new life, new start, new dog?

[BunInMyOven93]

Hello! this is my.first time posting in this topic, so be nice! :p haha.

Im pregnant with our first child and moving into our first family home next week. We have been so excited, obviously for arrival of baby, but also because it means i can get a dog! I have grown up with dogs as pets and have lived in an 8th floor flat since january and ever since then living without a dog has really upset me!

Obviously im posting to ask your opinions on when/what size dog is best to get? The house is a 2bed with an average sized back.garden and huge patio doors that open into the garden. I will be a stay at home mum for the first year or so. So doggy will be well looked after! Im very used to big dogs (huskys, rhodesian ridgebacks, rotwielers) but understand that with a child a medium sized dog will be more ideal! does anybody have a dog AND a small baby? and how is your dog with him/her? And should i introduce the dog to the home before or after she is born? (nov/december)

sorry if.its a little long! any info/advice is welcomed xx

Congratulations on your baby but .... Personally I think you're mad to be thinking of getting a dog now

Your baby will be all-consuming for at least the first year and it would be really unfair to get a dog now only for it to be immediately surpassed in your affections

Have to say, I had the same thought as Basildon. At least wait until after the baby, so you know how we'll you are managing. I had a dog prior to babies and he was my obsession until the moment I gave birth.

I have a 6 week old DD and a 16 month old Golden Retriever. I love my dog but he does make life harder and I think you'd be mad to bring a puppy into the mix.

I also think you should wait until after the baby comes and see how you feel then. I think when you have a small baby, anything else requiring your attention can be quite stressful. This is hard to predict or explain until you've actually got the baby and you realise how focussed you become on your baby.

Wait until your child is older, 5 or 6.

Please wait. We already had a dog and an older child. Now have a baby and the dog is terrified of her and we may have to rehome him. Not all dogs like babies.

You also have no idea how hard it is for the first year with a new baby. Training your dog will be tricky. Leave it a year and then re think.

Please please wait - this is not the right time. Wait until you have had the baby - having a baby is hard work enough, new dog at the same time? Madness and irresponsible. Sorry

Congratulations on your new baby though xx

I can only agree with everyone else. Your baby will be the centre of your universe, and you really won't have the time to put into training a pup. Enjoy your baby :)

Wasnt planning on getting a puppy. Was thinking of a 3year old dog from a rescue home. If you all think i should wait then i'll take your advice :)! im just verrry impatient to start building my little family home with a baby and a little dog to top it off lol. Suppose i have all the time in the world though :). Thankyou x

I understand your impatience :) I'd be exactly the same - but do wait, a rescue is a great idea, however most rescues are reticent to rehome all but a very select few dogs with families with young children. You sound like you have lots of dog experience though so im sure you'll find something to suit you all when the right time comes. For now - enjoy the baby and don't make more work for yourself.

Oh and congratulations on getting two parts of the puzzle - you are right though, dogs are part of the family.

I'll stick with my fish for now! :( :p thanks LEM

Xx *

Rescues can be sort of like having a big pup when you first get them anyway.

You sound lovely and there will be one very lucky dog I'm sure at some point in the future. Glad you've decided to wait.

I know! Ive never had a rescue dog. My dad always wanted full breeds from the dogs parents owners etc so we had them all from puppies until they passed when they got old. Still have a Rhodesian Ridgeback who is 12 now! very good age but the poor things on her last legs.

Anyway, went off topic there lol. Tryin to say that im not very experienced with rescue dogs so would be a bit of a learning curve for me. So makes sense to.wait now that ive thought about it :) x