THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE GETTING YOUR BABY A DOG
So, I LOVE our dogs to death and wouldn’t change having them for the world (plus they are so cute and sweet with baby🥰)- but we were honestly not expecting to have two dogs at the same time as a baby. We got our dogs as puppies in college and then later found out about our perfect little surprise! That said, here are some things I would carefully consider based off my experience if I had known how things were going to play out :)
First off, dogs are SO unpredictable with their personalities/temperaments. Our first dog is the perfect little angel who made us think we could handle a second, and the second has always been and still is a total nut job 😂. So you really just never know what you’re going to get, it’s such a gamble and whichever way it goes can seriously make your life so much harder or easier.
Secondly, the BARKING! It is so incredibly stressful trying to make sure the dogs don’t bark at every single thing they see or hear when she is napping or down for the night. She’s used to it by now so it usually doesn’t wake her up if they bark once or twice but if they keep going on and on (which they will if I don’t stop them) then she’ll wake up.
Third, this may not bother everyone but it bothers me so much because I am a germ freak especially with my baby. Unless you get a dog that doesn’t she, there is hair EVERYWHERE. I didn’t notice it that much when we were in college but now that I have this tiny human that puts everything in her mouth and will be crawling soon it drives me nuts. Every single toy she has gets dog hair all over it even if it’s not on the ground- that stuff just floats through the air I swear 😭. We bought our first house with an extra room specifically so we could have a guest room and ended up turning it into a playroom so she could have a dog free room to roll around in and keep her toys in and some hair STILL gets in somehow.
Lastly is the guilt of not being able to give as much attention to the dog as they should be getting because babies are so time consuming!
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Deciding to get a dog while raising a baby can be a rewarding but daunting challenge. There are various aspects to contemplate. Firstly, dog temperament is unpredictable; you might get an affectionate dog or a more challenging one, as noted by many dog owners. Secondly, barking can become a significant issue, particularly during your baby's sleep time. It's vital to train your dog to lessen noise disturbances. Furthermore, dog hair might pose hygiene concerns, especially for curious babies who tend to explore everything and may put things in their mouths. Regular grooming and maintaining cleanliness in shared spaces can help mitigate this problem. Lastly, the time commitment that comes with both a baby and a dog can lead to feelings of guilt when you can't provide enough attention to your furry friend. Balancing the needs of both can be tough. Therefore, it's beneficial to create a routine that accommodates attention for your dog while managing your parenting duties. By considering these factors, you can better prepare for the changes a new dog will bring into your home and ensure a harmonious environment for both your child and pet.
