ncarter Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 (edited) I have a friend who is 3 months pregnant with twins. She is also looking to get another dog as her last dog died last year. She would like to get a Dane or similar giant breed as she has had these dogs before. She would like to get 2 puppies of similar age (not necessraily siblings) so they can have each other to play with. And ideally she would like to get the pups sooner rather than later so she can get them settled in, begin training etc before the twins arrive. I have said to her it does sound like a lot of work etc etc but she is stubborn and determined to do this. So I was just wondering what steps you would take if you were in a similar situation to make sure things went smoothly with 2 young pups and expecting babies around the same time? Edited November 27, 2011 by ncarter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Weelllll I had a 5mo and a 2yo and one puppy and it worked well. But two babies and two puppies is a whole nother ball game!!! One puppy yeh maybe if you have the support to enable you to spend good quality one on one time with the puppy. I have a few close friends with twins and some days you would feed one, get them changed settled etc just in time for number two to wake up for a feed change etc. Quite often just after that number one would be awake again. Babies can feed every 2 hours in the beginning and while many people are very adept at twin feeding sometimes the babies have their own schedule and well they don't leave a lot of time for much elese, especially in the beginning. If she was getting one puppy then I would say a cautious okay, but wanting two puppies hmmmmmmm nope. I would personally be rather cautious about the average dog owner getting two puppies at once without the twins in on the bargain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claireybell Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 I know you said she's stubborn but please try and talk her out of it. My son is 2 months old and it's been hard work (although also very rewarding). Trying to look after 2 babies will be extremely hard, add a puppy into that equation and it's a recipe for disaster. I have 2 dogs that aren't puppies and some days it's a real struggle to find time to spend with them. They used to get walked daily but now only go for a walk on weekends when my husband is home to do it. Personally I think a new puppy with twins coming is a bad idea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Might be a better idea to wait until the twins are about 6 to 12 months old before looking at getting a puppy. The household routine will be more settled and she will know how much time she will have to spend on proper training for both the pups and the kids. Pups need a lot of training - especially 2 large breed dogs - they won't train themselves, and being pregnant with twins is exhausting enough as it is without trying to train 2 exuberant large pups as well. T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lugeanjaam Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 (edited) Are these babies her first? If so I would be extremely cautious. That scenario is difficult enough for somebody who has experienced a newborn (let alone 2!) before and is also an experienced dog owner. Put a new Mum and Dad in to the equation and it is almost impossible I would think. If she is considering getting the puppies soon we are talking 2 giant breed 5 to 6 month old puppies at the time of her twins birth who will require extensive training and socialisation. Add to that sleep deprivation, trying to settle into a routine, the additional time and training required to bring up 2 puppies that should be trained seperately, hormones and at times 2 screaming babies and the outcome does not look that great. She would be putting ALOT of unnecessary pressure on herself and her family at a time when she really needs to focus on getting through day by day. Babies are hard work, puppies are hard work, it would almost be like having quads . It is defintely not something I would be considering, not saying it cant be done just saying it might be best if she waits until her babies are a little older before she thinks about it. If she is not budging maybe suggest adopting a couple of older dogs that are through the puppy stage. Edited November 27, 2011 by sujo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DobieMum Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 I'm sorry, I've got to disagree with everyone. When my daughter was born (she's now 10), I didn't mean to (I'd been on a waiting list for awhile)but ended up with a dobie babie who was only 2 months younger. Now I had family support and my hubby was great with the dogs (we already had 2), but this little girl became my heart dog. I lost her last year and miss her greatly. It can be done and it can be done well, it just all depends on what the circumstances are. If she feels it's right, she'll make it happen. Chances are, you'll probably find she won't be able to get 2 pups so close together, I think many breeders will agree with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leema Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 I'd be concerned about getting two puppies and them bonding strongly to one another, even if they're from different litters. I always say that dogs should be happy and independent to one another. This can be achieved by making sure the dogs have separate time, sleep separately, go on walks individually, etc. I follow this with "It's very unlikely that both the dogs are going to pass away at the same time, and you don't want to have one dog upset and pining on the other dog's demise". It's a lot of work to raise two dogs to be happy without one another's company. This would be my first line of attack - I would really try to convince her to get one puppy, if any at all. I would be pushing this friend to get an older dog that has the foundations of good behaviour (e.g. doesn't jump up, mostly polite, house trained, etc) and settle this dog in in the next 6 months. Perhaps, once her human twins are a year old, then perhaps consider adding a puppy to the mix. If she was determined, I would: * Make sure both young dogs are raised as individuals, and learn to be happy and independent dogs. * Teach puppies polite and safe behaviours (no jumping up, no hooning inside, etc). * Extensively socialise the puppies with babies and young children. * Establish rules for the young dogs ASAP, the rules should be the same for when babies arrive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dotdashdot Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Also, what if she experiences PND? (touch wood that she doesnt) My sister did with her second child, and stubbornly rescued a pup soon after said child was born to replace a deceased dog and it made things doubly hard. The dog lacks most basic training (although I might add is fantastic around kids - rotti x RR) and I fear that it misses out a lot. If she is determined, maybe try talking her into just one, and then delay the purchase, even I with no immediate plans for children, would not get two pups together and not when pregnant with twins! It's the same deal with birds - get one and they bond to you, get two and they forgo you for their species (not a hard and fast rule but happens most of the time) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trisven13 Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 As others have said, if these are her first children, she should only get ONE if she insists on it. Not saying that this is the case with your friend but I often found