Are we crazy? DS wants a dog **Added questions**

DS is a little over 3 and has been saying that he would really like a dog. He loves to be around dogs and so we had seriously been considering getting him a dog. As a side note, he's really shy and we thought having a dog would help him interact better with others.

BUT, just as we were considering getting a dog, we found out we were pregnant with #2. So now we aren't sure what to do. I am due in about 6 months.

Are we crazy to consider getting a puppy now knowing that we will have a new baby in the house soon? I will add that neither DH nor I have never had a dog although we both agree that getting a dog would be a nice addition to our home.

Looking for thoughts/input. Thx.

ETA 2 questions:

1. Would it be any better to get the dog/puppy after the baby is born? Maybe a couple months old.

2. Is it possible to get pure-breeds (2-3 yr old dog) at a shelter? Due to allergies, not anything else?

Message edited 2/14/2013 4:29:14 PM.

Re: Are we crazy? DS wants a dog

I have 2 dogs. I would wait. I couldn't imagine dealing with a newborn, a very young DS and a puppy.

Re: Are we crazy? DS wants a dog

I've had dogs all my life & I wont get a puppy

They are ALOT of work. We both work full time, kids. My 9 year old dog doesnt get the attention he should.


I would go to a shelter and look for a 2-3 year old dog. Past the puppy stage, trained, potty trained, past the nipping stage. But that is me. That is my favorite dog age


If you are a SAHM maybe ?

Re: Are we crazy? DS wants a dog

Posted by sleepie76

I've had dogs all my life & I wont get a puppy

They are ALOT of work. We both work full time, kids. My 9 year old dog doesnt get the attention he should.


I would go to a shelter and look for a 2-3 year old dog. Past the puppy stage, trained, potty trained, past the nipping stage. But that is me. That is my favorite dog age


If you are a SAHM maybe ?

Re: Are we crazy? DS wants a dog

If you're a SAHM I say go for it - by the time the baby is born, the puppy will be trained -

If you're working full time, I think you should wait.

We had our yorkie before the boys, and I feel AWFUL to admit that with each kid she got less and less attention - I just don't have the TIME (being out the of the house 12 hours a day)

It's much better now that Colin is almost 2 - he loves her and plays w/ her all the time. Sean was never really interested in her.

ETA - I just read you post re: being allergic.
Do NOT take anyone's word that ANY dog is 'hypoallergenic' .....you MUST MUST MUST expose yourself to the dog to see if you are allergic to him (her)
I don't care what anyone says, the ONLY breed that doesn't bother me is a Yorkie - My firneds, cousins etc have all types of supposedly hypo allergenic dogs, some bother me less than others, but some are JUST as bad as a Golden Retriever .........

I hate being allergic - I love dogs !!

Message edited 2/14/2013 4:12:01 PM.

Re: Are we crazy? DS wants a dog

yes. wait till baby gets bigger.

Re: Are we crazy? DS wants a dog **Added questions**

Try a rescue, I know there is a maltese rescue, and I'm sure they have rescues for other hypoallergenic breeds.

Maltese Rescue

Message edited 2/14/2013 4:56:07 PM.

Re: Are we crazy? DS wants a dog **Added questions**

We did this when I was about 16 weeks preggo! We wanted a pure breed too. Puppies are a lot of work, but by the time I brought dd home he was trained, and beginning to turn into a great dog! I liked it better that way because I was able to spend time training and not worrying about a baby. DD is five months now, and I still couldn't deal with her and a puppy. I say go for it now! Also, when we got our puppy, (rhodesian ridgeback, which is short haired with low dander) the breeder had a "returned" pup that was like 4 yrs old. The family decided they didn't want her anymore, and it's in the contract that they will "return" to the breeder before bringing them to a shelter. So they were looking for a home for her, and she was so good! My point is, when you find out which one you'd like, you can contact breeders and ask if they have any like that.

Re: Are we crazy? DS wants a dog **Added questions**

What's the rush? Wait until #2 comes to see how your family adjusts to that change than when and if your ready to add a dog to your family you can do so with out worrying about how your family would be affected by a new baby and dog at the same time.

Re: Are we crazy? DS wants a dog **Added questions**

Petfinder.com you can search by breed. Please rescue.

Also my aunts have 5 dogs between them that are supposed to be hypoallergenic and my mom who is highly allergic can't stay in their houses for more than a few hours.

