to get a puppy?

[TodayIsFridayHooray]

Been looking for the last year for a rescue pup. Finally the perfect pup has come up and we can collect today. Now the time has finally come round, I'm freaking out!!!

Will we cope?

It will be DH, 2 X DC, me and the pup! I work mainly from home most of the week but in the office sometimes. DH works full time (not from home). The dog will be mainly my responsibility to walk etc..

We had dogs all though my childhood so I know what I'm doing I think. But it's such a big responsibility! Feel like I'm getting last minute cold feet!

If you have a doggy, was it worth it? Do you have any regrets? Or is it the best thing you've ever done?

DDog is 3.5 years and I really do love him. I didn't want a dog but after years of persuasion by my family I gave in. I never knew I would love him so much although I absolutely hated the puppy stage.

However, it is extremely tying. For example, we are taking DDs to the pantomime this week and for tea with friends. I've had to ask someone to look after him because he can't be alone for that length of time. Before we got him, we considered this and I thought it wouldn't be too bad but actually it is.

It is also expensive. Insurance, vet stuff, food, dog walker twice a week on the days we are in work all adds up. Even worse now that everything is going up in price. When we go abroad it adds another few hundred pounds for boarding fees.

Do I love him? Absolutely. Will I have another dog? Definitely not.

Our pup is now 20wks and it’s been some of the worst couple of months of my life to be frank! And I am sahm. Perhaps that’s why it’s been so bad, I haven’t had work or any way to get away from him. Sometimes I adore him but tbh I have advised all my friends who are keen not to do it. I think the age of your kids is important tbh, they have to be able to reliably follow the puppy rules and at 4 and 7, they can’t. The elder is better and getting there but they just want to cuddle him when they want to, cant or won’t read the signs.

I think it’s like your first child. You’ve done the research, you think you know what it’ll be like, but the actual raw emotion of having your life completely controlled by this thing, the constant cleaning of piss/shit/vom, the time it takes to get to know them and understand what they are trying to say… BUT at least all that part passes more quickly than with kids. Well I hope. He is now toilet trained but dribbles when excited so there is still a fuckload of piss in my life and I could do without it tbh. My couch is ruined. Basically how patient are you?!

I have two springers (5yrs and 1.5yrs) who I’ve had from pups. Absolutely love having dogs. But please be prepared to think you ‘what have I done?!’ Many times. They take a lot of patience and are restricting but I think the positives outweigh the negatives. Enjoy!

My dh was so against us getting a dog. He always said he wanted one in the future. But a VERY tough year for me with my father dying plus two close friends dying all within a couple months of each other meant, I decided to take things into my own hands. I wanted a change, some happiness and I was not willing to wait for my husband to be ready. We had been talking about getting a dog for years. I had done loads of research. So I went ahead and put a deposit down to get the dog I researched would be the best fit for our family. Six months later the dog was ready (I wanted a certain bread, female, fur). Anyway, I told my husband that we need to drive 3 hours to view the dog. He was like "WHAT!?!?!!?!" I told him we are just going to look, but bring your card in case we want to buy. I was completely ready to walk away if we both felt the dog was not the right one or that the breeder was shady when viewing it. And btw at the time our kids were 4 and 5.

It was love at first sight. My dh could not resist (I knew he would not). It has now been 4 years and we have added a third dc since. My dh will be the first to tell everyone to get a dog, he will talk your ear off about how wonderful our dog is. And I would do the same :) It was the BEST decision for us. Our dog is the easiest and most kind dog ever. Super smart. Even as a 8 week old puppy. She was easy. A dream dog. HOWEVER, this is not the case with all dogs. I did a lot of research and I knew the right way to train her. I have seen some friends get dogs and struggle because they chose a dog for looks and it was too hyper or annoying. But everyone who say my dog and fell in love....that decided to get the same breed have had no regrets. They also had it easy and fell in love. We have an australian labradoodle btw. It is the best family dog and a great first hand dog bc they are so smart and easy to train. My only complaint is the paws attract so much mud and my dog love mud, puddles etc :) But it is well worth it. She brings so much joy, love and happiness to us all. And for us, she was super easy and we decided to have a third child two years after getting our dog bc she was so easy.

What breed are you getting? It’s important everyone in the house can give the puppy the same cues to keep it consistent. I’ve seen beautifully “pre-trained” digs ruined by chaotic families who then wonder what’s happened to their dog they paid £000s for as a Ready To Go puppy. 🤨 I get cross for the puppy who’s perpetually confused by the mixed signals from eye family. I have three all from working breeds and without a doubt the biggest contributor to them misbehaving is DH who is clueless yet refuses to engage in any training on the basis he has dogs growing up. The puppy (15 months now) is brilliant with recall and is (as the others) whistle and hand signal trained but DH refuses to do any of this (male ego thing) so pup has a field day do whatever he likes when he’s out with DH 😂

Best thing I did and never regretted it for a second. They are a responsibility, they do have accidents and are sick, they do have a bitey phase (it passes!), but I think if you go into it knowing some days will be trickier than others and obviously knowing they need training, and that takes time, you will be fine. Definitely find a dog walker/ day care/ family member who can help you, particularly needed when they are very small. Socialise the dog well and get it used to being left (not straight away). You'll be grand. Also join a very good Facebook group called dog training and advice!

Apologies for typos - contact lenses not yet in!

Puppies are an absolute nightmare BUT you genuinely seem to have your shit together so I think you’ll be fine. They will pee and poop places they shouldn’t, they’ll chew things you love, but you won’t care in the long run.

REMEMBER: you WILL panic that you’ve made a mistake in the first 48 hours. Power through, you’ll be amazed how quickly you get into a routine.

I couldn't be without ours, so much so that when we lost our Ddog after 14 years, we lasted a month before a new one came home with us.

