancy the idea too.
Are we being silly?? Is it going to cause us more pain than joy, especially with the impending birth of a new baby?

OP posts:

KTeePee · 12/03/2007 16:24

I personally wouldn't get one just now, especially a puppy or one that needs lots of exercise. Maybe an older dog if you have a really big garden so it can run around by itself if you don't feel up to walking it.

AnAngelWithin · 12/03/2007 16:28

no i wouldn't get one yet personally. Having taken in a stray a few weeks ago (very unexpectedly) with dd being a year old, it was very very hard work. I didn't have the time that the dog needed to enable it to become a happy family pet. I think personally you may be setting yourself up for heartbreak when you realise you have to clean up after a puppy as well as a baby and still find time to walk the dog on half an hours sleep a night. Sorry.

Kif · 12/03/2007 16:30

ooh - bad idea imo...

just think of all the poo and wee

MrsDoolittle · 12/03/2007 16:34

My dd is 3 next month and ds was 1 last month. We bred from our bitch in November, it seemed like a great idea at the time.
We had three dogs, all were spoken for before they were born and we kept one for ourselves. However, last week we finally decided we had to rehome him. Thankfully, it wasn't difficult, he was 13 weeks old and adorable.
We re-homed him simply because I couldn't give him the time he needed. He chewed everything in sight, including shoes left on the floor, took tea-towels off the work services. He nibbled ds 's ears and the older he got the more boisterous he became, even though he was only a small dog. The children toys on the floor of course posed a huge problem and I simply couldn't police him all the time.
Also bear in mind that house-training a dog initially can be very messy.
As much as we wanted to keep him, we weren't doing him any favours and that is what finally put the lid on it for us.

Original poster

greenday · 12/03/2007 16:44

Omigod! Thank you all for your thoughts. I am reminded of the horrors and hard work! Guess I was hoping there would be some success stories here, but you're all right, it'll be a disaster waiting to happen.

OP posts:

Original poster

greenday · 12/03/2007 18:06

Call me optimistic or silly, I'm bumping this as I'm still hoping someone out there thinks it's a do-able task. Don't say it if you don't mean it of course ...

OP posts:

JustUsTwo · 12/03/2007 19:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LittleB · 13/03/2007 09:19

My parents got a golden retriever 3 months before I was born - although I was the first so there was just me to look after. I grew up with her, and my sister when she was born almost 3 years later, she was a wonderful dog and a brilliant companion. My parents did have alot of help in that a friend helped to walk the dog, and my dad always walked her before work, so my mum didn't have to worry about excercising her - just training, and we had a wood right behind our house which was great for walking.
We're getting another dog this summer when my dd will be 2 (we've got a dog who's 15 but she's too old to play with dd and I know she hasn't got long left - and I don't think I could bear to be without a dog again). I think the excercise and training are the key things - are there good walks nearby where you can take your baby and toddler with you while you excercise your dog? Do you have a garden where you can do training while the kids are out there with you - and do you have the time. Are there training classes nearby that you can get to easily? I know i'll be potty training a toddler and housetraining a puppy at the same time but it doesn't bother me as I want dd to have the relatinship with a dog that I had when I grew up (and we're getting a new carpet once they're trained ).
I think it will be hard work but alot of fun. Good luck whatever you decide.

Original poster

greenday · 13/03/2007 09:37

Thank you all for your input. I think I have come to my senses and we've decided to wait till end of the year (by then, 2nd child would be nearly 3 mths old) to get a dog.

LittleB, I have a garden and live just opposite the woods. Last year, I potty trained my DD but had our elderly dog to deal with. She was incontinent and I was moping up pee from both toddler and dog. Good luck with potty/house training your DD and puppy.

