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Help! Puppy/dog confusion, experienced doggy lovers please give advice!!!

25 replies

onthehill · 03/02/2010 14:35

I have decided to get a doggy for our famile as ds1 (10) and ds2 (5) would really love it I think. I am more than prepared to look after doggy myself, but I do work, normally 9-2 3 days a week. Is this too long to leave a puppy? Am thinking something like a schnoodle I have been looking at local rescue homes for a dog for nearly a year now and nothing suitable has come up. Any advice?

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flowerybeanbag · 03/02/2010 14:37

Yes, imo. I was at home all day with our puppy at first, then started leaving him, first 20 minutes at a time, then gradually increasing it.

Now he's an adult I would leave him up to 5 hours, but definitely wouldn't do it daily.

Sorry!

flowerybeanbag · 03/02/2010 14:38

Sorry have just seen it's 3 days a week. I still wouldn't do that with a puppy but might be more likely to consider it with an adult dog.

Might there be someone locally who could pop round and see it/take it out on the days you are working?

onthehill · 03/02/2010 14:41

Hi flower, yes my neghbour could pop in and let it out for a wee and a run round for ten minutes.Was also thinking of a dog flap, which is why i thoughy of a smaller dof like a schnoodle, so it could go out when it liked?

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flowerybeanbag · 03/02/2010 14:46

Well that sounds ok then. I still wouldn't do it with a puppy at first, though, perhaps once it got a bit older and more secure. Maybe a slightly older dog might be a good option?

I don't know about dog flaps - I did consider one for our dog but decided against it -it's a pain keep opening and shutting the door, especially in winter, but on balance I prefer knowing whether he's in or out. Plus he sleeps in the utility room where a flap would be so would be able to go out at night which i wouldn't want. He wouldn't go out, but I'd rather know he couldn't!

onthehill · 03/02/2010 14:48

yes, good point! was thinking if i got a pup at the start of the summer hols i would have 6 weeks at home with it, - i only work term-time, so it would be a little bit older when i went back to work...thanks though, you have given me a litlle hope!!!

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GrimmaTheNome · 03/02/2010 14:52

Certainly too long to leave a pup.

If there's some particular breeds you're interested in, see if you can find their breed club online. You may be able to find an adult dog through that route - they may have their own rescues, also breeders sometimes want to find pet homes for adults.

Glad you're thinking about this carefully - its a big commitment (but wonderful if you get it right)

onthehill · 03/02/2010 14:55

how old does doggy need to be then before i leave him for, say, 4 hours? TIA

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iggypiggy · 03/02/2010 15:00

Kind of off topic a tiny bit... but if you going for a mongrel - I'd pick one from rescue. If you want a puppy - get one from a proper reputable breeder (ie. a pedigree dog not a crossbreed/ mongrel) - you can find reputable breeders through breed societies.

I would want someone to pop in a few times while you were out - especially if it's a puppy - although it's good you have 6 weeks off to start with.

I personally don't really like dog flaps - so wouldn't pick that option.

iggypiggy · 03/02/2010 15:01

ps. obviously you can get puppies that are mongrels from rescue's too!

Please don't be tempted to buy a designer crossbreed (ie. mongrel!) from a 'breeder'

GrimmaTheNome · 03/02/2010 15:01

I don't think theres a one size fits all answer to that one - dogs vary as much as kids. Some are needy, some more self-contained.

The advantage of getting an adult is that you could specifically look for a laid-back dog; the breeder or shelter should then be able to guide you on what it could happily cope with.

iggypiggy · 03/02/2010 15:02

sorry - am waffling - but also wanted to say - I do love all breeds - including crossbreeds! But I hate seeing people pay huge sums for what is essentially a mongrel - and in general are not bred responsibly or with thought to health issues.

onthehill · 03/02/2010 15:04

okay, thanks this is all really helpful forgot how lovely MN's can be !!!!

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CountryGirl2007 · 03/02/2010 15:53

5 hours is probably too long for a puppy, but quite alright for an adult dog, especially as it's only for three days a week.

Have you considered a Greyhound? :D (or a pair of them even...they are so good you hardly notice an extra one :p )

Also, please don't buy a designer dog! You can get an equally nice mongrel from a shelter any day of the week :D

onthehill · 03/02/2010 16:53

countrygirl, I have been on the waiting list for a greyhound since october! apparently is hard to find a cat friendly one, - we have 3 cats - but i am starting to give up hope as my friend says she has been waiting for 4 years!

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midori1999 · 03/02/2010 17:32

What is a 'schnoodle'? If it is a schnauzer x poodle, I wouldn't have thought it would be a dog for a first time dog owner. Schnauzers can be quite energetic and driven and so can poodles, which were originally working dogs, so you might end up with a very high energey unruly dog.

I also think things will be very hard for you if you work three days for five hours, unless you have someone who can puppy sit for part of that time? Probably all of it initialy, and then maybe leaving 30 mins, then an hour, then two hours etc before you come home. A crate would be a good idea too, it will be impossibe to toilet train without it. Providing there are no issues, (seperation anxiety etc) an adult dog should be OK for five hours if you can tire it out with a long morning walk.

There are hundreds of dogs, and puppies in rescues. Have you really not been able to find one at all? Have you tried your local pound for puppies? There are almost always som sort of staff cross pups in rescue, and staffs make excellent family dogs.

MmeLindt · 03/02/2010 17:39

If you get a puppy at the beginning of the school holidays so that you can gradually increase time leaving it alone, then I think that it would work.

Do the school run with the dog in the morning to tire it out a bit.