Yes they are a tie, ours is expensive as she has a dog walker every day, but the happiness she brings outweighs all that. We do holidays with Ddog and without, we have a fabulous dog walker and dog sitter who care for her whenever we are away. Make sure you have this stuff organise as they are a godsend and in high demand for a good one!

We invested in good 1-2-1 dog training with the new one and it was so worth it!

All in all, ours just completes our family and makes our house a home. Enjoy your pup!

And finally, what rescue is releasing a puppy the day after Boxing Day? Maybe they do but it's not ideal so worth a check that it's a decent rescue

this

By far the best thing I have done, she is the light of my life. My husband has always hated dogs, never wanted one but caved to my pressure and he adores her and can’t imagine life without her.
the first few months were hard, toilet training and stuff but once she turned 6 months, it was plain sailing.
Ive been really poorly over Christmas with flu and she hasn’t left my side.
I did lots of research into the best breed for us beforehand and it all worked out x

Mine is worth every penny. I’d like having your personal therapy dog always making you aware that she knows you are there, happy to interact as soon as you want, always there when you feel down or stressed and guests adore her. It has been wonderful for my son and his friends and has been great for me since he moved out.

Downsides? It is more difficult to go away without a lot of planing or extra expense (the kennel alone this week is costing more than my flights abroad), food is not expensive as she is small, insurance is not either as she is a rescue that we have chosen to describe as a mongrel no matter how designer mix she looks/is, but last year she had to have a “dental” and that was over £700 as the insurance won’t cover. I am saving for the one she will need next year already…

Oh no!!! I'm bracing myself!!! I'm hearing how hard it is, but I don't think it will hit me til.hes here! :(

We had been thinking about a dog for years but had been advised by the shelter to go for a pup as we had kids, and they always went so quickly. A situation arose where a friend's brother had a litter of pups and we decided to go for it.

The first two months were hard. Really hard! Toilet training, as mentioned upthread, out after every play time, every meal, every sleep and then every hour in between. We were determined to crate train and the crate was in our bedroom at night so we could take her out. It was like going back to baby sleepless nights!

But then we turned a corner, and she now sleeps in her crate in the kitchen all night through. She is a lovely temperament and I love snuggling her.

There is a lot of expense as mentioned, and we are fortunate due to working from home that we don't need walkers or doggy day care. We have family who will look after her if we are to be out for long periods.

The only downside is the chewing. I know it's not all dogs, but this one chews everything despite the plethora of chew toys provided.

Now that she is here we wouldn't be without her. The kids often comment on how much they love her and how it was the best decision we made.

That's nice to read :) thanks! :)

Thanks all :) A healthy dose of reality for me, but also really lovely to see how most people are overall happy with their furry friend :) wish me luck!!!

Depends massively on the dog as well. We had a lab puppy and he was really difficult. I felt really depressed for ages. He needed tons of attention (obviously) but he seemed impossible to train. We now have a 9 week old border collie pup and she is a dream. Smart so has already got a grip of sit stay and lie down and she has a crate that she sleeps in and goes to whenever she's ready for a rest. Brace yourself. The puppy days are hard and tiring, but so worth it

Make sure you do puppy classes (for you to learn).

i love dpup - guess 2.5 years and I adore him but I’ve concluded I’m a dog person and not a puppy person. Puppies are dicks. Cute but dicks. It’s like having a toddler.

It’s worth it but first two years can be hard work. Initially it’s the back and forth to do toilet training which can feel relentless (especially when you catch flu the day after bringing home a new puppy 🙄). Then it’s the chewing everything and later, if you get a boy, marking behaviours.

I’d had a couple of puppies in the past through the years so was prepared for the work, but it would be a shock if you weren’t expecting it. My most recent puppy is nearly four now and fully trained and a good boy in the house for the most part. I’m at the stage where I can just enjoy him.

Of course you’re going to cope, you’ll be absolutely fine.. with the occasional WTF did I do this for
moment I’m sure 😂 it sounds like just last minute nerves, you’ve obviously thought this through and done your research to have got to this point with a rescue puppy.
I’ve got two dogs, both are fast asleep with me now, one on my legs and one by my side. I got one when I was 19 and with my ex, he’s now 9 and definitely starting to slow down but he’s been with me, my little hairy best bud, through a break up with my ex, living back at my mums for a while, meeting, moving in with then marrying my husband (DDog was at our wedding) and he was there when I brought DS home from hospital, my little shadow through everything. We got 3 month old DDog2 when DS was 7 months and while it’s not all been completely plain sailing and I did question my decision a bit prior to getting her and certainly a bit since, she’s an angel and we all adore her.
Just always remember that you get out what you put in. The more time, love, effort and consistent training you can give to the puppy, the better (and happier!) dog you’ll end up with.

What breed are you getting?
No regrets here, there were times I thought “OMFG you have to be fooking kidding me” but they were brief. Usually because DDog had destroyed something, chewed something or been really been a bloody nuisance. 🤣But it doesn’t last long and so loving. They are a tie though.

Days out can be awkward, kennels can’t be booked short notice, trips need to be planned.

Worst thing I’ve ever done - two rescue pups

they give unconditional love, snuggle me when I’m sad - ew
make my heart hurt with love
I would die for them

the pain that will come when they pass - not sure I’ll be able to take it

Just do it! Puppies are the most adorable creatures alive! You know what you're doing. You won't regret it for a second.

Interesting! One of our dogs was a lab/collie cross. She was an adorable puppy, easy to train and very rapidly became a calm, gentle, loving dog. She was our sweetheart. I cried for three days straight when she died at the ripe old age of 16.

The puppy stage is hard and a few days in, you will wonder what the hell you’ve done and this is your life forever more. But it will get better and it’ll become the best thing you’ve ever done 🥰.