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The doghouse

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Original poster

Reality of having a puppy?

52 replies

Bythebeach · 22/06/2017 13:04

Looking for some realistic advice please as we have been seriously considering getting a labrador puppy for the last few months and are the verge of deciding yes but would like the answers to a few practical considerations!

I'm assuming when puppy arrives, we'll need a few weeks to settle and bond and I was planning to not work at all in that time. How long do you think that would need to be?

How soon/at what age would it be okay to leave a puppy and pop out say 30 mins for the school run - or do I just take her with me? Or an hour to the shops/gym?

I will be working 2 or 3 days a week once puppy is settled and at that stage, is it okay to leave a puppy at home with with a carer/walker coming in in the middle of the day or will we need doggie daycare?

Also, how easy is it to transport a pup around in a car in the early days - can I just take it over to my parents/friends from when it arrives?

Lastly, there is a gorgeous puppy from a litter that had all been reserved become re-available and would be ready for collection at 8 weeks next week - we were really planning on August and had made enquiries on two litters ready then but I am a bit tempted to just say yes for this one. The reason I am hesitating is I have a two night trip with a friend which would be about 12 days after the puppy came home - my husband is okay to work from home if we do this but the main responsibility for our puppy will be mine as I'm home more. Is it okay to get a pup and then for me to leave DH and kids in charge soon?

Thanks for any help.

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 22/06/2017 20:40

Me too Bitey!!

Panicmode1 · 22/06/2017 20:42

I have a golden retriever, who we got as a puppy. I have four children (youngest was 4 at the time) and it was HARD WORK! I was a SAHM so didn't have to worry about work at all, but I never left her for more than an hour or so in her first year - and that was built up slowly. They don't like being left really - and even now I feel horribly guilty when she's on her own before the dog walker comes in at lunchtimes (I only work a short day twice a week). It is brilliant having a dog, but it is also a HUGE tie and even things like going to the cinema has to be thought about because you can't just be spontaneous and decide to go out for dinner afterwards - you have to factor in the dog. Holidays become more expensive because you have to pay for the kennels/dog sitter etc and a long day out costs £20 for doggy daycare before you do anything...

But, I love having her (aside from the winter months when the mud she brings in is horrendous!) and the children adore her and I can't imagine her not being here now......

Whatsforu · 22/06/2017 20:44

We have a lab and he has been relatively easy from a pup. We crate trained him from the start, he was used to travelling in the car from a pup and gradually built up leaving him. I can honestly say that the lab is the best breed of dog we have had and I wouldn't go with any other now. We both work and manage to cope. Good luck with your pup.

Tinseleverywhere · 22/06/2017 20:50

I think one way of telling if a dog will suit you is whether you enjoy caring for small children and any pets you may have. Also if you are thinking of any of the active breeds do you love walking?
If you are quite a nurturing person who likes looking after something and are able to be both very patient but firm when needed you should enjoy caring for a dog.

Original poster

Bythebeach · 22/06/2017 21:05

Tinsel-I definitely enjoy caring for my kids and loved the baby and toddler stage as much as now. We just have gerbils but love them too. I'm not so much worried about caring for a puppy but worry if it is so demanding the kids will lose out. I don't have a fourth child because I wanted enough energy for the three I've got. I hope that I can manage a dog, worry the puppy stage will be hard on the kids but hope having a dog will be the stuff of amazing childhood memories. Is that too rose-tinted?

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Original poster

Bythebeach · 22/06/2017 21:06

Whatsforu - did you use a particular book/method of crate training that you can recommend?

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BiteyShark · 22/06/2017 21:10

OP hope for the best but prepare for the worst and realise that even if you find it hard the puppy stage will soon pass (but be warned that they go through a teenage stage before reaching wonderful adulthood ).

Whatsforu · 22/06/2017 21:19

No we just put him in from the start at night and he would bark when he needed out during the night. This didn't last long. Sounds daft but I think what made all the difference was putting a large soft toy in with him and I guess he felt safe. Then of course he grew too big but didn't need the crate then.

Tinseleverywhere · 22/06/2017 21:28

I think it's lovely for kids to have a puppy as long as you are realistic and don't let the kids be rough or over excite the pup and don't let the puppy bite the kids or chew up their things. You will have to be very careful to supervise them constantly and separate them whenever you can't watch them.
Another thing is do the kids like doing outdoorsy stuff and going for walks? They are going to have to go along on any walks when you can't leave them at home and they may resent that if they don't like walking.

Dementedswan · 22/06/2017 22:37

Yes I found having a puppy hard work in terms of constant supervision . BUT .... being woken in the night only lasts a week or two if you don't give in to every whimper.

My pup at 10 months goes to his crate when the kids go to bed around 8pm. I send him outside for last orders about 10/11 and he sleeps until we are up in the morning.

The hardest part I've found about having a lab pup is the shedding...they shed loads.

He's fun, playful, mischievous so you do need to keep an eye on what he's doing bit he's loyal, a great playmate for the kids and brings a lot of enjoyment in our lives.

Dementedswan · 22/06/2017 22:47

As for crate training. That's where his bed is. He was put in from the start with blankets and covered the crate up. No gradual introduction. And he just accepted it.

