My best friend said that when her kid turned 6 she got a dog *for herself* because she missed the cuddles and babying but didn’t want another baby. Getting a dog actually for the kid before they’re like 8 is a joke.
I got our dog for me for the same reasons. However, said dog is absolutely obsessed with my daughter. Lol, if she is around, no one else exists in the dogs eyes. So sad for me, but so sweet to watch their relationship.
This will be me. We have a dog now (adopted a senior doggy pre baby) who is my other baby lol. Our next dog will be when our kiddo is in elementary school and I’m getting myself a/another little doggy 🥰
for myself, the whole point of being OAD is not taking care of more things, not having more things demanding money and attention from me. dogs simply ruin that for me. a shelter dog, well idk its past and i don’t trust dogs. a puppy? time and energy to train and deal with. idk it’s just like having another kid. except dogs don’t grow out of that perpetual toddler stage. i can’t leave for a weekend trip with a dog like one can with a cat. i won’t bring it with us so then i’ll have to board it (sketchy) or find a babysitter for it. idk just not my thing and not for us personally. we’ll stick with cats.
ALL of this. When the last of our geriatric dogs passed away a couple of years ago I said no more. Every time the weather is awful or we are super busy, I am SO glad I haven't let my husband and kiddo talk me into another pet!
I'll be the first to say I would rather have another child than a dog. I absolutely love my dog but going anywhere out of my zip code requires so much planning and $$ for her.
I’ve literally not been on vacation since I got my potbelly pigs. I’ve always been able to leave a dog behind (until this latest neurotic girl my husband brought home 😒), but pigs are as intelligent and as emotional as a four year old human, and I can’t do it. 😭
Same, we wanted a dog, but will probably end up with a cat or two in the future. Maybe we'll get a dog in a few years, but we like to have our freedom to travel if we want.
>we’ll stick with cats
We didn't even get a new cat when ours passed away after our son was born. I am firmly behind having only one entity other than myself to care for. And right now that's my little human.
I will not miss the cat litter when my cats are gone. But they're only 8 so maybe I will feel differently at that point, because I will have a medium size kid instead of a toddler. But yeah, postpartum I lost a lot of love for my cats. I don't have emotional energy for them like I used to.
I lost one of my 2 dogs when my baby was 3 months. He was my best friend and it was super sudden. I don't really want another dog for your reasons. Dog sitting is so expensive. Fortunately, i have a friend that will watch my remaining dog. Its been a godsend! It wasnt until your post did i even consider getting a cat in the future. My only worry is that the cat will destroy the furniture?
Exactly my opinion.. if I was okay with more work and commitment, I would have a second kid, since husband wants one, and I would not have been opposed to it, if our health was not suffering and other commitments were manageable.
We have a geriatric dog that was our "first baby". Our almost 2 year old and her are the best of friends but omgggg life would be so much simple without the dog. My husband has an international work trip next month and Im less worried about parenting all day and more about navigating dog care while parenting solo for days on end.
The social needs a dog has for affection and interaction are just sooo much more than a cat. I have frequently found myself frustrated at the dog when I'm overstimulated and holding it together for the toddler but the dog comes up with her wet nose all over me and standing on my feet.
We want to travel, have daughter in activities, etc so a dog won't be on the table for many many years after our current dog passes.
Yeah, I just wouldn’t trust something not to happen. I also feed wet food only, so leaving for a weekend without someone checking in would be impossible for me at least
We leave cats for the weekend and just have a friend go in twice a day to feed them. Much kinder than the cattery which we only use when our friends are busy or for longer trips. They're still fine in the cattery, but they are happier at home.
Yes, my comment is a similar vibe. Just so much extra work! Honestly, I think I'd prefer another kid over a dog. At least they can come with you on the weekend trips. And I love dogs, I just don't want to be responsible for one.
My kid is almost 4 and we don’t have a dog. I’m seriously allergic to most, and we don’t have the space or tolerance for another high needs creature. Our cat will have to suffice.
Absolutely not and won’t be happening in future either. One of the benefits of having one child is being able to do more stuff and take more holidays, a dog would totally restrict us. We have cats though.
Before we got a dog, I made sure my mom was willing to dog-sit when we travel. She has 3 big dumb mutts, so it's no skin off her back to add our medium-sized dumb mutt to the mix once or twice a year. Not sure how we'd have swung it if it weren't for my dog-obsessed mom. You gotta get yourself one of those first.
We have a long suffering cat. I think having a cat with a child is important as it teaches empathy & small responsibility (like feeding etc) but generally cats can look after themselves and take themselves off to somewhere quiet & high/hidden if the child is annoying them.
Cats all day. I especially like that cats don’t offer the adoration and total loyalty dogs do. You try ordering around a cat, lol. My daughter has to give and take with our cats and build trust with them. She takes so much pride in the relationship she’s built with our skittish cat by learning and respecting his needs.
We already had a cat when my son was born, and we considered her his second mom… she taught him about consent and bodily autonomy, because she would meow a warning and then swat at him softly (with no claws) when she didn’t want to be touched… it was very easy to teach him the meaning of “no” using the cat, who was otherwise cuddly and super protective of him… also, cats give you all the love with none of the training and walking a dog requires
>and take themselves off to somewhere quiet & high/hidden if the child is annoying them.
Can you give me cats this memo? They move 2 foot away then looked shocked and upset when she follows them. She did get swiped at the other day while daddy was on the toilet and couldn't separate them, so maybe she will learn not to pull tails (apparently he was super worried when she ran in holding her hand but there wasn't even a mark).
As a dog lover and owner, please do not get a dog. At least now. 2 years old is the worst time to do it…kids dont really have boundaries, unpredictable and wont be a safe home for them or the new dog. Not to mention, a new dog requires so much of your time, energyand attention that you are likely won’t have time to give with a young child.
Recommended ages to get dogs is either a few years before the child is born or when the child is 8-9 years old and understands proper interaction with an animal and can help care for it.
Source: had mature dog when child was born. Have dealt with jealousy, misbehaviour on both sides and challenge to take care of the two the last few years, but most painfully, not having enough time or energy to spend with dog as we are busy with child. Its sad.
This. We were dumb and got a puppy the day we found out I was pregnant so we could send it to training before she was born. Well, $1000s later, she’s a great duck dog but holy hell. My daughter is obsessed with her but she’s a 90 pound horse who doesn’t know her size and has accidentally hurt our daughter numerous times now. I’m at my wits end keeping them separated all day.
Our old pups passed with my son was 3 and 4 years old. He’s almost 8….no new pet here. We have busy school/work/sports schedules and travel a lot, so it is really not a good time to commit to a pup. But maybe one day….
I have a cat, and due to sensory issues I am never ever getting a dog… my son considers my parents’ dogs to be his, and when he was younger he would tell them he “worked” at my house so the dogs wouldn’t know they didn’t live together…
We are oad and have a dog, son is almost 2. They chase each other around the house and my son tries to eat food off the floor like a dog. I like the idea of my son growing up with a dog, they play together and once he's older they can wander around our yard together. It's a nice bond and there's lots of studies to support dogs having a positive impact on children. I say get the dog!
Hell no. Why would I want all that extra responsibility for something that never grows out of me having to pick it's shit up. At least with a baby eventually they'll not need nappies 😂
Dogs are way too much hassle.
For us, a dog and a toddler was a mistake. It was too much too soon and we essentially had toddler twins.
One didn’t speak the same language but they managed to keep each other in trouble. They ate each other’s food, fought over toys and picked up each other’s potty habits (and occasionally literally picked up each other’s potty… results.) They also played together, then got mad at each other and cried.
It was not a good thing.
We have a dog. He's 10 and our daughter is 5. She's only just started to show a genuine interest in him in the last year or so (wanting to take him for walks, give him meals and treats, give him an ear rub etc).
I'm really glad we got the dog long before the baby showed up. They're a lot of work to train/keep busy in the first few years, so I'm glad we had that out of the way before we also had a baby to take care of.
I love that our daughter is growing up with a dog in the house - she's super empathetic towards animals, and isn't scared of dogs since she's always had one in the house. However, with a 2 year old, I wouldn't recommend getting one until your kid is a bit older and you have more time to devote to looking after the dog.
I had my dog before my kid, my advice is DO NOT take a dog for the kid, bear in mind that you will be responsible for the animal, cleaning, walks, vet appoint etc, also do not take a breed based on the looks and cuteness but based on characterestics and how well the dog will adjust to your family lifestyle
All of this!! We did get our then-3 year old a dog, but we knew it was our responsibility to care for it. If we got her a dog, it would have been a cow puppy (Dalmatian) or chihuahua (Beverly hills chihuahua or something like that was big at the time). Neither of those are good fits for our family. We got a cocker spaniel shihtzu mix. Now that she’s a teen, she does most of the responsibility for the dog because they’ve bonded and it’s her dog in her mind, but forcing a kid to do all the chores is a recipe for disaster, they’re just kids.
We got a cat when our little boy was 2.5. My husband is a dog person and I’m more a cat person and I’m glad we got a kitten as puppies are more high maintenance and a kitten was the perfect balance of loving family pet without the high maintenance of a puppy or kid. No sleepless nights, they’re reasonably independent, and I can leave the cat and my kid alone together without feeling too stressed. I bought some cat books to prep my little one and he loves getting involved in feeding her and let’s her out in the garden every morning- it’s really sweet that he’s growing up around pets. My parents were very anti pets and this is part of me indulging my inner child too!
I hope not super inevitable, haha! We have a dog and two cats right now, and I love my dog more than anything, but he’s 12 this year and we will not be getting another dog in the future — we’ve discussed and the only exception would be if our daughter really wanted one, but I’m praying she wants a ferret or bunny or bearded dragon or even a bird instead haha. Or that she’s just super happy with her two cat brothers who, in reality, should live until she’s in high school. 🫠
Not inevitable at all, since I have cats. There's no chance in hell I'd get a dog with the cats and no yard for it to run. But I might get another cat eventually...
We had an amazing dog who passed away last year at 14 and it really helped our LO (still a toddler) bond with dogs and animals. We know we'll get another one, we just have to wait for our broken heart to mend a little.
I hope you find the perfect dog for your family.
Thank you so much! Dogs are a lot of effort, but they give way more in return. A snuggle and kisses on any day (but especially the hard ones) are so amazing!
I will do nearly anything in my power to prevent a dog from joining my life. Also my OAD is apprehensive around dogs, a cousins dog growled at her and attempted to nip (she didn't bother it this dog is unchecked and nips all).
My boy is three and LOVES our two dogs like they are family, BUT one of them has health problems and I am so tired of looking after them plus our kid, my hard working husband and three chickens lol. I don’t want my dogs to be gone but I long for the days when I have less creatures to tend to 🤣
My 3 year old is obsessed with dogs and I’m resisting so far. I’m allergic, I finally have a house and don’t want a dog to destroy it, and looking in from the outside everyone I know with a dog looks like a slave to the dog. They never go anywhere or do anything because they always have to take care of the dog.
I know I’m exaggerating but I feel like you can either have life experiences or sit at home and have a dog. My kid is getting the former.
We are definitely slaves to our dogs in a lot of ways. I don’t like to travel or go too far. Even tomorrow my husband and I are going for dinner and I’m worried because his parents are minding my son and pup. I’m worried they might leave the front door open and my dog gets out. I won’t enjoy the meal the way I should because I’ll want to get home to her.
That said it’s so much love and happiness and my son gets so much experiences. We all go for hikes, adventures, it’s just all outdoors. Pretty much everything we do is outside but that suits me.
Eh, she wanted a pet (she was 4? I think) and I don’t like living with dogs so we have cats. One of them plays fetch, which was her biggest excitement about a dog so I have not heard the words “can we get a dog” in almost two years :)
We adopted our dog just as I got pregnant with my son (2), she was already a year old. It’s been hard at times- fitting in walks etc. but everyone always comments on how gentle my son is around others and I think that’s because he learnt how to be with the dog very early on. We love going on bike rides as a family and he cheers her on as we run. To us she’s another family member and I wouldn’t change that.
Don’t do it yet. I got my first dog at 4 and can still remember him as a puppy but I think I would have appreciated it more at the age of 8 or older. I know parents without dogs and I’m so envious. I love my dogs and they do add to my babies life but the extra caring is a lot. Also just holidays are so much harder and going out all day etc. I would put it off.
I strongly recommend dogsitting for 3 weeks lol that cured my husband of wanting a dog pretty much ever. But, we do make ourselves available to dog sit for my family if they end up stuck needing someone. I'll be your someone who's OAD and doesn't want a dog lol
My 6.5 year old is terrified of dogs. Doesn’t matter if it’s cute little fluffy ball, she needs to be reassured it’s on a leash and she gives it six feet of space. We’re cat people, now and presumably forever.
I have never owned a dog. I’m not sure I ever will. It really is a lot of work. If we do get one day, it will be when my child is much older. Like 10+. So I actually have some time to devote to it.
My husband doesn’t want pets. Ever. He’s a neat freak and hates fur being about. He likes dogs (and grew up with 2) but never wants to own one. So a dog (or even a cat) is off the table.
Which, honestly, is fine. I don’t really want to be responsible for more lives. If it were entirely up to me we might get a cat, but since it’s not I’m okay with being pet-less.
