Should I keep the puppy?

[Twodogsandababy]

Need some advice on what to do here.
My Mum has a six month old puppy who she’s had from 12 weeks. She spoke to me a couple of weeks ago about how she can’t get her toilet trained and it’s driving her crazy. I’m at home on furlough at the moment and offered to have her for a week or so to take some stress off my mum and see if I could get her toilet trained. I’ve got a dog of my own who’s one and a half that I adore. She’s been with me nearly two weeks now. She’s had a couple of accidents but doing really well with toilet training outside. My dog absolutely adores her and has been so much happier since she’s been here - they play together all day and I think my dog feels maternal towards her. The puppy follows me around everywhere and is so sweet, I’ve really fallen in love with her. My mum rang a couple of days ago to say my dad thinks that I should keep the puppy because I’m better with her and have more time for her, and she’s much happier having my dog to play with. I said I couldn’t take her away from my mum who basically said she wasn’t really bothered. My mum is having a difficult time with her mental health at the moment and I worry that this would have a negative effect on her.

I spoke to my dad who said the puppy is on her own in a playpen for most of the day and my little sister (who’s still at home) looks after her most of the time rather than my mum. They want her to be able to have free range of the house but don’t let her at the moment because she’s not toilet trained. It’s breaking my heart to think about her on her own in a pen all day when she could be with me and my dog playing and interacting.

I’m really torn on what to do. There are a few reasons I think it’s probably not the best idea. I’m currently 7 months pregnant and will obviously have less time for the puppy once the baby comes - although I’ll be at home all day and it could be good for my dog to have a friend so she isn’t lonely when I’m busy with the baby. The puppy also barks at every little thing - she seems to have an issue with men and barks at my partner every time he comes home, although she will cuddle him and never tries to bite or anything. My dog doesn’t bark whatsoever. Her bark is really loud and I’m worried about her upsetting the neighbours and waking the baby. We have worked with a dog trainer with my dog so if I did keep her we could train her with him, but obviously there’s no guarantee that would solve the issue.

We planned on breeding our dog in a year or so and keeping a puppy for her as a friend. We wouldn’t do this if we kept the puppy. Am I crazy to be seriously considering keeping her? When I spoke to my mum we both suggested that the puppy could come over for “sleepovers” so the two dogs could play once a week or so. Should I just stick with that?

My mum has had two other puppies in the last five years or so and ended up rehoming them which I really disagree with. I’ve already said if she was ever planning on rehoming this one i would have her immediately. She bought this puppy to breed and said to me she would at least have a litter out of her to make the money she’d spent on her back which really broke my heart. On the other hand, I’m worried that my little sister (who’s 11) would really miss her and I don’t want to “steal” her puppy! So torn - what’s the best thing here?

Keep the puppy! Get the trainer you mentioned in now for help with the barking - you could hopefully make a good start on addressing this in the next two months before the baby comes. Get your little sister (and possibly mum if you think she’d cope?) lined up as dogwalkers for the first month or two after the birth?

You know that if you keep the puppy your mum will buy another? Don’t you?

Personally, I find two dogs easier than one when I have a lot on my plate, as they keep each other amused. I found my terrier's demands for stimulation and play pretty much constant when I was also juggling WFH and two kids. His joy when we bought another puppy was a sight to behold! We now have a third dog (rescue, not planned at all) and they happily run around the house all day together. It makes playing with them all at the same time when there is only one of you around a bit awkward but it is a small complaint. I would also echo PPs concerns about breeding. There are far more dogs in this country than there are good homes and its just not fair.

If I were you OP I’d get your dad onside first, as he seems keen to persuade your mum to give it up, and I’d then tell my mum the offer to take the puppy is a now-or-never thing - what you don’t want is her making a fuss about not giving it up and then in a couple of months trying to get you to take it on again when you’ve just had a baby. If she’s not been coping she still won’t cope, and it’s better for you and the dog if it happens right away.

Keep the puppy and speak strongly to your parents about not getting any more puppies, as they clearly do not have it in them to care for them, and see them as disposable.

