Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Probably about to get a puppy! What do I need to know that I might not have thought of?

29 replies

icebearforpresident · 30/05/2021 19:24

This isn’t an impulsive lockdown puppy, we’ve been considering it for years but put it off until we moved house (no garden at the last place). We’ve now moved and have been offered a pup from a litter from a local farm. After much discussion we have arranged to go see them tomorrow. While we haven’t agreed to anything I think the fact we’re going to see them means we’re getting one.

We know they will be chipped and have their first vaccination and I have quotes for pet insurance which seem reasonable (although happy to take any recommendations). Due to my husbands shifts it will only be home alone 3.5 hrs max a day and we now have a massive, secure garden so could fence a section off to have as a dog run if need be.

However, after all the excitement yesterday of basically agreeing to get a puppy I woke up this morning with my feet back on the ground. The house needs rewired and we need to move out during that time, we have somewhere to go but no guarantee they will agree to having a dog as well. Our car isn’t big enough for transporting a dog, especially as it gets bigger, so will need a new one much sooner than expected. I now have things like this running through my head and am feeling nervous. My husband thinks, and he’s probably not wrong, that we’ll always have things like that going on and at some point we either get a dog or we don’t.

Any advice or convincing one way or the other greatly appreciated.

OP posts:

Mydarlingmyhamburger · 30/05/2021 19:26

What breed is it? If it’s a farm dog then I’m assuming it’s going to be working stock and very high energy. Also is someone going to be able to stay home with it for the first few months? An adult dog can be left for a few hours a day. You can’t leave an 8 week old puppy alone for four hours a day.

Bagelsandbrie · 30/05/2021 19:27

@Mydarlingmyhamburger

Yep all of this.

Floralnomad · 30/05/2021 19:28

You can’t leave a puppy home alone for 3 hours so do you have a plan in place until it grows up a bit and learns to be left , and can also go 3 hours without needing a pee / poo . Do not leave a dog in a garden or run irrespective of how secure the garden is as that is where most dogs get stolen from . What sort of dog is it you are looking at ?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Dogs

MrsAudreyAlfredRobertsOBEHmm · 30/05/2021 19:29

You have too much going on to get a puppy now. Leave it until you are in a better position for the sake of the dog
Are you thinking of buying from a working breed as its from a farm?

SnarkyBag · 30/05/2021 19:30

3.5 hours a day alone is fine for an older dog but not a new pup so you’ll need to have a plan in place the first few months.

It’s always sobering to tot up the actual monthly cost of a dog so worth doing to make sure your happy with the cost. Although we’ve got insurance we’ve had four separate vets visits this year that have cost £70 each so below the excess amount so can’t claim.

Needing to move out whilst rewriting would worry me so you need to know dog can come too, plus factor in leaving dog alone in new place my be unsettling and not possible. Might be better to look at dog boarding during this time.

Happyschool · 30/05/2021 19:31

Are you sure you want a bigger breed that needs a new car? I imagine so but if it were me I would definitely prefer a dog that fits current car. Our cavalier has huge presence and never feels small but I love that she can sit on a lap .
Have you experience of the breed you’ve chosen?
I hope you make the right decision whatever you decide and that it goes well !

Babyroobs · 30/05/2021 19:31

I think the biggest thing is that you have to think of their needs all the time really. You can't just have a day out spontaneously without thinking have I got someone to have the dog or can the dog come with us, will it be too hot for the dog, will where we are going have cafes that allow a dog in etc. There are a lot of beaches that don't allow dogs. We have stayed in ' dog friendly ' accomodation which when you read the small print insist that the dog is not left in the accommodation at all on it's own, so you have to plan your whole holiday around whether the dog can come with you. It really is hugely restrictive. I worry about my dogs al the time, if I leave them in the house for a short while I worry about whether they will be too hot, I can't leave them in the garden I would worry about them being stolen. Every single day has to be planned around them getting enough exercise etc. It is worse than having kids because at least most places let kids in !! Having said that I do love my dogs immensely, but not sure I would do the same again.

Twizbe · 30/05/2021 19:33

The thing that stood out to me is the house renovation.

Do this first before you get the dog!

You don't know if your intended temporary accommodation will let you bring the dog. If that falls through, short term rentals with a dog will be hard to find.

Original poster

icebearforpresident · 30/05/2021 19:38

All good points!

It’s a Labrador. While a Labrador wasn’t what I thought we would get, I was thinking something more like a spaniel, my friends dad, who is a vet, recommended a lab as they’re good family dogs (we have a 5 & 7 year old).

Our car is decent enough but the boot isn’t the biggest, thinking ahead I’m not convinced we could get a dog plus luggage for a few days or a week away in the car.

My in laws live locally and have agreed to help out in the first few months to pop in and check on the dog. I also work just around the corner so come home for lunch and could work from home/nip back for ten minutes to check on things.

OP posts:

KarmaNoMore · 30/05/2021 19:38

You cannot get a dog right now if you are thinking of moving out for a while while the house is renovated. Breeders have litters once or twice a year, just ring and say you would prefer to wait for the next litter.

KarmaNoMore · 30/05/2021 19:42

I cannot put the dog with the luggage...

For someone with small children, a refurbishment and little time, you may be better off with a smaller dog that does not need so much walks, activity and space.

Somanysocks · 30/05/2021 19:44

You can't get a puppy and leave it with someone 'popping in' occasionally, you are going to get awful behavioural problems with a bored unsocialised puppy. Don't think you've thought it through properly, it's not just about what you want but what's best for the dog too.

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 30/05/2021 20:00

We have an 8 month old puppy and have only just started leaving him properly. I work at home permanently so it's not essential for us but we want him to feel secure if we had to leave him in an emergency. He is chilled about it now and happy to be left, no way could we have done this so successfully before even 6 months.

