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The doghouse

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Original poster

I need your help with persuading DH that we NEED a puppy

26 replies

Earningsthread · 16/12/2013 22:38

Just that really. We have a very much loved elderly dog, whom we (sadly) inherited. I would love my dog to have some company, I would love to have a dog that I could walk for miles, and I think the kids would love it.

So the stumbling block is DH. He will worry about wee on carpets. He will not want the responsibility. What can I do to talk him round?

It's come to a head because the breeder of our elderly pooch has new puppies. I cannot tell you how much I would like one. Give me some killer arguments ...

OP posts:
YoureBeingASillyBilly · 16/12/2013 22:40

Tell him it will babysit the dcs so you two can go out? Grin

LEMoncehadacatcalledSANTA · 16/12/2013 22:43

Get an older, rescue dog that is house trained :) sorted.

Original poster
Earningsthread · 16/12/2013 22:47

We have no carpets downstairs - only on the stairs and in the bedrooms - surely this is helpful?

I like the rescue dog idea - all previous dogs have been rescued - but they can come with problems (I still have the scars) and they are not puppies and I love the idea of having a pup.

OP posts:
FirstOnRecallDay · 16/12/2013 22:56

Plonk the cutest teeniest lickest puppy on his lap and say "SURPRISEEEE!" Grin

whereisshe · 16/12/2013 22:59

You can't trust people who don't find puppies adorable. This is a well-known fact. Tell him that Grin

Whoknowswhocares · 16/12/2013 23:00

So don't let pup upstairs......wee on carpet problem solved Wink

HoFuckingHoFuckingHoneydragon · 16/12/2013 23:01

Have you consulted resident dog on this? I think possibly if you can get resident content dog to learn to talk, then persuade resident dog to use its amazing new powers not to demand sausages, but instead agree to general upheaval to the status quo, and acquiesce to being nipped, battered and generally harangued you may be in with a chance of persuading your husband.

Original poster
Earningsthread · 16/12/2013 23:22

Resident dog is on board with the idea. She has signified acceptance, and will mentor the pup (her great, great nephew incidentally). It is true that when I asked her, I did have a gigantic piece of ham in my hand.

OP posts:
Whoknowswhocares · 16/12/2013 23:26

Right then, arm self with even more gigantic piece of ham. Teach dog to nod.
Ask dog for opinion on new pup in front of OH.
Job done.

D0oinMeCleanin · 16/12/2013 23:31

I wouldn't get a puppy with an elderly dog, it's just not fair on the older dog who will be need peace and attention soon, not a lively youngster pestering her.

Not all rescue dogs are damaged. We've had more lovely, balanced fosters than we've had difficult dogs. Why not foster an oldie from oldies club and do the whole the puppy thing later. Your older dog will thank you for it.

Original poster
Earningsthread · 16/12/2013 23:38

Oh, now I am worried about resident dog. I kind of thought that resident dog would have a new lease of life with a pup. We would not take a pup that resident dog did not get along with. We are due at the breeders in a couple of weeks to see if resident dog likes the pups.

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 16/12/2013 23:42

Going and meeting them is not the same as living with one full time .My dog likes to say hello to other dogs when he's out he wouldn't want to bring one home ! How elderly is your dog ?

scottishmummy · 16/12/2013 23:44

Sorry you're being soppy and unrealistic if he doesn't want dog dont force it
Have you considered the practicalities,vet insurance, planning holidays

Original poster
Earningsthread · 16/12/2013 23:46

We already have a dog so I am familiar with the practicalities of insurance, training, planning holidays etc

OP posts:
scottishmummy · 16/12/2013 23:49

So why are you set on hectoring him fir another? All this ahh widdle puppy it's soppy

Lonecatwithkitten · 17/12/2013 06:03

I am afraid that I' m with Scottish mummy everyone has to really want a puppy for it to work. So often I see the pieces when not everyone wants the puppy.

Booboostoo · 17/12/2013 07:19

It's 50:50 with older dogs and puppies. Some older dogs do get a new lease of life from a puppy, others are quite put out by the noisy new arrival and it doesn't work out. Difficult to know in advance how it will go.

Whoknowswhocares · 17/12/2013 08:35

OP I'm confused.
I replied yesterday assuming this to be a light hearted banter type thread because of the first responses you got. Now I'm not so sure.

If it is not banter, my response would have been very different!!!

HoFuckingHoFuckingHoneydragon · 17/12/2013 09:19

Plus it's a puppy. The only reason they look cute is so you forgive them for their long running constant campaign of destruction and foot biting. And everyone has to be prepared to adjust their lives around accommodating a puppy. If they don't want to (and have every right to not want to do so) than stuff gets wrecked and the dogs will be miserable.

I don't get your op now either? You say "we are going to the breeders" so is your dh in favour of a second dog or not?

Ephiny · 17/12/2013 16:11

Puppies are very cute and adorable, but I wouldn't want one of my own. Also wouldn't inflict a puppy on my older dog at his time of life!

I agree it's important that everyone is supportive of the idea, otherwise you're likely to have problems.

Original poster
Earningsthread · 17/12/2013 21:02

DH is most emphatically not supportive of the idea :(

The breeder is a friend of ours and she clips and sorts out current dog. She knows that I am interested in a puppy and that I have my work cut out to persuade DH. If our dog doesn't get along with the pups then the whole idea is a non-starter.

Mind you, if I can't persuade DH then the whole idea is a non-starter as well.

OP posts:
sebastianthesingingaubergine · 17/12/2013 21:11

My DH didn't want a dog/puppy. So I kept showing him pictures of very cute ones, sending him links, and mentioned it at every opportunity. Basically wearing him down the the point of surrender, in a bid to shut me up. It is how I book holidays and everything.

He still said he didn't want one, on the night before I was going to see her at the rescue. In the morning, I got a text after he had left for work; "just bloody get it"....

I assumed all responsibility for her, and I do the more than the lions share of her care, training, walking etc but that is fine with me.

She is asleep on his lap on the sofa as I type. He gets all the good bits!

Whoknowswhocares · 17/12/2013 21:28

My pup used to see an elderly dog every week for a walk. The old dog was beautifully well behaved with her and very tolerant.
She did, however, escape to a quiet place the minute she could and I've no doubt she would not have appreciated a longer stint than an hour! Definitely she wouldn't have wanted my pup to move in and destroy her peace.
I guess what I'm saying is that a visit will not let you see your dog's feelings about a new pup moving in.

Follyfoot · 17/12/2013 21:37

I cant see how this would be fair on an elderly dog who has already had some upheaval in her life. The puppy would be climbing all over her, biting her ears, wanting to play all the time. Our last dog (who was beautifully natured) was fine with other dogs and puppies she met out on a walk but when our neighbour's pup wanted to play with her for more than a few minutes, she couldnt bear it. Its too much for an elderly dog to take on. Sorry, but I really wouldnt do it to her Sad

Original poster
Earningsthread · 17/12/2013 22:10

Update - he said yes and I didn't have to work too hard either!!!

We're going to give the pup a week's holiday with us to see if resident pooch is happy with the upheaval. The breeder/friend absolutely adores resident pooch and understands that she needs to be content.

So, we're going to give it a go ....

OP posts: