The reality of getting a puppy

[CJ201]

Seriously considering getting a dog. I've looked into local rescue places but it seems they would rather not rehome to families with young kids so I'm looking into getting a puppy from a KC registered breeder. Can anyone advise me on the realities of getting a puppy and caring for it?

I'm a SAHM but I will be starting a course one day a week from September, I'm
currently not sure how to work around this.

Any advice or insights would be appreciated. I want to make an informed decision. Thank you.

Things to know...It's like having a toddler. Plenty of accidents, maybe chewing, crying in the night, could have separation anxiety, may have travel sickness, you won't be able to go on full days out or more then a few hours unless you have someone to look after the dog, you won't be able to go to the loo by yourself, house may smell like dog, hairs everywhere, will need regular grooming, nails cutting and walks in all weathers

All that being said I wouldn't be without my dog (shiranian) She's such a loving character, great with the dcs and makes me laugh everyday

Believe me though- a fairly well behaved large dog is way less trouble that a smaller difficult dog.

Absolutely agree @peoplepleaser1. My grandmother had the most appallingly behaved chihuahua and it was hell. He was a rescue and she tried her best with him but it was tough!

My lab is much bigger than both his parents. We live quite close by and arrange a parent/son meet up with his brothers every year which is lovely and chaos at the same time. Not sure how long this will carry on as dad is getting on a bit now and probably can't be arsed with his 5 sons anymore. 😂

i have children 8 and 10 and my french bulldogs are amazing.
they are so chilled but cheeky too
they are 6 months old, and have trained really easily.

potty training is relentless but after a month is fine
we create ours which i recommend
bored dogs misbehave

they are 6 months old, and have trained really easily

Long may that continue but for me the adolescent months were the worst, when all training suddenly went out the window. That was months 9 to about 18 so don't count those chickens yet

With regard to Labrador's, one observation I've made when I've seen them out and about is that they seem to love water. If there's a river or lake nearby it always seems to be them jumping straight in and the owners then trying to get them out.

Yes I can well believe they like their food, I've seen a few about that are right lumps.

As a previous poster has mentioned, dachshunds are fab if you want a manageable size, but a big dog attitude.

Have two mini wire hairs, one lazy bugger is currently snoring post-breakfast on my lap, the other is doing his best to catch a fly. Neither have the slightest inkling that they’re only 8 inches tall...

Great with the kids, hugely lazy but when you get them out on a walk they’ll go for hours. Do need to budget for lots of toys though, they like a squeaker!

@CJ201 you're right labs tend to love water. Again this is part of their genetic predisposition having originally been bred to help out fisherman. For me it is pure joy to see my boy enjoy the water. He comes out when asked with no trouble, because like a typical Labrador he's been pretty easy to train and wants to please. His coat dries fast and needs little upkeep other than a simple brush.

I have a smooth haired Jack Russel which a farmer gave me when she was one,she was the runt of the litter and the mum pushed her away and her siblings bullied her,so she was crated most of her first year.
I've had her a year now and she's great,superb with my 11yr old with aspergers. Sleeps from 9am till about 2pm, never barks at home, playful....but oh my,the shedding of hair is horrendous. White hair everywhere,which my friend with labs also has. You can not be house proud with most breeds.
She is as small as a cat so has a catflap and took six months to get her house trained.

Whippet.
Sleeps till 11. Walk. More sleep. Dinner. Walk. More sleep. Have had 3 from puppies. Easy to train (focus on recall) and seem to pick up everything with ease. Currently cleaning the house while mine is still in bed! Drawback - they like a soft place to lay down so are couch / bed dwellers. Great with kids and lots of fun. High energy outside and horizontal inside. Will never get a different breed again! Previous one was a therapet and went into nursing homes to work with dementia patients. Take mom's wee guy Peter and my guy Jules into school where I work so kids can read to them while cuddling them. They're just calm and easy dogs.

If you do consider a cocker spaniel, go for the show variety and not the workers. I've got a working cocker and a sprocker (springer/cocker cross) and they are both a lot of work regarding training and recall. They are very "prey" driven so always on the hunt for pheasants, birds, rabbits............Our sprocker is just coming up to 9 months, and the first 6 weeks with her were exhausting and draining, and I did shed a few tears thinking what the hell have I done............