I am slightly allergic and feel it when I am there. I definitely agree even though they say hypo it doesn't always seem to be true.

Re: Are we crazy? DS wants a dog **Added questions**

Have you had your son tested for any pet allergies? They can run in the family. That said, DH and his side of the family are all allergic to cats and DS seems to have escaped that "hell." They do say though that if exposed from birth, children tend to not develop allergies (even increases with more than one). If you are looking for a specific breed you can search for that on petfinder. However, to be quite honest, there is no truly hypoallergenic dog. Have you considered what would happen to the puppy if he bothered your allergies or if your son or future DC was allergic? Would you consider taking allergy meds? For your children? Most rescues will not let you adopt with a history of allergies. Perhaps you could try fostering?

Re: Are we crazy? DS wants a dog **Added questions**

I would wait! Puppies are alot of work. It's enough having two kids to take care of especially one being a newborn. Last think you need is worrying about the puppy chewing something up or going to bathroom in the house.
We have a dog but got her before my first DS was born, so I know what goes into having a puppy. Plus my dog is pretty calm and has been like that since she was one years old. My two friends have puppies that are nuts. Actually both dogs are over a year old and it hasn't got any better. I really don't know how one of my friends handles the dog and a baby. The dog is more work then the newborn.
So you just never know what kind of personality you will get.
Plus I must admit my dog just doesn't get the attention she used to get before my second was born. I try my best but there is just not enough time in the day, and of course the kids come first. We joke that night time is my dogs favorite time of day. That's when she gets lot of hugs from us.
I have a purebreed dog I got from a breeder. Im sure someone will have something to say about this. I went to the shelters but in the end I wanted a specific breed. i didnt know about these animal rescue groups that had specific breeds.Im sure that would be a great choice for you.
Plus with small kids, IMO you should get a puppy. Adopting an older dog is great but I don't think it's good if you have younger kids. I would be worried about their temperament.

Message edited 2/15/2013 3:53:31 AM.

Re: Are we crazy? DS wants a dog **Added questions**

Wait.
3 year olds say they want a lot of things. My DS says he wants a rocket ship. No reason to get a dog!

2 kids are exponentially more work than 1.

I don't have enough time to shower somedays, never mind care for a dog.
I've had dogs growing up, so I know what is involved in their care.

Instead, try a social class like gymboree for socialization.

If you really want a pet, a good first pet is a guinea pig. Dogs are good when the kid is much older... Like 7 or 8.

Re: Are we crazy? DS wants a dog **Added questions**

We have two dogs and a 4 month old. Its so fun.

Id say if you have a backyard its super easy to train a puppy and quick. Id would probably do it before since you still have 6 months and thats plenty of time to train it.

Id think it would be fun for your 3 yr old to play with the dog while youre tending to the newborn. And you can always get a crate for it for those times you need to have the dog contained for a bit.

Im a huge dog lover as is my husband so my answer would always be yes to getting the dog. haha

Re: Are we crazy? DS wants a dog **Added questions**

I had a dog for 15 years growing up and I will not get one any time soon! DS is 11 months and I know my husband wants a dog (his friend breeds American bulldogs), but I can't imagine trying to keep the house clean with my DS and a dog. Its hard enough with DS and DH! HAHA. I would wait a little bit until after you have DC #2 and see what things are like for you. Maybe you'll want one or maybe you'll decide that your 2 DC are enough without a dog in the mix.

Re: Are we crazy? DS wants a dog **Added questions**

If you're dead-set on getting a puppy, I would definitely wait. Puppies are A LOT of work. It's basically like having another child. We got a bullmastiff puppy about 6 months ago (he was 3 months when we got him), and I have a 2 and 3 year old. DH and I both said we will NEVER get a puppy again. lol

ETA: I'm a SAHM.

Message edited 2/15/2013 9:13:32 AM.

Are we crazy? DS wants a dog **Added questions**

Get a fish. See how that goes, and like one of the PP my ds wants something new and drastic daily. I want to be a size 2 with big boobs, and fabulous hair. We cant always have what we want.

