should i keep my dog when i have the baby?

Question

he's a nice dog but very needy and big, he likes all the attention to his self and could easily knock a young child over due to the size of him and his clumsy nature, i like him but worry he could get jealous what do you think, should i keep him?

of course im not just going to leave the dog homeless and yes i do love him but sorry but my child comes first, and yes i would make sure he got a good home its not just the dog i get worried about he keeps getting fleas not hygenic but for yous who want to live in a zoo good luck and yes my house is clean!

its intersting reading through all your answers, it seems like most of you's are prepared to risk the dog with the child im not saying anything would happen but how many stories have you heard about peoples family dogs turning bad, i took him on as he had been an abused dog in the past and he has came on leaps and bounds hes american bulldog stunning dog but if he got a hold of the baby with the size of hsi jaws then that woudl be it no baby left!

firstly for all of yous' who live ina house full of animals where the f*** do you get the time to walk them all and look after a small child/children, and secondly you's dont know me or know the dog so its easy for yous to sit and run your big mouths form behind the safety of your computer screen, i use frontline every time but my dog still gets fleas the vet says they'l pick them up when their outside so it doesn't matter how well u treat the house, the next thing is dog training yes ive looked in2 that aswell 45 quid an hour, maby if you can afford that every week thats great but i cant, do yous ever think of dog s*** lying around even when u've picked it up theres still traces of it on the grass so for those of you with a house like a zoo poor kids must be covered in animal hair and god knows what else but everyones different in how they want to live, i dont know one person who wudn't be concerned about their small child with a dog, peoples family circumsatnces change all the time.

Answer 1

If you can keep him in check, there is no reason to get rid of him.

But if you feel your kid will be in danger, there is no real choice, imo.

Answer 2

Most of dog attacks which you hear about are when parents/relations have been negligent in watching over the children when the dog is about.

It is perfectly ok (with supervison) to have a baby and a dog, I had the same myself, I had a German Shepherd a year before my daughter was born, the two were NEVER left together and I had two dog gates so that she could play without my dog stealing her toys or drooling on them. My big gentle giant was very protective of my child and watched me like a hawk when i changed her nappies, she also put herself between the cot and any people who came in that she didnt know. Yes, its hard work, but unless you see that the dog has aggressive tendancies to the child, then I dont see how you can pre-judge. It's also down to the fact that you will have to put a lot of hard work in to constantly keep an eye on them, if you are prepared to do that then you wont have a problem. In life a child will be lucky if the most it has to deal with is the dog knocking it over. You havent even given the dog a chance yet.

Answer 3

Please don't he will adjust, I am having a baby and would never give my dogs up, I have a 3 year old Dalmatian and at the moment he is my baby, I have been trying to treat him like a big dog (if you get my jist) He's not mums baby anymore he's mums big boy. He now likes my tummy when i ask where the baby is. I know people will think I'm mad but it seems to be working. Have a blanket with you when you have your baby that you can give to your dog with the baby's sent on it to prepare him before you come home with your baby. Good luck and hope every thing goes well for you.

Answer 4

Most dog and babies get along fabulously! When my son was on the way, everyone told me I would have to get rid of my dog, as he was so possessive, and constantly needing my attention.
When my son was born, the dog was delighted, wouldn't leave that baby's side, always choosing to be near the baby instead of the parents! He had decided that looking out for that bay was his new job.
I have raised 23 foster children, in a house full of huge dogs. Normally, there were 3 or 4 indoor dogs during that time. None of the children were ever harmed by the dogs. Dogs do like kids, unless they are old and hurting, or have had bad experiences with children before.
Frontline or Revolution will get rid of fleas, and needs applied monthly..You can get it online at http://www.1800petmeds.com/.
Put in on, now, and you will have no more fleas by the time the baby arrives. Allowing your dog to have fleas is irresponsible dog ownership. Especially when the remedy is available.
You said that you like the dog, but didn't say that you love him..That is a big difference, and dogs NEED to be loved. Dogs love unconditionally, as no human does.
So, my suggestion is, begin looking for a 'responsible' and 'loving' home for him, and all will be better off.
.He deserves to be flea free, and loved.

Answer 5

I have to ask you this question-why did you get the dog in the first place if it was a temporary thing? Pretty cold if you ask me. Dogs are not inanimate objects-they are living things who have the ability to get attached to their families. My suggestion to you, seeing you haven't even had the kid yet and you are already pushing the dog out the door, is to find it a good home and don't get any more pets in the future.
A dog is a lifelong commitment that you don't seem to have ever made.

A hint-a good flea preventative from a vet would have taken care of the flea problem if you had bothered.

Answer 6

Ok, first the flea problem... Buy frontline.. treat him every month.. he wont get fleas.. ever... If you're still finding fleas that means they're in your carpet, clean house or not, & you're going to have to treat the carpet. You should deffinately check this out before the baby comes.

