{"id":5059,"date":"2021-01-21T09:00:09","date_gmt":"2021-01-21T14:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/birthyoudesire.com\/?p=5059"},"modified":"2022-05-01T10:45:08","modified_gmt":"2022-05-01T14:45:08","slug":"add-a-dog-to-you-family","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/birthyoudesire.com\/add-a-dog-to-you-family\/","title":{"rendered":"Is It A Good Idea To Get A Dog When You Have A Baby?"},"content":{"rendered":"
I grew up with a dog. So I know, dogs are wonderful companions to welcome to the family and can help create many happy memories for you and your children. You hear many stories these days from people who have grown up with their loyal companions, and it\u2019s truly heartwarming. If you\u2019ve got a baby on the way – or very young – you may have thought about getting a dog to grow up with your baby. But is it a good idea? If you\u2019re on the fence, we\u2019ve broken down the idea so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not now is the right time to get a dog.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you\u2019ve already got a dog, then you\u2019ll already be well aware of how they\u2019re going to act around your baby. After all, you\u2019ve taken the time to train your dog and you know what their temperament is like around children, and people altogether. However, if you\u2019re thinking of introducing a dog at the same time as having a baby, you might not have the same experience. Let\u2019s look at whether it\u2019s a good idea to get a dog right now.<\/span><\/p>\n Photo by <\/span>Mithul Varshan<\/span><\/a> from <\/span>Pexels<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n You\u2019re well aware that babies are time-consuming. Whether it\u2019s feeding, changing their nappies, rocking them to sleep, or simply enjoying those wonderful moments together, new parents don\u2019t often get much time to themselves, let alone anything else in their lives. The same goes for a new dog, young or old. A <\/span>dog would need time to adjust to their new living situation<\/span><\/a>, not to mention new rules, behaviors that are expected of them, and a training regime – which is time-consuming for you. Before choosing to get a dog, think about the time implications this will have on you, your partner, and your new baby. If you can\u2019t commit to the time a dog will need right now, it might be best to wait until you do.<\/span><\/p>\n Like humans, all dogs are different, and different breeds of dogs will be very different to manage than others. Consider things such as:<\/span><\/p>\n If you would really like to get a dog when you\u2019ve got a small baby, then you may want to consider a breed that\u2019s going to work well with a baby such as a Golden Retriever or a Labrador. That\u2019s not to say other breeds wouldn\u2019t work, but these are renowned for having lovely temperaments, especially around children. If you\u2019re choosing to buy your dog from puppy age, remember to buy from a responsible breeder such as <\/span>lucky labs<\/span><\/a> to ensure you\u2019re getting a true breed.<\/span><\/p>\n Having a baby in itself is a huge financial commitment and when you throw a dog into the mix, you could be spending a lot more than you can afford. Not only do dogs need regular food, grooming, toys, and bedding, but they also need healthcare just like humans do. Also, dogs can become sick or injured at any time and when this happens, you could be left with a hefty veterinarian bill. While there are many <\/span>pet health insurance<\/span><\/a> plans out there, you still may have to pay fees. Take a look at your finances and ask yourself if you can realistically afford a dog as well as your new baby.<\/span><\/p>\n Like your baby, it\u2019s your responsibility to make sure that your dog gets the right training so that it behaves in a desirable way. This can take a lot of time, patience, and money if you\u2019re choosing to send your puppy to an obedience school.<\/a> Between everything you have to do as a parent, will you actually have time to properly train your dog? If not, it\u2019s only fair to wait until you do have that time and patience to do it.<\/span><\/p>\n Photo by <\/span>Daria Shevtsova<\/span><\/a> from <\/span>Pexels<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n This is a difficult thing to predict, especially if your baby hasn\u2019t been born yet. However, if your family has a line of dog or pet allergies, then there\u2019s a chance your baby could too. If this is the case, it might be a better idea to wait until your baby is born and introduce them to the breed of dog you\u2019re after (perhaps through a friend or family member) to see if your baby is allergic. It wouldn\u2019t be fair to <\/span>rehome a dog<\/span><\/a> so soon after getting it because a member of the family has allergies.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Babies and dogs alike are extremely time-consuming<\/span><\/h2>\n
Not all breeds of dogs are easy to manage<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Can you afford a dog too?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Will you have time to train your dog?<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Does your family have a line of dog allergies?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Babies can startle dogs<\/span><\/h2>\n