Getting a puppy while pregnant

D3bbie

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End of last year we put a deposit down to be on the waiting list for a puppy with a very lovely breeder. Two months later we find out we're expecting and I'd not really thought about it. But the breeder put a photo up of pregnant mum last week on facebook and now I'm panicking.

The pup will be about 8 weeks in the middle of May, so when I'm 19-20 weeks. I have wanted a puppy forever and I really wanted one before a baby, I just thought getting pregnant would take forever, not 3 months!

Am I crazy getting a puppy now?
 
Maybe just brave! Just bear in mind it will be a lot of work and also think about what breed you're getting and how they are with babies/children. But if you decide you can commit to looking after it well even with baby on its way then I don't see any reason why you can't get one...
 
I would say your crazy, BUT my mum got a collie pup while pregnant with me and he was like my brother growing up! He passed away when I was 13 and it was heart breaking. Youl have time to potty train him/her before bub comes although you won't get much sleep in!
 
Well, May is a good time to get a puppy (nice weather makes walks and toilet training easier), as Ashbee says, you will have time to house train it before the baby comes and by the time the baby is born your pup will be around 6 months so starting to settle down a bit.

I would consider the breed though - is it a large breed dog? What are its excersize and training needs etc. Collies are very high maintenance dogs and do best with lots of exercise and mental stimulation (for example), so personally I wouldn't want the added responsibility of a young Collie with a new baby. Same goes for other 'working breed' dogs like Springer Spaniels etc. As they could easily start acting out, showing destructive behaviour etc if they don't get enough attention.

You also need to consider how easy it will be for you to walk it, especially in winter with a newborn. If your husband/partner can walk it, or you are happy to pay a dog walker, that might work.

Generally speaking if it were a smaller, calm breed of dog I'd definitely say go for it. If it's a larger or more 'high needs' breed then maybe consider backing out unless you know you have the ability to give it what it needs as well as look after your baby.


I have 2 dogs but I have had them a long time, Buster is 4 and a half, got him in November 2011 aged 9 weeks, he's a medium sized mix breed (part labrador and lab sized), The other dog is a long haired chihuahua who is 5 and a half, I got him in April 2012 and he was nearly 2 then.

I will see how I go when the baby is due, if I'm struggling to get out with them I'll employ a dog walker. Although as I'm due in July it'll probably be easier to get out then, I can see it bothering me more in the winter when it's wet and cold and windy and I don't want to take the baby out in bad weather to walk them, that's when I'll probably pay someone else to walk them for me lol.
 
Id say do it......

I grew up with a dog and it was amazing.....

We are going to get one soon. I want my kids to grow up with a dog.
 
Thanks everyone.

It's a cockapoo. I've been around them a lot and they're lovely dogs. The breeder is especially good and we were recommended her from quite a few owners. I knew I was going to be very picky so I asked owners when I spotted one walking. Her pups can get quite big, compared to some cockapoos, but still much smaller than a labrador for example. She keeps the puppies and dogs in her home with her family and the kids all play with them while they're tiny which I think is really good.

My hubby is going to take on a lot of the walks with me, as he's going to be working from home a bit more when the baby is born.

It's not necessarily a calm breed, but I am adamant to train it well from day one. We're quite outdoorsy and spend a lot of time in the New Forest and going for walks, so a dog fits in well with our family.

I like the idea of paying someone else to walk it in the bad weather! There's a few local dog walkers where I live so that's good. Plus my parents love dogs and they look after their neighbours cockapoo often. I still haven't told them I'm pregnant, but they are so excited about the puppy. It's all they ever talk about when we catch up. So I think I have some very willing dog sitters when needed.

I always wanted a dog since I was a little girl and I didn't have one, so I really want my children to grow up with one.
 
I have 2 old retired greyhounds and we bought a Whippet puppy in October so he's 6 months old now. I grew up with Whippets but forgot how crazy they can be and this one is Crazy!! They don't calm down until they're about 2 years of age. He will be just over 1 when our baby is born in October. I lost my temper with him yesterday really badly as he was being so naughty!! I felt so bad afterwards especially when he gives the best cuddles! I didn't take him long at all to be fully toilet trained. He does love to steal things though, so baby toys and bottles etc are going to have to be kept under lock and key!! As we have 3 to walk, if I need to walk all 3 by myself were planning on using a baby sling/carrier thing rather than a buggy.

Someone asked me the other day that if I got pregnant (they don't know that we are) would we get rid of one or more of the dogs??? No way. They're part of the family, you don't just get rid of them. It's going to be hard work but we'll manage!!

So I would say if you're prepared for the work, then definitely go for it!!! And Cockerpoos are gorgeous. A couple of our friends have got them. X
 
I have an 18 month old cockapoo and a 6 month old cavapoo. i am currently 7 weeks pregnant. Puppies are hard work. i crate trained both of mine and had interupted sleep with both of them for the first 3 weeks as they would bark when they needed the toilet. the youngest is still having an accident a day but we are getting there. Puppies are hard work but so rewarding. Cockapoos are mad and do not always listen but i couldnt live without my dogs! I say go for it but be prepared that the first 2 months are really hard work with toilet training and training in general. xx
 
Off topic, but I suggest you get a rescue dog as there are thousands that need a home and buying one from a breeder only contributes towards the huge problem we have with unwanted dogs in centres being put down. I am strongly against people buying pets that haven't been rescued.

