Can anyone with a puppy come out and tell me the most important thing you think I ought to be aware of?

[2sugars]

We've had three dogs, but two H already had when I met him, and one we got from a rescue home. So although I've had experience of dogs, I'm really in the dark about puppies.

What would be your really good piece of advice?

that it is like having another baby and you need to be with them most of the time for the first month or so, waking up very early, not minding if they pee in your house. You also need to be very patient!

They are gorgeous, but..i now realise that my mother was incredibly tolerant and selfless looking after all the puppies we had as children!

there is more poo than you could ever imagine possible

if you are getting a large breed do not walk it until it isat least 8 months. walking it early can cause problems with the growing bones and can cause arthritis etc. bigger dogs grow slower. so many times i see people taking large diog puppies for runs not realising the damage they are causing for the future! if it is a small breed they usually full grown by 6 months so ok.

We got a 7 month old puppy a couple of weeks ago - she only sleeps to 4.30am! So I agree with Hoarsewhisperer -It's like having the disruption of a new baby, no sleep, wee and poo everywhere, guilt if you need to go out and leave them, and incredible patience required to ignore unwanted behaviour and reward the good stuff.
You need to make sure puppy is well socialised with lots of people and animals at an early age.

Get a crate and train it to go in it, even when you aren't going out. Dogs don't mess where they sleep, so you can be sure that you won't come home to a mess. It can also be a place of sanctuary when the pup wants to be left alone.

You get out what you put in, with puppies. It takes a lot of patience and effort to bring up a puppy to be a well-mannered, well-adjusted dog. Just like kids, I think!

I second the crate suggestion, giving them a safe haven (especially if you have young kids) is really important and it's a boon to have somewhere safe they're happy to go into when you leave them.

As regards large breeds, you won't give them a problem they weren't already going to develop by over-walking them. But the average puppy really doesn't need walks anyway, eating your furniture/chasing the cat/shredding your mail will be plenty tiring enough

must just be boxers then as it was recommended in my book i bought before getting my dogs that excessive waking can damage the soft bones.

Ooooohhhh am looking at this with interest - we are hoping to get a Sussex Spaniel in September (if I get made redundant!) - so need a crate and lots of new furniture so far!

Bethoo you are right, it does apply to all large breads. I have had German Shepherds for years and I have been strongly advised by both breeders and vets that you don't over walk them for at least a year, and really in that time you shouldn't let them off the lead for vigourous activity until they are a year old. I know people with other large breeds and they have been given the same advice regarding exercise by different vets and breeders.

The only thing I could add to the above advice is to find a good puppy training class and take your pup along for additional socialisation outside of the home environment. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers is a good starting point for clubs in your area if you don't already know of one.

Also if you feel unsure about anything talk to your vet, or breeder if you are getting a pedigree, and they should be able to help you

thanks Norwichmummy was startiong to think i had not read it!! i am one of those poops who reads up about stuff like that.

bethoo etc - When we got our Great Dane puppy he was limited to 30 minute walk a day until a year old. It was all quite sedate when out but he still raced around the house. The breeder also recommended that he didn't do stairs but ours are wide and shallow and they never caused a problem - he's 8 soon (grey-chopped veteran).

Several bits of advice for puppies - get them registered with a vet, sort their jabs & microchip out, discuss neutering in advance of making decision and make sure they have a good diet without any sudden changes.

Socialise and train them. And buy a large supply of poo-bags. And have fun with it!

Does anyone know please how much puppies jabs and microchip cost? am looking into getting a puppy.

roughly about £30 per booster and only about £20 for the microchip

how many jabs? Thanks

their first set in the first year they have first at about 10 weeks then another lot 2 weeks later. then once a year after that

It's true that excessive exercise/impact can potentially be considered a risk factor for developing joint problems (namely OCD) but the evidence is not conclusive so far, and more research is needed. Normal, sensible exercise should not cause a problem in itself, unless the pathology was pre-existing. I often find people have bought puppies and on the breeder's advice they don't ever walk them, which causes more trouble in behaviour terms (especially for breeds like German Shepherds!) than it possibly prevents in physical health terms.

That's just my assessment of the current research. That might change if we get to know more over time

They are very much like having a newborn baby.

All the squeaky noises, poos, weeing, sleepless nights and your house can be upside down.

As much socialisation as possible. If your vet, or a local dog trainer, has puppy socialisation classes go along.

And get pet insurance. For the vet's bills and third party liability. You may never need it, but, if you do, you'll be jolly glad you have it.

Definitely get a crate as others have said, and socialise them, they may not be allowed long walks but get them out and about as much as possible, my pup used to ride in the hood of dd's pushchair before he'd had his jabs so he got used to traffic etc. he went camping, stayed in a holiday cottage on a farm, visited the beach, woods, dog shows town centres, markets etc as many places as possible in the first few months. It helps to stop them developing 'issues/phobias' which can be a real problem in later life e.g a collie came bounding up to me and dd barking madly at dd's pushchair when we were walking down a rough track on the edge of town (in her 3 wheeler) the owner said, 'oh sorry he's never seen a pushchair before - you don't expect them along here!' it upset dd quite alot and could have been nasty if the dog attacked the pushchair so I'd even socialise them with things you wouldn't expect to encounter if you can as you never know what they'll come across in the future.

Don't allow any behaviour you don't want as an adult, including being on furniture and jumping up.

A crate is worth its weight in gold - they help housetrain a puppy quicker, provide a safe haven when it all gets too much for them, and its somewhere you can put them and know they can't come to any harm.

Kongs are great if you need to go out, and they keep doggy minds occupied, so they are less likely to find their own mischief.

Insurance - get the best you can afford, you will be glad of it!!

Puppy classes are great and help to shape a great canine citizen, as well as providing socialisation, and often they'll let the kids help train, which means the dog will obey and respect them, and it can be the start of a dog hobby including agility/flyball and junior handling like you see at crufts