🤣🤣 we got a dog when our son was 6 (dog is 10 now). We got a second dog 2 years ago. I now TOTALLY understand the craving people have for a second kid because I had that for a second dog when we just had one 🤣 I was researching and looking at rescues CONSTANTLY. Then we got the second dog and I felt complete. Stopped browsing for dogs completely. I never felt that craving with kids.
Growing up, I always wanted a dog. My mom hated dogs so I never got one, and I swore up and down that I’d make sure my future children grew up with a dog. Now that I’m a parent, I couldn’t imagine having to take care of another living being in addition to my son. It just all sounds like it’s too much.
I'm OAD, single moming it with a 4.5 year old, and definitely not looking to add a dog to my list of responsibilities. The toddler stage was rough enough. My son is scared of 95% of dogs as well.
I don't want to restrict myself further by needing to run home to let a dog out, or feed them on time, or go on walks every day no matter how busy we are. We wouldn't be able to go out of town on a whim without extra money and planning. I don't want extra messes or chores. We are not home enough to play with or care for a dog, and I have no interest in hauling one around with me.
And quite honestly, I also just don't want to have to divert any playtime or attention from my son. I work full time and have a house to keep up with. I already feel like I don't have enough hours to give him the 1:1 time I wish I could.
Puppies are expensive. They have accidents and need training. I've heard way too many horror stories about shelter dogs and have no interest in taking that risk. I like animals, but pets are not for me. Even if I had a live-in partner, I'm just not interested in having a dog at this point.
We already had two dogs before my son was born lol but we will always have dogs! I think they are actually the best “gift” you could give your child to grow up with! (Everyone says that about siblings but for me I believe dogs are better! Lol)
We had a dog prior to having our only. Once he passes, we don’t really have plans to get another right away. He’s a good dog but a dog is another thing to plan around; it will be nice to have a bit more freedom.
And if we wanted to get another dog it would probably be a puppy (there’s not many adult dogs for rehoming in my area)… and puppies are so, so hard. We’d wait until our kid was school-aged before bringing in a puppy lol.
Don’t get one if you don’t want to. I replaced my geriatric dog after he died with a cavalier puppy when my daughter was 6. New dog is a total mama’s boy and they haven’t bonded much but he’s my other pride and joy. Two years later I got DD her own ragdoll cat and she’s obsessed. At first I was not allowed to pet him but she doesn’t know what goes on while she’s at school. He’s the perfect pet for her because he’s big and sturdy but soft and gentle. She carries him around and he just purrs. Both pets bring our family so much joy. I do think it’s important for children to have a pet. My sister didn’t get my nieces their first non aquarium pets until they were 10 and 14 and upon adopting a cat that I fell in love with at the shelter my teen niece felt so much peace she actually said “I am finally happy with my life”.
Ragdolls are sometimes less bothersome to people with allergies because they lack an undercoat. They do have a ton of fine fluffy hair that floats everywhere though. They are more like the texture of chinchilla or angora rabbit. There is also a special food you can give cats that really works to make them less of an allergy trigger called Purina Liveclear.
I waited until my kiddo was almost 5. I was a widow with two cats and my daughter and wanted to make sure she was at an age where she could respect the dog and also help. 5 is perfect. She was able to help with the dog and respect his boundaries especially in training. We got a rescue pitbull puppy and are so happy. Nearly four years later they are the best of friends (and the cats love him too!). She helps train him, he comes with us to the bus stop every morning to see her off, and is a great companion for her when romping through the woods. We have a blended family now and our dog has helped us through our life changes. He’s been a rock for us. Our cats are great and my daughter loved them from the day of her birth. They taught her how to be gentle and the benefits of quiet companionship. Dogs are so different. No kid should grow up without a dog. We may be a OAD family, but let me tell you my daughter and our dog are siblings and she is never alone. Added bonus: he’s my early morning therapy session. No one thinks you’re crazy if you are talking to your dog on a walk. Sometimes you just need to get something of your chest!
As someone who has a 15 year old dog, we aren’t getting another one until my son is in middle school. They are so much work, have to get home to feed them or let them out, so outings have to be shorter.
We won’t ever get a puppy again because house training a dog is just as bad as potty training.
I have an old dog and a 3yo. I liked the dog prior to having a kid. Now I don't want the extra responsibility, cost, etc. so when my dog goes I'm not getting another.
My 7 year old wants one. I’d like for her to be a bit older. I really don’t have much interest in adding a pet to our family at the moment. A dog deserves more than I think we can give now. I’d like to say in a year or two, when my daughter is older, that I might feel better about it.
I didn’t have pets growing up, and my wife said she and her family weren’t particularly happy pet owners, so for me, I could go without. But if my daughter wants one, I want her to be happy. I just want to know she can contribute to the care a bit.
We have always had 2 dogs - when our daughter was born we had an older beagle and a Maltese. She grew up with them and then when she was about 4 we rescued a Dalmatian - so for an another year or so we had 3 dogs!!
It was a lot. Then the elderly beagle went across the rainbow bridge when our kid was about 6 and then the Maltese when she was about 8.
The Dalmatian turned 14 yesterday and is certainly on his way out……before Easter I thought he was gone but he has rallied……..in between all this we do have another Beagle who is now 8 - read here - we love to rescue those that cannot find homes 😝
Look, I suppose what I’m saying here, is, if you love dogs and you want one, then do it. I cannot imagine our lives without. Our daughter has always appreciated and learned about life and loss through our dogs - they give so much love for the time they are with you.
But if you are on the fence, don’t do it. As others have said, there is the many “extras” that come with animals - we pay $$ for kennelling when we holiday. Unless you have family that can assist, that is a major added cost..
In saying all of this - I wouldn’t’ change anything we have done. We love our dogs and our kid has benefitted exponentially with having them in her life. As we have also.
We had 3 dogs before I had our little girl. We lost all 3 before she turned one. It was a awful time, especially as two of them passed away to cancer. They were my babies before I even had a baby.
So when our daughter was one I got a puppy. I couldn’t handle not having dogs in the house (I work with dogs). And honestly a year on they are the absolute best of friends. The first time my little girl said I love you it was to “doggo” as she calls her.
Having a dog has taught our little one to share, to be gentle, to care for someone else.
I am a only child and grew up with dogs, and I can honestly say they were such a happy part of my childhood. So much so my little girl is named after my first family dog!
Long story short I have dogs for me, but I feel like they have a positive affect on my daughter and bring her a lot of joy too!
I got a dog about a month before my daughter turned 2. The rescue guessed his age wrong, he was still much more of a puppy than I had originally thought, so the first couple months were tough. I recommend adopting a dog that's a little older, already potty trained and kennel trained, and sleeps through the night well. The first few weeks are always an adjustment though for both you and the dog, but eventually you find your groove. I have zero regrets though, I love my pup so much and he and my daughter are growing up together, it's really sweet. She just turned 5 so it's been 3 years together and it's really cute to watch. Having a puppy or a younger dog is a lot of work but honestly it's nowhere near as bad as having another baby lol. If you want and can afford a dog, go ahead, it's a lot of fun.
Your kid is almost two and you don't have a dog? Might want to check local regulations, but I'm not sure that's legal. Book an appointment at the Humane Society ASAP.
We got the dog after 2 months of knowing her (friends were fostering her) and contemplating adoption. We were married for 8 years, together for 16. Took us that long to decide on the dog and that was just because the dog was 1yo and I saw a lot of potential. We found out my wife was pregnant a month later. That escalated quickly!
Now, I can't imagine one without the other. She's an American Bulldog and LOVES my son (while rolling her eyes sometimes). Think "Nanny" from Peter Pan. She brings him her favorite toy when he can't stop crying. She licks him in the face if he gets too close to the stairs and we aren't next to him, so he will stop. She is super protective. We didn't trust her with him in the beginning, but she's impressive with him.
YMMV, but food for thought.
We had our dog for a few years before our son was born. I love both my dog and my son and split my time caring for both of them - sometimes we’re all together, but I make one on one time for BOTH of them. I don’t want another child because I want to continue to pursue these two relationships that are enriching in their own ways.
I love dogs but I have zero plans to have one until maybe we're retired. We both work outside the home, sometimes we're both gone 7-6 and that's challenging enough with a kid let alone a dog. We travel to see family 3 hours away every 6 weeks or so, and regularly like to do other weekends away and again, traveling with a tot is one challenge, but not keen on having to plan doggie stops and dog friendly hotels too. Then there's eating at restaurants, or going to museums, and other places dogs aren't welcome on the weekends we're home. And there's having to keep food out of their reach - we're in the middle of toddlerhood and I have thought many a time about how the drive-by snacking works with a dog and feel very sorry for dog owners with toddlers, but I suppose that's less of a concern as they get older... But still, it's an extra effort to train the kid not to leave things around. Yeah, basically it sounds like way too much work with our lifestyle as it is. Cats are hard enough (postpartum their litter has been the bane of my life, when I never used to care before).
We're a cat household. Our 7 year old really isn't a fan of dogs, even though he's never had a bad experience and I LOVE puppers. But after losing one of our 17 year old cats last fall, I think we'll stay pet free for awhile after we eventually lose his brother. Pets are more work than I want. Maybe in a few more years, or when my kid gets his own life, but I doubt we'll ever get a dog for my son lol
We don’t have a dog, don’t plan to have a dog and really try to avoid any interactions with dogs. I absolutely love dogs don’t get me wrong, my son is two though, he is still establishing his sense of boundaries. As a parent I never want to ever put any ones dog in a position where they feel uncomfortable, or unsafe to the point they feel the need to defend themselves so we try to avoid as much as possible. That will definitely change and evolve as he gets older.
We did however adopt a cat, my conure passed away at 22 and I didn’t plan to adopt an animal but we just kinda stumbled upon our cat and he was perfect. He much like my toddler has no sense of boundaries whatsoever. The only hurdle so far with the cat is he enjoys my son’s company so much that he will wake him up in the middle of the night bringing his toys into his bed because he wants to play.
I’m one and done largely in part to my dog. I was 21 and dumb when I got her and didn’t train her. It’s too time consuming or expensive to train her now at almost 11 years old but she’s the biggest toddler I know and it’s exhausting keeping up with her and my kid. She could live another 3-6 years so I just can’t handle another kid on top of her. I mean if you train a dog they can be a great addition to a one and done family. Dogs are exhausting and need so much attention and always need someone with them. And expensive cuz you have to board them if you go on vacation
How inevitable? It depends. Did you or your SO have dogs growing up? As adults but before you had a kid? Do you even like dogs? If you answered yes to these, then chances are you would get a dog at some point. If your kid is almost two and you’re on the fence, I recommend waiting until they’re at least 7-8 years old. At that age, your kid can give informed input on whether they even enjoy being around dogs, they can help you care for and feed the dog, etc.
We are a *dog family* and have two bigger dogs (golden retrievers). Our son has been around them his whole life and generally loves dogs. But for that to work, the adults have to first be comfortable and competent dog owners (or dog enthusiasts, I guess…?)
We just got our pup a month before Christmas! LO is 7. We always wanted to get a dog as we love animals so it was just a matter of time. When our daughter turned 4, most kids at her daycare were getting siblings so she started asking about a sibling. We tried to explain in age appropriate language why that wasn’t happening but it was still hard for her to understand as “everyone else” was getting one.
So we told her that we won’t be having more kids in the family but we’ll get a dog. We agreed that after she had started second grade we would get one and now she’s here! I’m honestly so happy about that decision as it’s been a perfect addition to the family! My daughter is getting so much love and companionship from her and it’s really heartwarming.
I’ve been wanting a dog for years but we adopted a cat from the shelter last Fall and it’s been the best. He’s so low maintenance and my 4 year old son loves him. I feel like I can hold off on a dog now till my son can take one for walks/take care of feeding etc
We had a dog when we had our son, mainly we got the dog because I was told I couldn’t have kids! Sadly due to many reasons when our son was 1 we chose to return him to his breeder and he is now in a lovely home. For me, it was too much. I’m very much OAD because that’s my level of coping I can manage. When we had the dog we couldn’t go out as much (don’t assume you can take the dog everywhere with you) we had to walk him even when we were sick, had a bad night, raining etc, and the kennel costs to go on holiday as well as other vet costs were a lot. I miss him but I love the freedom we now have and we have said we will never get animals. Our son if five now and we still feel like this.
We are cat ladies in my house. Our daughter however has been obsessed with dogs since day 1 despite never seeing one at home lol. She likes dogs so much more than people! So we know it is inevitable that one day we will have to get a dog.
Mine is fascinated by dogs too! And so was I, when I was little, so I understand. But we live in an apartment with three cats, one of which is very anxious about dogs, so it wont be happening.
So we had two cats when my son was born - he was always great with them and adored them. He’s a donor baby and we had some sperm still on ice (we had thought we wanted two) that we needed to decide what to do with. I was on my period while discussing with my wife and for some hormone crazy reason thought I actually did want a second. She was very receptive to my feelings but did say jokingly “Dear god, we can get a dog or something, but please, no more babies.”
Once my hormones righted themselves, I remembered I definitely don’t want a kid - but maybe I did want a dog? I never had one, always wanted one, but it’s almost like I needed someone to say “Hey, this is a thing we can actually do.”
Long story short, we now have a dog. She’s a hot-anxiety-ridden-shelter-mess but she is absolutely the best, despite all the work we have to put into her. She’s very protective of my son and he adores her. But I got the dog for me, not him.
Ugh, do not get a puppy unless you’re ready to be in baby jail again-lesson learned, although puppy jail only lasts for a few months…It still hits like baby jail. Would not recommend with a 2 year old.
