Puppy or baby first?

Dh and I have been ttc. Nothing yet....but in the meantime we are coming close to closing on a new home. We want to get a Boxer puppy...but people have been telling me NOT to get a dog right before a baby because they may not react well. They say to have a baby first and then bring a puppy in.
I know there are people here who can definitley give me good advice on this! So TIA

Re: Puppy or baby first?

We did a puppy first. I wanted a dog so badly and I knew if I waited to have kids, it would be years before I got one because I'd want to wait until my child was a little older before bringing a tiny puppy home. Plus, at the time I wasn't in a rush to have kids.
Honestly, I think it was the puppy that prepared us and made us feel ready for children. He'll be 2 soon and now I'm pregnant. Going through the puppy phase, and training, as well as having to take responsibility for a living thing taught us a lot about ourselves. I think having this little someone to nurture and love totally triggered my maternal instinct because suddenly I couldn't wait to have a baby too.

My dog doesn't seem to have a mean bone in his body and he doesn't show any jealously when I'm holding other people's babies or even other dogs, so while of course it's a concern, I think he'll adjust okay. We sought out a breed that's supposed to be good with kids (though that's no guarantee, I know).

I see pros and cons to both situations--getting a dog before or after kids. The one thing I couldn't imagine doing is having both a puppy and a new or young baby at once!

Message edited 6/29/2010 5:22:13 PM.

Re: Puppy or baby first?

We have a dog and now we're having a baby and I'm pretty nervous about how my dog will react since he thinks he's the baby. I would suggest setting the discipline rules early if you go dog then baby so that the dog is ready for a baby when one comes.

Re: Puppy or baby first?

We did the puppy first....it just happened that way....We are TTC and have had no luck and we finally are settled in the new house so DH couldn't wait any longer for the puppy.

I know people who have done it both ways and have had no issues.

Re: Puppy or baby first?

We did the puppy first. we are PG with our first 2 and we have 3 dogs. I'm not really worried how they will react once the babies are born. i think they'll be ok. To me, it's like having 3 children right now.

Re: Puppy or baby first?

Puppy first but ONLY if you don't plan to have a child until after the puppy is at least one year old. Puppies are a LOT of work, being pregnant is a LOT of work...the two don't mix. And if you have a baby, don't plan on getting a puppy until your child is at least a few years old.

I can't stress it enough, babies are alot of work and puppies are jsut like babies, A LOT OF WORK for a long time. I had my 2 dogs for over 3.5 years before I even got pg. If I didn't have a dog and I just had my DD, I would probably not get a dog anytime soon b/c having a child has been exhausting like I could never imagine. And having 2 dogs to care for also is like caring for 2 other children.

Re: Puppy or baby first?

Re: Puppy or baby first?

Puppies are a lot of work & I'm glad we experienced it before having a baby. I cannot imagine having a baby & caring for a puppy. A puppy = toddler. They get into everything, they need to be toilet trained & have accidents. They cry at night when you leave them alone. They need alot of extra TLC... Oh & shots they are an added expense.

After a year a puppy will be house-broke, know commands & need very little work.

We started TTC when Dallas was nearing his first birthday. Dallas will be almost 2 when our baby is born!! I know he'll do great with a baby!

FYI Boxers are great with children. If we had a big house I would have loved a boxer!!

Re: Puppy or baby first?

ITA with having the puppy for at least a year before having a baby. I'm 7 months preg now and Maggie is 13 months. I couldn't imagine having her as a puppy and having a baby at the same time!

Re: Puppy or baby first?

We got our puppy after I had a m/c and then we watched Marley and Me, so needless to say we got a lab and now I am pg- so puppy came first! We are planning on getting a trainer this summer before the baby arrives

Re: Puppy or baby first?

We got the puppy with plans for a baby later on. I wanted the dog to be trained and maintenance for when we decided to have a child.

Re: Puppy or baby first?

Thank you for your responses! I think DH will be getting the puppy sooner rather than later!

Re: Puppy or baby first?

DEF puppy first!! we got our dog when he was 12 weeks old -- i'm 5 1/2 months pregnant now & our dog is 1 1/2

puppies also get you ready for a baby b/c they are a TON of work!

Re: Puppy or baby first?

We did puppy first, but we were nowhere near ready to TTC at the time. And ITA with the posters who pointed out how much work puppies are - I can't imagine going through the puppy stages again while having a baby at home!

Re: Puppy or baby first?

I would have the baby first if I were ttc.. If I were not ttc than I would get the dog nd train that dog for at least 1 year before I plan on a baby .. They are alot of work.. and puppies need so much attention .. I cant imagine hving to del with a baby and a puppy at the same time.. i think I would be in the crazy house.. G/L

Re: Puppy or baby first?

Re: Puppy or baby first?

We got a puppy before we started TTC. We are now expecting our first baby and by the time the baby is born, our dog will be a little over 2 years old. We have a Boxer and got him because they are known to be great with children!! If you want a Boxer... I'd DEFINITELY recommend getting one before having a baby. They are very energetic breed and their puppy stage is a lot longer than other breeds. Tyson is nearly 2 and is still in his puppy stage and is exhausting! I couldn't imagine having a baby first and having to care for Tyson, too.