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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to get a puppy now?

149 replies

CoralRose · 17/09/2011 13:11

This is our current situation:

Semi rural house. 3 bed. Large living space. Large garden, surrounded by fields.

One (very old, very placid) cat.

3 DC:
5yo DS - school full time.
2.6 DS - Nursery two mornings a week.
4mo DS - Errr...dribbles alot.

DH works full time, me not working for at least another 2 years, even then will be part time if at all.

So WIBU to get a puppy now? If I am... how long should we wait?

OP posts:
MmeLindor. · 17/09/2011 14:09

Mitmoo
No, sorry. I didn't mean that you were in the wrong, I mean that it was totally irresponsible of the RSPCA to tell you that training could be done in a week. A year is a bit long, imo, but a week is just not possible.

And I would very cautious about taking 8 week old puppies that have been separated too early from their mother - unless you were experienced with dogs.

Dogs can live till well over 10 yo. If you are doing it for your son, and you don't want a dog then you may be left with the pooch in 6 or 7 years time when your son moves out. Think carefully about whether you want to have a dog.

MmeLindor. · 17/09/2011 14:11

Coral
Our friends had a beagle. He was nuts. Very difficult to train. I would say not a dog for inexperienced dog owners.

We were there one day and DH and his friend stupidly left the dog outside in the garden. When he went out 2 mins later, poor DS was standing on the swing, terrified as the dog ran round and round him, barking maniacally.

Beagle + young DC don't mix, imo.

diddl · 17/09/2011 14:11

"If the children are ill...Mum can help out."

Yes, I asked before I saw your post re your mum.

We got a rescue dog at the end of Jan.

He is fantastic-such a good nature.

He adores my teenage daughter (thank goodness!), but is the most affectionate, placid, well behaved dog.

No problem with other dogs-owners have remarked on his good nature & even not bothered by our cat!

Mutt · 17/09/2011 14:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

activate · 17/09/2011 14:12

as long as you understand the work involved go for it

toilet training
crate training
clicker training
puppy socialisation
training kids (lifelong)

activate · 17/09/2011 14:13

do not start a thread in the dog section

there is only one way of thinking there - don't get a puppy get a rescue dog
and they can be loud vicious and opinionated and very cliquey

avoid like the plague

activate · 17/09/2011 14:14

our puppy was toilet trained quickly (90% probably within 1 week, 95% 2 weeks and 100% by 4)

bemybebe · 17/09/2011 14:15

Mitmoo ok, I understand.

That said I find it very hard to believe that anyone would claim their technique would housetrain a dog in a week. Very irresponsible, especially if it is coming from a rescue. Not to say i do not believe you, rather i find it a terrible misleading advice.

IF anyone is interested Gwen Bailey The Perfect Puppy is a fantastic source of puppy training techniques www.amazon.co.uk/Perfect-Puppy-Britains-Number-Care/dp/060061722X (don't know how to link it, sorry)

Also, DogTrust produced great videos which can be viewed on youtube or their own site.

MmeLindor. · 17/09/2011 14:16

I would say Daphne was trained within about 2 - 3 weeks.

But I followed her about and pounced every time she started to squat.

Mutt · 17/09/2011 14:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Crosshair · 17/09/2011 14:18

:o at training a puppy in a week. Ive always thought of training as an ongoing process that never really ends.

I wouldnt get a puppy with kids that young and no previous dog ownership.

If you do decide to get one, Good luck on getting the right breed/mix for your family :)

activate · 17/09/2011 14:20

Mutt - personal experience of reading threads on there is the basis for my advice to avoid - I did post a few times but in general don't like the cliques and one-toned advice so tend to avoid, despite moving from wanting a dog to being a dog-owner

Mitmoo · 17/09/2011 14:21

How long do people think it will take to housetrain a puppy from 8 weeks old, what would be a reasonable guestimate if I am here and follow the RSPCA's instructions?

People are right "Naughty flaming Nanny" It's my Mum, she can't turn my son down for anything. Trouble he's autistic and he's going be devastated now if I decide against the puppy. I have to be sensible too though it's a serious committment.

Marne · 17/09/2011 14:21

Not all rescue dogs have an abusive back ground or poor training, just had a look at the link above and there are a lot of young dogs that have come from good backgrounds including a young choc lab and also lots of pup's (i have fallen in love with Tetley, he looks perfect and if i lived nearer the rescue center i would be very tempted).

We payed £300 for our pedigree white Staffie bitch, as she grew older it was obvious she was not a pure bread Staff or she was poorly bread, although she's lovely and a valued member of our family i would never buy a pup again as there are so many pups and dogs that need rehoming, centers are full at the moment and without people to home them they could face being put to sleep or spending thier life stuck in a kennel Sad. A lot of bitches get brought in that are pregnant so there are often pups to be re-homed.

diddl · 17/09/2011 14:21

Isn´t possible to get a rescue puppy?

Although if you have a particular breed in mind, not so likely.

We went for a dog as knew I couldn´t be bothered with the training.

Original poster
CoralRose · 17/09/2011 14:21

Bitter - I can't look at the link. I will get one if I look! But thank you, will save Smile.

Mutt - I know it's nothing like a cat (duh!) and I'm well aware of toilet training and that the estimate of a week is at best optimistic.

I would never go into something blindly and hate the perception that I would end up handing the dog back (although I understand lots do). This thread was really to get the blunt truth from people that have experience and to gleam an idea of just how much work is required, although I think I already had a fair idea. The night time is something I hadn't thought about enough, and so I know I will at least need to wait until DC3 is sleeping though every night.

OP posts:
Mitmoo · 17/09/2011 14:22

Crosshair he was talking about house training.

bemybebe · 17/09/2011 14:22

activate my puppy is a pedigree from a breeder. i also post in doghouse.

Marne · 17/09/2011 14:23

Mitmo- getting a pup was one of the best things we did for dd2 (ASD), the dog is her best friend, she spoke to the dog before she ever spoke to us.

Mitmoo · 17/09/2011 14:23

Diddle Yep the one my son wants is a rescue puppy.

coccyx · 17/09/2011 14:26

the children can grow up with a dog , just wait until they are a bit older

Mitmoo · 17/09/2011 14:29

activate AS kids are generally great with animals. My son adores his cats.

He had a major meltdown this morning when I said I couldn't afford one because I would want the crate, bed, heavy duty toys and all the paraphenalia that you need with a puppy as well as the insurance etc. Got him through that now Mum's offered to pay for the dog!

BitterAndTwistedChoreDodger · 17/09/2011 14:29

activate I have had both recue and pedigree dogs, and also happily post in the dog house. Am I coming across as loud , opinionated and cliquey? Confused

Original poster
CoralRose · 17/09/2011 14:32

MmeLindor - I would love a Maltese. DH would not. He's only specification is: Not fluffy or girly. Hmm. He has grown up around working dogs, so I thought (from what I've read) a spaniel or a beagle would fit us all quite well.

OP posts:
LadyBeagleEyes · 17/09/2011 14:33

As an owner of a beagle cross (he's half collie, but with absolutely no signs of any collie parentage in him) I'd probably agree that he has not been the easiest dog to train.
I love him to bits but as a single parent with a teenage son, I've had a lot more time than you would.
He was toilet trained in two weeks btw but he needs long, long walks off lead as he never gets tired.
For a family dog, when I was a child we had a golden retriever.
He was perfect with children.