what do I need to think about before getting puppy?

[lisad123wantsherquoteinDM]

I thought i should start a new thread rather than hijack as i was doing

We are a fmaily of 4, we have 2 girls aged 6 and 2. ^ year old has ASD and has really taken to all pets but especially nannies dog, and so think a dog is a good thing for her. DD2 is gentle with our 2 cats and isnt a tail puller ect.
I work 3 days a week, but 2 of those days are from 9.30-2pm and i work close enough to pop home at lunch time.
We do lots of walking most weekends or cycling. we cant go aboard due to DH health so we have brought inot camping.

Now I know i would need to pay for food and insurance, but need to know an idea of other costs, eg Jabs and extra's. I dont want to find i have a dog i cant afford.

I dont like little dogs, would prefer a lab or a collie type dog. Any suggestions/help would be great.

[minimu]

I think someone else posted costs. Add to that kenneling at times, and pet insurance and illnesses, training classes etc. Dogs are not cheap.

My advice would be do not get a collie if you have a child with ASD. A collie requires more than just exercise. They need to be kept busy and their brain worked for most of the day.

I would think carefully and not assume that all dogs will be suitable for your daughter. I work with an organisation that trains dogs for the disabled and for children and not all dogs are suitable and can makes things worse.

Can you spend time with as many dogs as possible maybe offer to walk them or look after them for owners when they are out for the day.

I would approach this situation with caution and be prepared to do research for many months before making a decision.

Things to consider how much spare time a day do you have for training after walking a dog

When walking a sog it is not just a matter of letting the dog off the lead and ignoring it while you talk to the rest of the family - you have to interact with the dog, play games with the dog etc.

What will you do with the pup when you are at work - they cannot be left for long when young
What happens if your daughter is frustrated by a bouncy pup who ignores her?
Do you have time to go to training classes regularly?
Do you like picking up dog poo?
Do you mind wet dog smell in your house (personally I love it!)
Do you mind yellow hairs on you clothes and black hairs in the butter!

Don't want to sound like I am lecturing I personally love all the above things and have 2 dogs and generally 1 or 2 that I am fostering - if it is the right thing for you go for it and enjoy.

[FabioExtremeAngler]

YOu need to think about getting a cat.

[lisad123wantsherquoteinDM]

My DD get furstraded yes but to the point of tears, never volience.
I work 9.30-2pm twice a week and 9-5 once a week. Im close enough to nip back in my lunch break and also have a wonderful friend who can help if i cant get back.
We wouldnt need kenneling tbh, as was planning on taking dog with us on holiday.

as for other questions

Do you have time to go to training classes regularly? yes there is one int he next village on a saturday morning and a dog agility class my friend runs.

Do you like picking up dog poo? Not fussed as long as i have a bag

Do you mind wet dog smell in your house (personally I love it!) Not so keen on wet dog smell but bathing reguarally would help right?

Do you mind yellow hairs on you clothes and black hairs in the butter! Not that fussed, my cats leave hairs everywhere!

I have 2 cats thanks Fabio

We have always wante d a dog but only now do we have enough time for one, so not just dd's asd that made us think about it.

[pagwatch]

I think looking at how much excercise etc a dog needs is important.And remember that a big dog does not have to be a high maintanaince working dog type.
We have a big old english sheepdog.
Although a large breed he does not need huge amounts of excercise and prefers a trip to the woods where he can just run off lead rather than being walked in town on a lead IYSWIM. We do have a big garden though so he can run and spread out even at home.
My Ds 2 also has ASD and we took him to meet our dog as a pup before we brought him home.

Our dog does not need lots of play and games, he just needs love and cuddles. He likes to lie on the sofa with us which is soemthing of a challenge.

If you are out of the house as often as you say I would look at a breed that, like mine, enjoy being left to sleep on the sofa. The bright, working dogs tend to need intellectual stimulation and a dog that is bored will demand attention and may cause damage/problems.

[minimu]

Sounds like the decision is made to me!? Have fun with your new pup!

[tibni]

After a lot of thought - and 3rd degree interview from a very good breeder - we have welcomed a yellow Labrador puppy into our house. He is 14 weeks now - we had him at 8 weeks.

My ds has ASD and is 8 and my dd is 10. I work casual hours in a secondary school and dh is self employed.

I am so glad we have Alfie but like having a child having him is life changing. I was lucky and the breeder, knowing her pups well, picked the dog she felt most suited for our family. Alfie didn't cry at night and hasn't really had the crocodile teeth that pups can have.

Ds (ASD) didn't really over fuss the dog when he arrived - still doesn't, just the odd stroke. DD wanted to cuddle and pups have a different idea of play than children and dd wasn't keen on the teeth. Alfie hasn't been over mouthy compared to many labs but enough to worry dd at times. At 14 weeks he now laps up the attention and cuddles.

We originally intended on having an older dog - Alfies mum, but she had just been rehomed.

My life has changed having Alfie, I now plan my day around the puppy. Half term with a pup that is still needing a lot of attention and 2 kids is hard. DS has a PA so she had him while we did the daily training as we need to have 100% attention on Alfie which isn't possible if ds is about.

I don't regret getting Alfie for 1 second, he is a member of the family.