OP posts:

LittleB · 13/03/2007 12:48

Hi Greenday, It will give you lots of time to plan for it too - which is enjoyable - I spent ages researching breeds and breeders and visited a few. The bitch who is hopefully having our puppy is being scanned tomorrow, she's had a positive pregnancy test but the scan will confirm it and show how many pups are there. Its quite exciting being involved so early.
I might be mopping up after my old dog too, she's senile and has poohed in the house a few times, and weed a couple of times, she seems to go through good phases and bad phases. She does well for her age though - we walked 6 miles together at the weekend and she was fine, just forgets where she is sometimes and she has to stay on a lead now or she wanders off and doesn't hear when I call her.
Focusing on a puppy helps me cope better with the fact that she's getting older.

loler · 13/03/2007 13:17

We got 2 puppies a week before I found out I was pg with no 2. Probably wouldn't have got them if we'ed known. But, I think it would be easier to have a puppy before the baby is born than when it is 3 months old - ours were really bad for running off with stuff left on the floor (there's more of that around with a 3m baby!).

Also you'll be able to train it over the summer rather than nov/dec when the baby is 3 months - letting it get to know you in the garden, having time to play outside.

My ds and our dog (lost one of the dogs sadly) are now really good friends. The dog is great with kids as she grew up with ds and from the start she has had quiet time in her crate, good for me when I've had enough of her and good for her when she's had enough of us! DS is nearly 2 now.

I'm also due in August - are you on the thread?

Whenever you chose to get a new dog or puppy it is really hard work but the fun times do make up for it! Whatever you do - don't go for one dog and come back with 2 - that really is a night mare!

lackofmoney · 13/03/2007 18:44

maybe get a rescue dog $ yr old or so? They do trial periods if need be. It may be easier than getting a puppy at this hectic stage in your life. I know rescue dogs can be a bit of a risk but could look into it? Maybe get one without a horrible history and no hang ups. Like I say, trial period. Also you will be helping to save a doggy This may not be for you but just an idea.
I believe dogs are great for children. I grew up with them. It teaches children a lot.

lackofmoney · 13/03/2007 18:44

I was meant to say 4 years

ratclare · 14/03/2007 09:19

im not sure a rescue would rehome to you when you are pregnant ,as lots of dogs end up in rescue when owners find a dog and a baby too much. But please consider one once the baby is born ,there are plenty of dedicated breed rescues out there if you prefer a particular breed ,you often get the added benifit of knowing the dogs history ,if there has been a relationship break up ,you could get a dog who is house and obeidiance trained ,who has lived with children and who had got past the chewing stage ,what could be better!!!

ratclare · 14/03/2007 09:23

just one more thought for you ,whats worse than clearing up a dirty nappy ? clearing up a dirty nappy that the dog has stolen from your bin ,eaten and then thrown up all ovwer your carpet

Original poster

greenday · 14/03/2007 09:34

Loler - I too thought that summer would be a great opportunity to train a dog before the baby arrives. It's the one big advantage that's given this issue a dilemma. When are you due in Aug? I'm due 25th. Is there an Aug thread?

Lackofmoney/Ratclare - thanks for the suggestion of rescued dogs. Our previous elderly dog was from a dog's home. She was 10 yrs old then and incontinent but we thought it would be nice to give her a happy home for the rest of her remaining life. She died last year and it was very painful and sad but a slight relief too as her incontinence got uncontrollable and it was hard coping with her and a toddler.
DH and I would definitely like to adopt re-home one again.

OP posts:

Original poster

greenday · 14/03/2007 09:36

LOL!! That's true!! That's just reminded me our dog once ate the poo off my DD's dirty nappy. It made me gag at the thought but then again, thanks to her, I only had the nappy to deal with.

OP posts:

loler · 17/03/2007 22:24

this is the link to the August thread hope to see you there.....

hellobello · 20/03/2007 16:21

We have 2 middle aged dogs and 2 young children, and with the best will in the world, the dogs have lost out. They still need things to do, they still need exercise, they still need lots of attention and stimulation. Going to the park with dogs and kids is hard - one beligerant toddler, 1 baby falling out of the pram, and 2 dogs running about.

I am sorely tempted to get another dog, but really, it wouldn't be fair on the dog. 4 or 5 months isn't long to train a dog especially with a new addition to the family. Dogs are hard work, and you will already have your work cut out for you! On the other hand, if it's something you really really want, you will make it work.

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