A
female
age
36-40,
anonymous
writes:I recently got a puppy, and a friend of mine who has a baby told me she heard a puppy is just as much work as a baby. Now, she's never had a puppy, and I've never had a baby. Can someone who has had the experience with both please tell me if this is true? The puppy sure is a LOT of work, but I always imagined a baby would be even more work. Reply to this Question
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female
reader, CindyCares  +, writes (9 January 2016):
 @male anon : your shock is unwrranted, and must come from your having read into the posts much more than the posters wrote and, I think, that they meant.
The OP posed a simple question " Is it more work a puppy or a baby ?" which has a simple, objective, visible, measurable , undeniable answer : a baby is more work , in terms of time, physical effort and personal sacrifice.
Does this conclusion mean that people prefer their dogs to their own flesh and blood, or that they SHOULD ? Of course not.
As for me, I definitely do not prefer animals to human relationships, and the affection I felt for my animal companions ( dogs, or cats,... because actually I am more of a cat person ) does not even compare with the feelings I feel for my son.
I am sure that there will be other people that will be more sanguine than me in their love for dogs, and yet I don't believe , or have any evidence or hearsay,that there's any rabid dog lover who would trade their newborn, or wish to trade it, even with the most beautiful, impressive specimen of show dog !
Simply, babies need a loooot of care, time, attention, effort and sacrifice. Puppies require those things too... to a lesser extent and for a shorter period of time.
That's a fact ; what's so shocking in that ?
A
male
reader, Forge  +, writes (9 January 2016):
 My sister has lived with us when she had her three daughters, all younger than three years old. I've helped more than I care to share with those girls.
I've also owned five dogs of different breeds and sizes, and I can say without a doubt that dogs are so much different from babies. They take much MUCH less work to raise, they learn fairly quickly, and they grow fast. Not to mention you can yell at a dog to shut them up. Not so humane on a baby.
So, to answer your question clear and simple: No, puppies will never be as much work as a baby.
I should also mention that you should teach your dog not to run fences when they grow up a month or so. My brother's Pitbull-lab has punched out a few of our nailed and screwed down wooden slats. Not to mention he can jump to see over the edge and hold himself there.
Little dogs typically live longer too.
If you want more help and tips about your dog, I have a surplus of info, so please feel free to contact me.
-Forge
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A
female
reader, RubyBirtle  +, writes (8 January 2016):
By the time most owners get their puppy most of the real hard work has already been done by the mother dog but if you had to hand-rear newborn puppies, then I guess it might be almost comparable.
You would have to feed them every 3 - 4 hours throughout the night and stroke their tummies to wind them. You would also have to swab their anus and genitals just as often to encourage them to wee and poo (which their mother would do by licking and grooming them) And then clean up the ensuing mess (and newborn puppies can't wear nappies)
And, if the puppy was brought up without other dogs, you would have to teach it how to play, how to walk and eat. The puppy that I helped rear didn't learn how to lap and eat from a bowl until she was introduced to another dog who could show her the ropes - up until then she'd stick her paw into the food and lick it off..... and I tried so hard to demonstrate it myself!
But, even hand-rearing puppies doesn't really compare to early motherhood, when the mother has painful stitches and piles and fluctuating hormones etc etc etc. And this might also be on top of running a home and caring for older children.
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A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (8 January 2016): Honestly I am shocked at the comparison and the comments. Babies are part of you; your flesh and blood as they say. They grow to be your daughters and sons. In short, with the baby you have human to human relations with all its complexities. Honestly where are we heading with this love of dogs thing.
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A
male
reader, Sageoldguy1465 +, writes (8 January 2016):
 In my experience, they're pretty much EXACTLY the same.... They make noise all night long... and that can keep you awake.... They poop at the LEAST opportune times, in the most embarrassing of places.... AND they frustrate you as you try to train them to STOP that crap (pun, not intended).
IF you think raising and training a puppy is a handful.... try getting a boyfriend.... THEY are immune to training!!!
Good luck...
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A
female
reader, Honeypie + ♥, writes (8 January 2016):
 No they don't compare. AT ALL.
But I do think, having raised a dog before having kids can teach you some extra patience and THAT... (patience) you will need on spades when having kids.
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A
female
reader, CindyCares +, writes (8 January 2016):
Your friend is grossly mistaken, or else she was just joking. How can she even compare the two things ?
A baby is MUCH more work than a puppy.
I had a baby ( that happened 25 years ago, but I remember all very well ) and I had, along the years, 5 puppies ( a Collie, two cocker spaniels,an Italian hound and a Bouvier des Flandres ). Some of them were low maintenance and some were not, but even the highest maintenance of all ( the Bouvier ) was never even half the work than my baby ( or any other baby ) was.
Your dog dos not wear diapers, you need to clean up after it when you go out, but you don't need to wipe his bottom 10 times a day. You don't have to wash it every day, or to dress it. Dogs eat basic, simple stuff, canned dog foo, or dry dog food,- or leftovers for those who go the old fashioned way . But you do not have to select, strain, boil, cook, puree' etc. special foods, and you do not have to spoonfeed your baby, as you have to do from 5/ 6 months of age with little humans ( unless you decide for prolonged breastfeeding which is becoming less and less common ).
Dogs don't keep you awake all night like a colicky baby can do. And the the meekest, calmest baby will still wake up crying every 3 hour or so because he is hungry / thirsty / wet /just wants some company . You don't need to pick up your puppy and carry him in your arms dozens of times a day- he can walk. That's just what comes to mind without even thinking, but I am sure that the list could go on and on.
But most of all, puppyhood does not last long . From the 60/70 days of age when a puppy is able to leave his mother and follow his human adopter home, for another maybe 4 months or so . ( Some breeds hit "puberty " so to speak already at 7 months, so... ). So even if you got a very lively, mischievous, rambunctionctious puppy, in a few months time anyway you'll see him/her calm down, require less and less supervision, become more independent and much less likely to hurt itself or damage objects. But ,for a human puppy reaches this "independent" stage, it takes way more than 4 or 6 months ....
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A
female
reader, kirra07  +, writes (8 January 2016):
I haven't had a baby, but I have had a puppy. I think that while there are similarities, a puppy is much easier. Sure, in the beginning, they need to be let out to pee every 3-4 hours or so, similar to how a baby needs to be fed every 3 hours or so. So in both cases you would lose sleep. But the puppy grows much quicker, and I remember my pup needing to be let out much less often within a month of having him. Also, most people get their puppies after 8 weeks, so less time of having them when they are really needy.
Puppies and babies both sleep a lot, but usually puppies won't cry and need to be rocked to sleep. The neediest puppy I dealt with slept fine when in the same room as me and able to see me. And this was when they were first suffering separation anxiety.
Puppies need less cleaning. Their toileting is pretty easy - take them outside for a pee and pick up their poop in a poop bag. No wiping, applying powder, putting on diapers (and this is about 7 or more times a day). Also, bathing, taking off clothes, putting on clothes, washing all the spit up on clothes, etc.
I think the one area where a puppy is more work than a baby is in training and keeping an eye on them. Puppies are already like toddlers. They are running around getting into stuff. So you have to watch them and keep them from getting into garbage, chewing shoes, etc. also need to spend time training them. Babies sleep a lot, can't really get anywhere in the beginning, and will let you know (via copious crying) that they need you for something.
These are my thoughts anyway, but without experience of actually having had a baby.
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