Dacquoise · 30/05/2021 20:01

Puppies are high maintenance for at least the first eighteen months. Loads of energy, need lots of attention and can be quite destructive especially when they are teething. My colleague has a one year old lab who is adorable but still high maintenance and she is now doing puppy classes to get him under control. Labs are also notorious food scroungers so likely to hassle young children if they have anything tempting.

I would wait until you are fully settled to get a dog. They are life changing, in a good way but they need your time like a toddler that never grows up.

loobylou44 · 30/05/2021 20:07

Do you know the sire and the dam of the pups? It's really important to have health tested parents as labs are prone to a lot of problems. As a minimum I would want hip/elbow scores and basic tests for Exercise Induced Collapse and Eyes.

Lab puppies can be very destructive if left alone for long so I would crate train to give the pup a safe place and also to keep them away from harm when they are unsupervised.

I've had a few lab puppies and tbh I would not get one if I couldn't be around when it was small.

Please think carefully if you don't know the history of the pups parents as it could be a very expensive mistake!

NotLinear · 30/05/2021 20:15

Labs have lots of health issues (vet student here). Have the parents been tested?
Now doesn’t sound like a good time to get a dog, OP. If you do go ahead, make sure you get a lifetime policy for insurance

Original poster

icebearforpresident · 30/05/2021 20:19

Thanks all, I’m the first to admit that while I had thought through the more practical the more ‘everyday’ life of one is something I probably hadn’t, I’ve not had a dog before and a lot of what you are saying are the things I think you learn from experience.

I’m going to talk to my husband when he gets home from work and suggest that we cancel our visit tomorrow. I don’t want to waste anyone’s time but I know that if we go we will end up buying one despite any doubts.

OP posts:

Mydarlingmyhamburger · 30/05/2021 21:02

Op you seem to be making a mistake that a lot of dog owners make when buying a puppy. Just because you can take a puppy at 8 weeks doesn’t mean it’s now independent, you basically become it’s substitute mum and you need to be there for it 24/7 like it’s mum would be. You can’t go to work for the day and have people ‘pop in’. It’ll end up with separation anxiety and behaviours like barking and destructiveness. And no vet should be recommending a farm Labrador for novice owners. If you do go ahead with getting a dog then I’d go for something far smaller and less energetic with fewer genetic problems.

Lowlight282 · 30/05/2021 21:10

Our dog is coming up for 2 years old. It's been an intense experience, far more work than I ever would have imagined. The impact has been similar to when we had our babies. He's brilliant now and a much loved family member but he did turn our lives upside down for a while! Just brace yourself for hard work, sleepless nights, lots of training, lots of mud.

The one thing for me is the commitment to walks especially with a breed like a lab. Those lovely family walks often feel like a daily chore. Multiple times times day, in all weathers. Our saving grace has been that the kids are now old enough to he home alone, if I had to drag them with me all the time then I think it would have been much harder. Best of luck. Well worth it in the end though.

EcoCustard · 30/05/2021 21:15

Not practical to leave a pup for that long, you have to start with very short periods and go from there. Labradors are a lovely breed, but strong, stubborn and a lot of energy can you meet this as it grows? Training is essential, I have working dogs and it took a lot of time, energy and patience to train them to walk well, recall etc and 11 years later I still do training with them. I wouldn’t rule it out OP but look at all the difficult stuff and the needs of a pup.

Moonface123 · 30/05/2021 21:43

They need a lot of exercise, everyday in all weathers, . I would never consider having a dog with very young children, l would find it too stressful, the novelty of walking the dog every single day, at different times of the day wears off very quickly with children and they often complain they don't want to go,.kick.up a fuss and ruin the walk.

Dogs need a routine, which makes having a day out, or going away on holiday alot more difficult.
It is a huge comitment and responsibility that many totally underestimate, hence the re homing centres are chocabloc.

MadeinBelfast · 30/05/2021 21:58

My young children are desperate for a dog but I've said no, we just can't commit to the amount of care and attention it'd need at the moment. We've signed up to Borrow my Doggy instead. I'm actually quite shocked at the number of owners on there who have very young dogs and are asking for help with walks etc. I don't know whether they just like the idea of the odd night off or if they're struggling to look after the dog already. Hopefully it's the former. Maybe finding a dog you could look after now and again would be a good way to go until your have all the renovations etc done?

Mabelene · 31/05/2021 11:05

I hope you’ve cancelled now. Pups need intensive care and consistent training for about 18 months, especially labs. You’re not in a position to take on a pup at the moment. Maybe once things settle down, but even then you’ll still have to be with it for the majority of the time for several months before you can start leaving it alone.

cantkeepplantsalive · 31/05/2021 11:25

If it isn't a puppy specifically you would like, have you considered an ex-service dog or perhaps a failed guide dog? These would be older dogs with a bit more life experience who wouldn't be as demanding as a puppy, but also wouldn't necessarily have the same hoops to jump through as a rescue centre which can be very difficult with children.

heropawsuk.co.uk/

This is the charity my friend went with, she's a single mum with a full-time job and had a fantastic experience with this charity. She's giving a dog who has worked hard all his life a great retirement. Maybe something to think about?

BelleClapper · 31/05/2021 11:29

We have a working lab. They are not a novice breed, despite the reputation.

He’s 40kg, stubborn, dog reactive and pulls like a motherfucking train. He chewed through a wall when he was teething. Since lockdown and having us at home all day he’s developed separation anxiety which means he howls when left.

He’s a gorgeous bundle of floof and slobber and we love him but I have cried actual tears of regret in getting him.

My other dog is a chihuahua

Flip

1 2