The Doghouse has somewhat put me off getting a pup!!

[petitdonkey]

So I have tentatively put my name down for a puppy, due in early December so would come to me in Feb. I have been debating having a dog for years but very seriously since last spring. DH is really not keen but has told me to go ahead if I really want one.

I have just spent the last couple of hours browsing The Doghouse here and there are obviously so many frustrations and so many rewards. A lot of people talk about the mess, hair, mud etc.....

I realise that I'm waffling a bit and I'm not sure what response I really want, I guess I'm just worried that I'm not ready but are you ever really ready???

Wow - once again, huge amounts to think about. Lizcat - your post brought tears to my eyes, I think that DH would be exactly like yours (he's certainly not going to be picking up poo!!) but it's great to hear that you are still happy with your decision.

I think a bottle of wine and a very honest chat are in order. I still really want to go for it but am concerned that DH is never going to change his mind and I will forever be apologising for the dog. I find it a challenge to keep the house as tidy as I like it already but am excited about buying a pair of Dubarrys !! (I really am being deliberately flippant now!!)

Arrrgggh - it shouldn't be such tough decision - why didn't I add 'dog lover?' to my potential husband checklist???

Some people would rather be with their dogs than their partners. Would a dog be a 3rd party in your relationship? Our dogs are not quite, but I am the one more likely to have long meaningful conversations with a big hairy canine than my husband, and I also love the training.

OP we have a 'miniature labradoodle', so if I can just stick a couple of points in???

1st, ours isn't that 'miniature'!! He's 18 weeks and a big boy- I walk him with my parents whippets and in the last two weeks he's grown and now stands level with them. (bit obvs not as sleek!)

He really is a joy to have- good temp, not mouthy, well behaved at all after the 1st week with us but this is of course down to dog and not breed.

I know the adult lab walking needs have been mentioned, as a pup ours gets 20-30mins off lead am walk and 15 min on lead/off lead in the afternoon. BUT.....

He needs lots of mental stimulation, too. Think 10min sessions of play or training at breakfast time, then more throughout the morning on and off, a half hour in the garden with me throwing toys or playing tug and so on. Then he will mooch around our garden or play/chew on his own but it is pretty intense!

He sheds-not to the extent of a lab but enough that when I sweep the kitchen there is evidence of a dog! Also, the grit/sand/mud/soil his huge paws track in is worth thinking about!

Like you, my OH wasn't desperate for a dog but does love them in general. It does make me a bit grrr that he wonders why pup ignores his commands but that's his loss I reckon!

silent - I hope I'd still rather spend time with DH!!

potty - your post is really helpful - thank-you. The breeder said that she thinks that the dog should be about knee height, does that sound about right? She said that they don't vary hugely in height but can be very different in build, some stocky and some much more lean.
Your walking times sound much more reasonable for my lifestyle/expectations. I realise he's still a pup but I was hoping that as doggy grows, so will my children so the walking can increase. Your comments regarding mental stimulation are very interesting and I am hoping that this is where DS (7) will get more involved.

I had a great chat with DH which began with me saying that I couldn't commit to a dog as it would impact him regardless of how he feels (Quoted this thread a lot!!) and ended with him trying to convince me that I should get one as he knows how much it means to me and he would hate to be responsible for saying no!!

Pups are due on 10th December and the breeder has said that I can change my mind at any point but I certainly think that I'm edging back towards certainty.

Huge thanks to all of you that have contributed to this thread - you have all raised some excellent points that I might not have considered. I'll keep you posted!