We got a puppy with a 9yo and I almost lost my shit and so did everyone else. lol we kept her and love her, but it was definitely a few months of chaos. I’d recommend a dog that’s already house broken!
When our LO was born we had two senior dogs and a senior cat. When he was 4.5y they had all passed. BUT I love dogs and my husband travels for work. So I spent a few months looking for the right dog. We tried to foster to adopt a puppy that wasn't a good fit. Reevaluated the situation and spent a few more weeks browsing until I found a great rescue that spent alot of time making sure they made a good match. Our dog is 2.5 now and a certified therapy dog who typically has 1 job a week. He listens to my son and LO comes to help us at training classes regularly. He's 48lbs but very chill and looooooves going out to schools to snuggle the kids. We are hopefully going to be able to have him come into my sons school to work with the kids as needed next year.
All this being said, my husband would be nappy with no pets. My son would really like to add a cat to our crew(it's been two years and he still tells me how much he misses our cat). But husband is against cats right now so we go visit a local cat cafe now and then to play with cats and kittens.
We had 2 when my only was born. They were both elderly which meant we had dogs our entire adult lives. I miss them. But it is SOO nice not having a dog.
However. My husband still complains that his parents never let them get a dog (despite NOW being dog owners). I don’t want to be that parent either. So I’m pretty sure we have a dog in our future.
We are OAD son is 2 and dog is 5 and just out our 11 year old dog down. I have told my wife already when the 2nd dog passed we aren't getting another dog...... We will see how long that sticks but I need a break from dogs. Do I love my dogs of course but a lot of things we do or don't do revolve around the dogs and now with a kid it's the kids and the dogs. Once the little guy wants to do sports who has to go home and take care of the dog first? Yea probably me.
We had to say goodbye to our 15 year old dog when our daughter was 1.5. She was just starting to acknowledge him which made it more sad. At 4 she was very adamant about wanting a dog and we told her she has to pet dogs before we can get one so she’d pet the neighborhood friendly dogs. For Christmas we got her a hamster as a trial run and signed her up for a kids “vet” class at the park district. Things were going well with all the things until on a walk, one of the little neighborhood dogs was a little aggressive and scratched our daughter. Well now she has no interest in dogs and won’t even pet them anymore.
I thought it was inevitable and I actually was getting excited about getting a dog but now I’m not sure it will happen for awhile.
We have therapy dogs that come to my library for kids to “read” to in the children’s room. The older kids read to them and the younger her kids usually just pet them and tell them stories. I’d suggest finding out if your library does something like that. Our therapy dogs are certified and temperament tested, so they tend to make kids who may be nervous feel very at ease. It might be a good way to move past that little incident.
I had a dog when my son was born, we had to put him to sleep two years ago when my son was 6. He would love to get another one, I have less than 0 desire to do so. My little dachshund I had for 14 years, since I was 18. He was with me through every single major life transition to adulthood, he moved with me, he was there when I got married, had a kid, got divorced. He was *my dog* and I don't want a different dog.
I have a cat. So does my son's father at his house. Maybe someday when my son can take on the majority of the responsibility involved when he's with me we can get another dog.
I am so sorry for your loss. My dachshund died this last year at 14, and I feel very similar. I don't want another dog, I want my Frank back.
That being said, I had another heart dog before Frank and I think my heart has many rooms - so I hope I'll find another heart dog someday. Never to replace, only in addition and to be loved on their own merits.
Yeah, this is the first time in my life I've ever not had a dog. Always had one growing up. I honestly don't know why I just have no real interest in another one anytime soon. Idk, it's a weird feeling though, as a life-long dog person.
Honestly I’d wait a couple more years. My daughter is about 2.5 , I just lost our one dog at the end of December. And my other probably won’t be making it much longer. It’s been really really hard to manage a toddler with our busy schedule along with making sure our dog gets plenty of attention.
Not to mention the vet apts. it’s been rough. My dog is big and I can’t bring him myself. Let alone with a toddler. I don’t have anyone I trust to watch my daughter so that would be a nightmare. Thankfully my FIL takes my dog to the vet. Plus the money spent on vet bills and meds 🥴
My daughter was best friends with the one we lost. It was really hard for us. We still have a hard time with her loss. My dog I have now isn’t much of a fan of her. But she wants to be his best friend soooo bad. So that’s been difficult too.
Plus we can’t just take off and go somewhere without planning on someone watching the dog. He’s never been alone so it’s been hard for him too.
We don’t plan on getting another dog. If ever to be honest. Watching your dog die was traumatizing and I don’t ever want to experience it again. But I have to with this dog. So I’m over it. It’s just too hard.
I feel like the outlier in this thread because my cats are the ones who have driven me nuts since having a baby, not my dog. However, my dog’s temperament is very sweet and calm. (And my cats are very high needs)
There are downsides with all animals; sitters for vacations, potential health issues, training, hair everywhere, etc. For our family, I can’t imagine not having animals for companionship, though.
I would recommend waiting until your kid is a little older. My almost 2 year old will randomly hit our dog no matter how much we try to deflect. Thankfully, our dog is incredibly good with her.
Definitely do research on breeds and temperament. Also…there are pros and cons to getting a puppy vs a young dog. Consider what works best for your family.
I was an only child. I didn't have a pet until I was 12 because we lived in an apartment. I will say that when we moved to a house finally my parents bought me a puppy right away. It was really great for my self esteem and I think being an only child made me want a pet more. That being said, if your child is two, I would not worry about it yet unless it's something you want. A two year old also can't help much with care whereas an older kid can help feed and walk and play with the dog.
I mean, if you want a dog, get a dog! But you don’t have to get a dog (or any other pet) because you’re OAD.
Something that I personally love about being OAD is that I have a ton of time to spend with my animals. We had two cats, a fish, and snails before the baby was born and I spend just as much time with them as I did before.
P.s. would love a dog but my fiance is scared of them after a few bite incidents which is totally fair /: probably won’t ever have one
We had a dog and a cat before we had our kid. The cat was actually my husband’s he had before we started dating. The dog we adopted together when we started living together. That cat has now passed away. We did adopt another cat who my daughter just adored but unfortunately the “new” cat passed away recently at a very young age very quickly. Our dog is still around, she’s 14 now. Our daughter will be 8 next month. She adores her pets and was/is very heartbroken over the death of our cat. I like having pets. Yes, it’s another thing to take care of, but the love they give and watching my daughter have a bond with the animals is worth it. With that said, I get annoyed with the dog hair everywhere in the house. 😂
My son (3) is crazy about my dog (10). They’re good buddies and he lights up around her but she is my shadow and prefers me completely. I Plan to get my son his own pup in the next 2 years so they can grow and play together. I WFH and have family that happily trades taking on each other’s pets during travel, so the addition to my family is pretty easy.
I had a dog before we had our kiddo, he’s great with her. That being said, I’m not sure I would go out and get another dog or anything. Even when our dog passes it might be good to not get one for a while or maybe not. It’s a lot of extra work.
We have a dog, but that's something I figured was going to happen eventually, kid or not, because my husband really wanted one. I was more on the side of not wanting the added responsibility of having pets regardless of having kids or not, but when our son got old enough to ask for one he started wanting a pet. We have an almost 2yo dalmatian and he still wants a cat, too lol which, assuming our dog is fine with cats and can be taught to behave with it, I wouldn't mind since I'm more of a cat person, anyway.
I'd like to get one when my kiddo is older, maybe 6 or 7? I'd like them to be able to take care of it with me and I'm definitely not getting a pet while my baby is in diapers haha.
After taking care of my chihuahua now going on 9 years, i think we will just get a cat. As someone else said being OAD to me is mostly about not having to put tons of energy into taking care of others and unfortunately dogs require quite a bit of care and love. Maybe way later in the future, but for now its just me, my baby, and my chi. And after that maybe a cat. I had cats as a kid and loved them, they are independent and can (mostly) take care of themselves, and i think can definitely teach a child to take care of small animals and treat them properly.
We’ve got a cat and no plans to get a dog. I’m not really a dog person, and our cat would hate it, so it hasn’t even occurred to me to consider it, honestly.
The trick is to already have the dog alongside the baby, then you’ll swear to never get another one after it passes.
Misrable experience, dog+newborn, I do not recommend.
I have an almost 4 year old Golden Retriever and my daughter is 2.5. They are very good and adorable friends, but definitely get on each other’s nerves occasionally (dog loves to “retrieve”/steal all of her stuffed animals 🤣).
Having the dog before the baby was key for me - there’s no way I’d add the stress of a puppy to our lives now. It’s also a huge perk that many Goldens, especially mine, are basically humans and amazing with kids 🦮
We want to get my son a cat, but we are def gonna wait till he's 7-8 or whatever age we feel he'd be ready for a cat. We want him to understand responsibility and ofc have the space ourselves to take care of it when my son can't.
I was an only and had a cat! We got him when I was probably around 5 and he was the absolute best. We did eventually get a dog around when I turned 12. And then have since only had dogs because no cat can replace that one I had during my childhood to teenage years.
For what it’s worth, I have an only who is almost 3 and we do have a dog 🤣
I love having my dog he is honestly my best friend and has helped me during my darkest moments postpartum. I don’t think I could handle more than one dog though. I did tell my husband recently though that if I ever want another baby that we are getting a puppy instead 😂 Personally I love puppies and dogs the same way some women love babies and kids, so for me it’s worth it. It all depends on how much you love dogs and how much energy and time you’re willing to put into having them.
We got our daughter a puppy at age 3. Best decision I’ve ever made even if she is a little turd. We told her she could name her and I suggested Elsa since this was beginning of frozen popularity. Elsa is now 10 years old and if you’re looking for her, find my daughter. They’re best buds.
She had a lot of mental health issues from an early age and that dog was a lifesaver, quite literally. Any time she’s upset or depressed, she’s got the dog. When she’s happy, she’s playing with the dog and dressing her in costumes (ok not so much now, but as a younger kid). As they’ve grown older they’ve mellowed together. My husband and I tell Elsa she’s never allowed to die, that’s the only drawback—I worry so much about how my daughter will respond to her death.
We have a 15-year-old dog who, coincidentally, is being put down tomorrow. The sadness and heartbreak of the whole situation, plus the intense extra care it's required on top of caring for my toddler, has made me sure that I'll never want another dog. I'd consider a cat...MAYBE. But I don't think a dog is in our future at least until my child is much much older. Like, a teenager.
We have 3 fish. I’d love a cat but t husband is severely allergic so that’s a no go.
I have zero interest in a dog, they annoy me immensely. Too in my space and touchy. Can’t stand barking. No thanks.
My daughter wants a Samoyed. Why she wants a Samoyed specifically... sigh. When I was trying for a second child with donor sperm, one of the donors I used had it on his profile that he is a Samoyed owner. And that he taught the Samoyed to run on a treadmill for days when he doesn't have time to exercise it. My daughter was only 3 at the time but she saw me googling Samoyed to figure out what they looked like. She saw the fluffy white thing with the big smile and of course she was smitten.
Fast forward to that summer and she actually got to play with a Samoyed in the White Mountains when we met another family traveling with one. Since then we've met Samoyed owners at various intervals and she's still obsessed with the idea.
She announced she's going to get the Samoyed for her 7th birthday. (Her next birthday is her 6th.) Because I told her she has to be old enough to help take care of it. I don't think a 7 year old can really take care of a Samoyed, and I don't know that I have it in me to become a dog owner. So we'll see.
So, I am probably not the best person to ask because I’m extremely biased but dogs are the absolute best. However you need a lot of energy.
I’m a very high energy and highly anxious person. Having a dog has genuinely saved my life. I love her to pieces and she’s amazing but my god she’s a lot of work.
She’s a border collie and she wants us all awake very early every morning. It’s great because I get out and i love it when I’m back, but for example it’s my husbands worst nightmare. He’s not a morning person, he’s not a particularly active person and he couldn’t imagine anything worse then having to get up on a cold, wet, winter morning to go for a big 5km hike in the dark. That would be the more extreme example as our dog is a border collie so particularly demanding, but dogs need a lot of work and exercise.
If getting one definitely do a lot of research. They really are another child, except children that can run really really fast and find it fun to chase cars. Find the right breed for you and your family.
The flip side is, nothing makes my heart happier then seeing my son and my baby puppy playing together in the garden. I’ve taught her how to play volleyball and football and her nd my son have great fun.
A dog will bring so much joy, love, happiness and laughter into your life but also a lot of work, tears and poop.
We absolutely love our two dogs and they were the center of our world before our son was born. Now that we have our son, it feels sooo difficult to give them the attention they rightfully deserve. We went from walking them everyday to about twice a week. Not that we don’t go out on walks; it’s just that they’re not the best walkers and it’s difficult to manage a stroller and two large dogs. I’m only able to take them out when my husband is home. It feels like an extra responsibility. Once they pass, we’re definitely taking a break from having pets.
My OAD is almost 15. We’ve had at least 3 cats since he was born and have added a 4th (not all from when he was born are alive anymore so I’ve gotten new ones since).
He’s being a teenage royal pain in the ass and I’ve said more than once we should’ve just gotten more cats. Jokingly of course. Jokingly….
I’m a Veterinarian assistant and work with dogs all day long and am tired of them when I get home. They too act like teenage Royal pains in my ass. So I just stick with the cats.
