Really surprised

[assumpta]

Hi, we are hoping to get a puppy in the summer, and I thought I would ask some people at school that have pups/dog themselves, just to pick their brains. I couldn't believe the negativity, it was "well we got him for the children", "it's very tying", "can't just do this or that" etc, etc. Although I know all this, and we have all thought and talked about it as a family, and I am not getting a dog just for the children, we all want one, it has made me wonder if it is going to be awful. I think that I am prepared, and know that it will be hard work in the beginning and although I don't love the idea of poo etc, I am not overly worried about it all, which now makes me think I should be worried. I am, of course, treating it as a huge commitment, as it is one. Am I better off not asking people, or keep trying in the hope that someone will say, "it is the best thing we ever did", which I truly think it will be.

It's the best thing we ever did

Seriously, I couldn't love my little dog more. She is a pain in the bum most of the sometimes, but she's a Springer and they are one of the least calm breeds there are.

She's my little mate, always there, lovely to come home to, such an affectionate little thing.

Great with DD too.

They are a big commitment - we have left her in kennels for a couple of short stays but she hates it, so our family holidays include her now. Not a problem for us, as we don't particularly like flying or have the inclination to go abroad with little children, but worth considering.

God I'm shivering at the memory of episiotomy stitches + attempting to have a wee.

Far TMI for this thread, sorry! wrong thread!

Thank goodness withorwithoutyou, yes I have taken all that into consideration, we realise that we would mainly holiday in UK and Ireland, and are kind of looking forward to it. I have researched dog passports and know what is required, but all I heard was "well you can't just go here" etc., I know! I have also researched "homes" that they can stay in, and we will just have to factor this into our expenses, if, and when, we go away or are planning an abroad holiday. People can be so negative. At least you didn't say "when this one dies, we won't get another one", which is what 3 people so far have said .

As long as know exactly what you are getting yourself into then it is the best thing you'll ever do!!

I speak as someone with a 5 month old Staffy snoozing across my legs because he can't bear to be too far away from me!

Go for it, it's lovely to read a thread on here from someone who really wants a dog rather than the ones you see where people get pestered by their kids, give in and then want to rehome it a few months later

You don't need anyone else's permission to get one, just plenty of commitment and love.

What sort of dog are you thinking of?

I hope I do personalclown. I really don't want to feel they were right, and have a deep down determination to enjoy having a dog and to show them just that. We waited an extra year, as we were only 90% sure then, we now don't feel we could be any surer, and I know that we are now all very excited.

I think most people have times after getting a (first) dog when they think 'what the bloody hell have I done?' I know I did.

It is a massive commitment, but it sounds like you're very well aware of what it involves. Just remember that having a puppy is a bit like having a toddler with a chainsaw and you'll be fine

We are hoping to get a chow chow or a spaniel cross, probably with poodle, called a spoodle. Probably a spoodle, as not quite as big. I have got loads of books, but some good hands on advice is alway invaluable, especially regarding food type and frequency, bowl or kong, what kind of treats, what kind of spray cleaner for accidents, etc, etc. My quest continues...

Go for it if you have considered it properly. We waited until we had the right garden (about 7 years) before we finally got one. Never regretted it

You know what, that is exactly how I am thinking of it, e.g. instead of travel potty, poop bags, beaker - bowl, harness - lead, and the various bouts of bad behaviour and accidents with it. I totally understand that there might be times when you have enough, it is the same with kids, but I hope I wouldn't completely turn someone off.

Oh yeah they will drive you nuts at times!! Like this one that@s trying to take my attention away from the laptop but the love and devotion you get back is amazing!!
And Kongs are the best thing ever invented!

Can you tell me about them please. I have been told that it is a good idea to put their main meal in them, as they eat it slower, but someone else says to give it when they are in their crate to keep them amused, so what do you put in it then? If treats, what type of treat? Also what kind of treat when training do you give? Thank you

We used to put cheese in ours, but don't use it any more as the dog ate the rubber

I had a Staffy cross years ago and when she died I said "never again"

6 years later I now have a 6 month old Staffy pup!

She is nuts, she trashed the kitchen today, does the smelliest farts known to man and we adore her!

The children love playing with her, I love to walk her, Dh cuddles her every evening, she is the biggest baby, loves to be as close to you as possible, loves cuddles and has now learnt how to sit on the window sill to watch whats going on in the street!

They are hard work and they do drive you to despair at times, but the love they give you and all they want in return is kindness, is all worth it!

I have two black labs (aged 3 and 12 months) and I honestly can't imagine my life without them. They are without a doubt the best thing we've ever done! They are incredibly hard work, your life (and house) will never be the same again, but the sheer joy they bring far outweighs anything else. The day I don't come home to a waggy tail will be the saddest day of my life. In fact, it's not just waggy tails - they wag from their bums right up to their noses! And every time, without fail, they will pick something up to greet me with. I'm not allowed to actually take it ("I'm just showing you, mum!") but they're so pleased with themselves for bringing me something, probably the retriever instinct. And they make little piggy grunts and whines, and hop from one foot to the other because they're so excited to see me, all while doing the waggy-body dance with a mouth full of tea towel. I defy anyone to be miserable, coming home to that every day!

