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

Thank-you everyone for the replies, it’s all given me so much to think about. In all fairness to DH, he is self employed and will be WFH for the next several months to a year (not to do with covid per se but the nature of the work he has on) and has assured me he will do the bulk of caring. He isn’t always going to be wfh so if he’s to do the ‘upbringing’ (of puppy) now is the best time in that respect, I wouldn’t know where to begin. We have to go and see the puppy in few weeks.
It’s more the practical day to day dynamics of living with a puppy and a baby I am having worries about, and you’ve all told me that these are not unfounded. Of course there will come a time when I have to look after it and a baby and I’m not too keen on my baby sharing floor space with a puppy, or not being able to meet the needs of both, so I’m feeling a bit sad now as maybe I have to stay no to the puppy for this summer at least.

Really and truly that is the right thing for now OP. Don't be sad, it'll be wonderful at the right time. Good call.

@Babylife202 is your dh hands on?

He isn’t always going to be wfh so if he’s to do the ‘upbringing’ (of puppy) now is the best time in that respect

Has he forgotten you have a baby and toddler and in what respect is having a puppy ideal for you????

Do not get a puppy unless you are wonder woman

The young couple opposite us had a baby on New Year's Day - then they sadly ended up in lockdown. They decided to get a puppy while they were both at home. We saw a beautiful little labrador/retriever being 'delivered'.

We also saw it going with them on one of their walks [we are in a lovely area, luckily] - baby in buggy and new puppy being carried.
Sadly a new baby and a puppy was too much for them to manage and puppy is now temporarily at one of their parent's home.

I can't wait for them to have it back so I can have a cuddle of it.

I think it will be a lot harder than you expect, OP.

You sound sensible from your latest update op and better to be a bit sad about it now than devastated when you have to rehome a dog you're attached to because it's too stressful. When your dc are 2 plus getting a dog will be so great AND the kids can share in that joy. No idea why anyone gets a dog with a baby tbh.

Sounds like a sensible decision OP. Weve got an 8 & 10 year old and a now 9 month old Cockapoo. It was really hard in the beginning as he was nipping everything to the extent that our 8 year old barely left his room. My DH is home all the time too and I work but I had 3 weeks off for an operation when the pup was 10 weeks and it was so hard. He kept jumping on me and I couldn’t pick him up to get him back down on the floor so my DH had to be there all the time if he was out his crate (his crate was a godsend and he still loves it now). If my DH went out someone had to come and sit with us not for the kids but for the dog as I couldn’t get him out for a pee or anything. Fast forward to now and we’re all way much more settled with him and my 8 year old loves him to bits. There’s no way I could have coped with a baby though it would have been too hard, especially if for any reason you have a c section or even just recovery at all after labour.

@Babylife202 I take back my last comment then. Well done for taking on board what everyone has said.

My friend has a cocker. I absolutely love him but he's older now. As a puppy, he was chaos. I had a scratch on my thigh that lasted about 3/4 months.. he was probably about 2 when he did it!
they're gorgeous dogs but not suited to babies imo

If you do end up deciding to get the dog (despite us all saying DONT) PM me. I did a 9 month old spaniel pup and a newborn. I have lots of survival tips.

Although, I still say DONT in a very loud voice.

Well done, OP. It would be a mistake. I have a perfect gentleman of a greyhound who we got as an adult rescue 2 years before our baby was born. He is no trouble at all, sleeps most of the day, only requires two shortish walks, is amazing with the baby and always has been (to be fair she is very calm and learned to be gentle very early). I still would advise against it. I love him to bits but it is another thing to think about and worry about at a time when you really don't need that.