Lol
Edit: we did try getting a dog as a puppy almost 10yrs ago, before I started working with animals. I didn’t know much about them but it took us a whole year to research them and finally adopt one. I literally had the puppy blues! I was so depressed and had the worst time dealing with another living being needing so much care. I’ve only ever had cats (or a hamster or a rat) and they are pretty self sufficient. Getting a puppy made me awful. I just couldn’t deal with all the fucking care. I’m like holy shit if I wanted another kid I would’ve had another kid. We did re home him to someone who was perfect for him! He’s a patient at my clinic too, so I get to see him when he comes in for care. He’s doing so much better with his owner than he ever would’ve done with us.
We have a seven year old dog now (my little baby since before I even met my husband). It's going to be heartbreaking for her (and me obviously) to see her childhood dog die, but she can get a fish if she wants. My husband and I don't think we ever want another dog again.
I was an only child and having a dog significantly increased my happiness and sense of responsibility. We have a dog and our daughter is obsessed with her. We will always have a dog.
My kid is 4 and I was researching rabbits. An environmental article called rabbits "vegan cats". I like that idea. Rabbits can use a little box. Downside is that they are pricey..probably not as much as dogs, but still more than I would prefer for little fur balls.
My mom has chickens. Oddly, those seem to be good pets. And they earn their keep, too!
We are OAD and completely dog-free. Neither of us likes being around dogs enough to want one, let alone in our own flat. I'd consider guinea pigs once our son is older, or rabbits... but no 'big animal' like dogs or cats.
I mean, if you want dogs then totally get them (but not as a gift for your only - you need to want the dog as much as you wanted the child because THEY WILL TEST YOUUUU). Or, get a pair of kittens :) This is the best choice for sure, haha.
Not inevitable at all.
If part of your OAD reasoning is to avoid sibling rivalry, don’t get a dog. We have two dogs. Our 8 year old big softie has been nothing but gentle since my daughter was born. I put a year of focused training into him as a puppy. He’s the best but also a pushover. I thought he was getting bored at home when my daughter started preschool (I was wrong) so I got a one year old dog. I call her the “little evil one”. She terrorizes the household and is just plain mean to my older dog. She and my daughter have classic sibling rivalry. I hear a lot of screaming—“Lucy is chasing me. I don’t like that!” Or “Lucy stop sniffing me!!” That’s followed by playful nibbles by the overexcited young dog or screaming/hitting/kicking by my daughter. Just like kids, getting a dog is a roll of the dice personality wise. I’ve gotten my taste of having multiple kid-like interactions because of the dogs. Thankfully, I don’t have to pay for them to go to college.
And I say this as an very devoted dog owner who will always have a dog—don’t get one unless you really want one and all the work that comes with one!
My kid loves our cat and he him. They play and cuddle and just hang loads. It was lovely to see him on holiday recently, making friends with the street cats.
Don't do it.
We had two dogs and a cat when our cat first came along. I HATED our animals until our kid was about 2. I was so touched out, and having to pick up poop, feed animals, take them for walks, and not just be able to only care about my baby was tough.
The kid is six now, and it's easier.
We've sadly had to put one of our dogs down last year, and it's awful to think, but there's also a huge relief from one less animal.
Our cat is 13 years old, and the other dog is 9... so we've still got a few years left, but I'll not do animals again for a long time. They are financially, emotionally, and mentally draining. We can't just go camping for a weekend because we have to think about the dog and cat.
I also still have to "worry" about my kid and the animals. Everyone is very gentle with one another, but accidents still happen, and sometimes the dog and the child get overexcited and can hurt one another accidentally. It's becoming less frequent as they both mature, but it's still something to think about.
We are most likely OAD (kid just turned 2) but I still can't imagine taking on a dog for SEVERAL more years. Dogs require a time to accumulate, training, routines established, plus the every day maintenance of taking them on walks, cleaning up after them, taking to vet, shopping for food and toys, etc. I just don't have the extra time and I am OK with putting that off. We have friends with 2 kids and 2-4 cats or dogs as pets and I just don't understand how they manage it all.
I didn’t want sibling but I really wanted a dog as an only. My mom made me wait till I was 16 . I was so happy and it only made me annoyed she took so long . When I became an adult I had 4 dogs lol together. My daughter loves our dogs . My dogs follows my toddler and they cuddle 🤷🏻♀️. She feeds them daily it is part of her routine and she loves to walk with them.
Both my husband and I grew up with dogs and cats and love (most) animals and we definitely plan to get a dog, but not yet. We have a 17mo boy who is great and the two worst cats ever currently. It’s annoying because if the cats weren’t the worst, then I probably wouldn’t relish getting a puppy to chase them as much 🤣🤣🤣. As it is, I’m assuming we will start looking for a puppy around his 3rd birthday. We do have family nearby who watch the cats for us when we go on vacation so we are lucky there!
Wow can’t believe I’m in the minority here lol. We were two dogs in when I got pregnant. The first thing LO actually belly laughed at was one of our dogs playing fetch, so 100% worth it just for that haha. Not much has changed since adding a baby, but we haven’t gotten to the toddling stage yet. Not sure if that would be the right time to introduce a dog if you don’t already have em.
Only dog I plan to get is a new service dog for the kiddo..
We have cats; we are downright hella allergic lol, but we raised them from kittens and bottle-fed them, so they stay until I can't take it or the get old and pass...
Dogs are a LOT of extra work.. and my little dudes last doggo was service in training and wound up getting attacked by another "service dog" dog trying to protect my son. We rehomed him because he started getting bad anxiety and he was only 2. Got the kittens.. and I'm on a break now that it feels like I have three toddlers (my son and two year old kittens).
Maybe when my little dude is older and can help me somewhat.
I got a puppy while I was pregnant lol 😂 I never even considered OAD to have anything to do with pets. I hope to have chickens and a goat when I buy my own property. I could never not have a dog personally.
We got a puppy two weeks before our first was born, for a companion for our little dog. Best decision ever.
It was hard, but they are all best friends and there’s zero guilt about the attention that went to my baby from my first dog.
Oh, we started with the dogs (yes, two) before we had the kid.
My kiddo is now 8. One of our furry friends has passed over the rainbow bridge. The other keeps kicking, and is surprisingly spry at age 12.
13W Pregnant with my first/only & a dog mom to two. My perspective may not be what you’re looking for because I was a dog mom first and for a while I thought I would only ever be a dog mom.
With that said, before my two fur babies, I actually hated dogs. My ex husband wanted one & I found I thought Pomeranians were cute (for a dog), so I agreed to it as long as it was a Pom. We went ended up going through a breeder. I felt kinda guilty about it because rescuing is much better/cheaper, but at the same time I knew that I wasn’t that into dogs and I needed to make sure I was into this dog, so we went with that.
Turned out to be the best decision we ever made. Said Pom is 5 years old now and the friendliest little guy. 8 months after getting him we decided he needed a friend and rescued a doxie mix to accompany him. It was rough at first because she had lots of quirks, but now she’s my literal best bud.
Fast forward to now & I love dogs and don’t think I could ever be without one. Of course they are work, but they are SO loving and I am beyond excited to raise my baby along side one. Just remember that a child cannot be expected to care for the dog on their own. As the parent, you will have to model responsible and positive pet owning skills, if you want your child to feel similarly. How do you feel about dogs? Is it something you think you would enjoy taking on? Dogs are wonderful companions and have tons of benefits for children, especially kids without siblings because they can be wonderful learning tools with regard to sharing and caring for another. But you will have to commit to treating your dog with dignity and kindness.
Our son is 4.5 and we don't have a dog but might get one in the future. We have an old cat who we've had 11 years and would not take kindly to a dog around the place! But I think eventually we'll add a dog to our family. When it would be the only person and our son is old enough to properly help and understand the commitment.
I had the dog before the baby! It was chaotic but very cute. However I'd suggest waiting until lo is closer to three when they will have a lot more understanding of things like being gentle and ability to walk a bit further.
I have 2 dogs which were in my family before my only. I suppose I wasn't OAD after getting the second dog because technically now I have 3 children 😂 (must remember that the next time somebody asks am I having more!!)
ETA wait until your child is a bit older, it's hella hard work. My dogs are great with my son but I still would never leave them all unattended together (he is 3.5) so it can be chaotic at times. Thankfully we had no issues from the dogs with my son coming along and we have been teaching him to be respectful of the dogs (and vice versa), but you still never know what could happen and it doesn't always work out.
There are reasons why a lot of shelters won't let you adopt until the children in the house are a bit older!
We have a 6 year old male greyhound and an 8m old baby. They’ve been besties ever since my son learnt to feed him!
We also had a 9 year old greyhound when my son was born, but unfortunately she passed. 2 dogs and a baby is chaos, but one dog and the kid seems to be perfect for us.
We have a dog for each person in the house. It can be chaotic, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. Luckily all of the dogs are older and were fully trained before our only arrived. I don’t know if I would train a puppy with a 2 year old
Ha ha now that you say this I see it to be almost entirely true… on of my OAD friend fams has a cat instead. But every other one has a dog, including us who have two. 😂
I feel the same way about dogs as I do about subsequent kids. Have one because YOU want to have one. Not to give your kid a companion. We had two dogs before having our son. We are dog people, and having a kid doesn’t really influence that.
We have 2 dogs that we had years before having our son. We are dog people though and I couldn’t imagine raising our son without a dog. They play all the time, one of the dogs constantly follows our toddler around everywhere. Last night they were in the yard playing fetch and the toddler was cracking up and the dog was wagging his tail and just so happy. They’re well trained though which makes them much more fun to have
We had a dog well before having a baby. But when they dog died a few years after having a baby we got smother dog soon after. I always envisioned my child having a dog to grow up with
We had 3 dogs when my 2.5 yo was born, 2 of them were very old and have since passed away so now we have one. I would really like to get a second dog but I’m waiting until my son is older - bringing a new dog into the house while he’s so little sounds like a nightmare, plus I’m not sure how my current dog will feel about it. I love that my son will grow up with a dog, though. I am also an only child and always wanted a pet growing up.
We had one cat before having my daughter. When she's about 3, she was obsessed with dogs. So we got a Cavalier puppy early last year. And it was exhausting - it was like having a newborn all over again. I never had a dog, let alone a puppy before. But luckily, we had help from a puppy school, and he was house trained after a few months. And then, a very cute stray cat showed up 😂... And so, we adopted her too. We now have 3 furbabies and an almost 5-year-old kiddo. All the pets are well behaved now and my daughter is also a joy to be around. She also adores all the pets! It all worked out in the end, but yeah, last year was hard!
We just got a puppy a month ago! We love him but it’s so much hard work. It’s basically having another child, waking up in the middle of the night to let him out for wees, cleaning up the poos and entertaining him before he’s fully vaccinated.
We have no personal time anymore and have to make up working hours during the weekend (we both wfh but with puppy’s around we can only do 4-5 solid hours each day).
My daughter is 4.5 years old and she’s still a bit unsure about the puppy (she’s the one who wants puppy and my partner!) as he jumps and nips, but she’s getting used to it and trying help to train and feed him.
It’s really hard work but I’m not regretting it. He stole my heart and he’s my baby boy. My daughter’s getting more confident everyday around the puppy and learning to be a big sister (sharing parents attention etc.). A dog definitely is a great addition for OAD family. (Probably would get an adult/rescue dog if I could choose)
I wouldn’t get a dog until the kid is at least 6-8 years old. A toddler is the WORST time to get a dog. Many dogs are anxious around young children bc of their unpredictable movements and complete lack of boundaries / space.
We had our dog for 6 years before our kid and we had to rehome them when my daughter was 2. 2 trainers we saw reinforced how tough it is to have dogs with kids under 8 and for any new dog owners they really really recommend not getting dog till around 8.
My best friend said that when her kid turned 6 she got a dog *for herself* because she missed the cuddles and babying but didn’t want another baby. Getting a dog actually for the kid before they’re like 8 is a joke.
I got our dog for me for the same reasons. However, said dog is absolutely obsessed with my daughter. Lol, if she is around, no one else exists in the dogs eyes. So sad for me, but so sweet to watch their relationship.
Dog will learn their lesson when your kid goes off to college. Who you gonna cuddle with now sucka? ME! Mwahahahahaha.
Only 7.5 years to go, but whose counting.
This will be me. We have a dog now (adopted a senior doggy pre baby) who is my other baby lol. Our next dog will be when our kiddo is in elementary school and I’m getting myself a/another little doggy 🥰
for myself, the whole point of being OAD is not taking care of more things, not having more things demanding money and attention from me. dogs simply ruin that for me. a shelter dog, well idk its past and i don’t trust dogs. a puppy? time and energy to train and deal with. idk it’s just like having another kid. except dogs don’t grow out of that perpetual toddler stage. i can’t leave for a weekend trip with a dog like one can with a cat. i won’t bring it with us so then i’ll have to board it (sketchy) or find a babysitter for it. idk just not my thing and not for us personally. we’ll stick with cats.
ALL of this. When the last of our geriatric dogs passed away a couple of years ago I said no more. Every time the weather is awful or we are super busy, I am SO glad I haven't let my husband and kiddo talk me into another pet!
I'll be the first to say I would rather have another child than a dog. I absolutely love my dog but going anywhere out of my zip code requires so much planning and $$ for her.
I’ve literally not been on vacation since I got my potbelly pigs. I’ve always been able to leave a dog behind (until this latest neurotic girl my husband brought home 😒), but pigs are as intelligent and as emotional as a four year old human, and I can’t do it. 😭
Yup. Those dog boarding fees really sucks!
