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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Getting a dog when preg

25 replies

anotherbitofcake · 05/07/2013 15:11

Hello
I really want to get a dog. I'm 14 1/2 weeks pregnant. Am I nuts? Have decided getting a puppy is not the best idea, but thought a dog may be better. Any advice? Tips? Breed wise my fav is lab, but thought maybe a greyhound might be better? I also love sausage dogs! Got an average size garden. Work at home 2-3 days a week and will be on mat leave 1 year, maybe never going back. Not owned a dog before but have owned cats horses and cared for dogs. Wanted to get a rescue one, or one that needed rehoming. Will need one that is used to children and is trained. Is this all doable or should I steer clear and wait? If so when is a good time to get a dog when you have small people?
PS Would also like to get a cat, but have been a bit scared off by that toxo thingy you can pick up from their poo. Or is this old wives tale?

OP posts:
Yonididnaedaethat · 05/07/2013 15:21

I have 2 dogs, puppies are harder work than babies! I would wait, I'm 5 months pregnant and there is no way I'd even consider a pup right now.

bulletwithbutterflywings · 05/07/2013 15:27

Its a stupid idea IMO. Puppies need even more attention than babies! DS is nearly 4 and its only now (he's going to school in Sept)that I feel I have enough time to give to a pup.

bulletwithbutterflywings · 05/07/2013 15:28

Although a rescue greyhound could be suitable for your situation! Ask the pointy hounds lot in the doghouse. They know their onions :)

Original poster
anotherbitofcake · 05/07/2013 15:29

what about grown, trained dog?

OP posts:
Original poster
anotherbitofcake · 05/07/2013 15:30

i've just read about the cat thing and maybe getting a rescue cat would be better idea for now if I stay away from the litter tray?

OP posts:
Original poster
anotherbitofcake · 05/07/2013 15:31

yeh I've read greyhounds are super dogs, very chilled out, lovely temperament. my oh likes greyhounds too.

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 05/07/2013 16:02

I'd wait...an older dog is less work than a puppy, but they'd still be settling in and you'd still be training them* when your baby arrives and it can be hard juggling both.

*even a well trained dog will need to be trained to fit in with what you want it to be like.

My dog died a few months after my DS was born, I waited until he was about 2 to get another one - that worked well because by then DS could go for short walks too and I could do a longer one either with a buggy or when DP came home. DS was just old enough to understand not to torment the dog and because it was an older dog and not a puppy we didn't have a hyper little thing trying to play with DS.

I wouldn't get a cat now if you're maybe going to get a dog later, but the litter tray isn't a huge issue, you just need to wear gloves while you're pregnant.

TheCunnyFunt · 05/07/2013 16:53

I would wait for a while until after the baby is born, we got a Greyhound when DD was 7.5mo and it was fine. Although our dog had already lived in a home with young children so he was used to them, plus we didn't have to go through the from-racing-dog-to-pet stage like the majority of people who adopt ex racers. I guess the reason it was fine for us is because our dog is just so laid back, he does nothing but sleep, I'm convinced that if I didn't force him he'd never go outside :o he's far from being a needy dog, he's not in your face, he's happy to just laze around and doesn't demand attention but he's happy to receive it as and when. He likes his 2 walks a day but doesn't go barmy if he misses his afternoon one.

Of course I appreciate that everyones situations are different and not all Greyhounds are like mine (I've heard stories of Grunds that actually like to play! Shock) But if I were you I'd just wait until your baby is older, maybe about 2yo.

idirdog · 05/07/2013 20:45

Please don't get a dog when you are pregnant. Just do a few searches on MN alone and you will see how difficult people find it and how many dogs are rehomed during this period or when the baby is just born.

All these people thought that they could cope and it would not happen to them.

Just enjoy one experience at a time, enjoy your new baby, then when you have more time and a bit of love to spare think about getting a dog. If you get them close together it will always be a compromise between them.

Both deserve a huge commitment from you even an older dog.

If you do have some time on your hand volunteer at your local rescue . You can give some unloved dogs some time and also be in a good position to get a rescue dog when the time is right and the rescue will know you well.

idirdog · 05/07/2013 20:46

I also think you are being very unrealistic no dog will come to you ready trained. You will have to put in the time regardless of the dogs age and training etc.

Also thinking of getting a cat at the same time is just ridiculous, settle in one new animal before think of getting another one.

BettyBotter · 05/07/2013 20:49

For the baby's sake, for the dog's sake and for your own sake, just don't.

PeanutPatty · 05/07/2013 22:18

I would definitely wait. A newborn is full on! Trying to squeeze in one/two dog walks a day as well as caring for the baby will be hard going. Most days actually drinking a cup of coffee whilst its still hot is a challenge. Seriously.

Honestly save your sanity and wait til your baby is older and you can dedicate time to a dog. If you don't wait then your dog will go through another change of circumstances as s/he will have to adapt to its new rules/boundaries due to a young baby being in the house and that can be stressful for everyone involved and ESP the dog.

