Getting a puppy while pregnant

[kidsareok]

Hi! Just wanted some advice. My boyfriend and I have been looking for a puppy for ages. We finally found a gorgeous little boy pup 6 weeks ago and put down a deposit to secure him. My boyfriend loves dogs and is so excited. However, 4 weeks ago we found out I was pregnant. I'm now 8 weeks and the puppy is due to arrive with us at the end of next week and I'm stressing a bit. I have been so so sick for the past few weeks and feeling exhausted etc. My sense of smell is crazy and everything makes me wretch. I am worried getting a puppy will be too much for me - I don't think I could handle the dog smell or the wee and poo and I feel like I wouldn't have the energy to be playful with a puppy. I've started to worry about the puppy being smelly and making a mess and have been envisaging hairs on the new baby grows etc just all stuff I've never thought of before. My boyfriend said my sickness is just temporary and o won't feel like this forever but I'm just concerned my heart won't be in it anymore. His heart really, really is in it and I know he would be gutted to lose this pup. Has anyone got experience of having a puppy and being pregnant? Or if their feelings towards a pet changed in pregnancy? I love dogs and have always wanted one but my mind has changed since being so poorly recently. Thank you!

I have friends with dogs. They fall into two camps, a few had a dog a few years before children. The rest all got a puppy when their youngest child was around seven.

I'm 30 weeks now and already had a dog when I fell pregnant but literally my entire pregnancy I've been incredibly sick a picking up dog poo has made me heave! Thankfully DH has taken over all walking duties so pooch has not suffered but remembering how many accidents puppy's have I would def not have coped with that during pregnancy

I would like to add my 2nd dog is a terrier (much like a dachshund) I have never 100% trusted him not to be slightly aggressive towards anyone. I think at some stage or other he has nipped us all. Be wary of terrier breeds they are a one person only breed. However as I said all my kids play with him still and even though he id now an old man and blind as a bat i know he loves them back. You really need to tell your boyfriend that if this is the dog he wants then he needs to look after it. If you do get the dog I so suggest a cage (which my dogs loved and still do) so that everyone gets time out

Dachshunds are more likely than many other breeds to show unprovoked aggression to humans, the mini ones can take months to toilet train, and they're very fragile and prone to health issues.

I didn't even know you could "mini" dachshunds 🤣

At least it's not a large breed if you did go ahead

Unless you're an experienced dog owner, don't do it. Although if you were, I suspect you wouldn't be asking this. The puppy will still be a puppy and require a lot of work and training by the time the baby comes (even if house trained). Concentrate on baby - there's always time for a dog at a later stage. X

Thank you! I feel bad for dissing my boyfriend as he's now agreed with what I'm saying and we have had a chat - I think he's just really disappointed as we have been looking for ages for a dog. We have everything for him and even a bowl and collar with his name on . I do feel bad for him. It's sad but I know it's for the best. Thanks everyone!

Aww that is really sad. Sounds like you found out just in the nick of time though as it would have been worse had you just got the dog then found out. He will go to a lovely, happy home I'm sure.

I don’t think I could have coped with a newborn and a puppy TBH. The cats were bad enough.

It’s not that your saying never to a puppy just not now, we waited until our youngest DC was 3 and in nursery before we got a puppy.

You’ve made the right decision OP.

I think your BF might have a bit of growing up to do.

I always felt sorry for mums when I see them walking a dog with a pram. It just makes everything that little bit more difficult. xx

You’ve made the right choice. A newborn is hard work. A puppy is like another baby except you can’t take the puppy with you to all the places you’d take a baby.

You’ve done the right thing. One thing you could consider though, maybe after the baby has come and you’re settling into it, is maybe getting a rescue dog. There are so many fabulous dogs needing homes out there. Retired greyhounds in particular male brilliant pets as the are so so lazy and usually very laid back with kids - lots will have been on foster with children too so you can feel reassured it will be child friendly. We have a rescue, he’s gorgeous, and I am confident he’s going to be fine with a baby - he’ll just wander off and sleep which is what he does most of the day anyway!

I personally wouldn’t. I had an older dog when DD was born and he was at the point of only needing a half hour walk a day and then would just sleep- but I STILL found that hard with a newborn having to do it every day. I absolutely adore dogs but nothing would induce me to have a puppy and newborn at the same time.

@kidsareok don't be sad about your decision, it's beat to have a puppy when they baby is already there so they grow knowing what the baby is. You'll get one when you are ready and it would be a wonderful experience.

I’m actually not against the puppy in theory. We had two Great Danes throughout my pregnancy and toddlerhood of our two youngest. It was hard work but fine. If your boyfriend understood he would be doing 100% of the dog car then I might say it would be ok.

BUT I’ve been considering getting a miniature dachshund- they are so cute- and I read they are not a good dog to have with toddlers - apparently very fragile spines and easily hurt by a boisterous kid. Maybe use this argument with your boyfriend. Good luck x

"I always felt sorry for mums when I see them walking a dog with a pram"

Ha ha, why? I have a dog and a baby and it's fine. It forces me to take the baby out of the house so I actually get some sunlight and he's great company when my husband is at work. He was at my parents' house for a week when we were moving and I missed him like crazy.

I would never recommend getting a puppy at the same time as a new baby but if you already have a dog, it's fine.

Save your sympathy for someone who actually deserves it, I love having a dog and a baby.

You are doing the right thing. We got a puppy two weeks before I found out I was pregnant. It was so, so hard, I was so sick cleaning up pee and then later trying to walk the poor dog in the heat when I was suffering from sciatica.... DP turned awful lazy once the actual dog was here and left me to do most of it, the arse. And dealing with a hyper young dog and a baby. No no no, never again.

I 100% guarantee that you will regret getting this puppy. No doubt about it at all

You've made the right choice.

A puppy while pregnant is easy compared to a teenaged dog with a newborn. And that's easy compared to an adult dog with a toddler. Having a baby and having a puppy are both amazing experiences and you would really spoil both experiences by trying to do them at the same time.

Madness. Didn't even need to read further than the thread title.