Puppy information/book/site

[OrchidFlakes]

We’re starting to learn about what we need to do to train a puppy etc as hopefully we’ll be ready next spring.

Can anyone recommend a book or website I can use to learn from (not had a dog before) also a book for children so they can understand the commitment and what needs to be done. The kids will be 4 and 7 ish by the time we’re ready for him/her.

Hoping for a cavapoo or another poodle mix. The boys are desperate but I’m not prepared to take on the responsibility until I fully understand what’s involved from puppy, adolescence and adulthood.

Introducing pup to a cat too - is it likely to be problematic? She’ll be 10 when pup comes home. She’s placid, timid and not a lap cat at all!

Thank you 🐶

Pippa Mattinson's Happy Puppy Handbook is brill, imo.

I've found going through the threads on here far more useful than the fuckload of research I did! 😂

Isn't there a pinned post in the doghouse with a list of suggested reading material?
FB group dog training advice and support is awesome.
Unless rescuing you're unlikely to find a poodle mix that's not from a puppy farm. Seriously consider if that's what you want. Nearly 8/10 puppies bought in the UK are from puppy farms.
I'm working my way through Total Recall at the moment. First time dog owner too. And sight hounds aren't known for brilliant recall.
Find a good reward based trainer too. We do obedience, ring craft/socialisation and have just started good citizen.

Definitely don’t want a pup from a farm. Absolutely no way. I would definitely rescue and would love an older dog rather than a pup but with a cat and children it’d need to be pretty bomb proof which is why I figured a pup might settle easier growing up in the environment.
Would the KC not have a list of reputable breeders?

The KC won't have a list of cross breeders - just pedigree breeders. Plus, although it's a good place to start, plenty of shit breeders get themselves on the KC/KC Assured lists so be prepared to take their lists with a pinch of salt and do your own vetting also.

In some ways an older rescue is a better bet with cats and children because a good rescue centre will assess the dog before rehoming it and can advise which ones are better with cats.kids. Puppies can grow up in all sorts of ways (and are HARD work) and can be pretty belligerent and pesky while they are doing it.

My cat left home when we adopted an adult rescue dog. It took him months to accept the dog. After dog died our next one was a small puppy and the cat had no problem with him.

Wolfie the post usn’t Pinned anymore - MN don’t fo pinned posts any longer

OP - search for a thread titled ‘useful resources’ in the doghouse - it has loads of great info on it.

And well done on researching - it’s a refreshing change

Thanks @Veterinari I didn't know that. It's really positive to hear of people doing research. Wish everyone did. I nearly tagged you earlier to suggest the OP ask you for recommended health tests on the breed they decide on!

www.apdt.co.uk/dog-owners/puppy-dog-training-tips