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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to get a puppy?

84 replies

TodayIsFridayHooray · 27/12/2022 08:00

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?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
yaflouloci · 27/12/2022 09:32

They're absolutely brilliant.

losingit31 · 27/12/2022 09:36

Reading this, I'm so glad we didn't get a puppy! Mine was 2 weeks short of his first birthday according to the records we received and he's a rescue maltipoo. We have been incredibly lucky with him, he has such a sweet nature and is a fast learner. I'm pleased we missed his puppy stage!

Hoppinggreen · 27/12/2022 09:38

Theduchy · 27/12/2022 08:10

We did two years ago. Years of thought went into it. We aren't new dog owners. It was the worst mistake we ever made.

I had a certain breed from childhood and always wanted one as an adult. We Waited until the youngest child was 7, planned and researched carefully, had looked after friends dogs etc etc etc. We love him to bits and when he was ill last year and we nearly lost him I was distraught.
BUT if I could turn back the clock I probably wouldn’t have got him. It’s such a huge tie and while we have had some great times with him it’s been difficult at times too

JamNittyGritty · 27/12/2022 09:40

Growing up we always had dogs, I absolutely loved them and am still a dog person. I have 2 dc now but would never have a dog. They tie you down too much- what happens if you want to go out for the day as a family to a non dog friendly place? Go away for a night at a weekend? It cannot be left home alone for more than 5 hours as an adult dog and hardly at all as a puppy / young dog. It completely changes what you can & can’t do. My friend got one a couple of years ago, she loves it dearly but really regrets it as it’s limited their lifestyle in so many ways. Another friend uses doggy daycare but it’s horribly expensive.
I would do a serious reality check about the impact on your life (yes I know many positives too)

FarFlungFlamingo · 27/12/2022 09:49

I probably wouldn't do it again, mainly because we have no back up. I realised far too late that my friends with dogs all had family members with dogs and had reciprocal arrangements for ad hoc care. Whilst we can board our dog to go away, it's something that needs to be arranged months in advance. In an emergency we'd be screwed.

KimmySchmitt · 27/12/2022 09:52

Depending on the dog, are you aware you might not be able to work from home effectively? I have a spaniel who goes to daycare when we're both in work. She's almost 2 and a half. It's only in the last 9 months or so that I could feasibly have her at home with me while I WFH. Before that it was just impossible, on the few occasions I had to have her at home (daycare closed due to covid or she was sick) I just didn't get anything done.

I had horrendous puppy blues. After a few months everything fell into place and she's now the best thing ever, but I put a hell of a lot of work (and time and money) into training her. She's my first dog and I'm glad I got her as a puppy; as much as I'd have liked to rescue for ethical reasons, I feel that for my first dog I needed a clean slate.

My in laws got a puppy earlier in the year. He's a very different character to mine, much more chilled. However because of this they just haven't bothered to train him. He now can't be left alone, refuses to wear a harness or a coat, won't be bathed... etc. So even an 'easy' puppy can set you up for real issues.

You've failed to answer questions about age, breed, or the circumstances of the rescue, which is your prerogative I guess but does give me some concerns.

Polkadotties · 27/12/2022 10:00

A poster up thread said they thought they had PND after getting a puppy. I completely understand. I got a lab puppy back in the summer. After a couple of weeks of getting up multiple times during the night, having to look after a bitey land shark during the day I thought I was going mad.
My dog is nearly 7 months old and is more like a little dog rather than a puppy but it’s been bloody hard work.

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 27/12/2022 10:02

My huge red flag here is a rescue releasing not just a dog but a puppy so close to Christmas.

Yes people could give far better advise if the age and breed was known - a working line Mal is going to be far harder work than a cavalier as an example, a lab is going to be very mouthy compared to several other breeds, terrier types are likely to be very stubborn… etc

GreenDanglyearrings · 27/12/2022 10:02

I researched what type of dog breed I wanted. We visited rescues for ages but couldn't find the breed. We found a rescue puppy so immediately went to visit her and were lucky to have her.

I felt sad taking her away from her mum and the first couple of weeks I slept on the sofa with her as she just wanted to nuzzle into my neck. She cried terribly If we put her in a crate or left her. Her toilet training took quite a few weeks.

We don't regret it at all. She's 6 years old now and probably the best dog in the world. She is loved by everyone. We will all need therapy if something happened to her! We are a happy home but she brings an extra bit of happiness into it.

She's a whippet, so doesn't moult, bark or be hyper. When I work from home - she just sleeps upstairs on my daughters bed.

Think about the breed traits carefully or chose an older rescue where youll know their personality. I don't think we would have had such a positive experience if she was a hyper boxer/visler/husky!

Thehop · 27/12/2022 10:04

This beut joined our tribe 3 weeks ago and I couldn't love him more.

im quite strict with training. No dogs upstairs, toilet training from day 1, lots of time outside and learning command words with treats early on. He's been a dream.

to get a puppy?
katmunchkin · 27/12/2022 10:08

Are you prepared for the 10-15 years of your life to change immeasurably, not always for the best? No more spontaneous trips out, no more just leaving food etc on the side, walking the dog in all weathers? That said, the good outweighs the bad and the benefits and love you receive back make it all worthwhile ❤️

Skyellaskerry · 27/12/2022 10:21

The only point I’d like to make, from personal experience with a puppy and trying to work from home, is that my puppy looked for special attention just when the phone went, when I was mid concentration, etc., and at other times I had to have an eye out the whole time. This was before the days of TEAMS etc but you get the gist! Only really productive times were when he was sleeping, other times weren’t really great for either the pup or me, but as it was just the odd day WFH it didn’t really matter.

frankie001 · 27/12/2022 10:21

Best thing I’ve ever done! However, I live with my best friend and family, they also have a dog.
We share the care on days off depending who is working. I do end up doing most of the walking, but to me it’s not a chore. I walk with the local dog walker in a pack work and believe that helped original dog accept my girl. I couldn’t be without her, she is my rock. It helps that she is quite lazy, like her mum!

to get a puppy?
Original poster
TodayIsFridayHooray · 27/12/2022 10:33

ChessieDarling · 27/12/2022 09:26

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.

