Getting new puppy in one weeks time

[Puppypanic]

Suddenly scared witless!

Is this normal like that feeling you get before you give birth or get married?

Is it good to suddenly be getting terrified, does it mean I'm not undertaking this lightly? It's such a massive commitment and undertaking. I've had a dog before but many moons ago.

I've thought about nothing else since the end of last year, researched, visited breeders, getting pup from very reputable, responsible breeder.

I over think everything and definitely suffer from analysis paralysis.

Please help calm me down. I know it's what we all want as a family just scary, sure it will all be fine when I can just get stuck in with the care and training etc.

Did anyone else feel the same and was it all ok?

I think it just shows that you are going to be a very good owner that you are already worrying about the pup!

read gwen bailey perfect puppy, and throw that nervous enegry into preperation and planning. :) what breed did you decide on in the end then. I felt like this with both my dogs and we are all still here :)

Every time i got a new dog, i felt this way (im on dog number 7 now). Also be prepared for it to hit again a few days in (usually when you are clearing up piss and shit and having to attend to whining pup at 6 a.m) when you think WTAF have i done??? But it passes and its worth it.

Thank you! Am reading Gwen Bailey feverishly and two books on how to train this particular breed.

He is a Dalmatian. I think people reactions don't help. I have a big garden, live in the country, love walking etc but evenso I always get negative reactions people saying they are mad etc. I had a border collie before and they aren't exactly calm.

Am just so worried that we are making the right decision. Family esp children are very positive. Just such a big step. I'm sure I wasn't as worried about having the children tbh!

I have two Dalmatian's so if there is anything you would like to know then ask.

When is the pup being BAER tested? What is he being fed atm, if you dont mind me being nosey?

Oh and in my experience they are slightly more nutty than BC's. They calm down a lot between the age of 4 - 6.

They are unique in their personality though.

The pups are being BAER tested in Newmarket this Tuesday. They are being fed on mince, raw eggs, goats milk at the moment. They are having their vet checks, microchipped and worming Monday.

Not sure how i intend to feed him tbh. The breeders are keen advocates for the raw method but I'm not sure, open to suggestions!

Thank you misery, I well may ask you lots of questions if you don't mind!

Faints at thought of next 4-6 years......

This whole purine thing is making me panic too, very worried I will feed him the wrong things. I know offal is to be completely avoided and the raw diet seems to help them with moisture in the meat as they need to drink as much as possible. Am totally open to ideas re a whole feed though as the raw diet does seem quite messy.

raw is fantastic, so much less poo, and always firm and easy to pik up, trust me while you are toilet training it is a god send. I wanted a dalmation, but I have fiat panda and there was no way I could fit one in the boot.

I think raw feeding is better for Dallys because of some foods being high in purines. Males seem to be more effected in later life so you do need to be careful.

Food like liver and organ meat. Red meat is higher in purines too.

All Dalmatian's are total theives. You will have to make sure all food is not left anywhere in reach as they will get it. Counter surfing is a way of life

They are very easy to house train. Both ours took less than a week. Watch him like a hawk. They respond very well to lots and lots of praise.

They can shy away from any harsh treatment (not suggesting you would do this) even a loud 'NO!' can put them off.

Oh and the hair! Their hair constantly sheds. This very fine, needle like hair and it gets everywhere. It has some sort of velcro like quality which makes it very hard to get off anything. You have to learn to live with it.

It get worse as they get older too. Our dogs aren't allowed upstairs and yet, its still covered in hair.

My sister has a very hairy golden retriever and my Dally's hair is more of a problem than her dog. It just sticks... to everything

Thank you!

If you don't mind could you tell me what you feed in a typical day?

The hair oh god the hair....

Morning we feed chicken wings or similar and night a chicken carcass. We always give a bigger meal in the night but ours are grown up so pups will need to be fed more often. Some days we feed them turkey necks too.
We also feel some minced chicken now and again but the bones are good for them.

I will weigh what we give them and let you know. I kind of do it by eye now rather than weigh it.

I'll link some companies that you can buy in bulk from to make it easier.

Thank you! Do you feed them straight off the floor or have some enormous trough on newspaper!

No we feed their breakfast in their bowls and normally chuck the carcass in the garden. They lick up every bit so it doesn't make a mess.

puppypanic! I feel like you! I have just found out the bitch who will hopefully carry our future puppy is in season. Initially I was so excited but now it seems real I am getting scared! And she's not even pregnant yet! Are you feeling calmer?

Off and on, I'm sort of ok getting excited and then get terrified again! So silly really, I know lots of people who just went and got a dog without analising it for 6 months prior to its arrival! I can't even bring myself to buy anything and he is due to arrive in 8 days time. I'm sure I wasn't this bad when I was pregnant.

oh you so sound like me! I was intending to get one earlier in teh year but I kind of chickened out and made the reason/excuse that we had loads going on over summer (which we do). Glad I am not hte only neurotic!

Trouble is there is never a good time to do a lot of things in life is there?

I'm worried to death now that someone in the family will be allergic to the dog. Yes neurotic is actually a good word to describe what goes on in my head sadly....

puppypanic - you can vent on here to me, I am sure I will totally understand

Bless you! Will you ever take the plunge do you think?

yes, one of the two breeders we are waiting on has just announced their bitch is in season. so should be around 4 mths from now

i have talked myself round in circles for a a good year though Puppypanic! One of my anxieties is about telling my family (sister, brother, mother etc.!) How frigging stupid is taht!

Ha ha I undrerstand, none of my family know either! Well I vaguely mentioned it at Christmas but don't think they thought I meant it. Think I might just let them come around one day and be all nonchalant if and when he ever gets here!