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Original poster

What do you wish you'd known before getting a puppy?

129 replies

Cardell27 · 16/02/2024 21:39

We bring home our first puppy next week, a little rescue terrier. We've done plenty of research and feel pretty prepared, but I thought I'd tap into the collective wisdom of mumsnet. What do you wish you'd known?

OP posts:
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6
JubileeJumps · 16/02/2024 21:41

Get loads of suitable toys for them to chew and a pen so they have a nice safe, comfortable space.

YeOldeGreyhound · 16/02/2024 21:43

That I would have no time to myself for the next few months.

I had my greyhound as a puppy, and I was warned that greyhound pups are particularly difficult (they have the nickname 'landsharks').

I lost a lot of nice shoes to chewing, and also phone chargers! If you don't want it wrecked, then hide it!

Good luck with your new doggo.

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 16/02/2024 21:45

Stick and Flick is not recommended. Always pick up the poo and bin it. Do not hang it on the trees like some warped Christmas bauble.

FranticHare · 16/02/2024 21:46

Play pen and / or crate.

I know some are against crates - but ours loved it and went in under own accord whenever he felt like it. Was also child free space so he knew it was his safe space. Plus somewhere safe to leave him when we went out - no nasty surprises on our return!

Meagainnewname · 16/02/2024 21:47

How absolutely heartbreaking it is when they get older, you love them so much and they fall seriously ill and have to have them put down 😢😢😢

MargeretIntheWood · 16/02/2024 21:48

That approximately 12 years later my heart would be shattered into bits.

Chocolatefrenzy · 16/02/2024 21:48

Its like having your life turned upside down and there will be times when you will want to give the puppy back (trashed beige carpet, chewed precious belongings etc) but please please please power through these times (they do pass) as having a dog is the best thing we've ever done and we love ours to the moon and back.....he is amazing

BIWO · 16/02/2024 21:48

Its like having a new baby in the house - dont underestimate the amount of time you need to devote to the puppy - eventually they settle down. Also important to get into a routine - feeding/sleeping/walks - good luck!

Needablueskyholiday · 16/02/2024 21:48

Jumping up strangers on walks is very stressful when they’re a puppy. Especially people that aren’t dog people.

Also socialise the puppy as soon as you can and 100% go to obedience classes as soon as you can. “Can’t teach an old dog new tricks and all that!”

Itsbeginingtolookalotlikexmas · 16/02/2024 21:49

That the puppy blues are a thing

ToHellBackAndBeyond · 16/02/2024 21:49

That they are puppies for such a short time but look like adults way before their brains catch up.

To not let them do those things that are cute and adorable in a pup but not so cute when they are a full grown dog

That no two pups are the same so having one lovely one and thinking the second would be as easy as just not the truth.

CheeseDreamsTonight · 16/02/2024 21:50

I would have been more clued up on training.

I wish I'd known not to let puppy meet and play with all willing dogs as it creates a 'every dog is a playmate' mentality, when it's not true. I had to undo lots.

I wish I had known it's ok to tell someone to get control of their dog, even if they're shouting 'don't worry, they're friendly.'

DustyLee123 · 16/02/2024 21:51

If the pup toilets inside, it’s because you didn’t anticipate it. Get to know the signs.
If you don’t want it chewed, don’t leave it out.

RheaRend · 16/02/2024 21:51

Baby gate - keep shoes on the other side of said gate.
Carpet washer - keep filled.
Houdini harnesses are brilliant - with handles on the back to help lift into air jail when needed!

ash86i · 16/02/2024 21:58
  • How much you’ll adore your puppy
  • Play pen / crate are essential
  • Don’t bother with too much toys and gadgets.
  • Potty train seriously and you’ll have no problems later.
  • Train your pup to listen to you. Sitting and giving paw are cute but what really matters is recall and discipline.
  • and socialise the puppy as much as you can, with other dogs, kids etc

Hard work at first but oh so worth it :)

Lyra87 · 16/02/2024 21:58

Crate training is a good thing if done right(i.e not used as punishment or left all day etc). It's a good safe space for them.
My dog as a puppy was harder than a newborn and puppy blues can happen but you will get through it. Puppies are babies and act like it, so loads of patience is needed ( for us the sleep deprivation was worse with the dog than dc)
Puppy training is a good investment.
Most of all, they bring so much joy as well as chaos 😁

MsVestibule · 16/02/2024 21:58

All dogs are different, but we found the first year really hard going. Honestly, I could have rehomed him at any point in the first year. The commitment and lack of freedom was difficult. He would chew anything, computer cables, credit cards etc for about 3 years. His recall was terrible, despite constant training (much better now). The expense of dog boarders. But now we have a 6yo dog we adore and can't imagine life without him.

Get good insurance!

Riverlee · 16/02/2024 22:01

How relentless they are. Every moment of the day revolves around them. They can be cute, funny and entertaining, but also frustrating and time- consuming. Its like having a newborn in the house, and all the normal household jobs you do take twice as long. Also, you get cabin fever as it’s recommended they do short walks and you build it up.

GuppytheCat · 16/02/2024 22:06

Wear a bra.

Or at least don't lean over braless while trying to settle an overexcited, bouncing, snapping puppy.

Trust me on this one.

Offcom · 16/02/2024 22:11

I’m wildly jealous of you now – but honestly I really regretted getting a dog for a few weeks. I had only had cats before, the toilet training really taxed me

I wish I’d never bothered trying to crate train him because of course he was going to sleep with me, I was totally kidding myself

I have no regrets about letting my dog have rawhide chews. Just saying this because they get so much negative press, a lot of which seems to be because they’re MADE IN CHINA? Over the years he has chewed just one shoe ever (but obviously didn’t leave him with choking hazards as a little puppy)

Every dog is different but I fed my dog raw food/meaty treats from the start and he is not at all interested in bread or crisps or random crap in the park

Please update with a pic when your puppy is home!

Thewolvesarerunningagain · 16/02/2024 22:13

Routine is a requirement and non negotiable. Newborn babies are actually easier than puppies in some ways as you can put them in a sling and go for a walk whereas a puppy is stuck at home minimally until the immunisations are complete. That puppy farts are the death and you can’t get the smell off you for days. That you can actually sleep just fine bolt upright with a puppy nose huffing in your ear if you are desperate enough. That you are their world and you have to act like it. That carrier bags, whether out in the street or in the house are scary for reasons neither you nor your puppy will ever be able to explain.

GuppytheCat · 16/02/2024 22:20

The sling reminded me -- you can take the puppy out and about to look at the world in a sling or the crate in the car. Just don't let it down onto the ground till the safe period after the jabs.

Unforgettablefire · 16/02/2024 22:29

@GuppytheCat that's just made my nips spontaneously invert 🥴

EdithStourton · 16/02/2024 22:33

Recall recall recall.
And lots of tedious heelwork - it is worth it in the end.

ElectricMagpie · 16/02/2024 22:43

Insurance may start out cheap but never goes down (unless you were overcharged in the first place and switch)

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