To get a puppy?

[Inatizzielizzie]

Just to be clear we are still researching and haven't made a decision but it would be so helpful for any advice!

Here are our circumstances-

We have small terraced house and patio walking distance to large parks with woods and a fenced dog park with woodland. We do feel fairly cramped but the reality is we don't want to move.

Twin boys starting school in September.

I work p/t freelance (3 days a week, all home based).

Husband works from home 2-4 days per week.

We are very outdoorsy, spend most free time outside and holiday in the uk.

Does this sound a good time to get a dog? Is it madness? My family are not dog people and keep saying we are far too busy for a dog. Would we realistically struggle to find the time?! I want to consider everything before making this life changing and life long decision.

Thanks in advance!

To clarify, by my family saying we won't have time, I mean WIDER family not husband and kids!

It sounds like a near perfect set up but ultimately it’s whether you are committed to 10-15 years of another baby.

We just got a puppy in similar situation. I work from home. Youngest starting school. House with small garden but parks and walks on the doorstep.

Be prepared for the early days to be hard work. We've had our puppy almost 2 months now though and he already feels like part of the family. We get outdoors even more than before (albeit in short bursts while he's small)

I think your setup sounds fine.

Thanks! We have cats (oldest is 15) so not concerned re committment. I also left off something vital - we would like to have another child in the future (by future I mean not to try for 2 yrs, need ivf, won't go into details but baby off cards for 2 yrs). I suppose it means we think about adding a dog now as by 2-3 years old it will be trained or waiting until next baby is school age which would be a min 7 years to wait.....! Impossible to find a perfect time!

MsMarvellous - thank you! Can i ask please how you have found it time wise? Have you still had time for your children or has it been absolutely time consuming? Thank you!

Sounds like perfect timing. Do a lot of research into breeds, get a crate, go to puppy training classes, enjoy

It is impossible to find a perfect time, I've never not had a dog, so haven't faced the issue of finding a right time and I've coped.

However, if you've never had a dog before they are a very different commitment to a cat! You need to be up and down to let them out, they can be needy, you can't just pop out for the day without making provision, if you take the dog then you can be restricted where you can take them which can affect what the family can do. It's a bit like having your first child, for all people say how hard it can be, it isn't until you actually have to do it that you realise!
For your first dog I'd strongly recommend getting an older rescue that fits with your family, much easier than having to train puppies from the off.

A dog is very different from cats. You’ll need to walk them twice a day at least. They are more reliant on their carers and much more do difficult to leave. We leave our cats with a pet feeder on holiday for example. You can’t do that with a dog. Most holiday lets don’t allow dogs. You’ll have to take the dog with you if you go out more than a few hours at a time. Day long trips are out unless dog comes with. Many eateries don’t allow them in.

Not being the voice of doom but it doesn’t sound like youve really thought it through it you think it’s like having a cat. It really isn’t. It’s much more like having a baby.

Your set-up sounds pretty good.

As PP says, dogs live a long time. Also consider vets' bills, even with insurance these are not cheap. And decent food.

Whilst you holiday mainly in the UK, it will still change where you go. Eg, many beaches have dog restrictions from April to October (if not year round). Often one of you will be outside an attraction with the dog, whilst the other goes in with the kids... I'm not saying these are bad things, just that there are adjustments you'll have to make.

Agree that puppies are hard work (and they chew everything).

I think looking into an older rescue dog is a good idea. They work with you to find a dog that fits your circumstances (young children, potentially a baby, cat, lifestyle).

Fostering might also be an option.

Sorry to clarify when I referred to the oldest cat being 15 I was specially replying to the post about committment, in no way to do i think having a dog is ANYTHING like having a cat!

Thanks for all the helpful comments, much appreciated!

You’re right, dogs are nothing like cats. They are the equivalent of another baby. They are also pack animals and need company. I would say consider a rescue dog - Battersea will ensure you have one that is suitable. Reason is there are too many dogs in the U.K. already (else there wouldn’t need to be dogs homes) and buying puppies encourages more

Yes rescue and puppy both options!

If you want to dip your toes in first, I would suggest joining borrowmydoggy as a borrower. You can experience what it's like to take a dog out for walks and look after one for short periods. Obviously you miss out on the downsides like training and vets bills, but you'll experience the muddy paws and doggy smell and extra work having one generates.

I’d focus on working out the right breed for your family. Think hard about how much time you really have to walk the dog. There’s also grooming and training to take into account.

Also don’t discount older dogs

Apart from that your set up sounds fine

Sounds perfect. Just make sure you get the right breed.

It isn’t always down to size; I’ve got a Terrier right now who is perfect for me in that he’s incredibly bright, however he’d be too much for the average household because he’s always on the go. Whereas I’ve had a huge lurcher who after a brief sprint a day behaved the rest of the time as if he was stuffed.

So research your breeds and find a breeder who knows their dogs. Among each litter characters will vary and a good breeder will be able to match the right pup to your circumstances.

If you go the crossbreed route research the temperaments and needs of each breed involved - eg cute little Cockapoos, made up as they are of 2 working breeds, can be VERY high energy.

I think it sounds great!!

Your set up sounds great.

You just need to research breeds and make sure you get one to fit in with your lifestyle.

Actually thinking more about it op, I'd definitely go for an older dog that is cat friendly; a 15 year old cat won't be up to being pestered by a playful puppy!

Your set up sounds pretty good apart from the age of your boys.
When they start school you do have more time during the day but if you are doing drop off and pick up it really eats into the day. You also have to revolve around it, I’m also Freelance mostly from home but I have to finish so I can take the dog out and do school pick up most days. Then there will be the after school clubs (not just yet probably) and going to friends etc. It’s all doable with a puppy/dog but you can’t be spontaneous. So if you go and do pick up and everyone is going to the park you might have to get home for the dog. Plus not all 5 year old like dogs, it’s ok now ddog is 3 but we had to very carefully manage the dc friends coming and a couple refused to come at all unless ddog was locked away (which I won’t do)
I’m not saying don’t do it but think carefully about how you will manage it, starting school is a massive change for dc so you should let that settle for a bit first before getting a puppy

I would agree with others about considering it like having another baby in the house.

You cant turn your back, they get into dangerous things, youd need to puppy proof, although getting a crate is not the answer (a lot of people do, it saves them having to do the work).

Keeping your pup adequately occupied, supervised, and learning discipline can be ver fullnon especitin the early days.

The more you do from the get go the better results you will have. Like, once sleep (in dogs own bed space) is established and toileting, and biting, ripping, over-excitability have calmed down a little and they have some rules in place thi gs will get easier.

Be very wary of having a poorly trained liability of a rescue with potential life-long ailments. I have seen many disasters of daged dogs being given to inexperienced and overwhelmed new owners fail horribly for both dog and rescuer. You have no idea the damaging experiences theyve had, especially when it comes to having young dc around.

Your set up sounds fine. I just think youll need to build in a long spell of puppy holiday time so you are properly available, as, if you are already very busy, this will push you over the edge, and it wont be the pups fault.

And school runs are perfect socialising opportunities for pups. Dont leave pup at home take it with you!

although getting a crate is not the answer (a lot of people do, it saves them having to do the work)

A crate is not to avoid having to do the work. A crate gives the puppy a safe space - crucial in a household with young children. The kids need to be taught never to interact with the puppy when it's in its crate.

smother That can be the case but some schools don’t allow dogs (even carried) on the premises and it’s not a good idea to tie a dog up near a school for a variety of reasons