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Original poster

When best to get a puppy with baby?

25 replies

anotherbitofcake · 21/06/2014 09:25

Hello
I've got a 5 mo baby. I've always wanted a dog though never had one. When would you say is a good time to get one? And would it be better to get a puppy or dog?
I'd like another baby at some point - prob in a couple years.
I'd like a Labrador though I also like sausage dogs!
Would it be better to get two dogs at once?
Ill be going back to work part time but working at home one day, ditto husband so there will be one day when dog on its own. However next door have dogs so sure can arrange something there for that day.
We have a good sized home with garden.
I'm managing much better with baby though I still don't think I could manage a puppy yet. Would a puppy with a toddler be more of a nightmare? Some people must do it! Just not sure when the best time would be to get one? Or maybe should wait till kids much older?
TIA

OP posts:
Cataline · 21/06/2014 09:33

Don't do it!! Grin
And never get two puppies at same time- they'll entertain each other and not need or listen to you as much as you'd want them to!

Lilcamper · 21/06/2014 09:40

Puppies are hard work. I waited until my daughter was 5 to get one, old enough to understand and respect the pup's space.

Never get two together. It is not a good idea. Googlee 'littermate syndrome'.

tabulahrasa · 21/06/2014 09:43

Two puppies at the same time is absolutely not a good idea.

Also a puppy will not be ok being left one day a week even with someone popping in, until they're housetrained they need out about every 20 minutes and even after that they need more than just someone breaking up the day...an adult dog might be ok, but not as a puppy.

I personally wouldn't get a puppy with a child under 4...puppies bite and chase, I found it hard to cope with with older children, I wouldn't do it with a toddler.

With an adult dog those things aren't as much of a concern...but you've still got to factor in the time they take up and how you'll walk them even when it's pouring out.

TheWomanTheyCallJayne · 21/06/2014 09:43

Same as lilcamper
They're harder work than babies

Slipshodsibyl · 21/06/2014 09:50

Wait until the child is 4. Never get two puppies at the same time. You will simply never manage to train them. One is tough enough. So much harder than children to train!

ShergarAndSpies · 21/06/2014 09:54

God the idea of getting a puppy with a baby / toddler makes me want to weep.

Seriously OP, a puppy is so much more work than a baby. It's like doing sleepless nights, weaning, potty training and hyper-toddler all at the same time.

Slipshodsibyl · 21/06/2014 09:56

Just to add, I have a child/family friendly' breed but the breeder wouldn't let them go to homes where a child was under 4 years - preferably 5 and above, depending on the family's house/ previous experience etc. He said there was too much potential for things to go wrong.

The trainer we used (had trained Guide Dogs as a career for 25 years) said never get a second until the first is fully trained.

insanityscatching · 21/06/2014 10:08

Dd (the youngest) was 11 when we got Eric, I'd say she was the perfect age. Eric was much harder work than my five dc put together. I'd have been out of my mind having a puppy and a baby/toddler yet found having four under seven an absolute breeze.

NCISaddict · 21/06/2014 10:17

I have to say I've found the opposite, the puppies haven't been really hard work much less work than the children. Perhaps the odd day of despair but nothing really hard. I've had two puppies (not at the same time) with small children and it's all been fine. I am very strict a bit of a dragon with both though and have really insisted on respectful interaction between dogs and children.
I would never get two puppies together though and would be wary about getting a puppy if you're not an experienced dog owner.

Lilcamper · 21/06/2014 10:28

The OP is talking about a Labrador. Contrary to popular belief they are not an easy breed. As a puppy they are bitey, chasey, chewy land sharks.

They are big dogs. They are bred to work. If their mental and physical needs aren't met, they will go self employed and bark, dig chew and escape.

They are a 14 year commitment.

WeAllHaveWings · 21/06/2014 10:30

we waited until ds was 9yrs old to get a lab. they are big dogs and you will never be able to leave them in a room together or take your eyes off them for approx the first year until the pup calms down.

we were lucky and got a very placid lab, friend's lab is 10 months old and a bit mad, doesnt trust to leave alone with her 11 yr old.

