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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Puppy Questions

41 replies

PerfectlyChaotic · 26/03/2017 23:30

Dh & I have been talking round in circles about adding a dog to our family and I think we've just about decided that we would like to...seems harder than deciding to have children!!

I wondered whether anybody could advise on good timing? How long should we be able to dedicate 24/7 to the pup initially? I work mainly from home...need to be out about 3 1/2 hrs in the morns 3 x a week (& only term time). I assume summer hols might therefore be good timing?

We don't go away all that often but obviously there would be occasions when we would need to leave him/her. What age is realistic to do this? We have a hol booked over New Year already...

And finally any experiences with introducing puppy to elderly (v laid back & affectionate) cat? Disaster?! Would feel awful if dcat became distressed.

Feel as though waffling, but so many things to consider & I'm slightly terrified about getting it wrong. Advice welcome!

OP posts:

purplecoathanger · 02/04/2017 17:27

My friends got a dog after having a cat forever. The dog was scared to death of the cat to start with and used to hide upstairs from her.

From what I can gather, cats always seem to trump dogs in the pecking order.

JigglyTuff · 02/04/2017 17:29

Oh - that was something else I meant to say. Our cat totally rules the roost - if he likes the look of the dog's food, the dog just stands there, waiting patiently until the cat decides he's done. The dog is a tad enthusiastic in his affection for the cat but a swift whack with a paw sorts him out

Also I have two pressure baby gates for dog containing. One of them is permanently at the bottom of the stairs so that the cat always has the upstairs as his safe space (the dog is only allowed upstairs to sleep overnight) and the other gets moved around as I need it. They were less than £20 in Argos and I really recommend getting one (the cat jumps over the top)

Original poster

PerfectlyChaotic · 02/04/2017 18:02

😂 to the cat eating the dog's food! Ours would probably try the same! So I am probably overthinking this aren't I?!!

OP posts:

BiteyShark · 02/04/2017 18:06

I don't think you can ever be truly prepared for a dog because every dog is different and even though we had decided we would need to do certain things when our dog arrived we had to change some of our plans based on how he was.

Original poster

PerfectlyChaotic · 02/04/2017 23:07

Really very much like a new baby! What sort of things did you have to change Bitey?

OP posts:

BiteyShark · 03/04/2017 05:39

Examples of where I have changed things now he is here.

On my work days I was going to have someone swing by to do puppy visits but decided that although I was training him to be left for a few hours it would have been just a bit too much in between at that age so changed to day care until he is older.

Holidays as well, being pfb about it now he is here we will do home boarding rather than kennels even though it is much dearer.

I read ALL the different training techniques and vowed to follow certain ones but to be honest some of it made the behaviour worse so I chilled very quickly and ignored the 'if you don't follow this exactly you will have a dog that is aggressive or have separation anxiety etc advice', did more research for a balanced view and used the techniques which worked for me and my dog.

Went to the puppy parties and general training groups and found they just didn't work for my dog. It was a complete waste of money. In desperation found a 1-1 trainer for gun dogs and we have made such good progress with the training (this attitude that all dogs must socialise with other dogs had sent us down the completely wrong path as I needed to train him NOT to 'socialise with other dogs' as he is too bloody friendly and tries to run off and play ( try recall when your dog thinks going up to dogs and people is what you should do arghhhh )

So nothing major, just trying to show with the best will in the world, with all the research, you may just have to adapt when they get here so you can plan but don't plan too much

Cocobananas · 03/04/2017 08:10

Bitey, this is really interesting. I have begun to think Cocopup is over socialised and thinks she has to greet everybody and anybody. I do a lot of self control training with her but the benefits are hit and miss. Did your trainer suggest keeping your dog walking away from other dogs for a while. I deliberately walk her on a long line where other dogs are to practise impulse control and recall but am not sure it is really working. Any tips would be much appreciated.

BiteyShark · 03/04/2017 08:27

Essentially try and walk him where there are no other dogs and work on obedience at all times. I can avoid other dogs around 80% of the time and if I see another dog he is straight on the lead and I take him to one side where I do my best to try and keep him focused on me whilst the other dog passes ( he still spins on the lead trying to run up to the other dog but it is getting better )

Cocobananas · 04/04/2017 07:51

Thanks Bitey. Our recall is improving all the time but the little madam still looks suspiciously around when I blow whistle thinking there must be something even better than sausage around😖It's exhausting isn't it walking in open fields so you can see what is approaching, keeping one step ahead. I love training my pup but am looking forward to being able to walk in a more relaxed fashion eventually!

BiteyShark · 04/04/2017 07:55

I don't want to derail the thread but Cocobananas that made me laugh, mine also looks around suspiciously to see what is more exciting when I make him sit

Wolfiefan · 04/04/2017 08:07

OP have a look at Facebook group dog training advice and support. Lots of files about toilet training and crate training. Really helped me in the early weeks.
Blue Cross have a good document about introducing cats and dogs. Cat MUST have a place to escape. We use a stairgate to separate them and keep dog away from litter tray and food too! Cats like high places. Teach dog leave. (Food in one hand. Leave. When it stops pestering feed from the other hand!) use a long line in the house. NEVER allow dog to chase cat. Once they have done it they realise it's fun and it is harder to stop it. Reward ignoring the cat.
Never leave cat and dog shut in together. Just in case.

Original poster

PerfectlyChaotic · 04/04/2017 12:54

Thanks, yes I think I've read that Blue Cross doc. Good advice. I think it would be fairly easy to keep separate... would plan not to allow dog upstairs & plenty of space up there for cat to have her things up there if necessary, even just in short term. I think it could work...eeek, just need to decide!

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 04/04/2017 13:19

Does this help OP?

Wolfiefan · 04/04/2017 13:19

BiteyShark · 04/04/2017 13:25

That nose of your dog Wolf is just so cute

Original poster

PerfectlyChaotic · 04/04/2017 14:38

Nose & eyes!! And also...what a huge pup! Gorgeous. Yes, would love one, absolutely. Just nervous 😂

OP posts:

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