First time dog owner

[MsAnnFrope]

I’ve never had a dog but am considering one in the next few years. Would you recommend volunteer dog walking or helping at a shelter before taking the plunge? We have an old placid cat and a 7 year old and we live in a house with a decent sized garden close to countryside.

Good ideas both. Try Borrow my Doggie on Facebook . If you are lucky you can meet up with different breeds and sizes of dogs.
Although I will tell, they are like children in that cleaning up your own dog is a lot better than doing it for someone else’s 😁

That sounds good. I already walk 4 or 5 miles most days and I’d like a canine companion. Do you have any tips on good breed for newbies? I’m guessing it’s also a bit like children in it’s how they are brought up?!

You don't say if you're thinking of getting a puppy or an older dog.

If you do get a puppy or a relatively young dog just be careful about building up the walking. Young dogs will often keep going for miles but while they're growing the amount of walking they do needs to be built up slowly.

Also, I had two old cats when I got my dog as a puppy and it worked out very well.

You just need to introduce them carefully, make sure the cat has lots of places, up high or different rooms, to go that the dog can't reach or isn't allowed.

Oh and make sure you put the cat's food where the dog can't get at it or he/she will snaffle the lot.

Also, if your cat has a litter tray get a covered one that the dog can't get into or, like the food, put it somewhere your dog can't go; your dog will see it as its own personal treat tray, it isn't pleasant (not envy)

I’m guessing it’s also a bit like children in it’s how they are brought up?!

Umm sometimes BUT a lot of "stuff" goes on before you get the puppies. You really do need to do your research about the breeder, health tests are important but how they treat the bitch, especially what happens to the bitch at 4 weeks of pregnancy, how they treat the puppies, they should all know and use ENS and what the breeders do in the early weeks is vital to an emotionally secure dog.

Thank you for all the tips - we are a couple of years away from being able to get a dog at least. But I wanted to see what I could do to prepare. My preference would be for a rescue dog, therefore that is likely to be an older dog not a puppy.
@PollyRoulson the children comment was tongue in cheek. But the information on what to look for if we decided a puppy was the best plan is very helpful thank you.