Are you thinking of raising your baby and a puppy at the same time? Sounds lovely and exciting, right? It would be nice to see your baby and puppy grow together and form an unbreakable bond.
And as parents, you will love capturing these moments. But is it possible? Should you even do it? Read on to get your questions answered and learn practical tips and advice.
Is It Possible to Raise a Baby and a Puppy Simultaneously?
Yes, it’s possible. Some couples have successfully done this. And for sure, others are experiencing this at the moment you’re reading this article.
Perhaps you have even seen those adorable videos of a baby and puppy sibling playing and eating together. But before you follow this family dynamics, check these considerations.
Should You Do It?
Now you know it’s possible. But should you? Is it okay to have a puppy and baby at the same time? If you check on forum sites, the answers and comments will most likely advise you against it. Although ultimately, it’s all up to you. Here are some questions and scenarios to consider.
Are you living alone as a couple? Is it your first time having a baby? Is it also your first time caring for a baby? How about having a pet? Is it the first attempt? If all your answers are ‘yes’, then you should not raise a baby and a puppy simultaneously.
When you give birth for the first time, you and your spouse or partner will be overwhelmed by a lot of changes – mainly caring for the newborn, sleeping (or the lack thereof), and coping with postpartum.
All these consume all your time, leaving you no room for a puppy. If you force it, you will just be neglecting the puppy and will probably end up giving it up. It happened to some.
Here’s a simple thought: A puppy is just like a human baby. It needs a lot of attention. So, raising both at the same time is like raising twins. Twin babies are fine because they’re both humans. But having a very young human and an animal under one roof might make you crazy.
When Can You Raise Them Together Without Getting Crazy?
You can have a cuddly puppy running alongside your little angel under these circumstances:
Scenario #1
It’s you, your spouse, and your first baby, but your child is now at least 3 years old. Some would even say a little bit older. The point is, raise one first (that’s your baby) and when you have properly adjusted, then you can add a furball as a new family member.
Scenario #2
It’s you, your spouse and it’s not your first baby. It could be your second or third child. This way, you already have the experience of raising a human baby. You know the ropes of caring for a little human, so adding a puppy for the first time won’t be so stressful.
Scenario #3
It’s you, your spouse, and your first baby, but you already have an adult dog. Yes, no longer a puppy, but this might just be right for you. An adult dog is already independent, responsible, and reliable.
So when you bring home the baby, you can easily introduce him or her to your dog. With a bit of training, your dog will learn to be gentle and caring toward your baby.
What’s good about having an adult dog before you get pregnant or give birth is that the dog will somehow know you’re carrying a human inside. So when the baby’s born and you let your dog see and smell this lovely tiny human even from a few meters away, Fido will understand and act like a caring older sibling.
Scenario #4
Another setting is if it’s you, your spouse, your first baby, and your first puppy, but you have someone else at home. Maybe it’s your parents or siblings. Perhaps you have a helper or nanny. This way, when you’re immersed in caring for your baby, someone else is looking after the puppy, and vice versa.
There might be some more variations of these scenarios, but at least, at this point, you have a better idea.
Why Raise a Baby and a Puppy Together?
For parents, seeing your baby and puppy bonding is just so cute and heartwarming. This is good for your emotional and mental health. Your baby will also develop a stronger immune system when a puppy or dog is around. It will also positively impact your child’s cognitive and emotional development.
How to Prepare Your Home
If you do decide to raise both, here’s what you must do. Make sure that you have everything you need for the arrival of your baby and puppy. As a couple, you both must check your home for potential hazards and make the necessary adjustments to create a safe space.
Go to your baby’s room and examine the ceiling, walls, and floor. Scratches, cracks, and holes may just be due to normal wear and tear. But if you notice that these are signs of infestation, contact an experienced pest control for residential properties.
In fact, allow them to inspect your entire house because your baby will soon crawl out of the bedroom into all the other areas of your home. As you know, pests can carry harmful diseases.
Regularly cleaning, sealing food containers, and using appropriate pest control measures can help ensure your home remains safe and healthy.
Check the windows and clean the curtains. Double-check the crib to ensure it’s sturdy and safe. See to it that the baby monitor is functioning properly. Replace busted bulbs and tighten loose door knobs.
Secure cabinets with childproof latches. Cover the power outlets with plastic plug covers and remove objects that could be choking hazards. Make sure cleaning supplies and medicines are out of reach of curious hands and paws.
Provide ample space for both your puppy and your baby. For your puppy, a quiet corner with a bed and some toys is ideal. For your baby, a crib and an enclosed play area would be great. Establishing these individual areas prevents unwanted interactions and teaches them about respect for personal space.
When to Introduce Your Puppy to Your Baby
Humans and dogs age differently. So, wait until your puppy is six months old before you let it play with your baby. This is because your puppy would have finished teething by 6 months, which significantly reduces the chances of your baby getting hurt.
As for your child’s age, it’s better to wait until your child is old enough to understand basic instructions about interacting with the puppy. Typically, children over the age of three are more capable of following directions and can be taught how to gently pet and play with the puppy under strict supervision.
Training Your Puppy While Teaching Your Baby
Training your puppy goes beyond basic commands such as “sit” and “fetch.” It involves consistency and patience in your daily routine. It’s about building a bond of trust and understanding between you and your puppy.
Contrary to popular belief, it’s actually better to generate calm, assertive energy rather than raise your voice when commanding your puppy. Rewarding good behavior is also more effective than nagging them about their bad habits.
By focusing on rewarding what they do right instead of only correcting what they do wrong, you help build a positive association and improve their overall obedience.
Follow a similar logic with your baby. Teach them how to respect boundaries and handle animals gently. Show your baby how to pet the puppy softly and what spaces the puppy’s alone, like their bed or eating area. This helps foster mutual respect and safe interactions between them.
Final Thoughts
Puppies and babies can make a great pair with the right preparation and guidance and under the right circumstances.
By setting clear boundaries, maintaining consistent routines, and ensuring both receive proper attention and care, they can grow to become inseparable buddies, enriching each other’s lives.
About the Author
Luqman Butter is a certified pest exterminator with over a decade of experience in wildlife removal and pest control in Toronto, Canada. He has had the pleasure of dealing with every pest imaginable, from bed bugs to rats, skunks, snakes, and bats. His passion for pest and wildlife control has led him to become a trusted voice in sharing knowledge and information about pest and wildlife control with the mission to educate people on how to deal with various pest issues in the most effective way possible.