Are we crazy? DS wants a dog **Added questions**

If you're crazy then I'm really crazy. I have a 4 yo and a 3 yo. We have three cats. I'm pregnant with baby 3 due in june. We got a dog a few weeks ago! Honestly, I had been planning on waiting til the new baby was 1 1.5, but we found a great dog and went for it. I am SO glad that we did. We all have so much fun with the dog, the doggie is so happy and sweet, and it's been way less work than I expected. We chose not to get a very young pup because that would have taken more time and energy for training. But our dog is still young/ a puppy. He's 9 months now. He's blended in very well and I think it is actually easier to make this change now before the baby instead of when I have an infant. I'm able to give himmore attention and get him used to not jumping on the kids, etc before having to do all that while holding a baby, nursing, and trying to focus on that. I think it's most important to find the right dog for your family.

Are we crazy? DS wants a dog **Added questions**

I would say yes you are a bit crazy to get one now.

1. Allergies. If you have them there is a chance one or both your kids will have them. No dog is guaranteed hypoallergenic. So you could get a dog and then you find out one of you are allergic. Chances are you will not know just by going to look at it.

2. Getting an "older" dog is a great idea but if you look at most they will say that they are not good with young kids. Now I think that many of those dogs could be great with kids but you will never know until you get them home.

3. Puppies are great and we had my puppy around kids and babies from day one so he was used to the movements of small kids. But a puppy is like having a newborn. I was lucky I worked from home when we got him and it was so much work. You have to put the time in to train them. If you do they will be great but if you do nto put the time in there will be accidents, behavior issues etc. Also the walks, dogs need all different kinds of stimulation and just lettign them run around a backyard isn't enough. I can see the difference in my dog when we are busy and get lax about the walks.

When we got our puppy I didn't have much going on in my life and he was still a handful. Also an expense. They get lots of shots in the beginning and because he was a shelter puppy he came with worms and kennel cough.

I love my dog to death but do not htink I could handle him as a puupy right now and I only have on DC.

Re: Are we crazy? DS wants a dog **Added questions**

Are we crazy? DS wants a dog **Added questions**

Yes wait. Dogs are so much work, especially puppies. It's a lot to juggle the needs of a dog w the needs of a newborn. The worst for us is when we finally get the baby to sleep and then the dog barks at something stupid like a squirrel and wakes the baby up. Happens all the time. I would definitely wait until after you have the baby until you feel ready.

Re: Are we crazy? DS wants a dog **Added questions**

I've had dogs all my life. We have 3 right now. I got a pure bred German Shepard when my oldest dd was 18 months old and I was 5 months pg with number 2 plus we had 2 other dogs at home. I'm sort of nuts when it comes to stuff like this. Im always in the mindset that I can handle anything and everything. I'm at sham so I do have time. My puppy was completely house trained within in a few days. I do find that the larger bred dogs train much faster than the smaller ones. I think If your son is good with dogs I would get a dog now before the baby arrives. This way the puppy would be trained before Hand. I personally would not get an older dog. With young kids I want a puppy I can train and socialize for our life style.

Message edited 2/15/2013 10:25:39 AM.

Re: Are we crazy? DS wants a dog **Added questions**

Wait until the kids are Older. Too hectic having a puppy with small kids

Re: Are we crazy? DS wants a dog **Added questions**

Hi...I havent been on otherwise I would have replied sooner.

I want to say in all honesty, and as your friend on LIF here....please do not get a dog now that you have a baby on the way.

Dogs are so so so much work and need alot. And it seems almost all the time that people have another child, they are at a loss for time and the dog suffers or has to be rehomed.

Please dont get a dog, I can almost guarantee you will be in over your headwhen your new child is born.

I have 2 dogs that I had before my DD and they are my children. But they are a lot lot lot of work and it's not fair to them when their owners have a new child to care for and they take the back seat.

Plus...if you are pregnant, I cant imagine cleaning up urine and poop for what could be MONTHS if not a year, would be a good idea. There are so many reasons why getting a puppy while you are pregnant is a bad bad idea. Please dont feel bad your son wants a puppy, b/c getting a living breathing dog for a child generally isnt the best reason to get one when the time isnt right.

Message edited 2/15/2013 7:04:36 PM.

Re: Are we crazy? DS wants a dog **Added questions**

I don't think its a good time for you to get a dog, but just to answer one of your questions, yes you can get pure breed dogs at animal shelters. I volunteer at North Shore Animal League and there were three adult poodles there yesterday.