Wolfiefan · 22/06/2017 22:50

My kids did lose out on my time and attention in the early weeks. But they love her to bits (and she them!)
Still surprised there are no pics on this thread!

Dementedswan · 22/06/2017 22:57

This is mine now saying hey! You woke me 😂

Dementedswan · 22/06/2017 22:58

I'll probably be outed for that as he's a distinctive red fox labrador and everyone in my town knows him 😂

Wolfiefan · 22/06/2017 23:21

Mine is pretty distinctive too @Dementedswan

Dementedswan · 22/06/2017 23:23

Aww Wolfie! He's lovely!

applesareredandgreen · 23/06/2017 23:08

Our dog is now one year old and we got him at 9 weeks old at the beginning of the school holidays so DS and I were at home with him for 6 weeks. It was like having a baby/todddler for the first couple of weeks. We didn't go out of the house without him for the first 2 weeks although we shut him in the kitchen to sleep and for his naps. The first day I coaxed him into his cage with treats and then stroked him til he fell asleep but after a couple of days I left him when he was awake but sleepy, and we went straight to him when we heard noises he was awake.

After 2 weeks we started going out of the house and leaving him, building up to 4 hours at the beginning of September when he was about 14 weeks. i work PT and DH is shift worker so he's normally home by himself for about 3-4 hours. He's walked before and after, then again in the evening.

What you need to remember about taking your puppy out is that they need two vacccinations, and they aren't supposed to go out anywhere there could have been unvaccinated dogs until after the second vac, which means about 12 weeks. However, you are meant to take them out and about to see the world, just not put them on the floor. I found this difficult as even though my dog is small he was very wrigggly and I was scared I'd drop him and hurt him. In the end we just took him to the end of the drive to say hello to people and watch the cars. I would recommend walking him around your garden and in the house on a lead for practice. Our first walks weren't very successful!!

My DS is a teenager but I think DH felt he was sidelined for the puppy when we first had him!! He's great now though. We're going to the seaside for a few days tomorrow and I love to see his excitement at the beach

Original poster

Bythebeach · 24/06/2017 16:13

apples-that paints a really helpful picture of timeline, thank you. What breed is your pup?

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Original poster

Bythebeach · 24/06/2017 16:14

And love the pics Wolfe & Demented!

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applesareredandgreen · 24/06/2017 17:42

My dog's a Jack Russell Terrier - now curled up on the bed after the excitement of running round on the beach!

AnUtterIdiot · 25/06/2017 10:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Bythebeach · 13/07/2017 21:47

UPDATE: I've reserved a puppy. She'll be collected at 8 weeks in mid-August. The plan is to run the kids ragged til then and then focus on puppy once she arrives. I'll be completely off work for a month and DH will be off the first few days too so the kids can go out a bit during the every 30mins to the toilet phase. Then I'm hoping a combo of play dates will be good for kids and socialising pup (for kids and dogs! All vaccinated!!) for the rest of the summer hol. Then after a month of settling, I will only work whilst DH is at home (w/es or nights) until Feb when puppy will be 8 months old. At that point it is likely I will start working 3 days and so we are looking at an au pair (with all her hours concentrated on 3 days-will solve wrap around child care plus company and walking for dog) or doggy daycare. I'm really hoping this is a realistic plan! V excited and nervous already!!

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Sallyswot1 · 13/07/2017 22:38

We've got a lab and she's fab. She slept from night 2- we left the radio on quietly for her for company. She went in a crate straight away, and we were back in work after week 2 with a puppy visit from the dog walker. As I start work early and finish early, and DH starts later and finishes later, she wasn't on her own for hours on end.
She's a wonderful member of the family and I'm really pleased I finally caved to DH and for her! Our 3 DC's adore her

Original poster

Bythebeach · 13/07/2017 23:52

Aaah Sally that's lovely. I've been the one trying to convince DH for years so I hope it works out similarly!

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Jenny70 · 14/07/2017 06:55

I think you have a plan well and truly sorted. You may find that puppy can be left earlier/longer than you plan, but good to have it covered if it isn't.

Our labradoodle puppy is 7 months now, we had sleepless nights for 2-3 weeks, then she learnt to use dog door as needed at night (and I was OK with letting her go out alone in the dark, LOL). She whined/barked at night for 2 nights, then only barked for toileting and then straight back to sleep. So sleep wasn't big drama for us.

Toilet training was harder than I thought. We'd play outside for 45mins, regularly asking her to wee and food/praise when she did. But she'd pee/poo as soon as she came inside, sigh. Just when I despaired of her every "getting it" she got it and has barely had an accident since.

Chewing was OK, sharp puppy teeth and excitement were not fun, but manageable (everyone who played with her had a chew toy/rope for her to bite at all times). Nothing of ours destroyed, only her bed and toys, which I can live with.

She's active on walks/at the park, recall is OK and very chilled at home.

We're still working on the food that suits her taste and digestion - the ones she likes give her runny poo and the ones that are good for that end won't get eaten. That was harder than I thought for, but hey we're at a passable compromise hopefully.

Good luck

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