So, in the meantime of my waiting… I have had a little baby mania! Currently, me and bf’s method is that we aren’t going to try, but we aren’t going to prevent. But we will definitely start trying by next year! During this time though, he’s encouraged me to start buying little items that I like… which may have been a mistake
First off, I’ve started taking a portion of my paycheck and put it into a savings for baby. And with that money… I have definitely started buying some stuff!!! Onsies galore!!! I know that with limited funds I should save for the more expensive items, ie cribs and carseats, and let the family buy me some items and give me hand-me-down’s! But I just can’t help it! It makes me feel so good to buy some of the too adorable items I pass in the stores! I’ve been keeping up with reviews on nice carseats, strollers, breastpumps, cribs, etc. But I want to save buying those things for when I do have a baby. I bought a few books, some accessories, and some outfits!!! I did spend a little more than intended, but oh well! Also, I am getting into knitting! I have just started, but I am practicing until perfect! Then I can make sweaters and hats and booties and blankets! Yay! Its still too cool outside to start gardening, but I have two little plants to start off with! An aloe plant and a spider plant-- my friend has a bunch of them and was happy for me to take them! She says I’d have to have skills to kill those plants, perfect for me!
Also, BF and I are talking about maybe adopting a dog first! We have always wanted a puppy, and we are thinking a [name]Golden[/name] Retriever would really make a good addition to us! They make such good family dogs, sounds perfect to me! Plus, I just can’t get the idea of [name]Marley[/name] and Me out of my mind!! Troublesome but so loved family dog! They have some affordable ones near me, and I am thinking it may be good for us! But we are still deciding, so who knows! We’ll have to see
I wouldn’t adopt a dog if you’re planning on having a baby soon. Puppies especially take a lot of work and money and then what are you going to do when you’re too busy with a baby to give your dog enough attention?
I used to work at a shelter and still volunteer at a rescue and the number one reason ppl dump dogs is because of a baby. Large dog especially don’t mature until they are around 3. If you are really set on a dog I’d recommend maybe rescuing an adult who you know is good with kids or do a little planned parenting and hold off on the bun in the oven until the puppy grows up. That’s what we did Like the above poster said puppies take a LOT of time and energy, they are babies too. I could go on and on with tips an suggestions but that’s not what this post was about
We plan on getting a puppy before we have a baby too!!! It’s going to be our little present when we buy a house. Puppies do take a lot of work, but if you get a good trainable dog, it’s not so bad. I really want a sheltie and those are pretty easy to train. We plan on buying from a good breeder too so there shouldn’t be issues. With adopting, you sometimes run into problems since you don’t know what home the dog was in before and sometimes they aren’t trained. My fiance’ had a horrible experience with an adopted dog and does not want to adopt. He doesn’t trust shelters… I know they aren’t all bad, but since I have my heart set on a Bi-[name]Blue[/name] Sheltie and those are hard to find, I am most likely going to go to a breeder for one.
Puppies are good for practice too. We have had kittens, but cats are a bit easier to handle. Although one of our cats we swear is a dog. He cried so much when he was little when we left him alone. We felt bad going out cause we’d hear him crying, but he got used to it.
And babies take naps, you can spend time with the dog then. Plus there are 2 people. [name]One[/name] can watch the baby and the other the dog. It’s like having twins and people who have twins do fine… Also when you push your baby in a stroller, you can walk your dog.
I don’t agree with other people saying you shouldn’t. I think it is VERY doable and we plan on doing it too!
You are no more likely to “get a good dog” from a breeder than a shelter, that’s bs. 95% of breeders shouldn’t even be breeding. They are either backyard breeders or puppy mills and have no problem convincing you otherwise. [name]Both[/name] my dogs, rescues, are excellent working dogs who excel in their sports. My bully does schutzhund, a german protection sport and my lab terrier mix does agility. More so than dogs who people paid thousands of dollars for.
Also, you don’t just “pick” a trainable dog. ALL dogs are trainable and their abilities ate only as strong as their owners. Shelties are one of my favorite breeds and although intelligent they require many training needs to use that to your advantage and keep them obedient. They may be small but they are high drive working dogs.
