8 months is good age, past a lot of the puppy craziness. Big thing to consider is if it's house trained because that's the hardest part with any dog. It might be hard if it's your first dog and you have a new baby. But I have 3 inside dogs and will be a ftm at home by myself and honestly I'm not worried. They're clingy pups who think they're little people but we have a yard so they can go potty by themselves. If you don't have a yard, take into consideration that you'll have to take the dog on lots of walks, especially in the beginning while dog is getting used to new house and new potty routine and that can be stressful with a baby

I'm going crazy for a puppy as well! :( I see them and my heart just melts. The thought of my baby having a puppy that grew up with him makes me want to say screw it and just get one no matter how hard it'll be but my in laws aren't big dog fans so that wouldn't work out :/

Wait!! I have two big dogs that r 2 years old and have been my babies. I wont b letting them near the baby for quit a while i have thought about giving them to family but cant bare to do it however they r a lot of work! I wouldn't consider a puppy at this point.

Do not get a dog with a new baby on the way. I have had dogs my entire life. They require a lot of attention especially when still a puppy (8month still a puppy). If you can't provide that attention you will end up with behavior problems like chewing, peeing indoors, and barking. None of which you want to deal with while juggling a new born. Not to mention the expense of vaccinations, fixing, heart worm and flea preventative, and unexpected vet visits. Then there is the risk of having a dog you haven't been around very long that you will bring around a baby. Not all dogs are ok with children/infants. You put your child in danger of being bit. It's just something you can't predict with a new dog. Wait till the baby is settled, a little older, and you are more comfortable being a mom then go with a puppy you can train and or an older dog that has been around kids and a family.

I am a dog owner and always will be...however, now is not the time to be bringing a puppy into the family. I don't believe in experimenting with dogs. Think about that poor pup if you don't think it's working. He'll end up getting rehomed TWICE in his first year of life. Poor guy needs a home he can rely on.

My little dog passed away in February.....we miss having a dog so much. But we made a decision to not get another dog until a while after baby is born. It's just to much right now.

Case and point we are dog sitting the most easiest and well tempered black lab right now while our friends are on vacation. Serious sweetheart of a dog, doesn't even bark ever. And my 12 year old is supposed to be walking that dog twice a day....and I'm seriously sick of listening to myself nag about it. It's exhausting and I'm frustrated with having to have this conversation every day. And that's an easy dog all completely broken in .And super easy temperament.

For me , because my kids are older having a family pet is a the whole families responsibility. And quite frankly I just don't have the energy to train the family as well as a dog right now!!!

If the dog is already house broken I don't really see there being a problem.. U might have to worry about how the dog reacts to the baby. I just got a new pitbull puppy and it was a bad idea cuz I'm home all day but the dog is like impossible to house train so far! Luckily she is only 2 months so she is still learning but baby comes in 2 weeks and I'm going to be very busy between the two of them

DONT DO IT !!!!! I thought I wanted a puppy as well so my DH bought me an 8w old red nose when my maternity leave started to keep me occupied BIG MISTAKE ! She requires more time than my kids and she chews EVERYTHING!

Even at 8 months old that's still a lot of puppy. Personally I would wait till LO is 6months plus. Small dogs are not any easier than big dogs. You meet know tho. LO may be a super easy baby and you fall right into mom and could take on another baby sooner. Because a dog is a baby for life. They never get less needy.

And schnauzers are awesome! That'd be my pick too. Only thing is both of those breeds have hair and need to be groomed regularly. Good luck!

@audashley - Awe kittens are so cute lol! Aren't they troublemakers when they're small? My SO's friend got one recently and I babysat it while he was at work once and that kitten would not sit still xD

I told my hubby I'd just wait until our baby was a bit older lol

My husband and I just adopted a kitten (I don't know what I was thinking!!) I love the kitten but I'm already running behind it cleaning after it...I should have waited. Oh and I adopted a dog off Craigs list and it turned out not bein the bread I thought I was getting lol.

@kimsmith - We live in a big house with a big backyard with his mom and sisters. I don't know if that makes a difference but I feel the house is already crazy. They all want a dog too but I think I'll wait and do more research (:

Thanks for your advice!!

I'm a dog lover too and currently have 5 dogs. I feel like I live in a circus constantly cleaning up after someone.

Some things to think about...it's hard to potty train a dog, someone will need to take care of it while you are at the hospital having the baby and during recovery, and puppies are a lot like babies and need a lot of attention.

If you are up for a challenge, I say go for it. I have warned my husband and daughter that we will get no more until all of the die. I love having dogs but it's a lot to deal with. My SIL got one for my niece a few months after she was born and ended up giving him away a few weeks later bc she couldn't juggle the two.

@jonahsmommy - Yeah we haven't gone to animal shelters recently because last time we went my SO almost cried his eyes out and took every dog. No joke!!

He really loves dogs and can't stand to see them locked up. We haven't gone back it was so hard for him! He's had more than 5 dogs but they all died due to old age or health problems.

@minioface - Very true thanks (:

@mummy.2.monsters - Yes I'm still debating on it. Thank goodness I have you ladies lol

I'd suggest waiting for at least a few months after baby's here. You'll want to give your baby 100% of your attention, at least until you're a little more comfortable, being a ftm... I love dogs, but they are like having kids. And please adopt! Tons of perfectly good dogs need homes and are just waiting for their furever homes in shelters! :-) dogs are always a good idea!

@krisnine - Thanks that's what my SO said it'll be tough but Ppworth it!

@Leah - Yeah most definitely. My friend was telling me that too!! Definitely will look into that. I've just been trying to find a dog that's good with families, doesn't cause me to go broke, or give me issues!! Thanks for the advice. (:

New dogs and newborns are hard work

I'd wait tbh 2 years ago we got a puppy and has a newborn

It was soooo hard!

Careful buying a pet off Craigslist!! You don't want just any dog, you want a healthy dog. Lots of those dogs are from puppy mills and really horrible scenarios. They can come with major major major health issues and end up costing you thousands in vet bills. Reputable breeders won't advertise on craigslist. If you don't know what a puppy mill is,

I suggest you google it.

Keep an eye out with your local small dog reduces, those dogs will come fixed, all their shots and in good health or with full disclosure of any health issues. If you must buy a puppy then find a good breeder.

New dog AND baby will be tough but I'm a dog lover so I'll also say you'll stress through it and be so glad afterward! Good luck!!