It’s quite easy to stop a puppy from barking, my boy was quite woofy there 51/2 months so when he’s quiet we praise quiet the barking has settled right down - Your mum needs to know she can’t change her mind re this puppy and totally understand, that if she’s not in a good place a dog may have helped her but it doesn’t always work that way as they are so much work to begin with really you need something already trained. I’m sure the puppy will have a lovely home with you but I agree don’t breed from her or your dog. Especially if you’ve got a toddler in the house. My mum used to breed and we took a pregnant bitch for her until the pups were ready to go. It was full on and honestly I’d never want to do it again. My mum kept in touch with all the pups most of their lives but that was the last litter as she decided it was too much too.
Enjoy your pup

Encourage your mum to buy a pet goldfish, and spay puppy when time comes. Looking after a litter is no easy feat.

Very glad you're no longer planning to breed either dog

Dogs aren't like humans, they reproduce only through primal urges to produce offspring. They don't have the same 'I want my own children' that humans have. Also your dog having their own puppies doesn't guarantee she'll like them and get on well with them. And pregnancy and giving birth are risky for dogs. Get both neutered

All that being said, I think you should keep the puppy

Please keep the puppy. 2 dogs are easier than one. I hope you can prevent your mother from buying anymore animals. She diesnt sound much of an animal lover 😳

I don't mean to sound horrible but what the hell was your mum thinking of, getting another puppy when she's already recently had to rename two?

Rehome not rename.

I could never get rid of my dog, she's my (fur)baby.

If she had given away 2 pups recently and gives away another to you, will your taking the pup not create an opening for her to get another?

Apologies OP, without wishing to be harsh I was really upset by this post. Yes you should keep the puppy and I’d have a very long talk with your mother about owning any other pet.

Keep the puppy. If necessary tell your mum house training is going slowly. And please try to talk your mum out of getting a new pup later

I can't write down my opinion on your mum, because it would be deleted.

Please please explain to her, firmly and clearly, that she is not to get another dog. Try to get your dad and sister on board too - your sister in particular sounds like a decent, caring person who could teach your mum a thing or two.

If you do become aware that she's contacted a breeder in search of a new 'toy', you could warn the breeder.

And would she rehome you or your little sister if she was struggling with toilet training you? Of course not, she'd get advice on trying another tactic.

My mum has had two other puppies in the last five years or so and ended up rehoming them which I really disagree with.

Fucking hell. Keep the puppy and tell your mum shes a nasty, irresponsible person. As others have said, I can’t say more as I’ll be deleted. Disgusting 🍑 🍩

I also think you should keep the puppy, but the breeding sent shivers of horror down my spine. I’m horrified by how many people seem to breed their beloved pets to make a few grand. Awful.

Keep the puppy, use the two months before your baby arrives to train her as much as you can. Possibly crate train her too, it's handy fir them to be accepting if a crate, even if you don't use them a lot afterwards and it's good for the dog to have a 'safe retreat' from a baby/toddler.

Can you get your Dad on board with stopping your mum buying another dog?

Do you need to look at rehoming your sister too? Sounds like a less then brilliant way to be growing up?

OP is this your first baby? Having a dog and a baby is hard work. My poor dog has definitely had to undergo some major adjustment since DS was born bless her. There is no way I would have time to dedicate to a baby, a dog and a puppy. I would be speak to DM and DF to ask if they can support with regular walks if you keep the puppy, you will be glad of it. I’d love someone to come and walk my dog as we only get out once a day now and I cannot dedicate the time I used to to her right nowZ

You should keep the puppy but you shouldn't be buying dogs to breed from. That's awful. To make money back for what she paid, FFS?

Sorry OP, for some reason the 2nd page didn't load on my phone so hadn't seen your comment.

This post has really saddened me.

Nothing like a bit of backyard breeding action to make a few grand.

Absolutely appreciate that you’ve said you aren’t going to breed now. But so many people breed exactly for the reasons that you’ve just said..

“Ah it’ll be nice to have a puppy” or god forbid basically to make a few quid.

No it’s not nice. Breeding is not pleasant, it’s fraught with risks, you have no idea how well your dog would be. What is she needs a c section? Have you the money for it? What if she dies?

And there is no guarantee your dog would even like the puppies.

This is exactly why backyard breeders flogging their puppies for £3k each on pets4home should be avoided

As for your Mum. Jesus wept. What is wrong with people??

keep pup , don't breed , get both spayed .