Dog and baby

My daughter has done exactly this, 10 month old baby then went a got a boarder collie puppy!! Very hard work but is doing great job, I think they were bonkers!

The dog is fantastic with the baby and my GD loves the dog and it gives my daughter a reason to get out for 2 good walks a day. I personally think they should have got a rescue dog and cost was a lot also, but advice not taken!!

If the dog is already a member of the household and well behaved, then be careful and never, ever, leave the baby and dog alone together, not even for a minute. Even small dogs can do a lot of damage to a baby. If there's not already a dog, then I'd recommend waiting till baby is three or four before getting one.

We had a rescue dog (Heinz 57 variety) when my children were small, one a baby and one a toddler. She was lovely but I’d never have left her alone with them.
The only issue was when the younger one crawled. I don’t know what was in my dog’s mind, but a crawling baby was unacceptable and got growled at, so we had to keep them apart. Fortunately crawling time was short and once upright the problem vanished.

Polarbear2

I have no experience here but I’ve always wondered about the muck (I assume) a dog brings in? They do their business and then come in and sit on the floor or furniture with their mucky bums. Sorry but that’s how it looks to me. Also hair drops and dog food scattered around the bowl? I can’t imagine putting a baby in amongst that. I put my hands up - I’ve never had a dog - it’s just my observation?? And they smell too. (Tin hat on) ?

Had to chuckle at the thought of my lab leaving food scattered around the bowl. She'd eat the bowl as well given half a chance!

I had a baby dog and a cat,

Peff68

My daughter has done exactly this, 10 month old baby then went a got a boarder collie puppy!! Very hard work but is doing great job, I think they were bonkers!

The dog is fantastic with the baby and my GD loves the dog and it gives my daughter a reason to get out for 2 good walks a day. I personally think they should have got a rescue dog and cost was a lot also, but advice not taken!!

I personally think your daughter did the right thing. If you’re going to have a dog around babies/ small children, then it must be better they all start from the same place, so puppies and babies.

My friend has had several rescue dogs, and they are unpredictable, often having been mistreated in the past. She didn’t have them while her children were young.

My friends daughter has had a baby and her poor dog, that she really fussed over from a puppy, is now being left in a crate alone because she spends all day long at her mum's house. This dog will not have a clue what's happening, what's it's done wrong and it makes me so sad for it. If she intends to keep it then the dog has to get used to the baby, the crying, etc.
We always had dogs, grandparents, aunts and uncles, the lot had them so we were used to one running around. If you were worried about the dog then you just never left them both together unattended. I know from having a dog from a young age it has made me the dog lover I am now. The joy I had as a kid having a dog, going long walks, playing ball, etc it was brilliant.

It is perfectly fine to have a dog and a baby together as long as you aware of the issues that might arise, you don't leave them together unsupervised and you are aware of the extra work involved if you are introducing a puppy to a family no matter whether there is a baby or not.

I had two JRT’s before I had children and the were absolutely great with them even as babies. The two I have now had never been with children are really good with my DGS who is two - never left alone with him though as you can never trust a dog completely or a child not to do something to upset the dog!

Absolutely yes so long as you NEVER EVER leave dog and baby alone

We had a crossed Labrador & Red Setter. Very big, very lovely & very silly when we had our son. Never any problems. My DM took baby into our house after I went in & made big fuss of the daft dog. Baby cried, daft dog cried & wanted to see our DS. From then on our dog was the best babysitter ever. Each time DS cried he would come to tell us then go back & watch DS. As DS grew he was allowed to ride our dog, not by us but by our dog. Never a cross word from either of them though watched all the time. One of the best dogs ever. It can work given the right dog & being careful!

Depends on the dog and the humans responsible for the training. Sadly had to have a dig put to sleep when my daughter started crawling. Even before then the dog took a very keen interest in her. Later just wouldn't leave her along, always at her face. Vet was concerned as was I that there could be a serious incident and recommended the procedure. Discovered years later the dog had been the runt of the litter with mother rejecting it. Animal had more sense than humans who hand reared her. For those who say they never leave a dog alone with a child, I'd like to know how they achieve that, I found it impossible

Polarbear2
I have no experience here but I’ve always wondered about the muck (I assume) a dog brings in? They do their business and then come in and sit on the floor or furniture with their mucky bums. Sorry but that’s how it looks to me. Also hair drops and dog food scattered around the bowl? I can’t imagine putting a baby in amongst that. I put my hands up - I’ve never had a dog - it’s just my observation?? And they smell too. (Tin hat on) ?

Polarbear2

Your observations made me smile and I get you are not a dog lover, that’s ok.

I was brought up with dogs, likewise my husband and do naturally my dogs and children were brought up together.
Dogs bring so many benefits to family homes, dogs are not dirty animals by nature, unless they’ve had a tummy upset they don’t have pooey bottoms, they keep themselves clean. They require lots of care and grooming from their owners and they are hard work. No children will “catch” germs from family dogs so long as they are wormed, flea treated and vaccinated !!

We had my collie when first child was 3. She loved children and they could dress her up in hat's, bonnets, ribbons etc and push her around in a buggy. I still wouldn't have left her alone with my other DC when they were babies.
Other dogs I've had were mainly rescue dogs and not child agressive but not really child friendly either.
I think dogs need to be brought up from a puppy with children

We had a 18 month old Lab when first DD was born. He was magnificent with her. We took care how we introduced her to him and from then on she could do anything she wanted with him, although we taught her to be gentle. He loved both our DDs and had the patience of a saint with them. With our current Labs we are always careful with GCs, especially as one son-in-law is phobic, which of course extends to his fearing the dogs being near his children. If he is with us we shut the dogs in another room. Whilst the GC are still so small and therefore potentially likely to fall on top of the dogs, we are extra careful. If a dog is not already in the family I would recommend, as others have, waiting until the child is old enough to enjoy a new dog; they are hard work and a puppy is like adding another baby to the mix, especially if it is to be properly trained. However, the health benefits to children brought up in a household with pets is thoroughly proven and accepted by health care professionals now; less allergies, asthma, better immune system etc. Much more of a danger is the parent (or GP) hovering with a bottle of Dettox or similar, squirting at every perceived speck of dirt.

We had our dog, a Doberman bitch, before our son came along. I was always careful to ensure neither felt neglected because of the other (eg breastfeeding son on the settee with our dafty Dobie leaning against my other side....).
She wasn't all that impressed with him until she realised food from heaven above was coming from my son handing her stuff from his highchair that he didn't want. Best of friends thereafter, though prior to that, she was very protective of him when we were out with him in his pram and then the buggy.

If the dog and baby are for you, then only you can decide - if they are for someone else it is for them to decide?

Chestnut

I'd sooner focus on the baby and get the dog later when the child can join in.

This sounds pretty sensible to me. A new baby, especially a first, is enough to deal with.

I had a two year old visiting at the same time as we had a guide dog puppy. The pup was fortunately almost ready to go back to GDBA for more training when the little girl poked her fingers up it’s nose. She (the pup) just gave me a very long suffering look. The child’s mother didn’t say a word.

We made the mistake of getting a puppy three weeks before my second child was born which made it hard work with a newborn a toddler and a puppy but we muddled through . If you already have the dog then introduce them carefully and you can judge how they are going to accept baby . And as with all dogs and children don’t leave them alone . Over the years we have had 5 different large dogs with our own children and grandchildren with no problems at all . I would say make sure the dog has a safe space to retreat to if the child gets too much for them

I wish I had got a dog when I had babies. I grew up with dogs and loved them best, so I'd go for it. I meet a lot of young mums with babies and dogs on my dog walking wanders and they are all so happy.

We started married life with two large dogs (my husbands), which were joined 18 months later by our first son. No problems at all. I never worried for a moment about them being alone with the babies, they were our 'baby alarms' and protectors, they even helped put the toys away at the end of the day without chewing them! Both dogs were well trained and devoted companions to our boys. They came shopping with me and guarded the pram, no-one ever touched the pram or children, except one man who tried to give my son a sweet and I returned to find the German Shepherd holding him firmly but gently by the wrist. He was very nervous, embarrassed and apologetic but also impressed. Sadly we lost both dogs to cancer about five years later. Our youngest son doesn't really remember them.

You can never ensure that any dog is 100% reliable with children, but good kind training and common sense goes a long way to a happy, safe family environment for everyone.

nope. I wouldn't trust any child around a dog of mine. Children are untrained, impulsive and unpredictable. They will grab throw pull poke and hit without reason or thought.

We've always had dogs, so our children and now our grandson, grew up with one around the house. Personally speaking, I don't think a home is complete without a dog, but I wouldn't advise anyone to get a dog and a baby at the same time (especially a puppy!) Teach the children to respect the dog and vice versa and it's a recipe for a happy family!

My parents had a terrier before I was born, the first of 4. Tojo, as he was called was very good natured and no doubt put up with a lot from us children.

If you want to have a dog I would suggest getting it first and making sure that it's trained. I would then make sure that my children were also trained to treat the dog with respect and to understand that it is not a living teddy bear to be mauled and that it is entitled to its own space.