Getting a cocker spaniel puppy then having a baby a few months later.

[Babylife202]

Anything I should be aware of? We have a puppy lined up that was born on Friday, and my second child is due in August. I’ve never had a dog before but my DH has. I’m thinking, never leave the two unattended and have lots of baby gates everywhere. I know the need for the walks. Anything else I should be aware of regarding day to day issues? Thank-you

I mean, having a baby a few weeks after the puppy arrives, not months!

It's a pretty bad idea.. I'd seriously reconsider if I were you.

I think you’re crazy 😜 which although I’m serious I mean in a light hearted manner. Puppies are crazy hard work, harder than a newborn IMO but I’ve only got one DC so I’m not sure how hard having a second is. I don’t think there’s anything you need to be particularly aware of, puppies all have very different personalities of course. I don’t know many people who haven’t had a “what the fuck have I done?” moment after the get a puppy... and it usually lasts a few weeks! Can’t remember when the feeling kicks in though... not straight away of course. So perhaps just prepare yourself emotionally for that and know you’ll have to work through it?

The only other thing is to make sure you’ve got someone lined up to look after the puppy while you’re in hospital? They honestly can’t even be left alone for more than about two hours for the first bit.

It's going to be bloody hard work. We took on a puppy (spaniel cross) then 10 days later social services rang and asked if we could take a baby (we foster) and I will not lie it was bloody tough. But what's even harder is now the puppy is 9 months old (and a teenager in dog terms) and the baby is just getting mobile. I never, ever leave the two of them alone even for a second, if I leave the room for anything either the dog or the baby come too. There have been days when training the puppy and settling the baby have felt like endless, thankless tasks. There are days when I really, really don't want to walk the dog but I have to. There have been nights when the baby and the puppy have alternated in who is going to wake us up. It's hard work, it really is and a huge commitment.

Honestly? I'd say don't do it. There's tons of demand right now for puppies, it will find a better home that will have more time for it. Unless your eldest is much older and very responsible, they're going to regress and want more of you, the baby will need lots from you, and a new cocker spaniel puppy will need a lot from you too.

It can work well but so often it doesn't, I worked in a rescue and always had puppies coming back in from people who'd never owned dogs before but had a romantic idea of the puppy and baby growing up together - then handed them to someone else when faced with the reality of a pup that barked and woke the baby up during naps, chewed their toys, nipped fingers, nibbled sofas and more, and needed proper training, exercise and attention.

Not a hope in hell would I get a cocker spaniel, with your circumstances. They are often extremely lively and although fantastic dogs if you spend A LOT of time training them, they don’t ‘grow up’ until they’re 2-4 years old, in my experience.

Honestly? I wouldn’t. Cockers are incredibly high energy and notoriously bitey fuckers as puppies. You can also create problems with puppies and young dogs around young children because very small kids don’t understand that dogs need space and respect, which can lead to all sorts of issues including nipping and resource guarding. Can you honestly hand on heart say with a brand new baby and another small child you have the time to devote to a puppy? To house training and learning to walk nicely and giving everyone enough attention? Just so you’re aware as well puppies are often reasonably compliant until they hit about 6 months and enter the teenage years, then most of them are utter bastards for around 12 months after. It’s going to be really hard.

It will be like having two babies, but one will need to be taken outside for toileting multiple times a day hour and will bite you. Lots. Cocker spaniel puppies don't get the nickname cocker-dile for nothing
Unless your DH will be WFH and can take charge of the puppy while you deal with the baby (or vice-versa) then I'd reconsider.
Bear in mind that an exuberant teenage dog plus a crawling / toddling child may also be difficult to manage.

I'd reconsider, honestly. If you have loads of help, then it might work, but newborns are a ton of hard work and the puppy is unlikely to be house trained before the baby arrives. Both young dogs and babies take a ton of time, never mind your other DC. If I was the breeder, I wouldn't have sold you a pup knowing you were about to have a baby, unless I knew you would have another adult around full-time.

I would reconsider, it will be stressful.

I wouldn’t do it, it will be a nightmare. How old is your older child? Maybe if they’re older then it could work if they can take responsibility for walks/training etc? But I say this as someone who had a dog pre children who was already 3yrs and well trained by the time the babies came along and even then it was really hard work and got harder as the children got older and I consistently had to police them to check they weren’t being rough with him etc. Eventually we gave him to a close friend where I’m sure he is much happier. I would never advise someone with young children to get a dog now especially a puppy and a newborn.

You’re insane. Absolutely stupid idea.