Also to the previous poster about babies who take naps and you can pay attention to the dog then… Are you kidding? Your dog isn’t going to wait until the baby takes a nap. He had needs and deserves equal attention. If this is your rational you definately should not have a dog and will be in for a surprise when you have a baby. I suggest you spend a few month volunteering in a shelter or rescue to learn more. [name]One[/name], you will better understand a dogs needs an two you will notice almost all dogs that are turned in because they were neglected thanks to a new baby are between 10-16 months. They were cute puppies, ppl got preggers, baby came and they didn’t have time for the dog so the dog pays the ultimate sacrifice. [name]Don[/name]'t be selfish, all animals deserve a good home and a happy life. However thanks to a lot of ppl like this I will always have a job at a shelter and dogs in foster care.
I didn’t say the ONLY time you can watch the dog is while the baby is napping, it’s just a good opportunity. Babies sleep a LOT. I also said you can walk it when you walk the baby. You spend time with [name]BOTH[/name]. Also there are TWO people. [name]One[/name] can watch the baby and one can watch the dog. I think of having a dog as having a baby. People who have triplets or even quints can manage it! Why can’t someone who has a dog and baby not do it? What is the difference? [name]Both[/name] require A LOT of attention. It’s just instead of having one baby, you have two.
I also know there are HORRIBLE breeders, but I HAVE done my research and I know a couple of breeders who are really nice and [name]LOVE[/name] their animals. And I think you are exaggerating with the 95%. A lot of breeders do care for their pets, sure there are a few iffy ones in the bunch, but that doesn’t mean they are ALL bad. I know some breeders and they do [name]LOVE[/name] their animals. They care for them a lot. Breeding is just something they do to make a little extra money, but they do love their dogs and spoil them like crazy. I’m not saying all breeders do, so you just got to be careful you when decide to buy one.
I don’t think it’s selfish to want a dog and a baby. [name]Plenty[/name] of people do it. My aunt had 4 dogs and she had 4 girls!!! They managed to do it. It’s just if you are willing to put in the time.
I am just saying people shouldn’t say she can’t have one because well she can, it’s just a matter of how much time/effort you are willing to put in. I have two cats and I know cats are different from dogs, but I want a dog and I think I can manage both a baby and a dog. I manage two cats and a fish. [name]One[/name] cat that constantly needs attention. He’s basically our dog since he cries just to be held. We don’t know why… we might have spoiled him with hugs when he was a baby and now he loves it. Our other cat is normal and she does her own thing.
All dogs are trainable, but some are easier than others. I really want a sheltie because my cousin has one and he is just so much fun. Also adorable, he’s on the abnormal side though because he doesn’t bark much… He is also scared of feet, they think his previous owner might have kicked him a lot… poor thing. I want a small dog, but I want one that has a lot of energy so I will be able to get some exercise. Cats are kind of useless in that area. You can’t really walk/run with a cat… but I also don’t want a dog till we get a home so it has a nice yard to run around in. I feel awful for the dogs that get stuck in apartments…
And not all animals are abandoned just because someone got pregnant. There are tons of people who just dump pets on the side of the road because they are moving or they can’t afford them anymore.
I don’t exagerrate. I tell the truth and I don’t sugar coat it. A back yard breeder is someone who breeds pets because they like them or want money. They may love them, but they are doing a disservice. The main problem is breeders who do it for money. Breeding is NOT a business! You are bringing life into this world and should be responsible for it. What if we as people started having babies so we can sell them for thousands of dollars. Third world countries do this and it is appaling. A friend of mine was adopted from Guatamala and her birth mother had babies for money. Her parents didn’t know this when they adopted her, she was supposedly the first born but every few years someone would contact them in the US asking if they wanted to buy a sibling. This is no different than back yard breeders and puppy mills. Puppy breeding is not a business.
As for shelties, like I said, I love them too. A sheltie being afraid of feet isn’t abnormal. Herding dogs can have OCD and odd fears, it’s based on nerves. Many dogs have random fears and it is not a result of any form of abuse. Most fears can be desensitized out of a dog. Some it takes more work than others. My bully mix has a random fear of lous things falling and long cords or ropes and refuses to cross them. Obviously this is an unacceptable trait in a protection dog so we trained him through gun shot sounds and over all sorts of obstacles. 8 months later he has almost come completely over it and is very confident. The only times you notice it is if you are very aware, IE if in training he is in high drive and takes a bite on a decoy, we will throw chairs around him, makes things hit the ground next to him and used the fear he had to draw a stronger bite. Now he keeps holds nice and strong and his sign is that he breaks eye contact and looks what the things happeneing around him. I suspect in a few more months he will be over this too. He is a fantastic rescue bully mutt.
