Remind me why I don’t want a puppy

[wheretoyougonow]

My very much loved dog died 2 years ago (old age) I was heartbroken. Agreed that we wouldn’t get another dog as our children are now (just!) adults and we don’t want to have the tie a dog brings.

I was absolutely fine with that plan until a friend told me her dog is expecting and will offer us first refusal on a puppy if we want one. It’s an exactly the type of dog I would choose and I love the mum to bits.

Adult kids are saying they would help out - they were brilliant with our last dog.

Now I want another dog 😁 I think I might have some rose tinted glasses on though as I loved my dog so much and have tried to forget the time she ate through a wall 😂

Please remind me of the harder side to having a puppy/dog.

Yes I have to second this. I’ve been wanting a dog on and off my entire adult life so intermittently have done stacks of research and am ashamed to say (would get distracted by deep diving into different breeds, needs, care etc) it’s only been fairly recently that I’ve really understood the need to do your due diligence and purchase from an ethical breeder. Their costs are high but the care they put into health screening and temperament checks and some other sciency breeder BT’s only they as specialists know will make the initial higher cost worth it in less heath issues and behavioural problems down the line. Also, they’ll take the pup back anytime no matter how old if your circumstances change and you can’t look after the dog any longer.

Honestly, why it is necessary to reply in this way. I was simply trying to help the OP with a view. As you are so knowledgeable you’ll know if you’ve ever looked at the sites, most breeders don’t show as being registered with the local council. Your comments about being disingenuous don’t make any sense in context of the definition
of the word.

I can’t help you I’m afraid, the benefits of having a dog massively outweigh the negatives ime.

The puppy phase is over pretty quickly.

@Ilovevegetables Disingenuous means slightly dishonest - which your comment was, even if you did not intend it to be. It was phrased in a way that made it sound like being council licensed and being KC registered was a good thing. And it's not that simple as neither thing means a breeder is good. I'm sorry if you're unhappy I was frank, but it needed saying - even though OP will almost certainly buy this puppy that almost certainly will not come from parents who should have had the health tests they should have had.

For future reference; a quick five minute google would have told anyone looking to buy a pet that a council license and KC registration does not mean a breeder is automatically good. And yes, most breeders don't state they are licensed - because it's like having a drivers licence, everyone should have it, so saying you have it is nothing to be proud of and those that do are usually only saying it because they are grossly lacking elsewhere.

I don't advertise that I am council licensed. I've never known a good breeder who does - because it means nothing. It is simply a legal requirement.

Rule of thumb: if a breeder goes on about their council license, or their 'five star rating' its likely because they are severely failing elsewhere.

They need lots of training and apparently, are prone to separation anxiety. I wouldn't get one unless I were 100% sure. Try not to talk yourself into something; it rarely ends well.

What breed is he?

I can 2nd that we live next door to one, he never shuts up… neurotic barky little bugger.

My friend has 2, they never let up all day long.. woooo woooo woooo woof.

We have a 16 week old Miniature Schnauzer puppy and he’s amazing! Can be a bit of an arse hole yes, but only in a playful way. He enhances my/our life in such a way as I cannot describe! He’s my little pal

He categorically should NOT have left his mum at 7 weeks!!!!

That made me laugh 😂😂

Having just had a puppy just over a week ago I have nothing to say other than, just do it. Utter joy. And chaos.

Sleepless nights ...utter exhaustion...not being able to get anything done or go anywhere..mess.
mess and more mess...sharp bitey teeth....if you can cope with that for 3 months the rest is a breeze! 😂

But it's a cockerpoo...please dear god train it. They get such a bad press with other dog owners because they are often the least well trained 🙄

Thanks again for all the replies. Lots to think about. Not too bothered by the biting phase my previous dog went through this - not a cockerpoo.

I would be a bit concerned about the separation anxiety as I’ve heard this before about this breed. I definitely wouldn’t be the one who left their dog barking in the garden - I love my neighbours!

The couple who we may get her from I know well and don’t have concerns about. I trust them as far as you can and nothing is a real certainly. I definitely didn’t know the background of the parents of my first dog as she was a rescue. I’m not going to comment further about checks as that isn’t really the advice I need.

