just how time consuming is a puppy???

[ABudafulSightWereHappyTonight]

Am contemplating getting a surprise lab pup for DS who is 7 and an only child. Both he and DH really want a dog and we have always said we would get one when we move back to UK. But I now know of one available now - a brother to a friend's pup (and other friends have had dogs from her) and the breeder is well know to friends and will take dogs if people are away etc.

I have never had a pet.

Am a bit (lot?) iffy about poo etc.

I do remember friends saying that a pup is like a newborn. Is it that bad?

Should I or should I not?

DS would be and DH would be and then .

I would have a ready made dog walking community. And lots of people to advise and help. When I am drunk it sounds like a great idea but then I sober up!

would it be possible to puppysit your friend's pup for a few days or even a week to get an idea of care involved. it is quite time consuming and not meaning any offence, childrem do lose interest very quickly and it most likely will fall upon yourself or DH to care for it.

i have an 18 week old puppy, i have had him since 8 weeks, he is not yet fully housetrained, he chews everything, my son is slighty frightened that he nips at his feet and also he needs walked at least twice a day, which for us means getting up about half six and going out in freezing cold, and also being out in the evening when it is quite cold aswell.

it will affect your routine and lifestyle alot, however we love him to pieces and we think he is worth the effort. i have recently bought a puppy training book, which i would recommend you do as you mentioned no experience with pets. this will at least give you the skills to train him basically to behave and be housetrained.

It is like having a newborn.

My advice would be go to a rescue and ask them to set you up with a dog. Be honest about the time you can spend with them. Will you be able to take them to training classes, deal with an un-littertrained dog.

You maybe able to get a lovely little 6 month (or something) old dog - all the joys of puppyhood but they've learnt some manners beforehand.

Best places are rescue helpers or dog pages

remember to be honest!!

Thanks for the messages!

Am in Hungary Aaliyah so rescue places not an ideal way here unfortunately. They do exist but I would rather take the one whose history we know to be honest.

Think I am off the idea again in the cold light of day!

Definately a huge amount of work (and cost)
I would do alot of research beforehand I think.

We have a 6 month old lab puppy. Labs are a great choice for a family pet, gentle dogs but as puppies very energetic and they do require alot of time and patience!

Having a puppy is similar to having a newborn! The first 6 weeks were actually not that enjoyable,if I am honest. However, the training is paying off and I love her to pieces now.

Think really carefully before committing to a dog. Although, sounds like you are.

I spoke to some friends and they are all honest - one says she really didn't enjoy first 18 months with hers. Loves him to bits now.

I am thinking hard. I know DS would love it - although he has said he wants a small dog.

Its a mega commitment for us our dog is never alone in the house nd took us a week to train- to train succesfully we took him out every hour and even during the night i took him out at 3 am!! in the snow in my pjs.....as i so cant bear to have a 'dirty dog' as result we have had 3 accidents in the house 1 poop and 2 wees since we got him -hes chewed up my bestest shoes and the wire off the x box headset but hes so lovely and although we very much treat him as another child by not leaving him home alone hes v enjoyable and a lovely pet.

I'm a lifelong dog owner and was very very keen to get my now 7 month old lab puppy but even I questioned my sanity when I was stood outside on a (summer) morning at 2.30 am saying 'do a wee, good boy, do a wee'....

Whoever is going to take that responsibility for the pup has to be 100% sure it's what they want.

Even when you are past the puppy stage they can't be left alone for more than a few hours and eventually you get into old age and any associated problems (eg incontinence, vets bills etc.).

Sorry to sound negative but if you are going to be the main carer you have to think of this.

HTH

Bella

bella glad its not just me in the early hours lol.

unless you want it in your bed then you will have a period where it yelps and whines and generally gets upset by being locked in the kitchen/downstairs at night, it will shit i=on the floor, it will chew things and race through the house, it will need walks every day at least twice a day, it will be full of energy and need playing with and entertaining.

When it gets older your movements will be restricted unless you are prepared to put it in kennels or leave it with a willing family member which generally are hard to come by.

There are LOADS of positives but the puppy stage is hard and it doesn't stop when it grows up.

Thanks all. We will now NOT be getting a dog!

I am def not committed enough for all that.

Yes, we must be just a teeny bit mad, jolly

How about a cat?

Oh it is very very hard work!!!! Especially around Christmas time when there is so much going on. Our lab puppy was about 12 weeks at Christmas time and it was a nightmare to be honest!! She was into everything and chewed EVERYTHING!! This meant that NO toys could be left on the floor (which is very hard work with 2 DDs). Also, trying to guard the Christmas tree 24/7 was a delightful task. She was being fed 4 times a day which limits the time she could be left alone.

DD1 was desperate for a puppy. However, when we got the pup she was nipping and biting and DD1 was scared to death and wouldn't walk across the carpet if the pup was around as she was scared of being nipped. Start as you mean to go and and start training from Day1. They soon understand that when you say "No" in a firm voice it means they stop what they are doing.

Think very very carefully!!! However, saying all that I wouldn't swop ours for the world. Just be prepared for the worst.

Check out labradorforums.co.uk They have some fab advice.

I am allergic to cats thankfully Bella!

Hello Bella! lol always look out for you on these threads

Do you know how old labs tend to be when they come into season for the first time? My vet wants us to wait for pups first season before having her spayed. Have no idea when this may be, guessing about 9 months?

Sorry buda, have hijacked your thread!

Hallo newpup!

Yes, she could come into season any time now although, generally speaking, bigger dogs tend to be older than smaller dogs when they have their first heat.

It's quite contentious whether to do it before her first season or after - you don't want to get me flamed, do you?

The vet I used to work for thought it was an old wives' tale about it being better to wait for her first season (not to mention running the risk of mismating - and whatever the daddy she would be far too young for motherhood). A lot of vets do prefer to do it after a season as they know the stage of her cycle then and don't run the risk of trying to perform a hysterectomy when the blood vessels etc could be quite enlarged. There was more than one occasion when a bitch was brought in for a pre-arranged spaying and had to be sent home because she had suddenly come into heat.

HTH & makes sense.

Bella

another hijack, what about male dogs, what agwe for neutering?

Six months, breaghsmum, although I think some vets do it even earlier now

Some behaviourists argue against doing it before a year old:

I AM ONLY REPEATING THEIR OPINIONS PLEASE DONT ANYONE FLAME ME

Oh, and newpup, I believe there is evidence that spaying bitches before their first season reduces the risk of mammary tumours.

Off for a quick shower before I get flamed

Thanks Bella. I have to be guided by my vet I guess. I do worry though that she may get 'mobbed' (can't think of a politer phrase) out on a walk as there are lots of boy dogs off the lead in the park.

My vet refuses to spay bitches before they have their first season.

P.S. Had no idea it was a contentious issue

That's okay.

Have you got her a Christmas pressie?

This is so embarassing I will have to whisper.....

She has a doggy advent calendar

I am going to send you an embossed, gilt edged, magnetic toy rotation chart, though

Fantastic!

Feeling eminently sensible and smug about giving my boy a new collar (he's been wearing hand-me-downs until now) and maybe a toy Make sure you leave enough space on the chart, please

PS Does she open the calendar herself? She is from working stock, isn't she?