Not an Easy Decision

ORIGINAL: spiritdogs

BTW, I don't understand how you can afford a child, if you couldn't afford a Golden Retriever.

 
I was referring to this comment as ignorant, not the rest. Having our baby is going to be the most difficult thing that we've ever had to do. It just made me very very upset/sad/angry that not only do we receive negative nasty comments from the people who are supposed to be the most supportive (our friends and families: my mother, his mother, etc) we received a negative comment from a stranger. You didn't know that when I responded and I'm sorry that I took out my frustration, about something happening in my personal life, on you by making a rude comment. 


I really didn't mean I wanted people to tell me to give her away. I was asking if people thought I should give her away, if that makes sense. (I get plenty of "get rid of her" remarks from my family. [:'(]) All I wanted was to find out what to do. My husband and I were both frustrated and we really felt we had no other choice but to find her a new home. We couldn't think of any other options because we've never been in this type of situation before. I knew there would be people here with experience in handling stuff like this so I posted. (I'm glad I did) 
I need to re-name this post to "help D_Mom make it through pregnancy with a puppy" []

Are there less expensive leaders that work as well as the Gentle Leader? I would hate to spend a lot of money on a lead she is going to grow out of really quickly.

I'd go with the Easy Walk harness from the get go.  I know that they've got a great return policy but don't know if that includes GROWING too much.......

ORIGINAL: D_Mom

ORIGINAL: spiritdogs

BTW, I don't understand how you can afford a child, if you couldn't afford a Golden Retriever.

 
 
You didn't know that when I responded and I'm sorry that I took out my frustration, about something happening in my personal life, on you by making a rude comment. 

 
What are you apologizing for? I'm sorry but no one NO ONE! (not even someone as liked and respected as spiritdogs) on an internet message board has the right to say something like that to someone that they don't know.
 
I'm so glad that things are starting to look up for you, this is something you can do with the help and support here. It won't be easy but you'll get through it. Best wishes!!
 
 

Is it alright if I digress and post new topics within this post, or should I start a new one? I know we already started talking about harnesses and such, but I just wanted to ask.... []

I agree with everyone that this can be worked out.
Walking is great for getting the pre-baby body back, as well as relaxing.    Get a nice stroller (baby showers are great for that) or a back-pack.  I see tons of both at thrift stores and garage sales all the time.  I think you will be surprised at how well this can work out for you.
Good luck and God Bless

Oh I'm so glad that you are going to do everything you can to keep you pup.  I do know what you mean about wondering if we thought you should get rid of her.  I've had people say to me that I should get rid of my girls because I have to work.  I don't work alot, about 20 hours a week, but to some people its too much.  And while the people here are in it for thick or thin, other people don't see it that way.  Its easy to get confused.  I'm glad you came here in time! 

I would try a gentle leader if I were you.  Even the less expensive ones work.  I have one that is the same princepal but about 18 dollars instead of the 30 for the real GL.  My dogs don't know the difference since I started him on that one.  And I really only have to walk Crusher on it every once in a while when he "forgets" how to walk properly.  I keep it in my pocket so I can switch if I need to.  He was a terrible puller before we got it as he was transitioning between pulling sled and walkin on a leash.  Nightmare!  But it only took about a week to remind him how he should be walking.  BTW he is only just turned a year today.

Might I suggest that you get a stroller before the baby is here, and teach your dog to walk beside it.  That way the first time you take him out you dont have a newborn inside while you try to calm a spooked dog.

Glenda is right -- and honestly I would second the encouragement to keep your dog. 
 
One of the hardest things about pregnancy is the emotional turmoil -- in a sense it's like being a teenager in reverse, your emotions are in high gear and everything is just more difficult and yet all your mommy hormones are in HIGH gear and you're thinking so hard about being responsible you almost can't see your way to fixing supper! (Absolutely no criticism meant there at all -- just being realistic).
 
But the reality is this IS temporary.  A 3rd floor apartment has to be the PITS, but if you are in a college town then you should be in a good position to 'barter' for some help.  Is there anything you can help 'tutor' a student in? Or shoot, even something like mending or cutting hair?  Better yet, there must be a registry of other students who are pregnant or expecting -- getting someone to help you now give the dog a walk in exchange for helping someone else (maybe someone else with a dog even) AFTER your baby is born.
 
Walking the dog while giving the baby time outside is a good alternative.  And quite frankly, you are going to feel safer with the dog than without one. 
 
Try to be creative about how TO keep the pup. 
 
Short term -- get one package of puppy pads and put one IN THE BATHTUB.  The next time the pup has an accident soak up the soil and put it ON the pad in the tub and take the pup there and say 'If you HAVE to go out when I can't get you out GO HERE!"
 