Thank you!! 🐶🙂

OP posts:
Original poster
TodayIsFridayHooray · 27/12/2022 10:34

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 27/12/2022 10:02

My huge red flag here is a rescue releasing not just a dog but a puppy so close to Christmas.

Yes people could give far better advise if the age and breed was known - a working line Mal is going to be far harder work than a cavalier as an example, a lab is going to be very mouthy compared to several other breeds, terrier types are likely to be very stubborn… etc

It's a cross Breed. Has some lab, some collie we think ...

OP posts:
Original poster
TodayIsFridayHooray · 27/12/2022 10:36

Thehop · 27/12/2022 10:04

This beut joined our tribe 3 weeks ago and I couldn't love him more.

im quite strict with training. No dogs upstairs, toilet training from day 1, lots of time outside and learning command words with treats early on. He's been a dream.

Ahhhhh ..... :)

OP posts:
Original poster
TodayIsFridayHooray · 27/12/2022 10:37

frankie001 · 27/12/2022 10:21

Best thing I’ve ever done! However, I live with my best friend and family, they also have a dog.
We share the care on days off depending who is working. I do end up doing most of the walking, but to me it’s not a chore. I walk with the local dog walker in a pack work and believe that helped original dog accept my girl. I couldn’t be without her, she is my rock. It helps that she is quite lazy, like her mum!

V cute!!

OP posts:
Original poster
TodayIsFridayHooray · 27/12/2022 10:39

yaflouloci · 27/12/2022 09:32

They're absolutely brilliant.

Good!! :)

OP posts:
PugInTheHouse · 27/12/2022 10:56

Puppy stage has been really mixed for us, 1 was an awful puppy (pug) but easy now, 2nd was amazing puppy (alaskan malamute Cross) but is 10 months now and it's not fun at times. He has destroyed a few things including sofa cushion. No rhyme or reason for it also, can leave him a couple of hours and he'll be so chilled, another time leave him 10 mins and he'll chew something up.

I do think it'll be worth it in the end. Puppies are irresistible IMO. Also even if they are a nightmare they'll be loads of time when they are just cuddly cuteness and all is forgiven haha.

to get a puppy?
to get a puppy?
PugInTheHouse · 27/12/2022 10:58

I should say, the 2nd time round was easier as I had learnt the hard way it would mostly fall to me to do everything so I was way more prepared! I work from home so I basically planned to work longer days and stop to give pup the attention he needed as and when. It was a lot easier because of that.

Brigante9 · 27/12/2022 11:27

Be consistent and strict. Puppies need routines. Don’t let the dc harass him if he is in his bed/crate. Crate train, it’s invaluable. Puppies are hard work, but so worth it!

We got the 2 on the right just over a year ago. The black and white is destructive, we had to cycle through multiple beds. They’ve grown into cracking dogs, all 3 came up for cuddles this morning and just snoozed til my DH got up.

to get a puppy?
SiousieSoo · 27/12/2022 12:00

Brigante9 · 27/12/2022 11:27

Be consistent and strict. Puppies need routines. Don’t let the dc harass him if he is in his bed/crate. Crate train, it’s invaluable. Puppies are hard work, but so worth it!

We got the 2 on the right just over a year ago. The black and white is destructive, we had to cycle through multiple beds. They’ve grown into cracking dogs, all 3 came up for cuddles this morning and just snoozed til my DH got up.

My heart has just melted upon seeing your beautiful dogs. The one in the middle has such an amazing serene quality to their face, those deep soulful eye are just too much...

Brigante9 · 27/12/2022 12:11

SiousieSoo · 27/12/2022 12:00

My heart has just melted upon seeing your beautiful dogs. The one in the middle has such an amazing serene quality to their face, those deep soulful eye are just too much...

Show quote history

Proper mummy’s boy! He goes at 100mph round the woods, plays endlessly, jumps round the garden like he’s on springs and gives the best cuddles.

Original poster
TodayIsFridayHooray · 27/12/2022 12:22

Awww... all the cute pics are lovely!! :) Thanks everyone!

OP posts:
LisaD1 · 27/12/2022 12:51

We have 2 dogs. It took me 10 years to convince my husband. Our first dog was so easy, totally house trained in a few days, has never chewed anything, is so very easy to have around. Our 2nd dog took 8 months before he was finally fully house trained and even now if it’s raining he will try to get away with toilet in in the house and we have to watch him like a hawk, he has chewed multiple items of underwear, cushions, anything with a zip etc. he’s been hard work. That said we adore them both and would never be without them. I think you just need to go into it with your eyes wide open, the first few months with our 2nd dog was like having a new born and I think that’s a more realistic experience than what we had with our 1st dog (she didn’t come to us until 12 weeks so I think she learned a lot from the extra weeks with her mum)