whilst running the rescue that I'd get enquiries for puppies from first time pregnant mums - it was like the maternal rush in their body just couldn't wait until they had a baby human so they were just looking for a baby anything. I would also get many phone calls from first time mums who got a puppy when they were pregnant that they now don't have the time for. Add to that your friend is planning on 2 puppies when she is going to have 2 babies . Has she spoken to mums of twins to get some idea of just what she is in for? Obviously it is possible to do it and do it well but I can't imagine a more difficult scenario to be perfectly honest and I have 3 kids and 6 dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 I'm sorry, I've got to disagree with everyone. When my daughter was born (she's now 10), I didn't mean to (I'd been on a waiting list for awhile)but ended up with a dobie babie who was only 2 months younger. Now I had family support and my hubby was great with the dogs (we already had 2), but this little girl became my heart dog. I lost her last year and miss her greatly. It can be done and it can be done well, it just all depends on what the circumstances are. If she feels it's right, she'll make it happen. Chances are, you'll probably find she won't be able to get 2 pups so close together, I think many breeders will agree with you. There are plenty of breeders who will sell 2 pups together - someone that I know got two female stafford puppies together! I can't believe that someone is recommending that a woman pregnant with twins should get two large breed pups! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypaws Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 I had twins and a 2 and a half year old when they were born , honestly it's exhausting . And my husband was an awesome help , but you get one awake one asleep and you can't really establish good routines . And puppies love routine . I had a old lassie , and knew I wanted another dog . He passed Jan this year 15 years .Best move I made was getting a 2 year old Lab . Great with kids , housebroken, was able to cope with changing routines . Also towards the end of my twin pregnancy I was beyond exhausted , she will struggle to walk dogs . A decision not to rush into . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiverStar-Aura Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 I think too with going for a giant breed there's going to need a LOT of supervision. I'd hate for one to get injured due to unsupervised play -- I should imagine Danes puppies are at risk of similar injuries to Newfies? I'm not saying it can't be done either -- there's a lovely couple at our dog park with twins and a gorgeous whippet girl and the 5 of them have a great afternoon together! I'd definitely sit down with your friend and talk seriously to her and find out how much thought she's put into this decision. If you openly discuss your concerns maybe you'll have a chance to get her to see things from your POV. Ask her to tell you how much support she'll have from hubby and family too. Good luck!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PuddleDuck Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Maybe rather than you being the bad guy you should suggest your friend contact Kathy kopellis in wa? Kathy does a LOT of work with families who have new babies and a dog, and might be able to provide a professional insight as to what your friend would be in for ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubbleyoo Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Such a lot of great advice here. I would wonder if your friend has considered that there can be complications during pregnancy, especially with twins + that could result in her being confined to hospital? I think she would be better waiting as suggested till the twins are settled and a bit older. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clyde Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Two giant breed puppies at the same time is a struggle for even the most switched on owner. She is having twins and attempting to do it, uh uh, no way - bad idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christina Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 So I was just wondering what steps you would take if you were in a similar situation to make sure things went smoothly with 2 young pups and expecting babies around the same time? It would depend on how close a friend she is. If she is a close friend I would offer to help take the pups to training, socialise etc so that at least there would be some chance of them being manageable & behaving by the time the babies arrived. If she is not a close friend I would head for the hills & start getting distant now because she is a nutter Oh what can you do sometime people can manage & do it suprisingly well & there is not much you can do about it all anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Supermum! Twins may have to stay in hospital .... or need a bit extra care . two pups always need a lot of work ! teen large breed pups, humans suffering all sorts of sleep deprivation/stress/ worries , demands of new babies- two at a time , visitors... medical appointments .. Doesn't sound a good combination to me . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Fox Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 One baby, one puppy and a patient, organised owner - Yes Two babies, one puppy and a patient, experienced owner - Maybe Two babies, two puppies and anyone in their right mind - No way! And ideally she would like to get the pups sooner rather than later so she can get them settled in, begin training etc before the twins arrive. I don't necessarily disagree with this and with one pup it may work out nicely. But it would be wiser to wait until the babies are born, get them settled in and into a routine, then look for a pup. Twins are often born by c-section so she might not be up for walking or training for some time after they are born and may require a hospital stay. Either way she'll be very tired just from dealing with the babies. She'd need a huge amount of support to manage two giant breed adolescent pups during that time. Is hubby is going to do the majority of walking and training? Or is she likely to be the primary carer? Worth taking into consideration.. I have said to her it does sound like a lot of work etc etc but she is stubborn and determined to do this. So I was just wondering what steps you would take if you were in a similar situation to make sure things went smoothly with 2 young pups and expecting babies around the same time? Don't get pups from the same litter, crate train from day one, feed and train seperately, establish rules early on, make sure she has a lot of support from family, have a reliable back-up person to help out in case of complications during pregnancy / birth / sick kids / exhuastion etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 (edited) I have to agree, this sounds like a disaster. A new Mum with no idea of how she will take to parenting, no idea if there may be issues around the pregnancy which could mean she is in hospital or babies are.... Each to their own but I could not cope with 2 newborns and 2 puppies. That's madness IMO. Maybe try and get her to think about getting one, then getting another when bubs are a bit older? ETA: Terrible spelling Edited November 28, 2011 by Aussie3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raineth Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Its madness, I would just be doing everything I can to convince her not to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now