This is such a bad idea it's unbelievable. As a lifelong dog owner, I can unequivocally tell you this is a massive mistake, and a cocker spaniel makes this situation even worse.

I got a cocker puppy just before I got pregnant so my pup was a year old when DS was born. That was nuts enough! You're braver than I am!

I have cockers and have my whole adult life.

I would suggest working on the dog being independent ASAP. They can be velcro dogs. Which means they can get jealous when a baby come along.

Work on making sure the puppy is happy to be shut in another room, for short periods if you need.

Make sure they are used to baby noises. Play them from you tube on your phone.

Also make sure you work on trying to prevent resource guarding. They can have a tendency towards resource guarding.

Make sure you have a plan in place to walk and mentally stimulate the dog. Even on days, you are struggling with the baby, this needs doing. The last thing you need is dog that has excess energy and wanting attention, if its a bad day with baby. It will make everything worse.

That said, the 2 I have had when I had my babies were both great. I havent ever had resource guarding issues, with mine. And both seemed far more interested in sitting somewhere they could see the baby from, rather then bothering with me in first few months.

But mine have all been older. But I don't want you to think I am trying to put you off. I love spaniels. But it will be tiring.

they don’t ‘grow up’ until they’re 2-4 years old, in my experience

My parents cocker spaniel is 15, and he’s only just calmed down in the last 18 months ish. He spent the first 13 years of his life running from room to room in their house of an evening. And they’re dedicated to at least an hours run in the forest every day. Loopy creatures. My other parents have springers and they’re noticeably calmer than the cocker!

(Divorced parents hence two sets!)

Don't do it, for the animals sake. You're likely to end up moaning that it's a handful because you won't have the time for it and moaning that you can't cope with a baby and a puppy then rehome the poor puppy. Remember they are babies!

I echo what everyone else has said. Bad idea esp silly if you have brought a working cocker. Please reconsider, your priority will, understandable be your child, you and your husband will have enough with two kids to look after, through a puppy into the mix= chaos

I agree. Dont do it. Having a puppy is like having a baby. That doesn't wear a nappy and chews everything..We waited until our youngest child was 7. You also need to go a training class every week.

Please don't do it. It's not fair on the dog or the baby. There is no way this will work out well for anyone involved and to think otherwise is very naive.

I wouldn't get a dog until my children were school age. Small children do not know how to behave well around a dog - they may pull its ears or tail or what have you. The dog's only defense if hurt is to bite. Some older dogs are very tolerant of babies but a puppy is all me me me. Do you want to have finally got your baby to sleep then the dog starts barking at a bird? Or you have a sleepless night but the dog still needs a walk, even if raining, and your baby has a cold?
Puppies are like little kids - they want to be with you. Stairgates are fine in theory but are a pain when holding the baby and trying to negotiate the latch while not letting the puppy out. Puppy will love to chew your babies toys etc etc.
It's possible, people do it, but you are definitely making life tough for yourself.

I don't think you have a clue what you are letting yourself in for. Yours is a classic situation where the dog gets rehomed a few months down the line.

Your DH doesn't know what it's like to have a new born. You don't know what it's like to have a puppy.

This isn't a particularly easy breed, either.

Cocker-dile is correct I got my first after 3 children..much much harder work and when a cocker is teething they are a nightmare.. 2 sofas and at one point chewed up the side of a door frame, pine dining chair legs..anything he could wrap his teeth around when no-one was looking.. at one point I had to put the pup in the old wooden play pen if I needed to answer the phone as he was so creative...he ate his way out of that very quickly...this is despite millions of chew toys, kongs, chewy pup stuff.. I do remember a squeaky toy that was bought for about £4 that lasted about 2o minutes.

To be fair he is fabulous with all his humans, doesn't guard food and is happy to be played with all day.. but his teething was something else!! There is a reason most shelters won't re-home until the youngest human is 5.

Oooh dear, this is not a good plan OP.

I kept two puppies from my bitches litter, they were 7 months old when I had my baby.

I can't quite put into words how bloody hard and stressful it was and I'm a very experienced dog owner. You're also going for a cocker spaniel, not the easiest of breeds especially if it's a working line. You are looking at a good 3-4 yes before your dog properly matures whilst simultaneously dealing with a young child the same age!

My advice would be, don't do this now. Wait a few years. I nearly killed myself tending to my babies needs and the puppies needs. I came a VERY distant third.

Everything is rosy now, the dogs and my child are 5 yrs old but it's been a bloody hard slog and I wouldnt do it again!

Just don’t.