The majority of posters seem to say it’s blooming hard work but the pay off is genuinely worth it. Just need to seriously think if I want to commit as it’s for a long time and once you get them - it’s love and they are here to stay for a long time.

Lack if sleep
The cost
Can’t do things spontaneously
The cost
Lack of freedom
Walks in freezing weather
Mud in the house
Scratched furniture
the cost

They shit every where, chew stuff, their teeth are like needles when they are puppies, there's dog fluff everywhere even if they have short coats and get regularly brushed, they need walking everyday even if it's pissing down and freezing cold. But there is absolutely no way I would ever be with out at least one 😊 there are plenty of days out you can have with the dog with you and if not a day at home once in a while isn't the end of the world. There are people you can pay to come in and walk them or daycares they can go to aswell! Get the dog 😆

Im saying this as someone who absolutely never have a dog. I don’t dislike them but to me nothing will ever be worth the picking up shit, the impacted anal glands, the hair, the wet dog smell, walking them in the pissing rain, only to have them shake their wet fur all over the furniture, the stinky expensive food, the vet bills…….
But that’s just me. Get the dog. You clearly want to.You obviously love them and have no real particular reason not to get one. Like all dog owners, you’ll be able to overlook the above horrors.

I had to replace my whole wardrobe as everything was covered in holes from tiny pin holes, even my handbags, and the most beautiful soft and comfy coral leather ballet flats that I’d worn twice. She ate one and a half of those shoes including the rubber soles. She also ate an umbrella cover, half a dog sun bed (in ten minutes) and part of a carpet. That’s not including the knickers and six that she went through (vet apt each time and told no blockage just watch for the coloured poos). Oh the expense!

But she’s now a beautiful grown up girl who no longer eats things she shouldn’t, she the best girl, my shadow, my little bear, and I wouldn’t be without her. My heart could literally burst every day when she gives me all the cuddles.

We don’t have family nearby but we do know all the locals with lovely dogs and when someone goes on holiday we all just look after the others (like extended sleepovers) and as the dogs know each other from the park they absolutely love it. I say go for it.

Definitely do it, you won’t regret it ❤️ We’ve got a Cockapoo & he’s the best dog we could’ve ever asked for 🥰 P.s loads of Cockapoos are called Teddy we realised after we chose that name that most of the Cockapoos we meet are also called Teddy 😆

They're destructive. Puppy in my house chewed through a wall.
They're expensive. Neutering costs an arm and a leg, and one of my pups had cherry eye and needed an operation. Plus grooming every six weeks, allergies, itchy skin. Expensive food.
Eating disgusting things that they find while out on walks.
On the other hand, total devotion, adoration, loyalty, love, fun, 😻

We’re also very lucky ours has never chewed anything except for the cushion zips in the living room so we had to have zip less cushions made 😆

Puppy needle teeth mouthing your hands and feet all the freaking time

We got a puppy from a mum that we adore and she’s the best dog I’ve ever met. She’s just like her mum but better and whilst the puppy stage was a bit hard (toilet training mainly), it was absolutely worth it. I’d die for this dog, she’s just amazing.

Sorry 🤣

Wtf is a Daxon?

My life is so much better with dogs - 12 year old golden doodle and 2 year old cockerpoo. (Cockerpoo bought as a buffer dog as I was worried we'd lose our old girl mid important exams for my teens - she's a total delight and very easy providing she has enough exercise). I love their company and also walk so much more as a result of having them. We have started using a pet sitter where people pet sit while you go away - it's working out really well for us. Of course, it's a tie, and they make the house a bit messy but if it fits with what's important to you, go for it!

A good friend of mine was a show judge at Crufts. When I last discussed Cockerpoos with her she was appalled that anyone would mix the two breeds - many are hyper anxious nightmares as if paired with a working cocker, you haven't got a clue what you are letting yourself in for. Some people are lucky; I'm surrounded by them post a lockdown where I live-NDN's is sweet but is terrified of car journeys, they've had to give up their motorhome as she's sick and hides under the seats , she howls all night if they go out and has bitten her guys and and the groomer. Basically she's an anxious wreck. Don't be swayed just because it's a 'friend with pups'. And completely discount your kids as I'm probably older than you by a few decades and I know only one child who didn't grow out of the "I hate walking the dog" phase.