Please talk to me about getting a pup

[tinkywinkyshandbag]

Hi all, we have wanted a dog for a LONG time, well DD2 and I have. DH has never owned a dog although he likes them, DD1 likes dogs but is more of a cat person. (We do have a cat)

We have kept putting it off for one reason or another but I am thinking that the time is finally right. Both DDs are now at secondary school. DH works at home 2 days a week. I also work from home, although I am in and out (I am a therapist so have client appointments but not all day every day). My in laws have moved nearby and could help out if needed. I have dog owning friends who could offer help and advice. We have a house with a fenced garden, not big, but big enough. (We may be getting an extension built but probably not for another 6 months at least). DD2 is dog crazy, happy to walk it and even pick up poo, very happy and confident with dogs although I fear she will love it to death!

DD2 wants a Westie, she really loves them. I'd really like a lurcher, but we have a cat, and it's only me that really like them. DD1 wants a pug, but only because they are cute so that's not happening (I have concerns about health issues with that breed). I also like borders, and terrier type breeds like cairns, I'd even consider a Yorkie. Would like a small to medium breed, nothing bigger than a beagle, preferably a non slobbery not too stinky dog. Happy to walk several times a day, say 3 smaller walks and one big one, more at weekends. We'd prefer not to have to pay more than about £500.

I was thinking of a rescue dog simply because there are so many needing homes. DD2 really really wants a puppy but I know it will be me doing most of the work, toiler training etc. (which is the main thing worrying me to be honest). So...questions.

What do you think - pup, or rescue? Thoughts on cat friendly breeds?

How long do pups take to toilet train?

Is it inevitable our house will be chewed and generally ruined? (not exessively house proud but don't want my sofa.com sofa which we saved up for to get eaten!)

We have room for a dog crate but not for a pen as well. Would that be okay?

How long before a pup could be left alone for an hour or so?

Would it be better to wait until Spring? (although I am thinking that there is never a "right time" and don't really want to wait any longer...)

I think that's it for now, thanks for any advice!

Hi all, having spoken to the family I think the consensus is to get a rescue dog, not necessarily a tiny pup but up to about 2 years old. I have spent the morning combing through various rescue websites - the Many Tears one is awful and some of the dogs on there just look so sad! I spoke to ELGR but sadly Nellie is gone, although they tell me they are getting some more terrier/whippet x dogs coming in for rehoming soon soon. I am sure the right dog is out there for us, just trying to curb mine and DD's excitement until we find it!

I am certain that the right dog is out there for you!

The hardest thing for me was to walk away from cute pups (but I knew that had the best chance of being rehomed) and to stick to my criteria that I had arrived had. The kids were no help at all in that they wanted to keep every single dog we went and saw

Here's another thought: would you consider fostering for a rescue?

I have spoken to the DDs about fostering but they are not keen...and we have the cat to think about. Although I do have time go give I'm not an experienced dog owner so don't know if I could cope with a dog that needed a lot of training or had an unknown history (which I guess is the case with a pup!). Anyway I will keep looking and trawling the dog rescue sites...but if anyone comes across a friendly female terrier x type preferably under 2 for adoption please let me know!

Bagelsuffragette - where did you find the dogs in your post? I couldn't find a source.

Tinky just saw your post...

The dog in the first picture is Moli from Balkan Underdogs

The other pictures are rescue puppies that can be adopted to the UK through this group

Other rescues (don't know where you are in UK) you could look at - all have FB groups and websites. Often a good idea to join the FB groups, they are usually much more up to date than websites, "popular" dogs often don't even get to the website stage, they are snapped up via the FB group. Easy to contact/keep in touch.

Hope Rescue
Four Paws Rescue
Black Retriever X Rescue
Heathlands Dog Rescue
Pro Dogs Direct

Hi, thanks Bagel, I am in Gloucestershire. I am on the ELGR page but not those you have suggested....off to Facebook now!

EGLR have 5 8 week old puppies coming in this week, so keep your eye on their FB page

Thanks CMOT, I am!

