There's a new baby in the house....time to get rid of the dog?!?
By firecracker
@sacmom (14192)
United States
August 7, 2015 9:47pm CST
So, I was browsing Facebook earlier today, when I saw a post on my newsfeed that got my attention. A family member (a distant one at that), has a medium to large breed dog that she "needs to get rid of". This family member just gave birth a few days ago. Although she has other children that are young, this dog is older and apparently is not used to being around babies.
From what I've been reading, the dog isn't showing any signs of aggression, she's just hyperactive and jumps around this family member when she is holding her baby. Is that any reason to get rid of the dog? I don't think so.
I wanted to say something to this family member, like "give it some time, your baby is only 3 days old for crying out loud!", or "get the dog some training!", or "put her in another room"...something so that they don't have to rehome the dog. But as I don't know her, I decided to keep my opinions to myself (and share them on here instead 
).
I so hate when this happens. And it happens way too often. A couple has a baby, so they get rid of the pet. It's just so sad...
).
I so hate when this happens. And it happens way too often. A couple has a baby, so they get rid of the pet. It's just so sad...14 people like this
17 responses
@Druscilla034 (379)
• United States
8 Aug 15
They could always keep the baby in a separate room and let the dog still rule the house.
Hey, fair is fair. Dog was there FIRST.
Or the mother should move out with the baby and let the rest of the family stay put, including the doggy. Problem solved.
4 people like this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
8 Aug 15
Either of those sound like a good idea to me @Druscilla034! 
1 person likes this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
8 Aug 15
It would help to know the breed of the dog. That can sometimes make a difference, but on the whole a well behaved, well established family dog can be taught how to behave around a new member of the family. The dog is curious about the baby and that's only natural. Satisfy it's curiosity and things will settle down.......
3 people like this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
8 Aug 15
@sparkofinsanity I agree. Care to try to talk them out of it for me? 
2 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
8 Aug 15
@sacmom Boxer's are energetic, but highly intelligent. They make great family pets and are devoted to their humans. It would be a shame to see it removed from it's home.......
2 people like this
@Rollo1 (16676)
• Boston, Massachusetts
8 Aug 15
I can also depend on the age of the dog. Older dogs are less likely to welcome new family members and dogs can get jealous and hurt small children. My family's dog was unhappy when I visited with my daughter, she started being aggressive. They had to keep the dog in another room, which only made her more jealous. She did try to bite my child. Sometimes people don't give away pets that are dangerous and it costs them the life of the child. They have to make the decision they think is right for the baby.
2 people like this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
9 Aug 15
I would understand if the dog was aggressive. However, it's not showing any signs of aggression whatsoever.
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
8 Aug 15
Some people can't handle too many things at once..hence an excuse to change of getting rid of the dog instead of changing things..doubt anything you do would help so don't get worked up over it..might have been her best timing to remove the dog, something she wanted to do anyway..I feel sorry for the kids who already had a life with the dog and now will be cheated out of it..
3 people like this
@allknowing (153529)
• India
8 Aug 15
She can give away but not get rid of. A pet that has been nurtured needs another home where that animal will be loved and cared for.
2 people like this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
8 Aug 15
That may be, but those were her words that I quoted @allknowing.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153529)
• India
8 Aug 15
@sacmom I know. They are doing injustice to that animal 
1 person likes this
@MakingCents (743)
•
9 Aug 15
I just had a baby almost a month ago. And I can't tell you how many people asked me if we were going to get rid of our dogs. The answer was big fat NO. Now way, not happening, never on your life. My dogs are my FAMILY and you don't give away family.
2 people like this
@tammyr (5945)
• Etowah, Tennessee
8 Aug 15
Many people don't understand that adopting a dog is a lifetime commitment. Dogs can live over 20 years in some cases, they don't think that far ahead tho.
I could understand rehoming if there were still problems after the week's time, but I agree with you, 3 darts isn't time to let the dog assist!
Of course,maybe there is more to it than we know. Maybe the dog jumps around the baby when in her bassinet/cradle as well.Maybe they tried locking the dog out off the room, but that didn't work. And honestly, if they are giving up soooo easily, perhaps the dog deserves a better family!
2 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
14 Aug 15
I hate that. I think pets should be treated as children. If you wouldn't give away your children when you have another, or when you move, or when you lose a job, then you shouldn't get rid of the pet either!
1 person likes this
@minx267 (15526)
• Hartford, Connecticut
12 Aug 15
This is one of my biggest pet peeves.. when you bring an animal into your life and home. you are bringing it in for life.. just like a child. If you can get rid of it that quick.. I hate to see how you treat your children when they start misbehaving.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11383)
• United States
19 Aug 15
Perhaps the mom is suffering from ppd and the dog is bringing her lots of anxiety. I agree that I would satisfy the curiosity of the dog and trying to train it before getting rid of it.
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
20 Aug 15
I suppose. You'd never know it though. Sh sure is picture happy when it comes to her kids. lol
@topffer (42155)
• France
8 Aug 15
A pet is part of a family and the dog will be very sad to be abandoned. I don't understand people abandoning their pets when they go in holidays or when they move (my last two cats were abandoned when people were moving because pets were not allowed in their new home : they should have looked for another place to live...). It is very rare when a dog attacks a baby and not a reason to abandon it. I would have responded something like "If the dog is an inconvenience today, maybe you should also consider now to get rid of your baby ?"
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.2 people like this
@cherigucchi (15932)
• Philippines
9 Aug 15
May be its too hard for them to handle things all at the same time.
2 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
8 Aug 15
3 days is definitely not enough time to see if baby and dog will get along and if she is already thinking of finding the family dog a new home then the dog should find a better home than this one. Really not good to only give it a few days.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
9 Aug 15
Yes it is sad! Horribly sad that the dog has to go. Not necessary either as they should give the dog sometime to get used to the new baby before they make that kind of decision.
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
9 Aug 15
Exactly! I couldn't agree more with you @cynthiann!
1 person likes this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
8 Aug 15
How sad for the dog! The dog is a family member too - they should all learn to co-exist! But I know some people can't handle a pet and a baby - being very protective of a baby. I know people who have gotten rid of their cats for the same reason.
1 person likes this