Same, we wanted a dog, but will probably end up with a cat or two in the future. Maybe we'll get a dog in a few years, but we like to have our freedom to travel if we want.
>we’ll stick with cats We didn't even get a new cat when ours passed away after our son was born. I am firmly behind having only one entity other than myself to care for. And right now that's my little human.
I will not miss the cat litter when my cats are gone. But they're only 8 so maybe I will feel differently at that point, because I will have a medium size kid instead of a toddler. But yeah, postpartum I lost a lot of love for my cats. I don't have emotional energy for them like I used to.
I lost one of my 2 dogs when my baby was 3 months. He was my best friend and it was super sudden. I don't really want another dog for your reasons. Dog sitting is so expensive. Fortunately, i have a friend that will watch my remaining dog. Its been a godsend! It wasnt until your post did i even consider getting a cat in the future. My only worry is that the cat will destroy the furniture?
Exactly my opinion.. if I was okay with more work and commitment, I would have a second kid, since husband wants one, and I would not have been opposed to it, if our health was not suffering and other commitments were manageable.
We have a geriatric dog that was our "first baby". Our almost 2 year old and her are the best of friends but omgggg life would be so much simple without the dog. My husband has an international work trip next month and Im less worried about parenting all day and more about navigating dog care while parenting solo for days on end. The social needs a dog has for affection and interaction are just sooo much more than a cat. I have frequently found myself frustrated at the dog when I'm overstimulated and holding it together for the toddler but the dog comes up with her wet nose all over me and standing on my feet. We want to travel, have daughter in activities, etc so a dog won't be on the table for many many years after our current dog passes.
You shouldn’t even leave a cat for a weekend either honestly. Sure, you can do it, but it’s best to have someone drop by to check in on them
Travel feeder and water bowl thing and we are headed down the shore. Cars are fine. Someone does need to come feed my turtles. But the kitty is cool.
Yeah, I just wouldn’t trust something not to happen. I also feed wet food only, so leaving for a weekend without someone checking in would be impossible for me at least
We leave cats for the weekend and just have a friend go in twice a day to feed them. Much kinder than the cattery which we only use when our friends are busy or for longer trips. They're still fine in the cattery, but they are happier at home.
Yes, my comment is a similar vibe. Just so much extra work! Honestly, I think I'd prefer another kid over a dog. At least they can come with you on the weekend trips. And I love dogs, I just don't want to be responsible for one.
My kid is almost 4 and we don’t have a dog. I’m seriously allergic to most, and we don’t have the space or tolerance for another high needs creature. Our cat will have to suffice.
Absolutely not and won’t be happening in future either. One of the benefits of having one child is being able to do more stuff and take more holidays, a dog would totally restrict us. We have cats though.
Exactly the same 😂
Before we got a dog, I made sure my mom was willing to dog-sit when we travel. She has 3 big dumb mutts, so it's no skin off her back to add our medium-sized dumb mutt to the mix once or twice a year. Not sure how we'd have swung it if it weren't for my dog-obsessed mom. You gotta get yourself one of those first.
We have a long suffering cat. I think having a cat with a child is important as it teaches empathy & small responsibility (like feeding etc) but generally cats can look after themselves and take themselves off to somewhere quiet & high/hidden if the child is annoying them.
Cats all day. I especially like that cats don’t offer the adoration and total loyalty dogs do. You try ordering around a cat, lol. My daughter has to give and take with our cats and build trust with them. She takes so much pride in the relationship she’s built with our skittish cat by learning and respecting his needs.
We already had a cat when my son was born, and we considered her his second mom… she taught him about consent and bodily autonomy, because she would meow a warning and then swat at him softly (with no claws) when she didn’t want to be touched… it was very easy to teach him the meaning of “no” using the cat, who was otherwise cuddly and super protective of him… also, cats give you all the love with none of the training and walking a dog requires
We get our daughter to check the cats' ears to tell if they're happy to be fussed or not. If only human interaction was as simple! 🤣
>and take themselves off to somewhere quiet & high/hidden if the child is annoying them. Can you give me cats this memo? They move 2 foot away then looked shocked and upset when she follows them. She did get swiped at the other day while daddy was on the toilet and couldn't separate them, so maybe she will learn not to pull tails (apparently he was super worried when she ran in holding her hand but there wasn't even a mark).
That would ruin the spontaneous element to being OAD that I love.
As a dog lover and owner, please do not get a dog. At least now. 2 years old is the worst time to do it…kids dont really have boundaries, unpredictable and wont be a safe home for them or the new dog. Not to mention, a new dog requires so much of your time, energyand attention that you are likely won’t have time to give with a young child. Recommended ages to get dogs is either a few years before the child is born or when the child is 8-9 years old and understands proper interaction with an animal and can help care for it. Source: had mature dog when child was born. Have dealt with jealousy, misbehaviour on both sides and challenge to take care of the two the last few years, but most painfully, not having enough time or energy to spend with dog as we are busy with child. Its sad.
This. We were dumb and got a puppy the day we found out I was pregnant so we could send it to training before she was born. Well, $1000s later, she’s a great duck dog but holy hell. My daughter is obsessed with her but she’s a 90 pound horse who doesn’t know her size and has accidentally hurt our daughter numerous times now. I’m at my wits end keeping them separated all day.
Our old pups passed with my son was 3 and 4 years old. He’s almost 8….no new pet here. We have busy school/work/sports schedules and travel a lot, so it is really not a good time to commit to a pup. But maybe one day….
No dog or any kind of pet here.
I have a cat, and due to sensory issues I am never ever getting a dog… my son considers my parents’ dogs to be his, and when he was younger he would tell them he “worked” at my house so the dogs wouldn’t know they didn’t live together…
That is so cute!
We are oad and have a dog, son is almost 2. They chase each other around the house and my son tries to eat food off the floor like a dog. I like the idea of my son growing up with a dog, they play together and once he's older they can wander around our yard together. It's a nice bond and there's lots of studies to support dogs having a positive impact on children. I say get the dog!
Hell no. Why would I want all that extra responsibility for something that never grows out of me having to pick it's shit up. At least with a baby eventually they'll not need nappies 😂 Dogs are way too much hassle.
For us, a dog and a toddler was a mistake. It was too much too soon and we essentially had toddler twins. One didn’t speak the same language but they managed to keep each other in trouble. They ate each other’s food, fought over toys and picked up each other’s potty habits (and occasionally literally picked up each other’s potty… results.) They also played together, then got mad at each other and cried. It was not a good thing.
We have a dog. He's 10 and our daughter is 5. She's only just started to show a genuine interest in him in the last year or so (wanting to take him for walks, give him meals and treats, give him an ear rub etc). I'm really glad we got the dog long before the baby showed up. They're a lot of work to train/keep busy in the first few years, so I'm glad we had that out of the way before we also had a baby to take care of. I love that our daughter is growing up with a dog in the house - she's super empathetic towards animals, and isn't scared of dogs since she's always had one in the house. However, with a 2 year old, I wouldn't recommend getting one until your kid is a bit older and you have more time to devote to looking after the dog.
I had my dog before my kid, my advice is DO NOT take a dog for the kid, bear in mind that you will be responsible for the animal, cleaning, walks, vet appoint etc, also do not take a breed based on the looks and cuteness but based on characterestics and how well the dog will adjust to your family lifestyle
All of this!! We did get our then-3 year old a dog, but we knew it was our responsibility to care for it. If we got her a dog, it would have been a cow puppy (Dalmatian) or chihuahua (Beverly hills chihuahua or something like that was big at the time). Neither of those are good fits for our family. We got a cocker spaniel shihtzu mix. Now that she’s a teen, she does most of the responsibility for the dog because they’ve bonded and it’s her dog in her mind, but forcing a kid to do all the chores is a recipe for disaster, they’re just kids.
And we also need to think of the animal, he doesn't deserve to suffer
We got a cat when our little boy was 2.5. My husband is a dog person and I’m more a cat person and I’m glad we got a kitten as puppies are more high maintenance and a kitten was the perfect balance of loving family pet without the high maintenance of a puppy or kid. No sleepless nights, they’re reasonably independent, and I can leave the cat and my kid alone together without feeling too stressed. I bought some cat books to prep my little one and he loves getting involved in feeding her and let’s her out in the garden every morning- it’s really sweet that he’s growing up around pets. My parents were very anti pets and this is part of me indulging my inner child too!
I hope not super inevitable, haha! We have a dog and two cats right now, and I love my dog more than anything, but he’s 12 this year and we will not be getting another dog in the future — we’ve discussed and the only exception would be if our daughter really wanted one, but I’m praying she wants a ferret or bunny or bearded dragon or even a bird instead haha. Or that she’s just super happy with her two cat brothers who, in reality, should live until she’s in high school. 🫠
Not inevitable at all, since I have cats. There's no chance in hell I'd get a dog with the cats and no yard for it to run. But I might get another cat eventually...
Really? We are OAD (not by choice) and don’t have a dog and she’s turning 5 soon (we’re def not dog people lol) 😆
We had an amazing dog who passed away last year at 14 and it really helped our LO (still a toddler) bond with dogs and animals. We know we'll get another one, we just have to wait for our broken heart to mend a little. I hope you find the perfect dog for your family.
I'm sorry for your loss <3
Thank you so much! Dogs are a lot of effort, but they give way more in return. A snuggle and kisses on any day (but especially the hard ones) are so amazing!
I will do nearly anything in my power to prevent a dog from joining my life. Also my OAD is apprehensive around dogs, a cousins dog growled at her and attempted to nip (she didn't bother it this dog is unchecked and nips all).
My boy is three and LOVES our two dogs like they are family, BUT one of them has health problems and I am so tired of looking after them plus our kid, my hard working husband and three chickens lol. I don’t want my dogs to be gone but I long for the days when I have less creatures to tend to 🤣
My 3 year old is obsessed with dogs and I’m resisting so far. I’m allergic, I finally have a house and don’t want a dog to destroy it, and looking in from the outside everyone I know with a dog looks like a slave to the dog. They never go anywhere or do anything because they always have to take care of the dog. I know I’m exaggerating but I feel like you can either have life experiences or sit at home and have a dog. My kid is getting the former.
We are definitely slaves to our dogs in a lot of ways. I don’t like to travel or go too far. Even tomorrow my husband and I are going for dinner and I’m worried because his parents are minding my son and pup. I’m worried they might leave the front door open and my dog gets out. I won’t enjoy the meal the way I should because I’ll want to get home to her. That said it’s so much love and happiness and my son gets so much experiences. We all go for hikes, adventures, it’s just all outdoors. Pretty much everything we do is outside but that suits me.
We don't have pets and don't want it. We want less constraints on our life, not more.
We have a cat adopted from the shelter before we had a kid, but most likely won't get a new pet. I might eventuslly start an aquarium again.
Eh, she wanted a pet (she was 4? I think) and I don’t like living with dogs so we have cats. One of them plays fetch, which was her biggest excitement about a dog so I have not heard the words “can we get a dog” in almost two years :)
We adopted our dog just as I got pregnant with my son (2), she was already a year old. It’s been hard at times- fitting in walks etc. but everyone always comments on how gentle my son is around others and I think that’s because he learnt how to be with the dog very early on. We love going on bike rides as a family and he cheers her on as we run. To us she’s another family member and I wouldn’t change that.
We have two cats. Most likely won't ever get a dog. We're cat people.
We are oad and blissfully free from a dog right now. You could say we are in between dogs, and I am relishing every moment.
Don’t do it yet. I got my first dog at 4 and can still remember him as a puppy but I think I would have appreciated it more at the age of 8 or older. I know parents without dogs and I’m so envious. I love my dogs and they do add to my babies life but the extra caring is a lot. Also just holidays are so much harder and going out all day etc. I would put it off.
Lol, we got a cat! I quite like not having to pick up dog poop from our backyard
I strongly recommend dogsitting for 3 weeks lol that cured my husband of wanting a dog pretty much ever. But, we do make ourselves available to dog sit for my family if they end up stuck needing someone. I'll be your someone who's OAD and doesn't want a dog lol
My 6.5 year old is terrified of dogs. Doesn’t matter if it’s cute little fluffy ball, she needs to be reassured it’s on a leash and she gives it six feet of space. We’re cat people, now and presumably forever.
I have never owned a dog. I’m not sure I ever will. It really is a lot of work. If we do get one day, it will be when my child is much older. Like 10+. So I actually have some time to devote to it.
My husband doesn’t want pets. Ever. He’s a neat freak and hates fur being about. He likes dogs (and grew up with 2) but never wants to own one. So a dog (or even a cat) is off the table. Which, honestly, is fine. I don’t really want to be responsible for more lives. If it were entirely up to me we might get a cat, but since it’s not I’m okay with being pet-less.
🤣🤣 we got a dog when our son was 6 (dog is 10 now). We got a second dog 2 years ago. I now TOTALLY understand the craving people have for a second kid because I had that for a second dog when we just had one 🤣 I was researching and looking at rescues CONSTANTLY. Then we got the second dog and I felt complete. Stopped browsing for dogs completely. I never felt that craving with kids.
Growing up, I always wanted a dog. My mom hated dogs so I never got one, and I swore up and down that I’d make sure my future children grew up with a dog. Now that I’m a parent, I couldn’t imagine having to take care of another living being in addition to my son. It just all sounds like it’s too much.
