Novice potential dog owner needing advice!

[Lavenderhues]

We would love to get a dog soon and I wanted a bit of advice about whether we would be suitable owners and also on the breed we get.
At the moment we can arrange it that either DH or I will be at home full time and that will be for at least the next 2-3 years. When our youngest starts school I would probably be working from home most days but will probably have to be in work for 2 days (they could be long days 8-6) but possibly DH could come home at lunch or we could arrange someone to walk the dog.
Would this be suitable for a dog? I wouldn't want to leave it home alone for long periods.

We have young DC and one aspect that worries me is the poo in the garden aspect - how do you deal with this? The DC are in and out the garden the whole time and love playing outside. Can you train the dog to go in a specific place or would I need to check everywhere every time they went outside?
We have a secure, very large garden and a dog flap so would be nice for doggy to be able to use it without me supervising.

Lastly, I was looking at a poodle pup, as a teen I really loved doing obedience with my dog (Only at a weekly class and the occasional dog show!) and like the idea of doing it again, ive read that theyre intelligent and would enjoy that as well as being easier to train and housetrain.
My ds has asthma so we need something low shedding and I can't lie that the lack of dog hair everywhere does appeal too!
We also need a dog that can happily spend the afternoon walking on the hills at the weekend but doesn't need that every single day, so not too high an energy requirement.

I'd be really interested in any suggestions

[tabulahrasa]

There shouldn't be an issue leaving an adult dog for long days if you're willing to get a dog walker in.

The easiest way to train a dog to go in a particular area of the garden would be to separate off a section of the garden for them - it doesn't have to be properly fenced off or anything, but just something to create a bit of a barrier to mark it out (if that makes sense).

Re the asthma - don't assume that a non shedding dog will be better, it's not just fur that can cause an issue, but the dander that comes off their skin.

[Lavenderhues]

Thanks - so it would be possible to have a little "zone"? Is that is the best way of handling dog poo / DC in the garden or is there a better way?

Interesting re the dander issue - ill read up a bit more. He's not allergic to them, but dust etc around the house does seem to cause flare ups so I was just hoping to minimise potential triggers.

Thanks again

[picklemepopcorn]

While you are house training pup, keep it on a lead and take it to poop in the same place each time. Train children to check garden when they run out for the first time that day.
You'll soon know what time of day the dog tends to go.



Between training the dog and the children you should be ok!

[Hoppinggreen]

Since being house trained our dog won't go for a poo in the garden, only on walks, we didn't really train him to do it he just did so it might not be too much of a problem

[arbrighton]

I have a poodle- she doesn't set off my hayfever etc but does for my allergic to every dog friend sadly. However, non-shedding means making plenty of time to brush regularly and pay for grooming ( I have tried, I cannot do a decent job myself!). She is intelligent and has been pretty trainable. And for her size as a miniature, very agile and athletic- can do long walks up hills but fortunately happy with a 30 min potter then chill out most days.

She is allowed free rein of one half of the garden but it's a two minute job each morning to track down her poo.... We probably could have trained her for a place had we not had builders in when she was a pup so the areas of garden available changed frequently

Re dog flaps. MIL dog never used hers. Brother in Law did once when he'd forgotten his keys though. Not even a particularly large dog/ flap.

[Lavenderhues]

We already have the dog flap (the previous owners installed it) and our cat uses it. I've also used it when I've forgotten my keys I just thought if she did want to use it I wouldn't be able to be out there with her to poo pick.
I'm happy with the grooming part - the breeder who we are considering buying from is also a dog groomer so we can take her back there regularly

Is there anything else I should be considering? Am I completely bonkers?! I think I'm aware how much work I'm letting myself in for

[PaulaBBB]

Our dog doesn't poo in the garden, really because she doesn't get out in the garden that much. She eats then is walked and then poos on the walk. So I don't imagine that really being a problem. If your dog does go in the garden then pick it up straight away and I have heard of some people keeping a sports type bottle to then spray over where the poo was is there is any bits left. Although there really shouldn't be if your dog is healthy.

[LumelaMme]

If you have a big dog flap, remember to lock it when you go away!

As for breeds, check out the health stats before you commit yourself - some have very short lifespan or serious and pricey health problems.

[StandardPoodle]

You mentioned you were considering a poodle pup and doing obedience - i did classes with our second poodle - we both really enjoyed it. She was highly trainable - as you say, they are very intelligent.