If you want the benefits of dog walking come and walk mine! Wink

SallyBear · 06/07/2013 09:17

I got my Labrador as an 8 wk old puppy and then two weeks later found out I was pg. with twins!! A bit of a roller coaster and very unexpected. We already had an older dog, so trying to settle in two dogs together, puppy training, house training etc was a bit of a challenge. Then the babies came and it became a massive juggling act. We managed though.

All I would say is that if you had a dog from a puppy, they grow up with the baby. A rescue dog could potentially not cope with adjusting to a baby. The baby takes over your entire life. My DSis once foolishly said that their G Shepherd would always be their number 1 priority. Then they had their baby..... Poor dog took a back seat somewhat. My dogs adjusted to small children, but I never left them on their own for more than two hours at a time - unless someone could walk them for me.

My "puppy" was put to sleep on Monday. She was a lovely girl who survived four loud and frenetic children. She was 14yrs old. Smile

UpTheFRIGGinDuff · 06/07/2013 09:41

At work,someone brought in a Hamster for reforming,because they'd just had a baby and couldn't cope with both.

A fricking Hamster.

Pregnancy is not the time for new animals IMO,unless you really really know what you're letting yourself in for.
I mean you have actual personal experience of both (baby and particular animal).

UpTheFRIGGinDuff · 06/07/2013 09:41

Reforming?! Re homing

4x4 · 06/07/2013 11:45

I took on two darling rescue puppies when 5mths pregnant with my first and it was a huge success.
The photos of the baby being "guarded " either side by his furry brothers are my most precious.
I am dog bonkers though and have shared my life with several.
I'd recommend smaller non shedding variety with limited exercise needs.
Basically live soft toys .

SunnyL · 06/07/2013 12:04

My baby is 3 weeks old and I'm struggling to give sufficient time to my dog at the moment (2 years old and spent considerable time training her). No way would I want to be doing this with an 8 month old pup. I think you are mad to consider getting a pup or older dog at this stage. Do you think it might be your nesting hormones playing with you? I craved a new puppy throughout my pregnancy but sensibly knew it wasn't the best time to get a new pet.

idirdog · 06/07/2013 12:18

There are a couple of really scary threads here:-

Dogs are notBasically live soft toys that is a really worrying statement and just not true of 99.9% of all dogs.

dog from a puppy, they grow up with the baby. A rescue dog could potentially not cope with adjusting to a new baby You have no idea what the puppy is going to turn into , they may hate babies, be stressed by the whole situation, however seeing an adult rescue dog you can already see the character of the dog and know if it could live with your family.

tabulahrasa · 06/07/2013 12:41

All my dogs have been rescues until this one and this one is the only one I have to really watch for small children with...it's because of over enthusiasm and clumsiness, but the rescues always were brilliant with children...because they were older, calmer and I knew they needed to be ok with children when I got them.

SallyBear · 06/07/2013 13:18

I was blessed with a very calm Labrador puppy when my twins were babies.

4x4 · 06/07/2013 13:20

Sorry idirdog but that is what mine are like. They have never chewed or destroyed anythinh , housetrained easily and are brilliant with kids. They sit on beds amongst the teddies and look like toys.
They are a poodle x of some type.
I grew up with labs, a boxer and a setter plus had a doberman for 9 years before
my mixes . My Dad is a vet and I have lots of dog experience .
I don't mean mine are treated like toys.

Original poster
anotherbitofcake · 08/07/2013 15:20

hello
sorry - no internet over weekend. We're going to wait. I've wanted a dog since I was probably a bean in my ma's belly :-) so another couple years or so sigh I can do. I want my dog to feel at home and loved too so can't be selfish. I honestly have no clue how much time/energy little bab will take so thanks for your wise words. I'm basically an animal person so would like loads of pets around me hence was also thinking a cat, and also I thought a cat is much more independent than a dog so easier to manage but think will wait on that too to see how I fare as a mum - eek. Haven't had pets for a while till now as been renting and just got a new home and garden so now do have the ability, but will hold out some more and concentrate on little one when he/she arrives. So if anyone sees a mad lady trying to walk other people's dogs it's probably me.

OP posts:
GobHoblin · 08/07/2013 18:44

My daughter is about to turn 6 and my dog is 15 mths. Someone said to me the other day, 'I bet you wish you'd done it years ago'. Umm, nope, i could no way have done what i do now as regards to exercise and enrichment for the pup/adolescent dog with a baby/toddler & working too.
For us, i got the timing just right. Everyones different but i think it would be a massive mistake.

Pizdets · 09/07/2013 12:54

I do think you've made the right decision, hard as it is! We got Pizpup in November, found out I was pregnant in January. He's a very good little dog and very low maintenance but if I'm honest if I'd known I'd get pregnant so quickly we wouldn't have got the dog. We also have 2 cats (had them 3 years) and like you, love pets and having lots of animals around but I'm 29 weeks now and the hair and the mess is starting to stress me out!

Am also worried about how they're all going to get on once the baby arrives. I joke I'll just chuck them all on the rug and let them fight it out but I dread the idea I'll have less love for my furry babies come September!

Ps, if you're in London I have a small puppy who loves cuddles!!

PeanutPatty · 10/07/2013 22:33

It's not less love its less time. Nobody can really ever prepare you for life with a newborn/young baby. They literally consume you and your days simply disappear.

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