First Timers...

[charliesmama]

Soo a week or 2 ago we lost our beloved cat, we’d had her for nearly 17 years, we hadn’t anticipated how much of a hole she has left on our home and hearts.

I’ve always wanted a cockapoo for a few years now, but due to Molly being old and feeling it wouldn’t be fair we held off.

So I’ve been looking for a cockapoo puppy being in no rush (however patience isn’t my strong point), however they are like gold dust (and the same price) at the minute due to Covid.
I had a few irons in the fire in terms of speaking to breeders and making some enquiries.

Anyway long story short, I work for the nhs and I’ve been redeployed into another area along with a nurse who has witnessed over the past couple of weeks my loss of the cat and subsequent harping on about needing a pet, discussion of dogs cats life chit chat...
As it turns out her friend has been looking for a dog so it had been said “if you find one let me know for my friend”...

Sooo tonight I get a message, her friend has found a cockapoo locally and there is a girl and boy left am I interested....

Fast forward about an hour and we’re booked in to go and see puppies (socially distanced of course) tomorrow.

A couple of things:
1 - I/we (hubby and I) as adults haven’t owned a dog
2 - under no illusions it will be hard work but I have a tendency to overthink and I’m worried I’ll regret it..
3- it’s a big commitment (but then so are kids and I have 2 of them) 😂🙈

Advice/tips/sense??

[longtimecomin]

I bought a dog just before lockdown. It's a sprocker. Be prepared for toilet training, it's an ongoing issue, start off on the right foot and take them out every hour and don't let them back in until they've done something. Otherwise your floors get dirty / ruined. Puppies love to chew and bite so have toys and forewarn the kids because their teeth are sharp. Just let the dog cry the first couple of nights, don't go to it, mine settled after 2 nights with lots of crying and the next few nights a little cry and now nothing. Don't give in! Train it tricks early, they pick up so much!

Wish I'd got a dog years ago, they have so much love to give, we've really enjoyed the walks, best thing I e done in years.

[Opoly54]

Sorry to hear about your cat. Is someone going to be at home to look after your new pup?

[charliesmama]

My husband is a home based housing officer - (this is usual anyway) and certainly he thinks he won’t be expected into the office until the end of the year - I can work quite flexibly in my role too, but generally DH is here 😊

[Elieza]

A dog is for life. Could be the next 15 years.

What will you do on holidays, do you have a local kennels. What about during the day if both of you are back to work after Covid? Do you know what doggy daycare or dog walkers in your area charge?
All good things to know.

[WhySeaEmm]

OP, brace yourself for some bashing, this doghouse hates cockapoos. However in real life they're gorgeous happy dogs and people love them for a reason!

I'm getting a puppy next week that has been much wanted, but I'm still terrified. I've read the entire internet in my own way to help me feel prepared. Even paid £140 for a 'pre puppy' session with a behaviouralist last week! I've got an anxiety disorder so needed the reassurance. I think all you can do is prepare, research and join some good Facebook groups.

Good luck!!

[charliesmama]

@Elieza Both hubby and I have been at work all the way through Covid - I work for the nhs - husband is a home based housing officer so Covid isn’t the reason why..
It’s been situational of having an old cat (for 17 years) so she was very much for life so I get that.

@whyseaemm - good luck- I think I over-read and change my own mind at times 😬

[pigsDOfly]

Firstly I'd want to know exactly how her friend came to find out about these dogs. Was it from an ad online for instance, because a breeder just happening to have two puppies available sounds as it's very likely to be a puppy farm.

I'd be very wary of buying a puppy under these circumstances. There's a very strong chance this 'breeder' is a puppy farm and it's a good idea to understand what sort of cruel trade you're supporting if you buy from a puppy farm. Although, hopefully, it isn't.

Before you go and view these puppies it might be a good idea to look at advice from organisations like The Dogs' Trust or the RSPCA on buying a puppy.

[itstrue]

Google puppy Socialisation. It's the most important thing to do when you get a puppy. A well socialised dog means you will get the most out of owing a dog.

I've got a mini poodle and we under estimated the grooming cost. Thought we could do it ourselves - turns out we can't!

A dog is a big commitment but it's totally worth it. Sounds like you already have a great set up with your DH working from home.

[Girlintheframe]

I would definitely double check the breeder and make sure you aren't buying from a puppy farm.
Other things to consider are how much time your going to have to exercise the dog. Every cockerpoo I've met has been quite high energy and hyper. I'm sure they aren't all like that though. But what if yours is? Do you have the time for a decent amount of exercise? Training?
Other thing is the cost. Dogs can be quite expensive. You need to factor in decent food, training classes, insurance, dog walker/daycare, grooming, vaccinations etc
Also need to consider what will happen to dog if you want a day out/weekend away. There is no spontaneity with a dog.
I would also remember that the first few month with a dog they really can't be left and it can become quite draining.
Finally consider how your kids will cope with mouthing/biting/stealing toys/jumping etc. All these things can be trained out of a dog but when they are puppies these things inevitably and can be hard to cope with.
If you've done your research and your eyes are fully open to what having a dog entails then getting a dog can be an absolute joy.