As far as keeping the dog goes...
like someone said above.. It sounds like your dog loves you & lives to please you (as shown by wanting alot of attention). If introduced slowly in a controlled (not excited) environment, you should have no problems what so ever with your dog's relationship with the baby. He will accept the baby as a new member of his pack, & there is no reason for any problems. Try not to worry so much. The dog can sense your stress & nervousness, & that's where your problems would come. If you're stressed & nervous & jumpy, the dog will be too. If the dog's never shown any aggression before, then there is absolutely no reason to get rid of it. My dog is big & very hyper & jumps up on people (i know, i need to work on that with her), but like most dogs I know, she can sense when it's time to be gentile. when little kids come to my house, I can hardly believe i'm watching the same dog. She's the most gentile, sweet girl with them. So you shouldnt worry about your child being knocked over... by the time your baby is mobile, the dog will have had PLENTY of time to adjust & learn to be gentile.

As for the jealousy issue. I know your child comes first, but you're dog's still going to need some attention to make him feel loved. As long as you dont totally ignore him & change how you treat him, then he won't get jealous.

If you really think you wont be able to care for the dog like he deserves (he loves you), then by all means give him to a family who will! But if you can find a way to love your new baby and still find time & a place in your heart for your four legged son, then you and your baby will have loving companion & playmate for years to come!

Answer 7

Do you trust your dog ? if you integrate them in the beginning there is no reason to get rid of the dog, when you first bring the baby hone let the dog smell it , Don't constantly shoo the dog away as this will just cause the dog to resent the baby. I had a German Shepperd and followed these steps, the dog and my child were inseparable, also it is a prov en fact that children with pets are and become more confident children ! .

Answer 8

There's no reason you can't keep your dog, unless he's mean with small children. I kept all 4 of my dogs when I had my daughter (2 labs, shih tzu, and whippet). I acclimated them to her room and everything in it before I even had her. After she was born, my husband brought home a blanket that smelled like her. My daughter was already even used to the dogs when she was born, she was used to hearing them bark and play (they can hear while en utereo!). Everyone did just fine! The dogs eventually learned that the best place to get food was from the little kid-it was a game to all of them! I kept all of my animals except for my endurance horse, sold him to someone who had time to race him, I just didn't anymore. As for the flea issue, talk to your vet, there are plenty of things they can do to get rid of them. If you keep getting fleas again and again, you're either not actually getting rid of them, or he has contact with other animals (wild or domestic), and keeps getting reinfected. You're right-your child does come first, but you also have a responsibility to your pets; they aren't disposable. And I am a firm believer that children who grow up in homes with pets are healthier and happier, and show a greater sense of responsibility, than those who don't.

Answer 9

I had a big, clumsy black lab when I gave birth to my second son. My second son was guarded at night by this goofy dog who would lay near his crib, and poke his nose in my eyeball if the baby so much as belched funny. As my son learned to crawl, the dog would lay on the floor and be a speed bump between my son and the kitchen when I was workng on making food, or whatever. When my son started trying to walk, the dog was his safety net. If he fell and cried, the dog would roll over on his back and make funny faces. In no time he was up giggling, and trying again. I had a fenced yard, so kept a dog house there just in case we were going to be gone awhile, since the dog liked to be outside on nice days. He was always a house dog, but sometimes we'd leave him out when we went to a store or a friend's house for awhile. When my son was a toddler, we were all out in the yard one day, and I heard my son, but couldn't see him. I found him in the dog house with the silly dog. It's one of my favorite photos. My sons would drop the dog's tennis ball into their wading pool and the three of them would entertain themselves for hours. My sons never got worms, or fleas, or any other malady that could be related to being with a dog. My house was more of a wreck when the kids were playing than it ever was from the dog. My sons were both loved by, and in love with that dog, but the bond between my youngest and the dog was the closest. I'd never have done it any other way.

God, we miss you Barney. Rest well my old friend.

Answer 10

I personally would pick the dog they are less whiny, you don't have to give him a diaper change every hour, and when the dog is older he can guard your house, as long as you train him who not to attack. But as member of the debate team I must look at this from both angles. The baby will live longer, be slightly annoying in early years, but you can have someone to talk to later on and when your dying and the kid has a job he can help you and stand by your side, plus depending on the kids job you could use is family discount.

Answer 11

He probably just wants to love you - this is the nature of dogs. I'm sure your child will love growing up with someone else who doesn't lack the natural grace of an adult. He may have difficulty, but once he understands, he'll love your child as much as he loves you. Start some training with him. Even a little work can pay off a lot. Get some flea medication. Start teaching the child before he or she is born what it is to be loyal and loving to your pets.