Bernese Mountain dog puppy? What will i do?

Question

I have a question, my husband told me he has ordered a bernese puppy for me, she's available in 5 weeks? I have always wanted this dog (i love all dog's but i have a soft spot for this breed). I don't know wheather to get her, it's my choice now.
I went to Orlando at the start of July and both my cats got killed on the road behind my house, i always had someone looking after them , they were only one yr old (miss them like crazy). Garden is fenced in, so the dog could'nt get out. My two year old says god bless them every night, as she still misses them lots, i know its good for her to mix with animals, but i'm also 19 weeks pregnant, so with a baby and a pup i don't think the pup would get the training she deserve's. I said i would always get one when i had my 3 kid's, but i have been so down and miss my cats my husband said he would suprise me, he told me last night he ordered one.

I don't know what to do? Any advice?

It is my second child. I have alot time helping train dog's growing and worked with a animal charity and , i was brought up with all sorts of animals on farm.

I live in Ireland and beleive it or not you can order or ask a breeder to hold a dog for you until it's weaned from its mum, it's only 3weeks old at the moment and he has done full research on breeder who is fully registered with papers and has full family history dating back to great grandparents

I have seen pedigree's for sale in mall's in america in pet shops

Answer 1

I'm really glad you're thinking about this NOW rather than after the puppy and the baby arrive.

You will not be in any condition to be training a puppy, watching after a 2 year old and having a brand new baby all at once.

If the breeder is a reputable one they will hold your deposit and allow you to wait a year or two until you are better prepared. (Frankly I don't know a reputable breeder who would look at your situation AND be willing to let you have a puppy right now) If the breeder is unwilling to do this for you RUN the other way!!!! I cannot say this strongly enough.

I breed Bernese. They are fantastic dogs... but dogs purchased from backyard breeders, puppymills etc are prone to temperament issues, structural issues (hip and elbow dysplasia) and health issues (LOTS of cancer in the breed).

If the breeder does not have the parents listed on Bernergarde.org RUN the other way. Good breeders endeavor to breed better dogs.

Ask the breeder what the AOD(Age of Death) is for 10 generations behind the pups. If they don't know this off the top of their heads they are NOT a good breeder.. Run!

Ask for OFA Ratings for hips/elbows. GDC if the parents are foreign born and recent imports, PENN-hip. Ask for VWD certification. Ask for CERF for eyes and LOOK IT UP on the website.

Realize that most Bernese imported from eastern block countries are puppymilled dogs and may not be even purebreds. Many puppymills imported their dogs from the Czech Republic etc.

Realize that Swiss, German and Austrian lines often send their dogs that will not pass breeding criteria to the US. They are MUCH more stringent on temperament, hips, elbows, eyes, structure and movement than US breeders. So.. you must be careful even there to be sure of all those things.

It took me 2 years of searching to find a Bernese that I felt was good enough. I've been working with the breed for 6 years. It is absolutely worth the price to deal with better quality dogs who are less likely to fall over dead at age 6 of cancer or crippling hip dysplasia.

Please feel free to email me at [e-mail] if you need more help.

Great Grandparents... thats um.. 4 generations... I can EASILY track 10 generations and given 24 hours can probably track 30 or so... ask for average AOD... hip and elbow scores. I have no issues with "ordering" a dog if the breeder is a reputable/responsible one.

Answer 2

When getting a puppy or adult dog it's always important the whole family is 100% sure of getting it. Thats why surprising your loved ones with pets isn't a good idea however nice it sounds. As you already have doubts about the puppy, i don't think it's ideal that you get it. With a young child already and one on the way life is going to be very chaotic and adding a puppy to that just creates more mayhem. Not only does the pup require basic obediance training, it also needs to be throughly socilised, walked, etc. Without the right training from young, a bernese mountain dog will grow up large and unruly and possibly be a danger to your children. Explain to your husband that you are still greifing for your cats and feel that getting a puppy isn't right yet. All the best.

