Dog: reassure me I'm doing the right thing

[Rosere]

My husband is bursting to get a dog. I love dogs, the time has just never been right. I had a dog all through my childhood and loved him so much.
Now my friends dog had a load of pups so I have agreed to take one. This is the only reason we are getting a "new" dog.
I'm almost certain this is the right decision. I mean, I have him named and all ❤️ I've a new job so I'll work from home as able. I love to get out and about, and I'm resigned to the fact I'll be mostly walking him as the DC like the idea, but they don't like rain 😂
Reassure me my life will be massively enriched by having my own (gorgeous) pup. I appreciate making travel plans will be difficult when we need a dog sitter etc, but other than that I can only think of good things.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

It is the right thing to do. But oh my days, those first few months with a new pup are bloody hardwork.

[IncrediblySadToo]

What breed is he & what bane have you chosen? Photos??

Don’t underestimate how exhausting having a puppy is. It’s like having a newborn you can’t breastfeed back to sleep & you can’t put a nappy on. Plus how destructive they can be.

Very cute, very rewarding...but sodding hard work- don’t underestimate it!

[BiteyShark]

Read the puppy survival threads on here 🤣

[Hepsibar]

Good luck! We have had a number of fully house trained and child friendly dogs given to us over the years and I always said would never have a puppy as dont have the time for training ... but the other day my partner came home with a puppy. Sooo cute, sooo many poops and pee pees and sooo much chewing. Six months on ... 2 days no poops. Hoorah.

Of course there are the VETs fees and or pet insurance, (annual check ups, injections, flea and tic tablets, castration, teeth, ear cleaning) food, hair cuts, worming, training, making sure the children are not rough and know to let it rest, cost of kennels when on holiday.

[Rosere]

A goldador @IncrediblySadToo. I've no pic yet, but expect some in a few weeks 😂I'm under no illusion it's going to be tough work. I think I need him though. I've not been able to have kids myself, so now my step kids are a bit bigger, this guy is going to be my baby ❤️

[StillMedusa]

Not all puppies are hard work.. mine never pooed once in he house.., and we had three wees in total... got her at 9 weeks and she just knew what to do..(we did take her outside every half an hour at first tho). She hasn't chewed through anything and she slept through the night by 10 weeks,

She is a fussy pain in the ass over food tho, and she is velcro dog.. wants to be with us 24/7 so we haven't been able to leave her more than 20 mins max yet (she's 6 months)

I was anxious about getting a dog but OMG I love her so much!

[Roselilly36]

Good luck OP, as others have said pups are very hard work, teething phrase was challenging from what I can remember, lots of destruction, but totally worth it.

[Fakeflowersaremynewnormal]

If you have the time and money then it's wonderful having a puppy. It is hard work and you have to be very patient and put in lots of training but it's well worth it. Have a look at Zak George on YouTube he has a series on training his new puppy that is really good.

[Singlenotsingle]

I adore my dog. One of the reasons being that she adores me. I don't know why, as I'm totally not adorable., But she follows me all over the house, upstairs, downstairs, kitchen, garden, lounge. Yes she was hard work in the early days, but it's like kids, all forgotten now! My best friend, apart from DP and dgs'.

[Panicmode1]

Best thing we ever did, but pups are VERY hard work initially! Have fun.

[WagathaChristie]

My two the one that is howling is easy as pie but the other we got in August and she is hard work but so worth it. I couldn't be without either of them.
Good luck op x

[Rosere]

Reassured 😊😊 thank you all. @Singlenotsingle that is one beautiful dog 😍

[Singlenotsingle]

Thanks Rosere

[BestOption]

@WagathaChristie. She looks like butter wouldn’t melt!

@StillMedusa. I’m glad you had an easy time with her. How’s DS doing with her?

@Rosere. I’m sorry you weren’t able to have your own children and I hope having him helps! Let’s hope you get one like Medusa’s!

I’m putting your thread in watching so I don’t miss the photos! I love GR’s &Labs - a mix would be gorgeous.

[adaline]

Mine was the best thing we ever did - he turns two in February.

But the first 12-18 months were incredibly hard. There were plenty of sleepless nights and tears and blood from the nipping and scratching and jumping!

Oh, and walks in the pissing down rain and wind are still exceedingly unpleasant!

[Costacoffeeplease]

What does ‘I’ll work from home as able’ mean?

Puppies are hard, hard work and need constant supervision and training, out for wees/poos every half an hour (including a couple of trips through the night) and after eating and sleeping - and you can’t just leave them to it you have to stay with them to give the appropriate praise/treat and reinforce with a word or phrase so they associate it with the action.

You can’t leave anything around, anything that gets chewed is the fault of the person who left it to get chewed. He will probably nip and jump up and scratch until you bleed, pull on the lead, cry in the night, and just as you think you’re getting somewhere they become teenagers and regress totally but now weigh near adult weight

Are you and the rest of the household ready for all this?

[FLOrenze]

Recently I got a rescue dog and my son got a new puppy. The joy those dogs have brought to our two families is unmeasurable. Of course they are hard work at first but the pleasure totally outweighs the work.