A dog and baby ?!

Question

How hard is it to have a puppy ? My baby is 8 months and we really want to get a dog, preferably a puppy. I just LOVE the idea of her having a friend to grow up with and my heart melts seeing the relationships between children and animals. I've also always wanted to have a dog but my parents, mostly my dad, didn't allow it. 
I will obviously be committed to taking care of him or her and I'm a sahm and won't be working anytime soon. 
I just want to know how hard it really is. Please and thanks!
Also, the financials of it ! Your personal experience

Answer

I'm a huge dog lover!! But I will say having a puppy with a crawling/mobile baby has been challenging. I can't put my lo down on the ground while the puppy is loose because the puppy knows no boundaries right now and jumps on the baby. They're super cute together but basically it's like having 2 unpotty trained infants lol

Answer

I would have a hard time training a puppy with a baby. Over the summer we got a puppy and she got my undivided attention for two months to monitor/potty train her. If you were meeting the baby's needs, you may miss cues from your pup that they may need to go outside. Our rescue where we got her also does not adopt out young puppies (under 6 months, I believe) to families with babies/children under 8. I think it's a lot for you to take on with a baby who still needs your attention the majority of the time.

The cost of my dog's food and other needs (vet, toys, and she goes to daycare twice a week since I work full time as a teacher) is a couple hundred dollars a month. Many rescues also encourage you to take your dog to a training class.

I'm not saying you can't do it but if I was in your position, I would really think about the logistics of owning/training/housebreaking a puppy in addition to caring for your 8 month old. You are doing the right thing by asking questions about how it would all work.

Answer

I love dogs, but I would not do that if I was you. A puppy needs an equal amount of attention as a baby, to keep it from getting into mischief and staying on top of potty training etc etc. It can be pretty stressful and there's no predicting how well or how badly potty training will go from one dog to the next. 
If you would really love a buddy for you baby, I would say go to a shelter or something and get an adult dog. You can still get a young adult dog that would grow with your hold for quite a while and it would still be really special.

Answer

It's difficult. My dog often wakes my baby up with her antics. Also she got into some garbage and became so sick she wouldn't eat. 2 trips to the emergency vet and nearly $1000 later she's doing great. I would wait until they're a little older 2-3? Allergies are also something to take in consideration...

Answer

Oh. No. Too much work. They keep you up all night too! I would adopt and older dog. They're already settled in and can be so sweet with babies.

Answer

It really depends on the age and breed of the puppy. We got a cattle dog /terrier mix at 8 weeks and he has been SO much work! He requires a lot of attention, excessive, and training.My husband and I love him with our whole heart though.

Answer

I personally would wait until baby is a little older or get somewhat of an older dog (which could be harder than a puppy). My husband wants to get a puppy since we got rid of one of our dogs but I couldn't knowing our baby will be here soon! They will try and bite everything so you'll have to watch your child's toys or your child, and then you'll have to train it which could just be hard with a baby. At night it could be hard because they might cry. My dog cried just like a newborn through out the night until I put him in the bed with me. Then financially you're looking at a good couple hundred. If you don't get a free dog there's the cost for that, a kennel if you kennel train it and it would be best to get a kennel it'll grow in, food, food and water bowls, a collar, a leash, then it's first set of shots and first vet visit which is not cheap, toys, and I would suggest a good urine cleaning spray if you have carpet.

Answer

We got a puppy when my son was 7 months.  My advice DO NOT DO THIS.

Answer

A puppy is just like having a baby they need a lot of attention and love. Don't get a puppy just because you think it would be cute because you will feel bad when you can't pay any attention to it play with it etc.

Answer

A puppy is like a baby. So imagine you having two kids! 😊 loll If you have the extra time and family support then go for it! But def do research on breed. Make sure you get the correct dog for your family. Talk to your local vet, get an idea of how much it will cost and how it will financially impact your family. They are a lot of work, but so worth it! I love my little pup! We are also expecting our first May 22 😊 👶🏽🎀 can't wait to have them meet and have each other!

A dog and baby ?!

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