Best decision I ever made :)

[beckyboo232]

Truly realised today that getting our dog was just about one of the best decisions I ever made :) she's a year today lurcher/springer from a local accidental litter, I have 2 young children under 4 and didn't think it through at all but it's perfect. She is beautiful and fun, makes us walk as a family every single day, makes us run on the beach in the pouring rain just for fun, takes her guard dog duties very seriously waiting for my command before anyone gets through the door, follows my eldest ds everywhere they are inseperable...... And right now is asleep with her head on my lap giving me someone to cuddle :)

OP your post ahs warmed my heart! I am on the brink of getting a dog (golden retriever) through a breeder and have been grilling all the wise mumsnetters about what life is like with a puppy/dog. Well done you for raising a beautiful balanced family dog. I hope I can do that

what was it like in the beginning beckyboo?

My pup is coming up for 10 months now and I like him more and more each day, he is really used to the daily routine of how things work now - gets up to greet us then goes back to bed until people are obviously getting ready to go out, maybe even for a W.A.L.K.

Well there is always a walk involved, he's a collie so he must get a good run otherwise he is bloody loopy He is so sweet with the children, he really seems to love all of us

Happy birthday to your hound!

Thanks
To be honest in the beginning it all went much easier than i thought I really did go in blind and ignored all the 'rules' because I didn't realise there were any I got her at 8 weeks the first few weeks were tough just because of the toilet training aspect really. She also was unsettled and nervous so she ended up having lots of cuddles and Sleeping with me, a big no no I realise but she transitioned easily and now sleeps in her bed on the floor of my room. Ds and her made instant friends. She also hated being left so trips out were short until she was about 16 weeks I work from home so she is hardly ever left for more than a few hours but when she is my neighbours teenage boy walks her/plays with her for a few pounds which puts my mind at ease. I would prepare for only very few trips the first month or so. I think having her so young really helped she isn't precious about her food for example ds has been known to literally take her biscuit out of her mouth and she just grins at him. I personally found crate training didn't work but I know a lot of people use it. She really is worth every second of every effort and now it's no effort at all best of luck with your pup, when do I get him/her?

aww that -s lovely becci. I am on a waiting list (or two) THe breeder has two boys left, one accounted or and the other she may keep for showing. If she decides that he won;t make it in show ring, then I will have hiim. I need to wait two more weeks until she knows for sure but he will only be 9 weeks old so no great difference

So exciting I hope it all works out for you.