Getting a puppy - what’s it REALLY like?

[Snufflebabe05]

After many years of talking about it, we are on a waiting list for a Labrador puppy. We’ve followed all the advise re reputable breeders.

What I want to know is what those first few weeks and months are like with a new pup. I WFH 4 days a week. husband works pretty much full time in a trade, kids are 10 and 7 with various clubs. Can find lots of info online but keen to learn from real experience how those early days were/are!

Come and read the puppy survival thread, there's a few lab owners on there!

We're 3 months into owning a puppy and it has been INTENSE but we're finally in a routine now. He still pisses on the floor which drives me insane, but otherwise he's lovely.

Just like with a baby, it depends entirely on the individual. Some babies sleep through the night from early on, are content and happy and delightful. Others cry constantly, never seem to sleep much, and can generally be considered high needs. The same is true of puppies. Some require a huge amount of supervision and training, others seem to slot into family life with no problem.

Our beloved dog died a few weeks ago. He had been with us since he was a puppy, and he was a dream from the very beginning. He was housetrained within about a week and a half. As a puppy he chewed a few things that were left within his reach (e.g., a cardigan hanging on a chair), but that happened very infrequently. He was extremely intelligent, eager to please, and responded very well to training. Even people who don't like dogs would say how wonderful he was. I sometimes hear about other people's experiences with puppies and quite honestly, they are nothing like our experience.

He was 14 when he died. We are completely bereft by the loss.

Very stressful and tiring for the first few months. I thought it was the worse decision we ever made. So restrictive! And they are very bitey.

I have a Labrador who is now 20 months old and I love him dearly but for the first 4 months I would have happily handed him over to the first person in the street that asked!

He did sleep through after the first week or so so that was a plus point.

Toilet trained quite quickly.

But labradors eat everything. He has eaten/chewed/destroyed thus far:
The skirting boards, socks, pants, shoes, headphones x2, the remote control, caps, jumpers, husband’s wallet, bank cards . So many things. He has cost us a fortune.

Agree about socialising him at that early window. Show him everything. I used to chase the bin men down the street to show them to him. People in hats, wheelchairs, uniform etc.

We forgot about balloons, he’s now scared of balloons.

Don’t think you go to puppy school and that’s it you have a trained dog. I still spend 30 mins a day training mine. When they hit the teenage years all the training seems to go out of the window. It’s so hard.
I think 2 is a good age apparently!

I think we are the luckiest people in the world. We had a week of sleeping on the sofa, dpup in his crate, as we gradually moved him away and into the space we wanted his crate to live. We got him at 8.5 weeks. He has only once had us up in the night - his second night here. We let him out for a wee when we get up at 8ish; often he doesnt bother but will go back to sleep after. Sleeps until 10 am or so if he's undisturbed. He was fully toilet trained within 2 months; all-but within a few weeks (we used bells on the door). He only once messed his crate as a tiny puppy when he was ill with an upset tummy. Now he sleeps on the sofa all night.

He was nippy until about 5 months. When he's up he wants to play a lot - ball is his favourite. He barks at passers by if he's bored. He gets 2 walks a day and goes off lead where he runs around chasing squirrels and sniffing. He does almost all poos on walks. In his whole life he has chewed one magazine and two plants. He can't reach the table or kitchen worktops but he will steal food if it's left within his reach.

What he doesn't like, and has had very little experience of, is being left alone. We'll see how he copes more over the next term. He is 1.

I’ve never had a puppy I just coo at them. I’ve only came on here to see any cutesy pics.

One dog I do know though. He’s the most loving dog ever. He’s always smiling, if that makes sense. He’s 4 and hes like an over grown pup. He’s still into mischief, so I don’t think some of them ever grow out of their puppyhood.

Puppies have got to be easier than kittens though. Kittens can climb and jump.

Hard work but fun too, like having a baby really :)

It's exhausting.

Be ready for the biting!! It was awful . She’s 2 now though and it’s totally worth it.

Awwww, Jen. Your fur baby is delicious.
I love the long trianglyish face. 🤣🤣🤣

You have all confirmed to me that I was right to get ... a cat!

It is hard work but so depends on the dog
We have a 5 year old border collie and he wAs an easy pup really , had to take him out in middle of night for first few weeks as he couldn't hold it
, he wasn't too much of a chewer and he learnt commands well but i did take him to puppy classes and a one to one trainer for help and guidelines..
But even so the first few months we had accidents in house and you can't go far as can't be left for long, they go through bity stage etc and it certainly was quite tiring at times.
We used a crate as well as if you can't keep your eye on them they will be up to something
But now we have a very well behaved , chilled dog who we all adore but upon saying that i will never get a puppy again as forgot how demanding it can be and he was easy compared to my previous dog who as a puppy ate a wall , a sofa etc ( can't believe i forgot that when we decided to get a puppy again ) good luck and enjoy

Mine is 11 now (part lab). Never again, once in a life time is absolutely enough for me. She has just finally slowed down which is good and sad all in one. I am glad we did it as think it’s been good for the DC .