dogs

[sky1030]

I want to get a dog from the shelter close to my house. But i have a few questions to those who have dogs . Now is there like any restrictions when it comes to walking them because i know they tug & pull . But thats why im thinking of aiming towards a smaller dog . & im scared of the dog jumping on my tunmy as well.  & lastly the most important i dont want to get the dog then he or she doesnt like my baby & gets jelouse. I saw situations before were the dog would bite or snip at the baby. But then also i hear dogs can be pretty pertective towards the baby... any suggestions or exspierences ??

[mercyace]

I agree with the whole small dogs are yappy. when i found out i was pregnant i got a puppy he's 6 mnths now, a doberman. It probably wasn't the smartest decision at the time, but it's so much easier to train when young. Plus like the above comment you don't know what the older dog from a shelter has gone through.. My pup loves to be right next to my belly to be with the baby so i honestly think he'll be fine. It's just an adjustment to the family. Having a newborn, everyone has to adjust.. He does pull sometimes but i don't really allow him to, I'll pull him back before he pulls me; i tell him he has to wait for mommy because I'm not that quick and he knows to stop.

[jordyvi0824]

^**^ agreed! Little dogs are loud and yappy and they are close to the baby's size and can get at their faces! I've seen this before it's not pretty! I would say it really depends on how much time you have before the baby is born I have a two year old lab we adopted from the shelter and when we got him he was already totally trained and most dogs from shelters are! We just got a golden retriever puppy and we did a 4 week training class with her and she is so good now! So it really depends on if you have the time to train the dog if you can train yourself that is the best because the dog gets to know who is the boss quicker but if not! The employees know which dogs are trained and good around children and all that :)

[LD328]

From someone who has 3 large dogs, stay away from the smaller breeds. Small dogs are more nippy and yappy along with when baby is a toddler, small dogs are more easily hurt by a well meaning little one. Now if you own a small dog, dont jump all over me, I know there are exceptions.   Shelters can "kid test" dogs to make sure they aren't scared of kids and training is a must. I have 2 retired greyhounds and a lab. All 3 are amazing with kids in the neighborhood and with nieces and nephews so I have non doubt they will be great with my baby girl. I would also stay away from a puppy, look for a 1-2 year old...they are still young and playful but a bit more mellow than a puppy and usually easier to train. Good luck!

[koltenlane14]

My dog is a basset hound mix, approx 50 lbs. My mom kept her while I was in the hospital after baby was born, so my fiance could stay with us. My mom has two big dogs of her own. My fiance took the very first blanket the baby was wrapped in to my mom's house, so all of the dogs could get uses to his original scent (before a bath). When we brought the baby home and got my dog back, she was super curious, but gentle. Then she started acting funny with me. My fiance is at work for like 16 hours a day sometimes, so I am the primary caregiver for the baby and rhe animals. Anyway, my dog never wanted to be in the same room as me and the baby, which is not like her at all. And she wouldn't go to the bathroom for me. I would take her outside and she refused to leave the porch, even if I had her on a leash. She was always gentle with the baby and never aggressive, just a little brat lol. My son is almost a month old and my dog is acting normal now, but she was definitely jealous at first.

[oct3014]

I have a 90lb lab and he's a huge baby but very protective! He loves attention from me and my bf especially now that I'm pregnant. I dnt think it will be hard for him to adjust to the baby because he knows it's apart of this family. He likes all kids but is hesitant at first but that's just his personality, he sat in the same spot for three days when we first got him lol. My dog knows not to jump on me because of my belly. I think if your far along in your pregnancy you should wait so that you can get adjusted, but if your in the beginning it's ok that way the dog can have some time to get use to its surroundings before the baby comes

[laurenmichelle0425]

Honestly....I would get a puppy. Try to get one no older than 12 weeks. Shelters will have them....sometimes. you want to be able to train your dog from puppyhood so that you can immediately establish dominance.  You dont know the life an adult dog in a shelter has had, and bringing one home to a new baby is not the time to test it out. A previously abused dog will always have temperament problems,  they may never show it,  but there is always a chance. You dont want to risk it with a newborn.  Dogs are territorial. I rescued a pitbull when he was 10 weeks.ive had dogs my whole life....but my pit is the most well behaved, loving dog ive ever owned. I dont even need to walk him with a leash....although he insists on carrying his leash (weirdo). I have a 2 year old niece that he is amazing with. She calls him "good boy. " I am not worried at all to bring my newborn home to him.  The only preparation im going to do is rearrange my room and my dogs bed so he doesnt feel like my baby is taking over and we are kicking him out. Im 13 weeks so the sooner, the better. Good luck!

[jlynn7387]

Dogs can be so lovely but a lot of work!! And expensive if they get sick and you have to take them to the vet! I have two dogs and a 5 year old son and a baby girl on the way and it's crazy sometimes I make my fiance take care of the dogs haha

[JessicaOv]

I have a yorkie and every time my friend brings her 6 month old over my dog is constantly barking at it and tries to get real close then gets scared if the baby moves and she runs away lmao I'm 29 weeks and my dog is always laying on my tummy but after I while I feel a short of breath so she can't lay on me for long. Nothing serious, its actually really cute to me lol if you wanna get a big dog I'd say get it while its young so it can adapt to your child and train it how to walk properly on a leash before it gets older and is hard to handle.  

[melcarin]

Wait till baby comes and see how much time the baby consumes. Dogs need as much attention as a child does. They will get jealous or very protective which can be dangerous in both areas. Jealous can cause them to hurt baby and protective can cause them to hurt you. Dogs are great to have but you need to make sure you can devote equal time and attention to them and to the baby

[Munchkinn94]

It really just depends on the dog. My friends dog hates kids and she's due next month so I don't know how she's going to handle that. I would say aim for a younger dog. They're still young and can be taught better, but they also might be a little more energetic. I plan on getting a puppy once my little one is here so they can grow together.