It is a bit of a pain when you need someone to dog-sit, so I recommend finding a good local kennel and getting them used to the place as early as possible. It makes it so much easier if you want to have a day out, you can just take them there for the day and pick them up in the evening, instead of trying to find someone to look after them. Same goes for nights away etc. And it's really not that expensive - you'll pay about £15/£20 a night at most places (and they discount for a week). Of course, once you've got a dog, you never want to leave it! We now plan our holidays around the dogs, and we love it. Sometimes I get a craving for a sunny beach somewhere, but the thought of leaving the dogs for a week soon puts the idea out of my head - I'd just miss them too much and end up miserable! I hate all the fuss that goes with flying anyway, I'd much rather stay in the UK.

Have you thought about getting an older dog, so you skip the destructive puppy phase altogether? If you have kids it means you can really see a dogs temperament before you commit, whereas with a puppy it's always a bit of an unknown (of course you can influence it's behaviour with training, but their character traits remain). And the rescue centre will be able to offer you ongoing support (not to mention the fact the dog will be neutered, vax'd, wormed etc). There are many, many young dogs looking for a home at the moment, young and old, and it means you can start enjoying doggy life straight away (it's a long time before they're able to go on proper walks etc). And no worries about how big it will grow!

Something to consider, anyway

Thank you all for your encouragement. Mrs L123, yes we did indeed think about a rescue dog, and I have put a lot of research into that. Unfortunately every home I went to only had really large dogs, so unfortunately they were not suitable for us, or us for them. I always check and will do up to the time that we know that we have a puppy. I used to love the sun, but now I feel that family quality much outweighs the sun. Let's face it we don't go to Ireland for the weather! And if we do decide to go abroad to a sun holiday we will just make sure that we have vetted the kennels completely.

My dogs are my sanity! Got our first nearly 5 years ago and a second one 2 years ago. (they're snuggled in their beds next to my computer).

Where I live, I've met lots of other dog walkers and made friends so that we can help each other out with dog sitting. If you walk in the same place at the same time you'll see the same people. I've never had to put my dogs in kennels. Also your newsagent should have ads for local dog sitters and even your vets. They don't charge any more than kennels, yet they get to be in someones home.

The unconditional love and coming home to a waggy tail is well worth it!

I'm sure it all depends on the reasons why you want a dog. I grew up with dogs and there was a great big dog-shaped hole in my life so although I've found having a pup hard work the pluses have for me more than compensated for the minuses. DH, however admits that although he likes the dog he'd be happier without him - mainly due to the mess, being tied down etc etc. He never had a pet growing up and really just went along with the whole dog thing for me. I guess a lot of people are like my DH and cave into pestering from their wife kids then regret it.

I had to pester my husband but he adores our girls.......the eldest has rather wisely designated him as her favourite and will always choose to snuggle up to him.

i love my lab - we have only ever been away and left her once - were lucky mate house sitte and the whole family missed her every day.

Holidays become way more interesting when you have a dog and we have found as a general rule of thumb that any where dog friendly is also kid friendly.

Shes going on holiday with us soon to a place that has pool sauna jacuzzi etc, so you don't miss out on life little luxuries and because I had to search tht bit harder to find a place to go it is a bargain proce too, my mutt has holidayed on boats trains etc and enjoyed every minute. People who say they are a bind have got them for the wrong reasons

I'm a lifelong dog owner and wouldn't be without them, but even I find the puppy stage, with the need for constant supervision and hourly trips into the garden, as well as being up in the night, pretty hard work. If you do get a pup and you're struggling at that stage then remember it gets easier. They then move on to wrecking your house and refusing to come back when called. Lol!

It will take at least a year, possibly longer depending on the breed, before you end up with a (pretty much) fully trained dog. And then they are a lifelong tie - you can't leave them for more than 4 hours at a time, so long lazy away days are a thing of the past unless you can organise care.

As I said, I wouldn't be without my dogs but do consider a rescue dog from a reputable centre: much less risky than a pup (it will have been properly assessed by a behaviourist, which pups aren't) and rescues are overflowing with dogs needing homes due to marriage break ups, financial problems etc.

Good luck.

I have a Golden Retriever pup (14 1/2 weeks) and I love her to bits. I bought her when my last dog (a lab cross rescue dog) died unexpectedly at 7 yrs old and I was heartboken.

I decided to buy a pup, my first puppy, rather than another rescue dog for maybe a silly reason. I think I was incredibly lucky with my first dog - we adopted him when he was 2 years old and apart from an initial very tying period - he couldn't be left alone AT ALL for the first 4 months - he was fabulous. In fact, we couldn't see why he was in a shelter at all, yet he had been returned twice by people not prepared to put in the initial work. I looked at all the shelters within a 50 mile radius but no suitable dogs were available and I didn't want to be without a dog for long. Also, I guess I wanted a dog where I knew the history and wasn't constantly second guessing why my dog was terrified of blue raincoats, black dogs, border collies etc etc

Deciding to be a dog owner was the best thing I did outside having kids. Be warned though, my children desperately wanted a dog but only one of the three, my eldest, has consistently put in the necessary work over the last 6 years, come to the woods rain, snow, hail, so much of the work may fall on your shoulders. I walked my old dog twice a day for about 40 minutes each time, every day, in the woods, when I was knackered, when I was sick, etc etc.

Having sad all this, becoming a dog owner has enriched my life enormously.

said not sad