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

[icebearforpresident]

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 I think I'm going against everyone here but just to let you know if you really planned it's all possible, you just have to plan the way you did with your children and look at how both you and your husband can be there for the new arrival. Our family always had labs and retrievers, my sister and my brothers also always had them and they are honestly just the most honest loyal dogs. It is so hard to get them now as untrustworthy breeders are taking advantage of demand and as people tell you to adopt dont shop it's night on impossible. If everything checks out and if you can really the troops and ask your relatives for more than a drop in and do more than this yourself, maybe even paying someone to help out I'd honestly say it is an option. Saying that, I think your post hints you aren't sure and you really have to be. This is another member of the family. Best of luck either way op

I'm getting getting puppy in August. I'm working at home permanently and am fully expecting a lack of sleep and not much life for several months and hard work for a couple of years! We are getting a shitzu, we know the breeders, and one of their dogs. I like the size, the temperament and the lack of malting.
I'm excited and nervous! My kids are teens too and pre teen so can help. Although probably won't! I'm looking at it like having a baby but harder as they move and chew.
It's a huge commitment.

Cheese, the trick if getting a nice well behaved dog out if a puppy is not treating them as babies or expect so little of them. As long as you are consistent, keep to whatever rules they have, maintain a regular structure during the day (food, walks and wees) you can have a perfectly behaved dog within weeks, not years. —you just need to get a cartload of patience when they briefly revert at teething or dog teenage—

Thank you that's really helpful.