[name]One[/name] of the main benefits to getting a rescue is you know what you are getting. You can see the dog’s temperament, no surprises. With a dog from a breeder, most of the time they are “selling” you a dog and will tell you what you want to hear. There are good breeders out there. I work with some on a daily basis. They are honest, frank and they will tell you which puppies are good for you or not. You need to be VERY careful and not be blinded by puppy cuteness. Look into the red flags of buying from a breeder and take it seriously. If any one has questions they are free to PM me.
And no, not all animals are abondoned because of a baby, just most who are surrendered to shelters. I wasn’t counting strays. It is VERY depressing and heart breaking and that’s why I tell anyone who is considering getting a dog to meet with their local shelter (and not all shelters are equal either, many shelters will not sell a young dog to a pregnant couple or a couple with a young child). I do think that some dogs are fine around babies, and it largely depends on the owners/parents.
Well the breeders I know, don’t breed their dogs until they have a good list of names of people who want them and then they make sure the family is a good fit. They sell them because normally you are paying basically for a breed and all it’s shots. Of the breeders I know, some even spay and neuter them before giving them as pets. The cost isn’t just because it’s a pure bred. When you adopt a dog, you have to pay a fee too. Our kitty from a shelter cost us $50 and then we had to pay $500 just for shots and spaying. My mom’s cat was also from a shelter and I think he was around $80 and she also spent around $300 for shots and neutering. Our other kitty was free because we got it from a friend, but we had to pay the $500 for the other stuff as well. Of all the breeders I know, they sell puppies for around $300 and if you have to pay for anything, it’s the spaying/neutering, which equals to about the same cost it was for one of our cats.
Also most breeders let you spend time with the puppies, well the ones I know, so you can normally judge by watching how they interact or react. You can also do a simple check over by touching the puppy to check and see that it’s fine. Also you can look for approved breeders because then you know they are good.
If you want a show dog/breeding dog, then yes they can get up to the $1000. Again, this is just from my experience. And I do think of animals as children, but I think it’s a bit different. You can buy a pet from a pet store, breeder, or adopt, all have a [name]FEE[/name]. Unless you are lucky to have a friend who is willing to give you a free kitten like mine. [name]Just[/name] like adopting a baby has a fee, it’s not free to adopt.
I know it’s your opinion, but I don’t think it’s bad if she gets a dog. I have family members that have dogs and have babies and they work out fine. Having a baby does not mean you have to get rid of a dog or not get a dog. That’s just silly to me. You have to work harder, but it’s not the end of the world.
My aunt had a dog when she had her girls, and then as they got older, around 3-5, each one got their own dog, so they ended up with 4 dogs, so by the last baby, they had 3 dogs. They are doing fine. My cousin has 3 dogs right now, 1 is a puppy, and just because she decides to have a baby later, doesn’t mean all of a sudden she has to get rid of them. I think people are overreacting a bit with the dog thing…
Also, it’s not like she’s having a baby now… so the dog will most likely have matured by the time she does.
[name]Don[/name]'t worry about taking advice from people who live, train and work in the pet industry.
To the OP, I’m sure you will continue to think this through. You’re obv taking the right steps towards family planning if you’ve taken the time to ask and I wish you good luck.
I haven’t decided yet whether I’d like to go through a breeder or a shelter, but either option is perfectly fine by me! I think there can be ups and downs to either side. My mom currently has a dog, and I was there when she brought her home, and I’ve helped raise her! I also have many family members with dogs, so I am familiar with the hard work and time involved with having a puppy. I would like to have a puppy before, because during this time while we aren’t necessarily planning to have a baby at any moment, I think would be a good time to work on training. Though, especially with the breed of dog I’m hoping for, I’ve been doing my research and talking to some people and I’ve been told that a [name]Golden[/name] Retriever might work perfectly in this situation They are easy to train-- at least in comparison to other dogs. And family friendly. Which is HIGHLY important to me, of course! So if I get a puppy now, when me and my BF aren’t planning to seriously TTC, then I can have this year that we’re waiting to work with the puppy. And of course even in a year from now the puppy will still be young and energetic, it’ll be easier to manage by then. And me and my BF both would be working with the puppy, as well as the baby when that time comes. My aunt had a baby with a two big Dog De Bordeaux’s [one was a tiny puppy] and she did well! She said it was definitely a struggle, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. And I have a few aunts and uncles that I know would be willing to help me out if needed.
