Feeling overwhelmed

emsywoo123

Not sure if looking for advice or what really...........
Basically got a 12 week old black lab girly about 5 weeks ago..........3 days before I found out I was pregnant :eek:
Fast forward 5 weeks, she has been to the vet numerous times, as she has had an unresolved cough (still unresolved I hasten to add, despite x-rays, scopes, all sorts)
She has not had her jabs due to this, so not been to classes and only minimal walks.
I have such a fear that she will bite/scratch the baby when it arrives, and I just feel I cannot cope with everything. She is a normal hyper puppy. not aggressive, but "excitable"
My parents are putting pressure on for me to re-home her, OH will walk out I think if I do.
I'm sitting here in tears overwhelmed. Any advice appreciated.

jackieglasgow

Do you love her? Are you feeling in general a bit overwhelmed by the whole baby thing, the pregnancy symptoms, the tiredness, the surprise or not of it all? Would your parents ask you to rehome the baby if you weren't coping? Of course not! You and your OH have loads of time to get her sorted out before the baby comes. If you can't attend classes with her, go yourself, the hints and tips are invaluable. If you find one you fancy locally, ask if you can get it half price by attending on your own at first, nad only pay full price when the puppy is able to attend.

We recently got a wee dog and I went to the first few classes on my own because she was in season. They were invaluable, as I wasn't distracted by her, and was able to pay loads of attention and see what the instructors and the other owners were doing. This might be very good for you, as you can come straight home and practise on puppy dog. Once you get the basic idea of training, the rest will fall into place. Does anyone you know have a dog which has it's vaccs up to date? Let her meet them, indoors, so that she gets a bit of socialisation. If you try some of these ideas, and it's still all a bit too much, then you can relook at rehoming, young dogs always ae popular.

olias

If OH is so keen to keep the dog then I would talk to hime about your fears and that he needs to take a positive approach to the training of your puppy. Labs in particular have a tendency to jump up at people and also are very oral (like to take things into their mouths, not neccessarily biting). If I have worked it out right, your pup will be just under 1 yr when the baby is born, so plenty of time to train it (you don't need classes - plenty of advice in books and on the net if you don't know how). Also when the baby arrives, there is unlikely to be any occasion when the baby is left alone in the same room as the dog (and TBH there shouldn't be!) There are also lots of products that can assist (dog crates/pens, baby pens, baby gates etc etc).

I think at this moment though, the most important thing is to crack on with the training. If you can't go out for walks then make the training include plenty of activity to wear out the dog in the garden and give it exercise.

Olias

BitterAndTwisted

Emsy you can cope with everything but you're probably extremely hormonal right now. Give yourself a break. You will be able to cope with the pup you just need your hand held for a bit. And your doggy WILL NOT bite or scratch your baby when it arrives. By then, you'll be feeling much more confident and in control, I promise you. Labs are usually great with kids, I expect you already know this and it's possible that that is the reason you chose a lab in the first place. Everything will be fine. Follow Jackie's advice and do some research into some classes, it'll give you a heap of confidence.

chris_n_tj

I know just what you are going through. Many years ago we had the same problem, BUT we had 2 labs.
Of course we couldnt just get rid of the boys and of course same went for the new baby coming. We sat down and talked it though, and decieded to give it a go.
Rightly or maybe to some wrongly the day we can home form the hospital we let the boys lick, smell, nudge our new baby Daughter. LOl i can hear the gasps now. It worked for us. our boys loved Emma they would lay next to her pram and watch her constantly. Never once after the first day did they lick her. When she began toddling they were there right beside her. She would tug them climb on their backs pinch their toys. In fact she could do anything they loved her and she loved them back.
Take it one day at a time, and once your little treasure is here things will fall into place.
Hugs Chris n TJ xx

emsywoo123

chris_n_tj wrote: »

I know just what you are going through. Many years ago we had the same problem, BUT we had 2 labs.
Of course we couldnt just get rid of the boys and of course same went for the new baby coming. We sat down and talked it though, and decieded to give it a go.
Rightly or maybe to some wrongly the day we can home form the hospital we let the boys lick, smell, nudge our new baby Daughter. LOl i can hear the gasps now. It worked for us. our boys loved Emma they would lay next to her pram and watch her constantly. Never once after the first day did they lick her. When she began toddling they were there right beside her. She would tug them climb on their backs pinch their toys. In fact she could do anything they loved her and she loved them back.
Take it one day at a time, and once your little treasure is here things will fall into place.
Hugs Chris n TJ xx

This sounds wonderful but right now I just cannot seem to see it happening..........:(

olias

Thats because at the moment your Lab at 17 weeks will be going through the biting stage and their teeth are like needles at that age! Also it will be full of energy and leaping and running around. Don't get me wrong, a Lab is a Lab and will still be boisterous at 1 year, But with proper training, there is unlikely to be any problems.

Olias

BitterAndTwisted

It will. Once you and your doggy understand each other and doggy knows who's boss it will all come together, you'll see. I'm sure the doggy-training classes will be hugely empowering for you. There's plenty of time before baby comes and think what a wonderful experience it will be for your child to have a true and faithful doggy companion. It's a fabulous gift to give a child. I wish I'd had one

chris_n_tj

emsywoo123 wrote: »

This sounds wonderful but right now I just cannot seem to see it happening..........:(

Just remember raging hormones plus one roudy puppy+headace. it wil be a distant memory soon, but until them please remember we are here to help you get though it. (many of us have been there)
Just drop in even if its only to let off steam. There is always someone around, and they are one hell of a great bunch in here.

So just have a and just for good



measure here`s a
Chris n TJ xxxxxxx

jackieglasgow

I agree with what B&T says about a companion for your child. we put off having a dog for a long time, and now, seeing how our boys are with Coco, we see what an asset she is to the family. They adore her, she is definitely a best friend, particularly for the older boy, and they are having the best time together. I found it very hard, and still do, to an extent, our dog is adorable and very loving but is impossible around other dogs, which I am sure we will get rid of with persistence, but at the moment it is draining. However, when she comes to me for a hug or a wee lick, it's worth the stress.
This line that a dog is a fabulous gift to give a child is so true. My OH and I both grew up with dogs, and were desperate to give our boys that opportunity, and are just sorry we never did it sooner. Give yourself a chance.

jenhug

the puppy stage is the hardest part, it will get better! You and your hubby need to practice a united front with the dog and your parents! Or both will be worse after the baby comes! Get the puppy used to sleeping in a crate, and work together on training your puppy. Good luck, you CAN do it.
x