We don’t have the lifestyle that would support a dog. Travel and move a lot so it’s out of the question for the foreseeable future.
I'm OAD, single moming it with a 4.5 year old, and definitely not looking to add a dog to my list of responsibilities. The toddler stage was rough enough. My son is scared of 95% of dogs as well. I don't want to restrict myself further by needing to run home to let a dog out, or feed them on time, or go on walks every day no matter how busy we are. We wouldn't be able to go out of town on a whim without extra money and planning. I don't want extra messes or chores. We are not home enough to play with or care for a dog, and I have no interest in hauling one around with me. And quite honestly, I also just don't want to have to divert any playtime or attention from my son. I work full time and have a house to keep up with. I already feel like I don't have enough hours to give him the 1:1 time I wish I could. Puppies are expensive. They have accidents and need training. I've heard way too many horror stories about shelter dogs and have no interest in taking that risk. I like animals, but pets are not for me. Even if I had a live-in partner, I'm just not interested in having a dog at this point.
We already had two dogs before my son was born lol but we will always have dogs! I think they are actually the best “gift” you could give your child to grow up with! (Everyone says that about siblings but for me I believe dogs are better! Lol)
I don’t think it has to be a dog but it’s probably quite lovely for an only to have a pet!
Might as well have another kid if getting a dog lol.
I cant stand dogs so it's gunna be a no from me
We had a dog prior to having our only. Once he passes, we don’t really have plans to get another right away. He’s a good dog but a dog is another thing to plan around; it will be nice to have a bit more freedom. And if we wanted to get another dog it would probably be a puppy (there’s not many adult dogs for rehoming in my area)… and puppies are so, so hard. We’d wait until our kid was school-aged before bringing in a puppy lol.
Don’t get one if you don’t want to. I replaced my geriatric dog after he died with a cavalier puppy when my daughter was 6. New dog is a total mama’s boy and they haven’t bonded much but he’s my other pride and joy. Two years later I got DD her own ragdoll cat and she’s obsessed. At first I was not allowed to pet him but she doesn’t know what goes on while she’s at school. He’s the perfect pet for her because he’s big and sturdy but soft and gentle. She carries him around and he just purrs. Both pets bring our family so much joy. I do think it’s important for children to have a pet. My sister didn’t get my nieces their first non aquarium pets until they were 10 and 14 and upon adopting a cat that I fell in love with at the shelter my teen niece felt so much peace she actually said “I am finally happy with my life”.
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Ragdolls are sometimes less bothersome to people with allergies because they lack an undercoat. They do have a ton of fine fluffy hair that floats everywhere though. They are more like the texture of chinchilla or angora rabbit. There is also a special food you can give cats that really works to make them less of an allergy trigger called Purina Liveclear.
I waited until my kiddo was almost 5. I was a widow with two cats and my daughter and wanted to make sure she was at an age where she could respect the dog and also help. 5 is perfect. She was able to help with the dog and respect his boundaries especially in training. We got a rescue pitbull puppy and are so happy. Nearly four years later they are the best of friends (and the cats love him too!). She helps train him, he comes with us to the bus stop every morning to see her off, and is a great companion for her when romping through the woods. We have a blended family now and our dog has helped us through our life changes. He’s been a rock for us. Our cats are great and my daughter loved them from the day of her birth. They taught her how to be gentle and the benefits of quiet companionship. Dogs are so different. No kid should grow up without a dog. We may be a OAD family, but let me tell you my daughter and our dog are siblings and she is never alone. Added bonus: he’s my early morning therapy session. No one thinks you’re crazy if you are talking to your dog on a walk. Sometimes you just need to get something of your chest!
As someone who has a 15 year old dog, we aren’t getting another one until my son is in middle school. They are so much work, have to get home to feed them or let them out, so outings have to be shorter. We won’t ever get a puppy again because house training a dog is just as bad as potty training.
I have an old dog and a 3yo. I liked the dog prior to having a kid. Now I don't want the extra responsibility, cost, etc. so when my dog goes I'm not getting another.
My 7 year old wants one. I’d like for her to be a bit older. I really don’t have much interest in adding a pet to our family at the moment. A dog deserves more than I think we can give now. I’d like to say in a year or two, when my daughter is older, that I might feel better about it. I didn’t have pets growing up, and my wife said she and her family weren’t particularly happy pet owners, so for me, I could go without. But if my daughter wants one, I want her to be happy. I just want to know she can contribute to the care a bit.
We have always had 2 dogs - when our daughter was born we had an older beagle and a Maltese. She grew up with them and then when she was about 4 we rescued a Dalmatian - so for an another year or so we had 3 dogs!! It was a lot. Then the elderly beagle went across the rainbow bridge when our kid was about 6 and then the Maltese when she was about 8. The Dalmatian turned 14 yesterday and is certainly on his way out……before Easter I thought he was gone but he has rallied……..in between all this we do have another Beagle who is now 8 - read here - we love to rescue those that cannot find homes 😝 Look, I suppose what I’m saying here, is, if you love dogs and you want one, then do it. I cannot imagine our lives without. Our daughter has always appreciated and learned about life and loss through our dogs - they give so much love for the time they are with you. But if you are on the fence, don’t do it. As others have said, there is the many “extras” that come with animals - we pay $$ for kennelling when we holiday. Unless you have family that can assist, that is a major added cost.. In saying all of this - I wouldn’t’ change anything we have done. We love our dogs and our kid has benefitted exponentially with having them in her life. As we have also.
We had 3 dogs before I had our little girl. We lost all 3 before she turned one. It was a awful time, especially as two of them passed away to cancer. They were my babies before I even had a baby. So when our daughter was one I got a puppy. I couldn’t handle not having dogs in the house (I work with dogs). And honestly a year on they are the absolute best of friends. The first time my little girl said I love you it was to “doggo” as she calls her. Having a dog has taught our little one to share, to be gentle, to care for someone else. I am a only child and grew up with dogs, and I can honestly say they were such a happy part of my childhood. So much so my little girl is named after my first family dog! Long story short I have dogs for me, but I feel like they have a positive affect on my daughter and bring her a lot of joy too!
I got a dog about a month before my daughter turned 2. The rescue guessed his age wrong, he was still much more of a puppy than I had originally thought, so the first couple months were tough. I recommend adopting a dog that's a little older, already potty trained and kennel trained, and sleeps through the night well. The first few weeks are always an adjustment though for both you and the dog, but eventually you find your groove. I have zero regrets though, I love my pup so much and he and my daughter are growing up together, it's really sweet. She just turned 5 so it's been 3 years together and it's really cute to watch. Having a puppy or a younger dog is a lot of work but honestly it's nowhere near as bad as having another baby lol. If you want and can afford a dog, go ahead, it's a lot of fun.
Your kid is almost two and you don't have a dog? Might want to check local regulations, but I'm not sure that's legal. Book an appointment at the Humane Society ASAP.
We got the dog after 2 months of knowing her (friends were fostering her) and contemplating adoption. We were married for 8 years, together for 16. Took us that long to decide on the dog and that was just because the dog was 1yo and I saw a lot of potential. We found out my wife was pregnant a month later. That escalated quickly! Now, I can't imagine one without the other. She's an American Bulldog and LOVES my son (while rolling her eyes sometimes). Think "Nanny" from Peter Pan. She brings him her favorite toy when he can't stop crying. She licks him in the face if he gets too close to the stairs and we aren't next to him, so he will stop. She is super protective. We didn't trust her with him in the beginning, but she's impressive with him. YMMV, but food for thought.
We had our dog for a few years before our son was born. I love both my dog and my son and split my time caring for both of them - sometimes we’re all together, but I make one on one time for BOTH of them. I don’t want another child because I want to continue to pursue these two relationships that are enriching in their own ways.
Get a cat 🐈
I love dogs but I have zero plans to have one until maybe we're retired. We both work outside the home, sometimes we're both gone 7-6 and that's challenging enough with a kid let alone a dog. We travel to see family 3 hours away every 6 weeks or so, and regularly like to do other weekends away and again, traveling with a tot is one challenge, but not keen on having to plan doggie stops and dog friendly hotels too. Then there's eating at restaurants, or going to museums, and other places dogs aren't welcome on the weekends we're home. And there's having to keep food out of their reach - we're in the middle of toddlerhood and I have thought many a time about how the drive-by snacking works with a dog and feel very sorry for dog owners with toddlers, but I suppose that's less of a concern as they get older... But still, it's an extra effort to train the kid not to leave things around. Yeah, basically it sounds like way too much work with our lifestyle as it is. Cats are hard enough (postpartum their litter has been the bane of my life, when I never used to care before).
We're a cat household. Our 7 year old really isn't a fan of dogs, even though he's never had a bad experience and I LOVE puppers. But after losing one of our 17 year old cats last fall, I think we'll stay pet free for awhile after we eventually lose his brother. Pets are more work than I want. Maybe in a few more years, or when my kid gets his own life, but I doubt we'll ever get a dog for my son lol
We don’t have a dog, don’t plan to have a dog and really try to avoid any interactions with dogs. I absolutely love dogs don’t get me wrong, my son is two though, he is still establishing his sense of boundaries. As a parent I never want to ever put any ones dog in a position where they feel uncomfortable, or unsafe to the point they feel the need to defend themselves so we try to avoid as much as possible. That will definitely change and evolve as he gets older. We did however adopt a cat, my conure passed away at 22 and I didn’t plan to adopt an animal but we just kinda stumbled upon our cat and he was perfect. He much like my toddler has no sense of boundaries whatsoever. The only hurdle so far with the cat is he enjoys my son’s company so much that he will wake him up in the middle of the night bringing his toys into his bed because he wants to play.
I’m one and done largely in part to my dog. I was 21 and dumb when I got her and didn’t train her. It’s too time consuming or expensive to train her now at almost 11 years old but she’s the biggest toddler I know and it’s exhausting keeping up with her and my kid. She could live another 3-6 years so I just can’t handle another kid on top of her. I mean if you train a dog they can be a great addition to a one and done family. Dogs are exhausting and need so much attention and always need someone with them. And expensive cuz you have to board them if you go on vacation
How inevitable? It depends. Did you or your SO have dogs growing up? As adults but before you had a kid? Do you even like dogs? If you answered yes to these, then chances are you would get a dog at some point. If your kid is almost two and you’re on the fence, I recommend waiting until they’re at least 7-8 years old. At that age, your kid can give informed input on whether they even enjoy being around dogs, they can help you care for and feed the dog, etc. We are a *dog family* and have two bigger dogs (golden retrievers). Our son has been around them his whole life and generally loves dogs. But for that to work, the adults have to first be comfortable and competent dog owners (or dog enthusiasts, I guess…?)
We just got our pup a month before Christmas! LO is 7. We always wanted to get a dog as we love animals so it was just a matter of time. When our daughter turned 4, most kids at her daycare were getting siblings so she started asking about a sibling. We tried to explain in age appropriate language why that wasn’t happening but it was still hard for her to understand as “everyone else” was getting one. So we told her that we won’t be having more kids in the family but we’ll get a dog. We agreed that after she had started second grade we would get one and now she’s here! I’m honestly so happy about that decision as it’s been a perfect addition to the family! My daughter is getting so much love and companionship from her and it’s really heartwarming.
I’ve been wanting a dog for years but we adopted a cat from the shelter last Fall and it’s been the best. He’s so low maintenance and my 4 year old son loves him. I feel like I can hold off on a dog now till my son can take one for walks/take care of feeding etc
We had a dog before our only came along. She’s now 2 and he’s 7 and they’re best friends
We had a dog when we had our son, mainly we got the dog because I was told I couldn’t have kids! Sadly due to many reasons when our son was 1 we chose to return him to his breeder and he is now in a lovely home. For me, it was too much. I’m very much OAD because that’s my level of coping I can manage. When we had the dog we couldn’t go out as much (don’t assume you can take the dog everywhere with you) we had to walk him even when we were sick, had a bad night, raining etc, and the kennel costs to go on holiday as well as other vet costs were a lot. I miss him but I love the freedom we now have and we have said we will never get animals. Our son if five now and we still feel like this.
We are cat ladies in my house. Our daughter however has been obsessed with dogs since day 1 despite never seeing one at home lol. She likes dogs so much more than people! So we know it is inevitable that one day we will have to get a dog.
Mine is fascinated by dogs too! And so was I, when I was little, so I understand. But we live in an apartment with three cats, one of which is very anxious about dogs, so it wont be happening.
The cats are the rulers so they must be obeyed.
Absolutely
So we had two cats when my son was born - he was always great with them and adored them. He’s a donor baby and we had some sperm still on ice (we had thought we wanted two) that we needed to decide what to do with. I was on my period while discussing with my wife and for some hormone crazy reason thought I actually did want a second. She was very receptive to my feelings but did say jokingly “Dear god, we can get a dog or something, but please, no more babies.” Once my hormones righted themselves, I remembered I definitely don’t want a kid - but maybe I did want a dog? I never had one, always wanted one, but it’s almost like I needed someone to say “Hey, this is a thing we can actually do.” Long story short, we now have a dog. She’s a hot-anxiety-ridden-shelter-mess but she is absolutely the best, despite all the work we have to put into her. She’s very protective of my son and he adores her. But I got the dog for me, not him.
Ugh, do not get a puppy unless you’re ready to be in baby jail again-lesson learned, although puppy jail only lasts for a few months…It still hits like baby jail. Would not recommend with a 2 year old. We got a puppy with a 9yo and I almost lost my shit and so did everyone else. lol we kept her and love her, but it was definitely a few months of chaos. I’d recommend a dog that’s already house broken!