I think part of it is I really like the idea of my baby growing up with a puppy beside it. Them playing together, and the baby growing up with that puppy to love. Not to mention dozens of picture perfect moments. But I will definitely think this all through before actually going out and buying a puppy!! Because there is definitely much more to it than what I’ve mentioned above. Lots of stress, money, time, and patience. And though I am patient, and I do work well when sleep deprived and/or under pressure, and though I know I could handle it, I’m not quite as sure if I’d actually enjoy handling it. I’m honestly not so worried about actually doing what I got to do, because I know I am physically capable. I just don’t know if I’ll be happy being under so much stress. And though I will have spare time when the baby is sleeping, I feel like that’d be my time to catch up on some beauty sleep rather than extra attention to the pup.
So I don’t quite know yet! I have thought a lot of this though, but I feel silly not considering the emotional side of the matter! Having one baby is enough of a challenge on your emotions, adding a puppy may not help. Though I do think I would definitely enjoy the puppy at least sometimes even after the baby, but it would be tough. I’ll have to talk to my BF about it before I come to any conclusions and see what he thinks about it.
I don’t see why you can’t have a puppy and kids… majority of people do. We have two kids and a 1 yr old black lab (marley was a yellow lab, not a golden) and we are ttc… I would never think of getting rid of my dog or worry about not spending enough time with her. As long as she gets at least one walk a day and gets to be around us she’s good to go.
[name]Both[/name] my pups are shelter babies. My youngest, a beagle sheltie mix was dumped because she did not “fit in” with a new baby. They got her as pup for their newborn daughter. I was told they wanted her to grow up with the baby. They thought it would be “sooo cute” to have them grow up as “siblings”. HA! Lo and behold they were shocked when their pup did not go along with their dreamy little plan.( I know, shocker, right?) She needed more attention, training and patience than they were able to give and of course she got the boot. They thought she wasn’t capable of listening and she came with an explicit warning from the shelter that she was “a difficult dog”. For me it was the luckiest mistake they could have made. Within 2 weeks we had all her behavior problems solved. She stopped chewing, wetting in the house and barking. I had her completely potty trained in one month. She is one of the best and brightest dogs I have encountered. I tell you that not to keep you from getting a dog. Dogs are wonderful, and I look forward to the relationship my (grown and trained) pups and my new baby will have. [name]Just[/name] wait until you are sure that you will have the time and patience to devote to a puppy. I just feel like I would have never been able to devote the time and patience that my girl needed to become the best dog she could be. Now that I am having a baby, I have no doubt that both my dogs are as well trained as they can be and I have [name]ZERO[/name] doubt that they will be any hindrance when the new baby arrives. As an aside, I second everything that tinabina has said about shelter vs. breeder. She sounds like she knows what she is talking about and I completely agree. Shelter dogs can be some of the best pets you will ever have. It just takes patience. Good [name]Luck[/name]!
The only downside to a shelter is that the breed of dog you want may not be available. Also, shelterwise, maybe you guys work at a good one, but I know plenty that aren’t the best. My fiance’s family got a dog from a shelter, not a puppy, a dog. They were told it was trained and everything. Surprise Surprise, it was not. He has a problem with shelters because of that experience. His family never got another dog. Because I want a sheltie and he hates shelters, we are going to a breeder just so we get what we want. We will get a puppy, but we aren’t planning to have a baby at the exact same time. The puppy is kind of our “training” for a baby. I know not all breeders are good, but the same goes for shelters. I agree that having a puppy and a baby probably isn’t the best idea. But I see nothing wrong with having a dog and a baby.
If you want to get a dog, just make sure you do your research and spend time with the new dog at the shelter/breeder’s house to make sure it’s the dog for you! Ask as many questions as possible and be skeptical. If the dog is said to have been “trained” try doing simple commands like sit before taking it home. Or ask the breeder/shelter person to show you.
Like the above poster said puppies take a LOT of time and energy, they are babies too. I could go on and on with tips an suggestions but that’s not what this post was about 
It’s going to be our little present when we buy a house. Puppies do take a lot of work, but if you get a good trainable dog, it’s not so bad. I really want a sheltie and those are pretty easy to train. We plan on buying from a good breeder too so there shouldn’t be issues. With adopting, you sometimes run into problems since you don’t know what home the dog was in before and sometimes they aren’t trained. My fiance’ had a horrible experience with an adopted dog and does not want to adopt. He doesn’t trust shelters… I know they aren’t all bad, but since I have my heart set on a Bi-[name]Blue[/name] Sheltie and those are hard to find, I am most likely going to go to a breeder for one.