New puppy - first dog

[pigsinmud]

Ok - I am so excited! Friend's dog has just had pups and we're having one. Neither dh nor I have ever had a dog. Dh was very reluctant as we have 4 children and just emerging from chaotic baby mess.
What do we need? We don't get her until mid Feb - just planning ahead! I've got a book on the way. Mother is a springer and father is lab/collie/staffie (can't quite picture that!).

I can't offer you much advice as we are novice puppy parents too. Our PFD is 12 weeks and great fun.

The DC love her, even DH strokes her sneakily when he thinks no one is looking.

We bought a crate as everyone says that is the best thing to do but tbh, we don't use it much. We take her with us almost everywhere as that is no problem here in Switzerland.

I bought no cuddly toys for the dog, just a squeaky mouse and rope toys so that she does not muddle her toys with the DC's toys.

Have you chosen a name? MN helped me name our puppy.

I second get a crate- best things ever. With 4 kids you'll be used to hard work already. Make sure you socialise loads. there are some really good books out there - search on past threads. Also book your dog training classes.

Thanks for that. Friends had suggested the crate.
As for names. I like Tasha - comes from Natasha and means Born at Christmas. We all like it apart from eldest child ds1(10) and he has got very grumpy about it.

How lovely - wish we were getting one too. Remember they can live a very long time ( both of mine have made it past 15) so do go to puppy classes and set firm boundaries otherwise puppy will misbehave and be a pain to live with. A crate is excellent post bath - mine loves his crate and leaps in there with old towels to roll about and dry out when wet. Also be sure to insure for vets bills - learned from experience on this one, and paid over £1,000 for spinal surgery on dachshund.

Definitely get crate, ours loves sleeping in his and great for travelling as you can bung it in the car. Good idea higgle for classes too - stops any early bad habits getting out of control! Re: insurance - PDSA pet cover is pretty good and reasonable. Good luck, you will love it, they can sometimes be a pita but it's more than made up by the fun and love they give you!

Absolutlely doing insurance - had a cat with no insurance and had major kidney problem ... cost us a fortune! Have discovered a training class in the village on an evening when dh is around - couldn't believe my luck.

The timing is not great as would have preferred a dog when youngest started school, however the fact we know the mother and have seen the pups from birth and the children have handled them etc .. outweighs the bad timing for me.

My mum thinks it's a terrible idea, but she is a cat person. I think it'll be great though. Luckily I don't work at the moment, so am around for the puppy training bit.

Ds1 has always been scared of dogs, but he was sitting with 8 pups yesterday and looked so happy - who can be scared of a 4 day old pup! I can't stop thinking about it and am willing time away!

We got our puppy then 2 weeks later I discovered I was preggers, there's never a good time to get one! I grew up with dogs, it will be sooo lovely for your dcs, and if you've got 4 kids, a puppy will be a breeze!!