Hii need advice about a baby around a GSD.

[Achuyut]

Hello all,

Recently i and my wife decided to by a GSD puppy so we put a $500.00 deposit for the puppy. We are also planning to have a baby next year. Now my wife's office friends told her that the baby would be unsafe of the dog because dog would be jealous and will try to bite or snap at the baby.personally when i was a baby my moms gsd was my guarding angle and would not leave me from his sight.

Since the stories my wife heard at her office, she has decided to not get the dog and have it after the baby is grown.

My question is how true is it. Does any one has any issues with their GSD while they had a baby.

Thank You.

[MaggieRoseLee]

Having a baby and a young dog is like having 2 babies (to me). And I'd space 2 dogs or babies by like 3 years if I had a choice. GSDs can be particularly hard to raise with the TIME element of training and socialization that will take both of you. If you wife has doubts I would wait on the puppy until after your baby is a few years old

[Stosh]

Personally, I wouldn't leave any child unattended with any dog regardless of the breed. I think the 'jealousy' theory isn't accurate but if she wants to wait I guess you'll have to wait

[Gretchen]

I agree with what has been said already. General rule of safety is to not leave your child alone with your dog. Two neighbors nearby that recently had babies both talked to me about this. One had a Schnauzer, the other a Bulldog. Both are excellent dogs, still the parents do not want to take any chances.

Being a mom of twins, I'd have to agree with MaggieRoseLee in that it will be like having two babies, at least one of them you can put diapers on. You won't get much sleep between an infant and a puppy.

In general, I would say GSD's are very protective and would be protective of an infant too (if it were mature enough). When my husband's friend's wife became pregnant, his 10 yr old GSD was very protective. The wife came into the GSD's life when he was about 7 or 8 yrs.

[Gharrissc]

Maybe it would help if your wife met some well mannered dogs around kids. Have you considered adopting an adult who was been in a foster home situation? I can't speak from first hand experience because I don't have kids. Supervision is important until the child gets bigger and you have to teach them to respect each other.
Obviously these people at your wife's job don't know what they are talking about.

[KZoppa]

Its like having two babies. I've not had any problems here and I had my dogs before my kids were born. I raised my current girl from 12 weeks old on up with two little ones around with no problems. it can be done and my dogs have never shown ANY kind of issues with the kids, even when they were babies. Its a matter of dedication to training and the time you have available for training. My kids and dogs are never left unsupervised but I honestly wouldn't doubt my kids and dogs ability to get along together.

That whole the dog will be jealous of the baby thing is bogus.

[ksotto333]

Tessa is 3 months older than my granddaughter, so we've been bringing them up together. There are times I'll crate Tessa if she is too excited but overall they are good buddies. I don't leave them alone, they are always supervised.

[doggiedad]

when "the baby is grown". what age is that?

[Jack's Dad]

Originally Posted by doggiedad

when "the baby is grown". what age is that?

In this day and age I would say about 34.

[Achuyut]

Hii again thank you all,
Thank you for taking your time out and giving me the advice I have decided to wait till baby gets 2 years old then get the puppy

Thank you again for the advices.