I couldn't have coped with an under 5/6 and a biting puppy

Bubble2bubble · 21/06/2014 10:38

We got two puppies when we had a non walking toddler and I was six months pregnant. It was an emergency rescue and at the time we felt we had no choice.:(
Fast forward seven years and I have these two lovely dogs as well as two more, and two kids who are exceptionally good around dogs....BUT I would never, never, never get two puppies at the same time, and definitely would have waited until the kids were older.
I will always feel guilty about the lack of time I was able to spend with the puppies and the times they were left on their own while I dealt with a toddler and a sick baby.
In hindsight we were very naive and wish that someone had told me Blush

Lonecatwithkitten · 21/06/2014 11:16

I agree with Lili about labs my colleague got a lab when she retired. So very experienced owner had shepherds before, 40 years as a vet, retired with all the time in world for her puppy. Whilst the dog is lovely now at 4 years old, my colleague has had to replace every skirting board in the downstairs of the house, a sofa and has been in despair at times. She used a crate and is very strict (clients used to call her Judge Judy).
I got a poodle cross at the same time, I'm a single parent to at the time a 6 year old and I work full time ( he comes to work). The only thing he has ever chewed are sylvanians -well he amputates their limbs. Much, much easier dog.

Singlesuzie · 21/06/2014 11:21

Erm, you might want to talk to your neighbours before assuming they'll be happy to do doggy daycare.

Aside from that- you'd be mad to get a puppy with a baby. I'd wait until your youngest is in school.

Dogs are permanent toddlers. Please dont under estimate that.

Xcountry · 21/06/2014 11:31

It depends on how you would cope and since you have no experience with dogs or puppies then I don't think now is a good time, leave it a few years. I don't find dogs and puppies hard work but if you grow up like I did then that's all you know. I think if you were to get one maybe look into getting an adult dog, proven housetrained and good with your kids that would fit into your lifestyle. Labradors need more than two hours vigorous exercise a day - can you give that??

Lilcamper · 21/06/2014 12:49

I disagree about the 2 hours vigorous exercise. They do need plenty of mental stimulation though.

daisydotandgertie · 21/06/2014 15:15

The temperament of a labrador depends on its parents, its breeder and its upbringing.

Tarring them all with the same brush, be it that they eat everything in sight, are fat as puddings, are lazy, are mental, are chewers, are biters - anything - is wrong and unfair. It's much the same as saying all blonde people are thick. Wrong, ill informed and unfair.

I love the breed and have had many. Currently I have just two adults and a litter of eight seven week old pups. I KNOW how the puppies will turn out, because I have bred carefully, with years of thought and knowledge behind it and socialised them thoroughly. Most of a dogs behaviour is inherited from its parents - it really does pay to find a good breeder.

MexicanSpringtime · 21/06/2014 15:54

Gosh, I love other people's dogs, but the idea of having a puppy and a baby to look after is my idea of a nightmare and, unfortunately, would probably result in yet another rehomed dog.

Now a kitten would be no trouble.

Lilcamper · 21/06/2014 17:26

Regardless of temperament, puppies chew, they bite and they chase.

I am a long term lab owner. It's only fair they know the negatives too.

Original poster
anotherbitofcake · 22/06/2014 13:52

Ha ok I think I'm getting the vibe it would not be a cool idea!!

What about a daushund - non puppy?

May have to wait on a few years...

Cest la vie. Maybe a moggy for now

OP posts:
Original poster
anotherbitofcake · 22/06/2014 13:54

Me and hub are v much outdoorsy people and runners too so the exercise labs would need is a positive for us, but yes happy to wait. Best things and all that...

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 22/06/2014 14:24

I know people with lovely dachshunds...but they do top surveys as the breed who is most likely to bite, I suspect because they're prone to back problems due to the shape of them.

If I were you I'd look for an adult lab, because they're such a popular breed you get lots of them in rescues.

isitsnowingyet · 22/06/2014 14:30

Wait until your baby is 4 or 5 years old, then get a puppy.

BertieBotts · 22/06/2014 14:31

Bear in mind that having a puppy is pretty much like having an 18 month old child.

Your first child is five months... come back to this idea in a year's time when you have an 18 month old and see what you think then :)

Beaverfeaver2 · 22/06/2014 16:49

This is why we got puppy before having children.

I really didn't want to wait the however many years for 1 or 2 children to be at a safeish age to bring a puppy into their lives and means I get plenty of time to train him, so he's perfect before children arrive.

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