New Puppy/Dog and Pregnant....or do I wait?

[BabyValentine]

Hi everyone,

We lost our beautiful German Shepherd recently and I am finding life very hard without a dog in the house.

The problem is, I am 18 weeks pregnant. Do I get a pup now, or wait until the baby is born (end October)? Then of course, there is the question of at what age (of baby) is the best age to introduce a new dog. Obviously the hectic first few months would be a bad idea, but then toddlers and young dogs aren't the best combination either. But, I really can't see myself lasting 3 years in a non-dog household!

Having already owned a dog, I do realise how much work a puppy is, but luckily I am at home all day - and will be for the forseeable future.

Or, should I go for an older rescue dog - or is this risky due to lack of history?

Baby first then puppy? Or puppy then baby? Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks
BabyValentine

Sorry to hear about your dog.

If you really are sure you want a puppy/young dog and a baby at the same time you may as well get the puppy toilet training over now while you're pregnant I'd say. But do it soon, as later in the summer you won't be able to bend down to clear up dog mess! Good luck

Sorry to hear about your dog

I have just got rid of our pup as it was too much work and hasstle with little ones and a dog. I would wait until baby was a little bit older personally, but then thats me

From friend's experiences, I'd say definitely have the baby first, because a dog that hasn't been with you very long will be thrown by having all the stress and change a baby will bring, whereas if it comes straight into that it won't know any different.

Getting an adult rescue dog could be a really good alterbative if you put in the time to really find a dog with the right temperament. I did, and have the soppiest (weirdest) bearded collie who dd can poke in the eye and all he does is give her dirty looks.

I wouldn't get a rescue dog now as they are such an unknown quantity. My parents have a rescue dog who is lovely with children, but he is a nightmare on the lead (pulling) which makes it very difficult to combine dog walking and buggy pushing. Its not just whether they are good with children that you have to think about (and obviously that is very important), its whether you can cope with a dog's other problems and a young baby.

I would wait until you have the baby - atleast then you will have a better idea of what life with a baby will be like, and if you think you can fit a puppy in too then go ahead.

I was 12 weeks PG when I bought my 8 week old cocker spaniel pup and so far it has worked out really well for me.

I am now 8.5 months pregnant, he has settled down, and while I was still able to do all the running around toilet training etc I did. I took him to puppy classes when I was 5-6 months, even took him to a dog show a couple of weeks ago.

To be honest I adore him, he has kept me company throughout the PG and I have trained him well enough to walk alongside a pram. He has motivated me to keep exercising (walking him) every day and without him I would do nothing, lol. I am waaayyy too PG now to do too much fun stuff with him but he is old enough to have settled.

I would personally not recommend a rescue dog as you don't know their history, look for a pup raised in a family environment and used to all the noises. The only bad thing about my boy is that the sound of babies crying unsettles him a bit (but I daresay he'll get used to that soon enough!)

Of course we still have problems time to time, ie, if dog gets sick, I am too PG to clear up much vomit, I can walk dog but not wear dog out, etc etc, but IMO he has been great practice for a baby, has kept me company through many a lonely bored day at home, kept me motivated and exercising, and he is now at an age where he is settling.

I do feel I will need to keep a close eye on him when the baby comes but he is as much a part of my family now as I am and we'll find a way of making it work. Good luck to you!!

Oh yes, I forgot to say, there is no way in the world I could spend 3 years in a dog free house, especially if you are at home all day. I understand how you feel!

He has become my best friend, I know things will be tough when the baby comes and he may well have jealousy issues etc, but as long as you get them very well socialised and used to all sorts of scenarios (taking them to boot sales are great for that!), get them neutered (always safer IMO), the joy he has given me while I could have been so bored and lonely at home, I would work with him through any difficulties.

And if I can keep exercising in the countryside and cleaning up dog poo at 8.5 months then so can you .

Ultimately it's up to you, but having faced the same desicion myself a few months ago, I am over the moon I took made the choice that I did as he has certainly enhanced my days.

One thing I would recommend though - get a crate for a pup to sleep in, it becomes their own little 'home' and if you crate train them they like being in there....if you need 30 mins 'alone time' (which no doubt we will when baby comes!), then pop them in there. Theu take up a bit of space, but thank god for it, my house has remained a destruction free zone, no chewing furniture, a safe place to put him when I go out, toilet training took all of 2 weeks, brilliant. Made life sooooo much easier.

Thanks for all your comments. I'm still not sure, but I think I'm leaning towards waiting until the baby is already here. WK007, you're right that it would be unfair to stress a new arrival with yet another new arrival.

Trendaverter, I'm glad that your pup has worked out for you, and I think if I wasn't 19 weeks tomorrow I would do what you have done - but I'm not sure that I have enough time to get a puppy settled before the birth.

However, maybe I'll change my mind. You never know! The dog-shaped hole in the household is definitely heart-breaking.

Thanks for your kind words everyone. Watch this space...

BV

We've just got a rescue dog and she is lovely with my kids... OK they're older 9 and 10.. but if you go to a rescue they won't just give you any old dog.. it will have been accessed and probably lived in a foster home with children... just think, it will probably be already house trained and know all its basic commands!

try this forum www.dogpages.org.uk/forums/index.php

Good luck

forgot to say, sorry about losing your dog

I'm 28 weeks and have just got an 11 week old westie puppy, i couldnt live without a dog, and this way hopefully puppy will be old enough by the time baby comes along, luckily im home all the time and can look after her, and shes been great at keeping me sane during the day when i would otherwise be on my own.

Baby first, baby first baby first! You do not want to have to detract from those magical (and quite frankly exhausting) first few months with a new baby to have to deal with a puppy.

We had a dog when DD came along, ok he was a problem dog but it was always a worry. When he passed away about 3 months ago, we said never again. Um, im typing this with one hand because the new puppy is alseep in the other! DD is two now and can understand how to stop the dog from being too much. To be quite frank, a rescue centre wont even consider you for a rescue dog with a small baby, i know this because they woudlnt have a bar of us and i am an experienced dog owner.

Do wait, then you can base your decision on a known set of circumstances. You may not feel like dealing with a dog after a sleepless night. It is also unfair to expect a new dog to have to deal with a new addition to the family who is, quite rightly, going to be far more important.

i forgot to say, i am so sorry about the loss of your dog its a horrible thing, having a dog shaped hole, i know exactly where you are coming from with that comment.