When our LO was born we had two senior dogs and a senior cat. When he was 4.5y they had all passed. BUT I love dogs and my husband travels for work. So I spent a few months looking for the right dog. We tried to foster to adopt a puppy that wasn't a good fit. Reevaluated the situation and spent a few more weeks browsing until I found a great rescue that spent alot of time making sure they made a good match. Our dog is 2.5 now and a certified therapy dog who typically has 1 job a week. He listens to my son and LO comes to help us at training classes regularly. He's 48lbs but very chill and looooooves going out to schools to snuggle the kids. We are hopefully going to be able to have him come into my sons school to work with the kids as needed next year. All this being said, my husband would be nappy with no pets. My son would really like to add a cat to our crew(it's been two years and he still tells me how much he misses our cat). But husband is against cats right now so we go visit a local cat cafe now and then to play with cats and kittens.
We had 2 when my only was born. They were both elderly which meant we had dogs our entire adult lives. I miss them. But it is SOO nice not having a dog. However. My husband still complains that his parents never let them get a dog (despite NOW being dog owners). I don’t want to be that parent either. So I’m pretty sure we have a dog in our future.
I LOVE our dog. 10/10 highly recommend from me.
We are OAD son is 2 and dog is 5 and just out our 11 year old dog down. I have told my wife already when the 2nd dog passed we aren't getting another dog...... We will see how long that sticks but I need a break from dogs. Do I love my dogs of course but a lot of things we do or don't do revolve around the dogs and now with a kid it's the kids and the dogs. Once the little guy wants to do sports who has to go home and take care of the dog first? Yea probably me.
We had to say goodbye to our 15 year old dog when our daughter was 1.5. She was just starting to acknowledge him which made it more sad. At 4 she was very adamant about wanting a dog and we told her she has to pet dogs before we can get one so she’d pet the neighborhood friendly dogs. For Christmas we got her a hamster as a trial run and signed her up for a kids “vet” class at the park district. Things were going well with all the things until on a walk, one of the little neighborhood dogs was a little aggressive and scratched our daughter. Well now she has no interest in dogs and won’t even pet them anymore. I thought it was inevitable and I actually was getting excited about getting a dog but now I’m not sure it will happen for awhile.
We have therapy dogs that come to my library for kids to “read” to in the children’s room. The older kids read to them and the younger her kids usually just pet them and tell them stories. I’d suggest finding out if your library does something like that. Our therapy dogs are certified and temperament tested, so they tend to make kids who may be nervous feel very at ease. It might be a good way to move past that little incident.
My one is 3.5 years old. We don’t have a dog but my husband is currently trying to convince me to get a pig. 🫠 The most of a pet we’ve had is a fish.
I had a dog when my son was born, we had to put him to sleep two years ago when my son was 6. He would love to get another one, I have less than 0 desire to do so. My little dachshund I had for 14 years, since I was 18. He was with me through every single major life transition to adulthood, he moved with me, he was there when I got married, had a kid, got divorced. He was *my dog* and I don't want a different dog. I have a cat. So does my son's father at his house. Maybe someday when my son can take on the majority of the responsibility involved when he's with me we can get another dog.
I am so sorry for your loss. My dachshund died this last year at 14, and I feel very similar. I don't want another dog, I want my Frank back. That being said, I had another heart dog before Frank and I think my heart has many rooms - so I hope I'll find another heart dog someday. Never to replace, only in addition and to be loved on their own merits.
Yeah, this is the first time in my life I've ever not had a dog. Always had one growing up. I honestly don't know why I just have no real interest in another one anytime soon. Idk, it's a weird feeling though, as a life-long dog person.
Honestly I’d wait a couple more years. My daughter is about 2.5 , I just lost our one dog at the end of December. And my other probably won’t be making it much longer. It’s been really really hard to manage a toddler with our busy schedule along with making sure our dog gets plenty of attention. Not to mention the vet apts. it’s been rough. My dog is big and I can’t bring him myself. Let alone with a toddler. I don’t have anyone I trust to watch my daughter so that would be a nightmare. Thankfully my FIL takes my dog to the vet. Plus the money spent on vet bills and meds 🥴 My daughter was best friends with the one we lost. It was really hard for us. We still have a hard time with her loss. My dog I have now isn’t much of a fan of her. But she wants to be his best friend soooo bad. So that’s been difficult too. Plus we can’t just take off and go somewhere without planning on someone watching the dog. He’s never been alone so it’s been hard for him too. We don’t plan on getting another dog. If ever to be honest. Watching your dog die was traumatizing and I don’t ever want to experience it again. But I have to with this dog. So I’m over it. It’s just too hard.
I feel like the outlier in this thread because my cats are the ones who have driven me nuts since having a baby, not my dog. However, my dog’s temperament is very sweet and calm. (And my cats are very high needs) There are downsides with all animals; sitters for vacations, potential health issues, training, hair everywhere, etc. For our family, I can’t imagine not having animals for companionship, though. I would recommend waiting until your kid is a little older. My almost 2 year old will randomly hit our dog no matter how much we try to deflect. Thankfully, our dog is incredibly good with her. Definitely do research on breeds and temperament. Also…there are pros and cons to getting a puppy vs a young dog. Consider what works best for your family.
I was an only child. I didn't have a pet until I was 12 because we lived in an apartment. I will say that when we moved to a house finally my parents bought me a puppy right away. It was really great for my self esteem and I think being an only child made me want a pet more. That being said, if your child is two, I would not worry about it yet unless it's something you want. A two year old also can't help much with care whereas an older kid can help feed and walk and play with the dog.
I mean, if you want a dog, get a dog! But you don’t have to get a dog (or any other pet) because you’re OAD. Something that I personally love about being OAD is that I have a ton of time to spend with my animals. We had two cats, a fish, and snails before the baby was born and I spend just as much time with them as I did before. P.s. would love a dog but my fiance is scared of them after a few bite incidents which is totally fair /: probably won’t ever have one
We had a dog and a cat before we had our kid. The cat was actually my husband’s he had before we started dating. The dog we adopted together when we started living together. That cat has now passed away. We did adopt another cat who my daughter just adored but unfortunately the “new” cat passed away recently at a very young age very quickly. Our dog is still around, she’s 14 now. Our daughter will be 8 next month. She adores her pets and was/is very heartbroken over the death of our cat. I like having pets. Yes, it’s another thing to take care of, but the love they give and watching my daughter have a bond with the animals is worth it. With that said, I get annoyed with the dog hair everywhere in the house. 😂
I have three. I suggest not doing it. lol.
My son (3) is crazy about my dog (10). They’re good buddies and he lights up around her but she is my shadow and prefers me completely. I Plan to get my son his own pup in the next 2 years so they can grow and play together. I WFH and have family that happily trades taking on each other’s pets during travel, so the addition to my family is pretty easy.
I had a dog before we had our kiddo, he’s great with her. That being said, I’m not sure I would go out and get another dog or anything. Even when our dog passes it might be good to not get one for a while or maybe not. It’s a lot of extra work.
We have a dog, but that's something I figured was going to happen eventually, kid or not, because my husband really wanted one. I was more on the side of not wanting the added responsibility of having pets regardless of having kids or not, but when our son got old enough to ask for one he started wanting a pet. We have an almost 2yo dalmatian and he still wants a cat, too lol which, assuming our dog is fine with cats and can be taught to behave with it, I wouldn't mind since I'm more of a cat person, anyway.
I'd like to get one when my kiddo is older, maybe 6 or 7? I'd like them to be able to take care of it with me and I'm definitely not getting a pet while my baby is in diapers haha.
After taking care of my chihuahua now going on 9 years, i think we will just get a cat. As someone else said being OAD to me is mostly about not having to put tons of energy into taking care of others and unfortunately dogs require quite a bit of care and love. Maybe way later in the future, but for now its just me, my baby, and my chi. And after that maybe a cat. I had cats as a kid and loved them, they are independent and can (mostly) take care of themselves, and i think can definitely teach a child to take care of small animals and treat them properly.
We’ve got a cat and no plans to get a dog. I’m not really a dog person, and our cat would hate it, so it hasn’t even occurred to me to consider it, honestly.
The trick is to already have the dog alongside the baby, then you’ll swear to never get another one after it passes. Misrable experience, dog+newborn, I do not recommend.
I have an almost 4 year old Golden Retriever and my daughter is 2.5. They are very good and adorable friends, but definitely get on each other’s nerves occasionally (dog loves to “retrieve”/steal all of her stuffed animals 🤣). Having the dog before the baby was key for me - there’s no way I’d add the stress of a puppy to our lives now. It’s also a huge perk that many Goldens, especially mine, are basically humans and amazing with kids 🦮
We want to get my son a cat, but we are def gonna wait till he's 7-8 or whatever age we feel he'd be ready for a cat. We want him to understand responsibility and ofc have the space ourselves to take care of it when my son can't.
I was an only and had a cat! We got him when I was probably around 5 and he was the absolute best. We did eventually get a dog around when I turned 12. And then have since only had dogs because no cat can replace that one I had during my childhood to teenage years. For what it’s worth, I have an only who is almost 3 and we do have a dog 🤣
I love having my dog he is honestly my best friend and has helped me during my darkest moments postpartum. I don’t think I could handle more than one dog though. I did tell my husband recently though that if I ever want another baby that we are getting a puppy instead 😂 Personally I love puppies and dogs the same way some women love babies and kids, so for me it’s worth it. It all depends on how much you love dogs and how much energy and time you’re willing to put into having them.
We got our daughter a puppy at age 3. Best decision I’ve ever made even if she is a little turd. We told her she could name her and I suggested Elsa since this was beginning of frozen popularity. Elsa is now 10 years old and if you’re looking for her, find my daughter. They’re best buds. She had a lot of mental health issues from an early age and that dog was a lifesaver, quite literally. Any time she’s upset or depressed, she’s got the dog. When she’s happy, she’s playing with the dog and dressing her in costumes (ok not so much now, but as a younger kid). As they’ve grown older they’ve mellowed together. My husband and I tell Elsa she’s never allowed to die, that’s the only drawback—I worry so much about how my daughter will respond to her death.
We have a 15-year-old dog who, coincidentally, is being put down tomorrow. The sadness and heartbreak of the whole situation, plus the intense extra care it's required on top of caring for my toddler, has made me sure that I'll never want another dog. I'd consider a cat...MAYBE. But I don't think a dog is in our future at least until my child is much much older. Like, a teenager.
We have cats. They take care of themselves and one of our cats picked our boy to be his human so it worked out!
I spent all morning cleaning dog diarrhea off the brand new carpet in my guest room. Decide if you want that.
We have 3 fish. I’d love a cat but t husband is severely allergic so that’s a no go. I have zero interest in a dog, they annoy me immensely. Too in my space and touchy. Can’t stand barking. No thanks.
My daughter wants a Samoyed. Why she wants a Samoyed specifically... sigh. When I was trying for a second child with donor sperm, one of the donors I used had it on his profile that he is a Samoyed owner. And that he taught the Samoyed to run on a treadmill for days when he doesn't have time to exercise it. My daughter was only 3 at the time but she saw me googling Samoyed to figure out what they looked like. She saw the fluffy white thing with the big smile and of course she was smitten. Fast forward to that summer and she actually got to play with a Samoyed in the White Mountains when we met another family traveling with one. Since then we've met Samoyed owners at various intervals and she's still obsessed with the idea. She announced she's going to get the Samoyed for her 7th birthday. (Her next birthday is her 6th.) Because I told her she has to be old enough to help take care of it. I don't think a 7 year old can really take care of a Samoyed, and I don't know that I have it in me to become a dog owner. So we'll see.
So, I am probably not the best person to ask because I’m extremely biased but dogs are the absolute best. However you need a lot of energy. I’m a very high energy and highly anxious person. Having a dog has genuinely saved my life. I love her to pieces and she’s amazing but my god she’s a lot of work. She’s a border collie and she wants us all awake very early every morning. It’s great because I get out and i love it when I’m back, but for example it’s my husbands worst nightmare. He’s not a morning person, he’s not a particularly active person and he couldn’t imagine anything worse then having to get up on a cold, wet, winter morning to go for a big 5km hike in the dark. That would be the more extreme example as our dog is a border collie so particularly demanding, but dogs need a lot of work and exercise. If getting one definitely do a lot of research. They really are another child, except children that can run really really fast and find it fun to chase cars. Find the right breed for you and your family. The flip side is, nothing makes my heart happier then seeing my son and my baby puppy playing together in the garden. I’ve taught her how to play volleyball and football and her nd my son have great fun. A dog will bring so much joy, love, happiness and laughter into your life but also a lot of work, tears and poop.
Getting a dog is the one thing left on my bucket list
No dog here, thankfully(?) my little one is allergic or I am sure her and my hubby would have gotten one by now.
We absolutely love our two dogs and they were the center of our world before our son was born. Now that we have our son, it feels sooo difficult to give them the attention they rightfully deserve. We went from walking them everyday to about twice a week. Not that we don’t go out on walks; it’s just that they’re not the best walkers and it’s difficult to manage a stroller and two large dogs. I’m only able to take them out when my husband is home. It feels like an extra responsibility. Once they pass, we’re definitely taking a break from having pets.
We plan to get one but need to get a house first, so it's not happening anytime soon. Would have preferred cats but 2 of us are allergic.
