Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

DH wants a puppy Is it worth getting a puppy for his birthday

118 replies

Safarigiraffe · 01/02/2023 20:31

Hi all, we are thinking of getting a English Springer Spaniel puppy for DH birthday in June as a surprise for him however we do work full time, DS/DD work part time so any advice on if it’s worth getting DH the puppy he's always wanted or hang on a bit

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 01/02/2023 20:33

No, you shouldn’t get a puppy if the adults in the house work full time

TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 01/02/2023 20:33

Very unfair to get a puppy who will be on its own so much of the week

gettingalifttothestation · 01/02/2023 20:33

What do you mean is it worth it ? What are your concerns ?

Whatatimetobealivetoday · 01/02/2023 20:33

How old are DS and DD? And how part time is part time? And will they live at your house for the next 15 years or are they moving out soon??

Who will walk the puppy when you’re at work and do training etc??

Pootles34 · 01/02/2023 20:35

I don't think getting anyone a puppy as a suprise is a good idea. Any decent breeder would want to meet both of you anyway.

Bamboozle123 · 01/02/2023 20:36

No.

A live animal is not a gift, ever.

You are also not in a position to take on a puppy, are you?

Leafytrees · 01/02/2023 20:37

Whenever you do it (and when you're both working full time is not on, totally unfair to the dog) please never get a puppy as a surprise. It's such a huge change in your life and you need to all be fully prepared. To raise a nice dog you need to put in hours every day whole they're young, especially with a breed like a Springer.

Original poster
Safarigiraffe · 01/02/2023 20:37

DD works 4 times a week & DS works 3 times a week, DH works shift work over 5 days (early/afternoon) but can easily change his hours here & there I work every day
Puppy wouldn’t be on its own there will be someone around at all times

OP posts:
Comeonbarbiebrianharvey · 01/02/2023 20:37

There are many positives but the main negative it will chew up your house, and have accidents while learning. So I wouldn't do it if you've just decorated or have expensive furniture. Love dogs I don't think I could do puppy stage again they trash your house.

Wolfiefan · 01/02/2023 20:37

Of course that’s a bloody awful idea. No decent breeder would sell a pup as a surprise. They would want to meet you all and he may want some say in what pup and when.

Thinkbiglittleone · 01/02/2023 20:40

No. How can you buy your DH a puppy that your DC will predominately look after and be burdened with while you and DH work.

Wait until you or your DH can go part time, or get set shifts so the dog is not alone. He has fixed evening you have fixed days

TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 01/02/2023 20:41

Safarigiraffe · 01/02/2023 20:37

DD works 4 times a week & DS works 3 times a week, DH works shift work over 5 days (early/afternoon) but can easily change his hours here & there I work every day
Puppy wouldn’t be on its own there will be someone around at all times

All of you work pretty much full time, how will there always be someone around?

And unless your DC are planning to live with you and are happy to raise a puppy they don’t want, you can’t factor them in for doggy day care

Slouch · 01/02/2023 20:42

Jesus Christ of course it's ridiculous to get an animal as a present! Especially with your work arrangements.

Original poster
Safarigiraffe · 01/02/2023 20:43

We all want the puppy not just DH

OP posts:
BarrelOfOtters · 01/02/2023 20:43

it is possible to wft and have a puppy….but….puppies can’t really be left on their own for longer than a couple of hours till they are 4 to 6 months. When you first get one it has have someone there to housetrain….we worked from home in shifts till she was probably about 4 months old.

you’ll need dog sitters, a dog walker or be able to get home at lunchtime. Puppies are hard work.

FiveGoMadInDorset · 01/02/2023 20:44

that is the wrong breed of dog for you

flowerycurtain · 01/02/2023 20:45

We have a cocker spaniel coming up for a year. He gets two walks a day plus bombing round our farm and is with dh or me for most of the day. I can't see how you can have a dog like a spaniel when you both work full time.

Climbles · 01/02/2023 20:45

If you’re going to get a puppy for his birthday don’t do it as a surprise.
Spaniels are very needy dogs. Ours couldn’t be left at all really for a year and it’s taken until two years old to work up to leaving him for 4 hours at a time. I know most are quicker but it’s common in the breed to have issues with separation. You can’t guarantee your kids will be about all the time for the next 15 years.

Starlitestarbright · 01/02/2023 20:46

Have you ever had a dog before they are hardwork. I don't work on the morning so my puppy is with me till 12. Then my husband finishes at 2.30 and is in on the afternoon. And evening when I'm at work. She's not left for long.

RiktheButler · 01/02/2023 20:48

You all "want the puppy"

You sure you want "the dog"?

Iwantabloodypizza · 01/02/2023 20:49

A puppy is like having a baby. Only worse, as at least babies wear nappies and don’t chew things.

I don’t think that’s the right breed for you for a start.

And a good breeder would turn you away if you said their puppy was for a birthday present and you worked full time.

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 01/02/2023 20:50

Assuming this is real....

Based on the way you phrased this and the way you're planning to go about it, no. You're not mature or sensible enough yet.

VickyEadieofThigh · 01/02/2023 20:53

Puppies are hard work because they need a lot of training - and that requires consistency. It's not good enough at all to say 'there will always be someone around' because it's not simply about having one of four humans in the house.

This idea will end with a damaged dog landing in rescue with all of the other pups which were bought by people who didn't know what they were doing.

AdoraBell · 01/02/2023 20:54

Only get a puppy if DH has time to properly care for it. Working FT I doubt he will be able to devote the appropriate time and attention.

FictionalCharacter · 01/02/2023 20:54

Absolutely terrible idea. Getting a dog should be a family decision involving a detailed discussion about its care. I detest the idea of giving a dog as a gift, let alone a surprise one.

Swipe left for the next trending thread