I've done this with more than one dog in a pinch and they can learn the difference between "GOTTA -accident time" and asking you to go out normally. 
 
Why the tub?  It's totally cleanable!!  You Clorox it and it's perfectly sanitary.  But if dog pee gets on old linoleum in an old 3rd floor walkup OOPS --you lose your deposit!!  But if the pup jumps into the tub, the urine goes down the drain, and the rest is easy to clean up and flush!! And it's the easiest place in the house to clean!!  I'm truly NOT nuts!!  I lived in apartments for years with my dog and this does work! 
 
Good luck to you.  You can do this -- I promise.

Getting the dog used to the stroller before the baby is here is such a good idea! I never would have thought of that. Of course she's so curious she will prolly want to jump in the stroller, which would not be good. : P
 
Actually, being pregnant and in college is vvveerrrry lonely. I feel like the only person my age who is married and expecting. There are lots of young couples who are having babies, but they're in their late 20s early 30s. You wouldn't think that was such a big deal, but you'd be surprised what a difference ten years of existence can be. I'm such a minority! But, on the very bright side, two more of my friends are moving down here this summer, so I will have very willing puppy/baby sitters!

And all the advice you can stomach from us idoggers!!!

Candace I'd be willing you aren't as much in the minority as you might think -- call admin at the college and find out who would know.  The infirmary might be a great place to start.  But my guess is that any 'wives' who are expecting may feel every bit as isolated as YOU do.  And honestly, this would be a good time to try to get to know some of the other mothers, no matter how ancient they might seem.
 
I understand from both sides -- I was one of those students who saw the 'older' students when I was in school and just thot I had absolutely zero in common with them (they were SO driven, and so serious and so .... NOT my age!!).  But then I was also one of those very same "older" students who went back to school full time at 30 to get my degree.
 
And to be perfectly honest the very reason there seems to be such an age gap is simply because to GO back to school at that age is more difficult than you can imagine, so you have to be focused, driven and totally anal just to survive.
 
But they are also pretty darned lonely -- so my guess is that if you asked a couple of them for some friendly tips or if they'd know of anyone who might barter a little help now for some later!
 
Getting your dog used to kids NOW is a good thing -- and teaching your dog to 'play' with youngsters and not get rough is a very very good thing. 
 
You're gonna make it!!

ORIGINAL: calliecritturs

One of the hardest things about pregnancy is the emotional turmoil -- in a sense it's like being a teenager in reverse, your emotions are in high gear and everything is just more difficult and yet all your mommy hormones are in HIGH gear and you're thinking so hard about being responsible you almost can't see your way to fixing supper! (Absolutely no criticism meant there at all -- just being realistic).



Short term -- get one package of puppy pads and put one IN THE BATHTUB.  The next time the pup has an accident soak up the soil and put it ON the pad in the tub and take the pup there and say 'If you HAVE to go out when I can't get you out GO HERE!"

 
I totally agree with the first statement there!! I was still a teenager when I got pregnant, so it was ten times worse!!!! (19 counts as a teenager. : P) I have problems with being an emotional roller coaster normally, and I thought that was bad, but I would never ever relive my first trimester ever again not even for 1 billion dollars. I shiver to think about it.
 
On the second statement. That would work so well if she was allowed in our bathroom! We keep her food in there (very limited space in our tiny apartment) so we keep her out so there's no between meal snacking. If I start getting tired I'll take her out then put her in her crate so we can have a nap. Life is easier concerning potty breaks because I'm not having the pain in my leg. I owe that to changing sleeping positions and having a movin' and groovin' baby. []

Callie I think you are confused.  I'm Candace.  Is the OP Candace too?  Maybe its me thats confused.  [8|]  Nope she's Nicole.

I think getting the pup use to the stroller ahead of time is a great idea.. and any other baby gadgets you may use. If you will use a swing, get it out every now and then now and start it swinging.
 
I know how you feel as the minority. I got pregnant my senior year in high school. My friends were great support at first, but quickly realized I wasn't able to go to parties anymore, so unless they needed a designated driver I didn't hear from them that often. My mom became my best friend during that time and we are still very close and I attribute it to that. It gets better, I promise. And I'm glad to hear that your friends will be moving near you soon.. looks like things are falling into place....
 
Now, can we have some pics of that pup??? LOL!

Hmm I read somewhere that baby swings can trigger a dogs prey drive.  Something about the slow rythmic motion?  Not sure how true it is but there were some dog attacks linked to it where the family dog just turned on baby in swing. 
[linkhttp://msnbc.msn.com/id/7018452/]Check out this link[/link]
Its old but worth a look.  At the bottom it suggests how you can desensitize your dog to it.