We have had our pup for 2 weeks now. She is amazing and training is going great. She arrived on the Friday night and was house trained by Sunday, she sleeps in her bed next to us at night and goes thru the night. She has all the basic commands (Sit, down, leave it, settle down etc) and is a pleasure BUT we took the week off work when she arrived so that we could fully focus on settling her in, we work really hard on her training (we started classes 4 days after she arrived) and the whole family has to be onboard in my opinion. If you start them early and are consistent the rewards will be so worthwhile.

Already at 12 weeks she needs a LOT of exercise (both physically - which we make sure she doesn't go too mad at while she's still growing and also mentally) she's a cockapoo, so no shedding of fur but that spaniel brain needs a job.

I honestly couldn't imagine life without her.

Also Silver Fox Dog Rescue

Okay, so despite all the messages about getting an older dog we now seem to be going to see a little girl pup at the weekend. From ELGR, lurcher x puppies left outside the vets in a cardboard box. 8 weeks old (ish). Currently being fostered. The little girlie in question is black and rough coated and looks adorable. Am I mental? Do I need to put my entire life on hold for the next 2 years until she matures? I could say I have changed my mind. But I want her! (Stamps foot and sticks lower lip out)

YANBU - those puppies are adorable .

Stockpile simple solution spray and a giant roll of kitchen roll now though. And a warm coat for waiting while they decide to wee outside. It is well worth the work though.

Thanks...also quite tempted by the new little girlie they posted today but there is not much info about her...also I think the DD's will lobby heavily in favour of the cute pups!

The lovely bedlington looking one? She's beautiful too. Oh, they all are - which is why we have two. And we were absolutely not having a puppy either time. DDog1 was 6 months old. Then Aris came in and had these beautiful puppies...

Oh I remember Aris and her pups...how lovely. Yes the little rough coated girlie is just what I had in mind...depends how she is with cats though. And I suspect she will be snapped up. If I could I would have both...!

Oh, how exciting! Of course YANBU to have fallen in love with her

I am still glad that I can live vicariously through your puppy adventures and I don't have to do it myself
Enjoy!!

Both rescues, both under £500.

The collie was 8 weeks old when she came to us, she was born in the rescue centre (or rather in a foster home arranged by the rescue centre). The spaniel was 8-10 months old, he'd been found as a stray and had lived in multiple homes before he came to us. The collie has been easier to train than the spaniel although she is fast showing him the ropes. She has been dry and clean in the house since forever but he still has the odd accident (urine only), I have a theory that being in a kennel environment has clouded his judgement as to what 'indoors' means.

I'd rescue every single time.

This is she....photo sent my foster Mum. Squeee!

She's beautiful!

Aw! She's just adorable!
A puppy will melt your heart which is how they trick you in to looking after them. Just like human babies

TinkyWinky, how did you get on with your visit?

Hi, we didn't go as the pups all had upset tummies, all fine now so going this weekend. I am partly excited about getting her and partly nervous, imagining a house smelling of wee and with all our furniture chewed to shreds!

So....we went today to meet her and she is gorgeous, really furry, and quite a chilled out little girl. We are all smitten. Just need the homecheck done and then hopefully she will be ours. Any tips for getting through the homecheck okay?

Oh, any more photos?

Re homecheck: remember the rescue want to get it right - a failed adoption is not in anybody's interest. So be honest.
Our home check seemed to consist mainly on making sure that we knew what we were getting in to and that we had considered things like height of fences/dog-proof garden generally, how to manage DCs+dog, how long the dog would be left alone etc. The home checker told me they also make sure that you are who you claim you are i.e. a family looking to adopt and not somebody who will use the dog for baiting/breeding/fighting etc etc . 'Tis sad they have to look out for that kind of thing.
My advice would simply be to be honest and do your homework beforehand. Also, do ask any questions re post-adoption support (ours was brilliant!), whether the dog will come insured to you (ours had 30 days insurance to allow us to sort out our own in plenty of time), exactly what documentation you are going to get, what vet checks have been done, whether she'll need vaccinations/worming etc done as a matter of routine.
Write questions down just now as they occur to you - it is all very exciting and so easy to forget.

I am rooting for you - hope you get her home soon