Answer 3

Having a pet is hard, even harder when u have a 2 year old and are pregnant. It's really up to u, as far as if u want it or not. I say if your husband is going to help as far as training go for it. Make sure u get the Puppy pads, they are really good for house training, puppies. If your not always in the room u will have the puppy in, make sure to keep her in her cage, the cage shouldn't be any bigger than the puppy. The puppy should just have enough room to turn around and lay down in. Always make sure when u take her out to take her straight to the pad. Then feed her, with new puppies it usually takes 10 to 20mins for them to use the bathroom again. So if u don't feel like taking her out right then, let her use the pads. Always cheer the puppy on when she uses the pad. The pad are found at walmart, puppysmart and places like that. They even have these little liver treats dogs go crazy over. Get her a tool that's big enough to sleep with as puppies feel comfort from sleep with there bothers or sisters.
Just remember if your not in eye site of her/him, make sure she's in her cage. They are sneaky little devils. The more u push the pee pads on her the quicker she'll learn not to go but there. DO NOT ALLOW HER TO GO ALL OVER THE HOUSE. Smaller spaces, like her cage at first is best. Animals become a part of the family, I know how it hurts to see them die. I'm sorry for your loss.

Good luck,
If u think u can handle it. Those tips are keys to training her fast.

Answer 4

I am really sorry about your cats : ( I recently lost a cat too, so I know how you feel.

I think that since you are unsure if you should take the puppy or not that you should NOT take it. You are smart to be thinking about this now - instead of two months after the puppy came home/baby is born : ) You know what is best for you and your family and you know your limits, so trust your instincts on this one - no matter how cute that puppy is ; )

Also, if this is a reputable breeder, which it sounds like it is, then the breeder should be willing to hold your deposit and help you get a different puppy when you are ready.

Answer 5

Oh dear. My puppy is nearly 3mths, a shih-tzu and she needs so much attention. She is still house training and I think It will be a few more months until of dirty training pads and peed on floors. I cant imagine how you are going to cope with huge belly and sensitive tummy cleaning up mess ALL DAY LONG as well as looking after toddler.
Also, my 2 nephews, 2&4, came for bbq last weekend and my dog was tortured. We had to watch them the whole time. Toddlers dont understand that it is cruel to stick fingers etc in a dog's eyes. Also, the 2yr old smeared fresh dog crap all over himself. We dont have kids and this all happened in 1day. Can you imagine having that all the time?
Unless your hubby is going to be there at home with you all day you will not be able to cope. Congratulations on your pregnancy and I am very sorry to hear about your cats.

Answer 6

YIKES! I'm so sorry about your cats. :( You don't think you should take the puppy. The puppy would be a wonderful adition to the family, but raising a baby and a puppy is impossible. The puppy would probably be badly behaved and you don't need the extra work. Not to mention your child may be allergic. It's not fair that you have the puppy and then you have to give it up for your child. Tell your dad to cancel the order. Somone else will take the puppy. That breed is actaully in pretty short supply. I hope it works out. :)

Answer 7

Well considering that you are 19 weeks pregnant and the puppy won't be available to you for another 5 weeks, I'd consider if there will really be enough time to train and socialize the puppy like you would need to. Maybe if your husband is willing to help you could still make a go of it, but only you would know that. It would be awfully hard to train a puppy and take care of a baby all by yourself, rather like trying to take care of two babies with different needs. GL whatever you decide, but you can always get another puppy in a year or two :)

Answer 8

If you don't have time to train the dog properly, you are going to have problems. New babies and puppies are like having twins only worse in some ways. Bernese are big dogs and they need proper training. Have your baby and get a puppy later. There's always another puppy. In the meantime, you could get another cat - just make it an inside cat. The road is obviously a problem.

Answer 9

He ordered a dog? A dog is not merchandise, and anywhere where you order a dog is from a really bad horrible breeder. I would not get this dog at all. Try looking at petfinder.com there might be some older puppies or adults of that breed looking for a home. If you are having any second thoughts about getting a puppy, then your probably not ready.

Answer 10

i think you could still get the pup but it may be very stressful try haing another family take her to training class if teh what you had in mind but the puppies are stong so be careful when you let your 2 years oild play with her so you know i dont have kids im way to young to even be thinking about kids but i know alot about babies and animals i have 2 kittens to and i have taken care over every child born after me in my family so i guess i have knowlegde in this so i really think that if you do get the puppy try not to strees your self to much because you already know what can happen with stress and a baby i hope i helped in some way