It's not impossible to find a puppy that needs rescuing, my mum took in a lurcher puppy that was abandoned in a cardboard box in someones front garden. He is the most loving, gentlest, softest thing and is so good with babies and children. He very gently licks their forehead haha!
 
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I personally would be careful with a rescue dog and a newborn baby... You have no idea what that dogs been through or how would it react! Not a dogs fault but some have had unfortunate upbringing and would struggle with the stress.

A puppy, again it's not possible to see how it will react... But you will be teaching puppy acceptable behaviour and they will grow up together. You will shape the puppies personality.

I have a cockapoo and he is easier than a hamster! He is energetic though but he is super happy and cuddly. He is great with my daughter and my daughter loves him. Xx
 
Off topic, but I suggest you get a rescue dog as there are thousands that need a home and buying one from a breeder only contributes towards the huge problem we have with unwanted dogs in centres being put down. I am strongly against people buying pets that haven't been rescued.

It's not impossible to find a puppy that needs rescuing, my mum took in a lurcher puppy that was abandoned in a cardboard box in someones front garden. He is the most loving, gentlest, softest thing and is so good with babies and children. He very gently licks their forehead haha!


I tried rehoming a greyhound two years ago but during the two week trial we found that they weren't the breed for us. I rang around local rescues last year but none would let us adopt as we work full time even with me working at home some days. It's been a long time in the planning/research and this breeder is who we've settled on and paid for.
 
All the cockapoos I've met have been so friendly! My neighbours just had her baby and she has a toddler, she suggested bringing the puppy over to get it used to babies.

I don't sleep that well anyway so I think me and pup can both do toilet breaks throughout the night. xx
 
I do agree that you need to be careful with a rescue dog, that's why I suggested a rescue puppy if you can find one.
Or even someone who has been giving their dog the best life they could (around kids) and they're moving away or something and can't look after it anymore.

The dog breeding industry is such a massive problem, and I just don't think it's fair to buy into it whilst ignoring all of the thousands of others that are perfectly well-behaved and loving who are destined for euthanasia because people are more interested in buying puppies from breeders (who in my opinion are unethical). Just because they look nicer, supposedly have a better temperament and cost money. My mum took a golden retriever from my Granny because she couldn't look after him, he had been bred and sold etc and he is so much worse behaved than her lurcher (that was a little mongrel stray) and would have been put down if she hadn't have taken him in. The golden retriever is absolutely mental, despite being trained from a puppy. He always jumps up on my bump and he bit food from my friends 1 year old baby's hand the other day and made her scream and cry.

Dogs are dogs, some are good and some are bad. We've domesticated them but they are all wild at heart!
 
Every dog in rescue started out as someone's puppy. They are not all damaged dogs with behaviour problems and many are suitable for family homes. Different rescues will all have different rehoming policies so you need to visit a few and discuss with them, if you do decide to go down the rescue route.

The success of a dog's relationship with a child, is down to the parents. You need to ensure that both are taught how to behave with one another. I hear/ read all the time 'my child climbs all over the dog and he's so tolerant' The child shouldn't every be allowed to climb all over a dog, no matter how tolerant it is!

Puppies are hard work and I would advise that you do not get one while pregnant. If you have a smooth easy pregnancy then great, but what I'd you don't? What if you get SPD for example and struggle to get out and about. Socialisation is absolutely crucial for a puppy and what if you are unable to do so?

I really would advise waiting until baby is here and then decide.

Having a young puppy and a new born will be a nightmare. If your puppy' s mental, physical and social needs are not meet daily, then you'll end up with a bored, problematic puppy that you will grow to resent. Your time will be taken up with your baby and you will likely struggle to find the time to bring up and educate a puppy too.

If you really feel like you need a dog to complete your family then an adult dog from a rescue centre, that is used to a family home and has been well brought up and well socialised might be a better bet.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

XX
 
We got a puppy the month I fell pregnant! He's 7 months now, and I'm 24 weeks. TBH, since he stopped using my house as a toilet (probably 2 months ago!) he's been fab! We both get a little exercise each day, he's friendly, and although he's hard work, I quite like having him around. Someone is always pleased to see you when you come home! Not sure how he will take to the new baby, but he's gonna have to lump it if he don't like them!
 
This is a tuff one for me to answer.... What type of breed is it? If it's going to be small ten Id be inclined to say yes. I got a puppy at xmas time when I got told I possible had PCOS (didnt et a puppy for this reason just wanted one for ages) it really tool my mind of TTC and I got preganant so I kinda thank the puppy for that! however they are very very hard work in the first few months, mines a goldendoodle and is going to be big so had 4 months he's already the size of a medium dog!! Plus mine was a biter and it was very stressful for me at times with him, however he is a lot better now.

I think puppy's are harder than new borns! At least new borns don't bite you and pee and poop wherever the please!!

Seriously think about it! It's lovely having one and I really enjoy the walks with him it was just very hard work in the beginning but if you have somebody to help you then it should be fine xxx
 
We got our cockapoo puppy when my little girl was 6 months old. It has been sooooo hard and times I've wanted to give up! Like others have said puppies are hard work (harder than babies in my opinion) and need a lot of time and attention. He is going to be 2 in April and its just starting to pay dividends. He's coming out of his teenage stage (which is way worse than a puppy) and now Emily is older they really do love each other. He's a lot quieter now too which has made a massive difference.

I'd seriously think long and hard about it but on the flip so I'm so glad we did as we have a lovely dog!

It's a tough one :)
 

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