Tell me everything I need to know please!

[MrsRyanGosling15]

So after a 10 year campaign my dh and ds have finally convinced me and we are getting a dog. My only 2 requirements seen that it is small and doesn't shed. Ds1/2 Are both bad with heavy shedding dogs. We aren't getting one next week but want to do plenty of research over the next few months to be as ready as possible.

I work evenings so am home all day. Dh does shifts and should be home 3 days a week so always adults at home. We have 3 smaller dc from 1 to 7 Quite a big house/garden and dog could possibly have it's own bedroom/space if needed. (Is this needed?)

My ds1 was very badly attacked by a dog many years ago as a baby and I'm just getting over my fear in recent years. I have been spending lots of time with dogs and have had my bosses dog to stay for long weekends 3 times now and have surprised myself how much I and the dc enjoyed it.

What is the actual reality like though? Does 1 person need to be in charge of it? Is it like having a new born? How do i find the breed to match us? Or will I just know when I see it? I'm in Ireland and not even sure where you buy a dog (ie a proper breeder and not gumtree) Any help or advice is much appreciated.

My dh has always had a dog. I was so traumatised after my son was attacked that it was only about 2 years ago that I was able to even pet a dog but I have really come on and have worked so hard not to pass any fears over to the dc.

It’s not necessarily the case. Our last puppy settled straight away. We made sure her bed in her crate was very cosy. She had a soft toy that you could microwave to warm up. We also left the radio on low. I set the alarm for 3am and took her out on the lead for a wee and she settled again until 7am.

I think it’s important to not reward them for making a fuss. If ever our puppy cried in the night we checked she was okay, took her outside for a wee and then left her. All very low key. If she cried again we left her to it. I think if all is fine then you have to leave them to get on with it.

Sleepness nights for one of 3 reasons:

1. Puppies under about 12 weeks old (varies a lot) will need to toilet through the night. Each dog is different but I think Battendog was about average and he went 3 (ish) times a night for the first wekk, 2 (ish) for the 2nd, once a night for the 3rd week and by about the 4th week home was sleeping through most nights.

1. Some people have thier puppy sleep in it's final location (e.g. the kitchen) right from the start. Puppies are programmed to panic when left alone so may cry - and a puppy distress cry is LOUD. Others start them of in their bedroom and slowly move them to their permanent bed by about 6 months (again, varies). Others put them in the kitchen and make up a camp bed and sleep with them for a few nights, until settled then slowly move back to their own bed. If you seperate the puppy from you at night you will need to set alamrs to wake up for toiletting. If you sleep in the same room as puppy he will most likely wake you up by crying when he needs to go.

1. Attention. A puppy that has learned waking people up can lead to fun times (fuss, play) will keep doing it. They have no morals

This is just another of those things where you'll have to find the best way for you.

Of course, you may get a 1-in-a-million dog who sleeps right through, in the kitchen, from the start. If you do, tell me where you got it. I could do with one of those next time .

All puppies are different.

Some sleep through the night

Others cry or try and play even if they are in the same room and the owners.

Some cry and need letting out for pees and poos in the night. This was mine and I didn't want to use puppy pads because I never wanted to encourage toileting to happen in the house so I would take him out at night.

You won't know what your puppy is like until they are here so best to hope for the best but prepare for some sleepless nights.

The best thing to remember is however much you prepare and think you are going to follow this method or that one, your puppy is an individual and each one and each household is different. As you can see from the numerous threads whilst some puppy owners sail through that stage lots don't.

Puppies cry in the night for the first few nights.
They miss their mum and siblings and are in a new, unfamiliar environment.

I certainly never got up every 1/2 hours though!

I took puppy for the toilet about 11pm, put her in her crate and let her out again about 7.
She cried quite bad for the first night but after a few nights slept through fine.

She did have an accident for a few nights but very soon was sleeping through with no toilet accidents aswell.

Some people like to set an alarm in the night to take puppy for the toilet.
Up to you what you choose to do.
I’m not sure if it is size related but I find that the bigger breeds do tend to be toilet trained quicker (I know you are getting a small breed puppy, just mentioning it as something to be aware of as some of the little breeds have a reputation for being slow to toilet train)

NO PUPPY PADS

Straight outside.

Just to add - daytime toiletting is very different and you should expect to take your puppy out every 30mins or so, throughout the day. Plus immediately after waking, playing, eating and drinking.

And whenever he looks like he might want a wee (sniffing, pacing, circiling).

Basically, what I ma saying is I hope you have good knees - because you're going to be up and down like a yo-yo for a few weeks

I think a border terrier would suit your circumstances, they have the reputation of not being so 'terrierish' and good size. We have an Irish terrier which are slightly bigger and more terrier in temperament but so loving and so gentle. I agree with the sentiment that you get to know your own dog completely different from other dogs. I was also persuaded as I wasn't a dog person at all, haven't ever had a dog growing up. I am glad my boys persuaded me though as now I can't imagine life without my dog! Good luck with your decisions