I wouldn't be without them, but a dog is a massive commitment, on a par with having a child. Holidays either involve taking them with you (not easy with a chewer) or finding reliable and decent care. Even days out can take a lot of arranging, and I can't leave mine for more than 3 hours alone without them getting distressed and causing absolute carnage. For an evening out with DH, I have to get one of my DDs to look after them - it's the same as babysitting

We have a rough Collie puppy. He is 12 weeks old. He is an absolute delight. I was ready for pain and sleepless nights but he is so chilled it is unbelievable. He loves to play but is also quite happy to flop down at my feet and have a snooze. And he is currently one big ball of (non shedding) fluff.

We deliberately chose this breed due to their temperament and how good they are with other animals and children.

@BenWillbondsPants ( love your username ) mine is black, show line dam, working line sire.
Largest out of his litter of 10
Complete love bug

I'd have a lab, from a breed specific rescue, not a puppy. A good rescue will have assessed them thoroughly and you'll have a better idea of what you're getting into, and that's aside from helping a dog into a good home from being in kennels. Some rescues will consider homes with children, it's worth some research.

Zac George a dog trainer I like on YouTube has a new series starting up where he is filming the training of his new puppy. m.youtube.com/watch?v=4Cndhfrx6CU&t=4s

@Cloudtree what an absolute beauty! My childhood dog was a tough collie and he was just the best dog. He's been gone for 34 years and I still cry when I think about him! I hope you have as much joy with yours as we did with ours.

Ah thanks Ben. We think he's adorable and he's already very much a part of the family.

@DogHasEatenTheSqueaker couldn’t agree more RE having a large budget for all the toys. They end up in bits within the hour! The only thing that seems to last a little while with ours is a yak chew.

I found a toy that had TEN squeakers sewn into it yesterday. Now I know what to get him for his birthday 😂

I'm loving the doggie photos!

My dad always used to say that you couldn't touch a rough collie for looks @Cloudtree, they are such beautiful dogs.

@LittleLongDog - I've given up now, and accepted that they actually love their soggy, unfluffed teddies, and that socks and tights are their favourite things in the world. When you do a Primark sock run for the dogs at Christmas you know you've lost the plot.

we have a mongrel/crossbreed. Allegedly poodle schnauzer but we acquired him in all the wrong way as someone was simply getting rid of him as a 15 week old puppy. He has been wonderful. Pretty easy to housetrain and recall is good. I am his person and he will listen to everyone else but my wish will always over rule others! Clean non shedding but grooming is expensive and his coat is utterly un waterproof!

Don't get any breed that's bred to work. I'm thinking especially terriers (I have a Patterdale, love her to death and she's wonderful, but I have to run at least six miles a day with her to make her quiet enough to have in the house). But also things like Huskies, collies etc, if they aren't worked or their minds engaged they are demons in the house.

Dogs bred to be decorative or companion dogs are a better bet. Either way, a puppy is a HUGE commitment and the first few months are hard work. Don't choose on size either, smaller dogs need just as much work as larger ones, and usually more exercise. A big, docile dog is a far better bet than a hyperactive small one!

What about an ex-racing greyhound? Calm, laid back, good with people...

@CJ201 we had our labradors when our youngest was 4. They were brilliant with the children but be prepared to NEVER have a clean house, NEVER have a nice garden (bitches urine bleaches grass!) , to be the only one to walk, feed, worm, deflea, clean up sick/poo. And whatever the children say - the dog will always come second best to the TV, Playstation, phone etc.

Also be prepared for no spontaneity in life - if you go out for the day, you have to be back for the dog, going away for a night or two you automatically have to sort out the dog too.

And don't just think about the puppy phase - our two died last year at 13 and 14 respectively. The last few years they really couldn't walk far, they got distressed going out anywhere different and both got upset stomachs really easily. Unfortunately my marriage also ended and kids went to uni so it was all down to me. It was a really restricting time and if I hadn't had my parents to help out my life would have been very much more isolated and miserable.

Don't get me wrong, dogs are a wonderful addition to the family and bring lots of love and good things but if you've never had one before, then you often don't realise the huge commitment that they bring, and how long it goes on for!

In my fantasy I have a lovely fluffy schi tzu
Reality is my life would not support a dog
Thanks for the honesty in this thread
I will not be doing it
Much as i love animals , another pet is not for me