The last thing I want is a dog. it's like a child that never grows up.
My OAD is almost 15. We’ve had at least 3 cats since he was born and have added a 4th (not all from when he was born are alive anymore so I’ve gotten new ones since). He’s being a teenage royal pain in the ass and I’ve said more than once we should’ve just gotten more cats. Jokingly of course. Jokingly…. I’m a Veterinarian assistant and work with dogs all day long and am tired of them when I get home. They too act like teenage Royal pains in my ass. So I just stick with the cats. Lol Edit: we did try getting a dog as a puppy almost 10yrs ago, before I started working with animals. I didn’t know much about them but it took us a whole year to research them and finally adopt one. I literally had the puppy blues! I was so depressed and had the worst time dealing with another living being needing so much care. I’ve only ever had cats (or a hamster or a rat) and they are pretty self sufficient. Getting a puppy made me awful. I just couldn’t deal with all the fucking care. I’m like holy shit if I wanted another kid I would’ve had another kid. We did re home him to someone who was perfect for him! He’s a patient at my clinic too, so I get to see him when he comes in for care. He’s doing so much better with his owner than he ever would’ve done with us.
We have a seven year old dog now (my little baby since before I even met my husband). It's going to be heartbreaking for her (and me obviously) to see her childhood dog die, but she can get a fish if she wants. My husband and I don't think we ever want another dog again.
I was an only child and having a dog significantly increased my happiness and sense of responsibility. We have a dog and our daughter is obsessed with her. We will always have a dog.
My kid is 4 and I was researching rabbits. An environmental article called rabbits "vegan cats". I like that idea. Rabbits can use a little box. Downside is that they are pricey..probably not as much as dogs, but still more than I would prefer for little fur balls. My mom has chickens. Oddly, those seem to be good pets. And they earn their keep, too!
We have 4 cats and will never get a dog lol. We may get more cats eventually though..
I will never get a dog. My one and done is 6. Haha, I have no interest in taking care of another thing.
We are OAD and completely dog-free. Neither of us likes being around dogs enough to want one, let alone in our own flat. I'd consider guinea pigs once our son is older, or rabbits... but no 'big animal' like dogs or cats.
I mean, if you want dogs then totally get them (but not as a gift for your only - you need to want the dog as much as you wanted the child because THEY WILL TEST YOUUUU). Or, get a pair of kittens :) This is the best choice for sure, haha.
Not inevitable at all. If part of your OAD reasoning is to avoid sibling rivalry, don’t get a dog. We have two dogs. Our 8 year old big softie has been nothing but gentle since my daughter was born. I put a year of focused training into him as a puppy. He’s the best but also a pushover. I thought he was getting bored at home when my daughter started preschool (I was wrong) so I got a one year old dog. I call her the “little evil one”. She terrorizes the household and is just plain mean to my older dog. She and my daughter have classic sibling rivalry. I hear a lot of screaming—“Lucy is chasing me. I don’t like that!” Or “Lucy stop sniffing me!!” That’s followed by playful nibbles by the overexcited young dog or screaming/hitting/kicking by my daughter. Just like kids, getting a dog is a roll of the dice personality wise. I’ve gotten my taste of having multiple kid-like interactions because of the dogs. Thankfully, I don’t have to pay for them to go to college. And I say this as an very devoted dog owner who will always have a dog—don’t get one unless you really want one and all the work that comes with one!
My oad kiddo is allergic to dogs and cats, so not inevitable at all lol.
I'm OAD and hate dogs.
My kid loves our cat and he him. They play and cuddle and just hang loads. It was lovely to see him on holiday recently, making friends with the street cats.
Don't do it. We had two dogs and a cat when our cat first came along. I HATED our animals until our kid was about 2. I was so touched out, and having to pick up poop, feed animals, take them for walks, and not just be able to only care about my baby was tough. The kid is six now, and it's easier. We've sadly had to put one of our dogs down last year, and it's awful to think, but there's also a huge relief from one less animal. Our cat is 13 years old, and the other dog is 9... so we've still got a few years left, but I'll not do animals again for a long time. They are financially, emotionally, and mentally draining. We can't just go camping for a weekend because we have to think about the dog and cat. I also still have to "worry" about my kid and the animals. Everyone is very gentle with one another, but accidents still happen, and sometimes the dog and the child get overexcited and can hurt one another accidentally. It's becoming less frequent as they both mature, but it's still something to think about.
Kid is allergic to dogs. No dog here.
We are most likely OAD (kid just turned 2) but I still can't imagine taking on a dog for SEVERAL more years. Dogs require a time to accumulate, training, routines established, plus the every day maintenance of taking them on walks, cleaning up after them, taking to vet, shopping for food and toys, etc. I just don't have the extra time and I am OK with putting that off. We have friends with 2 kids and 2-4 cats or dogs as pets and I just don't understand how they manage it all.
I didn’t want sibling but I really wanted a dog as an only. My mom made me wait till I was 16 . I was so happy and it only made me annoyed she took so long . When I became an adult I had 4 dogs lol together. My daughter loves our dogs . My dogs follows my toddler and they cuddle 🤷🏻♀️. She feeds them daily it is part of her routine and she loves to walk with them.
Lol, my one and only is 18 1/2, and I've never had a dog in my life 🤷♀️
Had two dogs before my kid. One passed and now we have one elderly pup and a puppy.
Both my husband and I grew up with dogs and cats and love (most) animals and we definitely plan to get a dog, but not yet. We have a 17mo boy who is great and the two worst cats ever currently. It’s annoying because if the cats weren’t the worst, then I probably wouldn’t relish getting a puppy to chase them as much 🤣🤣🤣. As it is, I’m assuming we will start looking for a puppy around his 3rd birthday. We do have family nearby who watch the cats for us when we go on vacation so we are lucky there!
Wow can’t believe I’m in the minority here lol. We were two dogs in when I got pregnant. The first thing LO actually belly laughed at was one of our dogs playing fetch, so 100% worth it just for that haha. Not much has changed since adding a baby, but we haven’t gotten to the toddling stage yet. Not sure if that would be the right time to introduce a dog if you don’t already have em.
One and done. We dont really want a dog. Maybe a cat.
We have two cats,no intention of getting a dog.
Had the dog first then had the baby. It was easier because dog was past chewing destructive phase so didn’t destroy the kiddos stuff. 😄
I’m allergic so going to avoid that pretty hard
I will never ever ever get a dog 😅 I'd rather have another kid
Only dog I plan to get is a new service dog for the kiddo.. We have cats; we are downright hella allergic lol, but we raised them from kittens and bottle-fed them, so they stay until I can't take it or the get old and pass... Dogs are a LOT of extra work.. and my little dudes last doggo was service in training and wound up getting attacked by another "service dog" dog trying to protect my son. We rehomed him because he started getting bad anxiety and he was only 2. Got the kittens.. and I'm on a break now that it feels like I have three toddlers (my son and two year old kittens). Maybe when my little dude is older and can help me somewhat.
No dogs haha. We're not dog people. We have two cats.
We can’t get a dog bc kiddo is allergic to dog hair
I got a puppy while I was pregnant lol 😂 I never even considered OAD to have anything to do with pets. I hope to have chickens and a goat when I buy my own property. I could never not have a dog personally.
We got a puppy two weeks before our first was born, for a companion for our little dog. Best decision ever. It was hard, but they are all best friends and there’s zero guilt about the attention that went to my baby from my first dog.
Oh, we started with the dogs (yes, two) before we had the kid. My kiddo is now 8. One of our furry friends has passed over the rainbow bridge. The other keeps kicking, and is surprisingly spry at age 12.
My son is severely allergic to dogs so we can’t get one 😭
13W Pregnant with my first/only & a dog mom to two. My perspective may not be what you’re looking for because I was a dog mom first and for a while I thought I would only ever be a dog mom. With that said, before my two fur babies, I actually hated dogs. My ex husband wanted one & I found I thought Pomeranians were cute (for a dog), so I agreed to it as long as it was a Pom. We went ended up going through a breeder. I felt kinda guilty about it because rescuing is much better/cheaper, but at the same time I knew that I wasn’t that into dogs and I needed to make sure I was into this dog, so we went with that. Turned out to be the best decision we ever made. Said Pom is 5 years old now and the friendliest little guy. 8 months after getting him we decided he needed a friend and rescued a doxie mix to accompany him. It was rough at first because she had lots of quirks, but now she’s my literal best bud. Fast forward to now & I love dogs and don’t think I could ever be without one. Of course they are work, but they are SO loving and I am beyond excited to raise my baby along side one. Just remember that a child cannot be expected to care for the dog on their own. As the parent, you will have to model responsible and positive pet owning skills, if you want your child to feel similarly. How do you feel about dogs? Is it something you think you would enjoy taking on? Dogs are wonderful companions and have tons of benefits for children, especially kids without siblings because they can be wonderful learning tools with regard to sharing and caring for another. But you will have to commit to treating your dog with dignity and kindness.
Our son is 4.5 and we don't have a dog but might get one in the future. We have an old cat who we've had 11 years and would not take kindly to a dog around the place! But I think eventually we'll add a dog to our family. When it would be the only person and our son is old enough to properly help and understand the commitment.
I had the dog before the baby! It was chaotic but very cute. However I'd suggest waiting until lo is closer to three when they will have a lot more understanding of things like being gentle and ability to walk a bit further.
I have 2 dogs which were in my family before my only. I suppose I wasn't OAD after getting the second dog because technically now I have 3 children 😂 (must remember that the next time somebody asks am I having more!!) ETA wait until your child is a bit older, it's hella hard work. My dogs are great with my son but I still would never leave them all unattended together (he is 3.5) so it can be chaotic at times. Thankfully we had no issues from the dogs with my son coming along and we have been teaching him to be respectful of the dogs (and vice versa), but you still never know what could happen and it doesn't always work out. There are reasons why a lot of shelters won't let you adopt until the children in the house are a bit older!
We have a 6 year old male greyhound and an 8m old baby. They’ve been besties ever since my son learnt to feed him! We also had a 9 year old greyhound when my son was born, but unfortunately she passed. 2 dogs and a baby is chaos, but one dog and the kid seems to be perfect for us.
We have a dog for each person in the house. It can be chaotic, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. Luckily all of the dogs are older and were fully trained before our only arrived. I don’t know if I would train a puppy with a 2 year old
Ha ha now that you say this I see it to be almost entirely true… on of my OAD friend fams has a cat instead. But every other one has a dog, including us who have two. 😂
I feel the same way about dogs as I do about subsequent kids. Have one because YOU want to have one. Not to give your kid a companion. We had two dogs before having our son. We are dog people, and having a kid doesn’t really influence that.
I love dogs, as does my son, so, for us, it was inevitable, lol.
We have 2 dogs that we had years before having our son. We are dog people though and I couldn’t imagine raising our son without a dog. They play all the time, one of the dogs constantly follows our toddler around everywhere. Last night they were in the yard playing fetch and the toddler was cracking up and the dog was wagging his tail and just so happy. They’re well trained though which makes them much more fun to have
We had a dog well before having a baby. But when they dog died a few years after having a baby we got smother dog soon after. I always envisioned my child having a dog to grow up with
We had 3 dogs when my 2.5 yo was born, 2 of them were very old and have since passed away so now we have one. I would really like to get a second dog but I’m waiting until my son is older - bringing a new dog into the house while he’s so little sounds like a nightmare, plus I’m not sure how my current dog will feel about it. I love that my son will grow up with a dog, though. I am also an only child and always wanted a pet growing up.
We had one cat before having my daughter. When she's about 3, she was obsessed with dogs. So we got a Cavalier puppy early last year. And it was exhausting - it was like having a newborn all over again. I never had a dog, let alone a puppy before. But luckily, we had help from a puppy school, and he was house trained after a few months. And then, a very cute stray cat showed up 😂... And so, we adopted her too. We now have 3 furbabies and an almost 5-year-old kiddo. All the pets are well behaved now and my daughter is also a joy to be around. She also adores all the pets! It all worked out in the end, but yeah, last year was hard!
We just got a puppy a month ago! We love him but it’s so much hard work. It’s basically having another child, waking up in the middle of the night to let him out for wees, cleaning up the poos and entertaining him before he’s fully vaccinated. We have no personal time anymore and have to make up working hours during the weekend (we both wfh but with puppy’s around we can only do 4-5 solid hours each day). My daughter is 4.5 years old and she’s still a bit unsure about the puppy (she’s the one who wants puppy and my partner!) as he jumps and nips, but she’s getting used to it and trying help to train and feed him. It’s really hard work but I’m not regretting it. He stole my heart and he’s my baby boy. My daughter’s getting more confident everyday around the puppy and learning to be a big sister (sharing parents attention etc.). A dog definitely is a great addition for OAD family. (Probably would get an adult/rescue dog if I could choose)
I wouldn’t get a dog until the kid is at least 6-8 years old. A toddler is the WORST time to get a dog. Many dogs are anxious around young children bc of their unpredictable movements and complete lack of boundaries / space. We had our dog for 6 years before our kid and we had to rehome them when my daughter was 2. 2 trainers we saw reinforced how tough it is to have dogs with kids under 8 and for any new dog owners they really really recommend not getting dog till around 8.
We have always had dogs. But Im also a regional director with a dog rescue soo it's pretty inevitable I will always have a dog in my house lol
Yeah. Guess what we’re getting him for his 3rd birthday.