[scochran]

There have been lots of stolen puppies in the news in the past few weeks, especially cockapoos I think. I remember post about Lorton cockapoos as a friend was getting one but now can't. Actually the comments under were not very favorable as they had so many puppies and mums people suspected puppy farm. I haven't told her, she's upset enough.
Good luck though, my pup nearly 5 months, hard work but have enjoyed it so much.

[heatseeker14]

I don’t think the breeder having two puppies left means they’re a puppy farm. However, you do need to ask plenty of questions. Have the parents had health tests? What will be done to socialise them in the home? Take a good look at the environment are there dog bowls, bedding and toys around? Pay attention to mum and her temperament. Does she look like she has recently had pups? Ask questions about dad’s temperament and background. Don’t feel pressured to buy one. Be prepared to walk away and discuss again at home before making a decision on the spot.
A lot of people say cockapoos are hyper. I’m sure there are some hyper dogs out there. I have to say I haven’t met one yet. My boy is only 10 months and is a total sweetheart, but we have put lots of effort into training him. He gets plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Perhaps those with hyper dogs don’t do this? A poorly trained dog regardless of breed/crossbreed are more likely to have behavioural issues.

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

Getting a puppy is really exciting, bloody hard work and hopefully the start of a long and happy relationship.

The risk, though - and especially with the popular crosses and some small breeds - is that the puppy will have come from either a large-scale breeding facility or a squalid puppy farm. If you buy a puppy from such circumstances, you are condemning it's parents to a terrible life and propping up a terrible industry. You also stand an increased chance of a dog with behavioural issues. So for these reasons, do everything you can to assure yourself that the puppy you see was bred in the house you are visiting to the bitch that you see in front of you. There is a lot of online guidance on what to look out for.

It sounds as if you have considered how your puppy would be cared for and would be dedicated owners. Dogs are more work than cats (they have to be walked and trained) but you clearly had your cat for the long haul.

Read the online guidance, see the puppies (without the children), do your utmost to check that the breeder is as they say they are... And make your decision after that.

[charliesmama]

Thanks for your advice.

My friends friend found her through word of mouth, her next door neighbour works with her mum and evidently her husband had actually done some building work for her in the past as it turns out.

Think mum dog only had 3 puppies, mum is family pet along with another cocker spaniel that is a working dog.

As for exercise, we live rurally husband is a trail/fell runner and clocks up about 50 miles per week running (without his walking jaunts) 🙄 so exercise is not a problem at all..

Our neighbours have dogs that do agility, very knowledgable so I’m sure they’d be on hand too for advice and have in the past offered to look after the dog (maybe out of politeness) should we go away...

FIL is in late stages of dementia and we potentially will have to spend more time going to visit them when lockdown is over, and our thoughts also were that a dog could come with us and hopefully quite therapeutic for his dad.

We have 2 DS’s who are very nearly 8 and 13 so not littlies anymore in terms of biting/etc and actually can help with the care of puppy.

I’d heard about the Lorton ones - 22 I think we’re taken 😨

I’ve had video of mum and photos, mum clearly has dangly booby area in the video and photo of her with pups feeding...

We are going to visit tomorrow, and will have a good snoop and going to go off my gut instinct - I am prepared to walk away if something doesn’t feel right.

Thanks again all!!

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

If you and the breeder both live in an everyone-knows-everyone rural community, you should be able to find out everything you need to know. We got our first puppy that way, from the friend of a friend, so absolutely knew she wasn't in it for the money and was genuinely keeping one.

Ask the breeder questions and ask about her locally as well. Good luck!

[pigsDOfly]

Ah, well that sounds promising OP.

Hope it works out well and you find yourself a lovely dog.

Keep us updated. And if you do take one of the dogs we will need photos.

[Maestro7]

Hi @charliesmama we got our cockapoo a similar way from my sisters friend. We haven’t found that cockapoo energy everyone talks about! He point blank refuses to go for a walk morning or afternoon. Will just lie down And not move. He spends most of his time snoozing. He does want to be with us all the time and I mean ALL the time. He sits outside the door when in the toilet! So it’s important to have someone home but sounds like you have that covered with your husband. He’s a very good dog and our experience has been very positive.

[WhySeaEmm]

How did it go OP?