Go for a Maltese (just because all the other dog owners are waiting for me to say that) or a Cavalier King Charles - or mix of these breeds. We have a very lazy Maltese/Cavalier and she would have no problem with being left for a couple of hours as she just loves to sleep.

CountryGirl2007 · 03/02/2010 21:50

There are quite a few cat friendly greyhounds around, have you looked at the list of greyhound rescues on animalrescuers.co.uk ? you could also get a Greyhound from Ireland. I agree that rescues/pounds/spca's are full of dogs and pups, surely there is something for you.

Cavaliers are nice pets but, unless you get a rescued one, I wouldn't recommend buying one! They are one of the unhealthiest dogs you can get unfortunatly, due to being so overbred for the pet market due to their popularity.

Vallhala · 03/02/2010 22:54

I have to say that I agree entirely with Midori. I'd also add that I'd be very concerned about using a dog-flap with a pup when I wasn't home to supervise him. If he got hurt in the garden you'd be unaware until you got home and with DC who may (if they're like mine when they were little) leave toys around, the chance of him picking up and swallowing a stone etc, it's just too big a risk until he's older.

As everyone knows I will always, always advocate rescuing rather than going to a breeder. However the chances of a Schnoodle (I too presume a Schnauzer X Poodle) coming up in rescue, breed or not, are incredibly slim. In all my time involved in rescue I've never come across one.

Thats not to say that there aren't plenty of super, family friendly breeds and crosses in rescue and yes, contrary to bad press and thus popular opinion, Staffs and Greys are great. Greys are a lazy bunch of beggars who like not million mile walks but a couple or three reasonable blasts of runs and then they'll lay on the sofa with their paws in the air! Staffs... well, most will enjoy their walks and then sit on your lap and lick you to death.

If a Grey or Lurcher interests you then try Lurcherlink or the Retired Greyhound Trust, as well as more locally-based organisations like your nearest rescue or Hersham Hounds. Staffs... well, sadly they are everywhere and often make a large proportion of national and local rescues. You might also consider an older dog under the circumstances and if so the best place to start is the Oldies website (they aren't all absolutely ancient, bless 'em, don't fear!). Again, local independent and national rescue (particularly the former as nationals like the Dogs Trust and RSPCA tend to be more picky as to which dogs they take in) will have a wide selection of older dogs, many of whom will have a full history and background so that you'll know if they are used to children/cats, are good on a lead, happy when left for a while etc.

I hope this helps.

onthehill · 04/02/2010 13:21

Thankyou, you've all been really helpful.I think that in light of what everyone's said, an adult dog is what we need really. I had always intended to get a resue dog not a puppy, I genuinely haven't found one that can go to a home with cats or young children, I check 6 centres websites every week . Maybe i will register with the breed websites. I don't mind really what kind, doesn't HAVE to be a schnoodle, but would like a scruffy doggy really . I know there are loads of staffs in rescue centres...but I've just been so put off them by stuff I've heard/read. Sorry staff lovers (ducks)

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midori1999 · 04/02/2010 13:32

You really need to ring the rescue centres and maybe go on a waiting list, also breed rescue if a particular breed would suit you. It is likely the easiest to rehome dogs (and that is ones that have a kown history, are housetrained, good with kids etc) never go on the website. Also, a rescue doesn't mean you can't get a puppy if you can fit your circumstances at home to suit one, there are lots of puppies in rescue.

Breed rescues often get youngish dogs in or know of dogs that have been returned to breeders as the owners can no longer keep them, that might be your best bet.

Also, what have you heard/read abou Stafies? Did you know they are the only breed the kennel club have ever recommended as suitable with children and are also known as the 'nanny' dog because they are so good with kids? I've curretly got a rescue Staff x Labrador puppy here that is a little gem.

sb6699 · 04/02/2010 13:53

Funnily enough, DH always had staffies as both a child and an adult.

He insists they are best breed of dog about and his were always fabulous with children.

It's true that the easiest to rehome dogs (young, good with children, good with other pets) probably wouldnt make a website around here as they go so quickly.

The Retired Greyhound Trust is always advertising in my local paper so maybe if you're local branch doesnt have one suitable, if you're willing to travel you could get one at another branch.

Puppies are always rehomed quickly so I would recommend actually going into the rescue centres and letting them know you are actively looking and maybe popping in every now and again. That's how I got my collie pup - the full litter was rehomed the day they arrived!

onthehill · 04/02/2010 20:47

point taken about staffies...
Having said I have given up on the greyhound rescue, the centre called this evening! They have a cat friendly girl if we are interested.
thing is, cos I thought the greyhound thing wasn't going to happen, i had started thinking of a lil scruffy rough and tumble doggy...
someone tell me how lovely their greyhound is, I really want a rescue dog!

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Vallhala · 04/02/2010 21:04

Ah, onthehill, I've fostered just one Grey but know a lot of people who own them, all rescue dogs. They are darlings, very gentle and sweet-natured.

A compromise might be a scruffy Lurcher perhaps? That said a Grey who is cat-friendly is quite rare and if I were you I'd go meet her... I bet you'll be swept off your feet by her!

Failing this do look at rescues outside of your area as some (especially breed rescues) will rehome to people some distance away provided that they can arrange a homecheck and you are willing and able to visit the dog at the rescue. Its always worth asking about.

MmeLindt · 04/02/2010 21:09

We have a scruffy looking dog and she requires quite some grooming. I spent an hour detangling her today, and have only done half of her.

A friend has a greyhound, he is the lovliest of dogs, sweet and gentle with the DC and with other dogs.

onthehill · 04/02/2010 21:11

valhalla you're telling me what i need to know!

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