Pets & Babies?

[FLU77ERBYE]

Anybody got a dog whilst expecting??

Me & OH are looking at getting a dog when we move... We where going to get the dog before baby was born....or wait until the babys born and possibly a little older?

I thought it would be nice for her to have a play mate as she grows up

Oppinions please xx

 

[reiller]

Ive no pets at moment rented accomadation
But parents have loads and I grew up around dogs. I would love to have one growing up with my LO.
I think you shoud get one...BTW I think Shitzu's are so cute and so great with children (well ours were)
Best of lcuk with your decision xx

 

[Rachii]

Hi,
I have 2 staffys one is nearly 10 (a very grumpy lady) and the other is 3. I got the youngr one when my daughter was 6months old. And they are pretty much inseperable haha. He looks after her and puts u with everything BUT all dogs are different. My 10 year old staff will tolerate her so far then grumble at my DD telling her to go away.
Its something you really need to look into, breeds, space, time etc. Its hard work having a new baby and then having to house train a dog too. Then when you go looking for a dog you need too see what the temp of the dogs like. Like whether its submissive etc. Then they can never be left alone ever, not even if you go to the loo haha. So you'll have a constant shadow or like our house, stair gates on most of the doors lol
I would say yes get a dog. But its hard work xx

 

[FLU77ERBYE]

Thanks Ladies,

I have been brought up with big dogs all my life...from when I was a Baby I've had Rotties and Mastiffs....Both soft as s**t....but I know about different temperements etc... I was looking at a small fluffy dog i.e Terriors but I also know that they can be grumpy ankle biters.

So i'm just stuck!! Or even if I get a 'older' dog say 12-18 months who is house trained... or something...I know I need to think abit more but just need some advice on it.

thanks again xx

 

[Thegirl]

My husband's parents have always had dogs. They have the cutest photos of him and Honey who was like his body guard. He used to nap leaning on her and she followed him everywhere.
It obviously totally depends on the dog, but I think they are great for kids to grow up with. I wouldn't get one until after the little one was born though.

 

[FLU77ERBYE]

I was thinking that incase the dog got a bit territorial... its like do you get a bitch or a dog?

theres so many things to take into consideration! lol xx

 

[aliss]

A dog is great (I've had a Shiba Inu for 2 years) but don't get it before the baby. One thing people forget to mention is that the initial crying of a newborn (esp if baby has colic) is extremely upsetting to dogs and can cause them to be very stressed. If a dog is new to your home, it will be stressed enough. You'll want to wait until you are at least getting a few hours of sleep per night (maybe 3-5 months) so that you can dedicate some time to daily walks and entertainment.

So if you get a dog, also get a sling, makes dog walks sooo much better!!!

 

[Red Rose]

Awww, I love dogs and would gladly have one if we wern't living in rented accommodation. I too have been bought up around dogs and I think providing you introduce the dog to the baby correctly, there should be no issues as long as you are careful. I would wait a little while though as a new dog + new baby would be very stressful.

We have a cat who we've managed to train to sleep in the kitchen (she used to sleep where she wanted before). Cats aren't usually great with babies so I'll be keeping her away when not supervised and being very careful when they are in the same room with other people around.

My OH's sister has a border collie and he has always been so protective over her youngest son. Its so lovely to see!

 

[Celtic Dragon]

New puppies are really hard work and it's worth putting in a lot of time getting the initial training right to make sure you don't end up with problems later on. I personally wouldn't get a dog until you're into a routine with baby (although dogs are great to have around and I'm looking forward to our LO growing up with ours).

Good luck!

 

[FLU77ERBYE]

Thanks for your advice I think Ill wait until she's about 4-5 months old and in a proper routine xx

 

[aliss]

I was thinking that incase the dog got a bit territorial... its like do you get a bitch or a dog?

theres so many things to take into consideration! lol xx

My male is neutered but didn't have any territory issues (we got him in Feb 2009, baby came June 2010). As long as dog knows it's place, especially if you already have the baby, I don't think you'll have issues!!

 

[pinkgem100]

I have 2 dogs, one is 4 in Nov and a rescue dog from the RSPCA and the other is 2 from a family friend. I am preparing myself for the worst even though the dogs are both trained and have been arround children, aslong as you expect that it could be hard work.

I love the fact that when baby grows up she will have 2 play mates!!

xx

 

[FLU77ERBYE]

Ill have to think long and hard about it xx

 

[becs0375]

We have a chocolate lab, he will be 10 months when baby is here!! He is so laid back and placid, we have been really lucky with him. We have bought a sling for dog walking!! I wouldn't be without him!!

 

[miamia34]

I have got a german shepherd cross collie (vets think) he was a rescue dog around 3 months old when i got him, hes a soppy as anything! I also got a pure german shepherd 16 years ago he was 7 weeks old and my DS was 4 months old then they were inseperablexx

 

[Farie]

We have a 9 month old springer who's as soft as they come, dumb as a brick but a nice person!
Also got 2 Maine Coon cats.

I grew up with animals so Boo will too

I think your idea of waiting until bub is 4-5 months old is a good one tho, not sure I'd want to deal with a baby and puppy at the same time!

 

[pink23]

We have a 3yr old german shephard and caleb loves him. Im glad alfie was here before caleb. it did help. Hope you sort it out soon xx

 

[frsttimemommy]

i have a dauchsaund who is almost a year old and she is the sweetest little thing. she's housetrained and everything. i can't wait to see her around the baby. i know she'll bond easily. she LOVES my OH to death. so i think she bonds better with males. she's fixed too so no territory problems. you still have a couple months before the baby gets there. you can definitely have it housetrained by then. i had Piper trained in about 2 weeks. just do what i did. get a dog carrier, put her in it with some food (dogs won't potty where they eat), leave her there for a couple hours then immediately put the puppy outside. it'll learn to hold it until you let it outside!

 

[rowleypolie]

i have a dog and there was never any problems. I would get the dog right after baby is born so the dog knows from the beginning the family situation. If you have him before baby and spoil him to pieces it will be a difficult adjustment- but dogs are used to packs and if the baby is there from day 1 they will be best buddies

 

[Didz]

We've got 2 Alsatian, staffy, beagles who are adorable with our LO. We helped whelp them both so we've had them since birth and managed to train them to be used to kids. Gentle fur and tail pulling, making sure they know what NO means etc. As a result, if our LO pulls their fur or tail they'll snuggle in for more of it lol. They're so protective over her. I'd say that if you were to get a dog, get a puppy. They're a lot easier to train, I've found. You can also get a better bond between the puppy and your baby. IF you get a puppy though make sure there are enough toys as they go through a biting stage. If you go for an older dog, try to find one who has been trained and find out what tone of voice the previous owners/kennel used with them otherwise it'll be lost on them. With ours you pretty much have to bark orders at them otherwise they just won't listen to me and my OH lol.