Pet Insurance Cost Cutting System/MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion

tiff

Sorry for going off topic a bit. Thanks, I think my little pup is great, he is such a quick learner but yes grooming is important with them. I've not had a dog that needs grooming before. Sounds like you're researching it well, hope you get one soon

tiff

JoeyDoll wrote:

Hi Tiff

That's my main worry about a rescue dog, you haven't had them from being a puppy and therefore don't know how they have been trained, with a child in the house his safety is my main priority. But, saying that if they have come from a good home and just due to circumstance they have to part with the dog then it might be OK.

I too am a bit taken aback by the pedigree prices!!! Was wondering if you rehome a puppy/dog and go through the relevant official breeders website would it be cheaper than buying a pup?

You can get puppies in rescue centres, but some rescues wont allow dogs to go to homes with children below a certain age.

Not sure what you mean about going through the official breeders website? They were actually asking £325 for my pup but I refused to pay it. The owner said if you're really interested in the dog I would be willing to let you have him for £200 which is what I offered. If a dog needs rehoming I dont think they should expect to recoup all the money they paid in the first place.

JoeyDoll

Hi Tiff

I didn't know that about some rescue home having a child age limit - my son is five.

I just meant I think it would be cheaper to rehome a dog than buy a puppy - if that makes sense.

off topic again but did you find training you puppy easy, I haven't had a dog before and I'm a little aprehensive, do they cry all night too?

pboae

If you go through a breed rescue, you will pay less than market price, but it may still be a hefty price tag. It depends on the rescue. A responsible breeder will always insist their pup goes back to them and is not sold on if the original owner doesn't want it, which is how pups often end up in breed rescue.

But buying a pup is no guarantee of how it will turn out behaviour wise. In this country puppy farming is rife (those ads in the local papers for puppies delivered to your house, multiple breeds available, etc are usually puppy farms). A pup that comes from a place like that is likely to have all sorts of health and behavioural problems, many of which won't become apparent until the dog has matured.

Also, breed averages are a useful starting point but they are only averages and do not apply to each individual dog. Unfortunately, even with the best breeeding and best possible start in life you cannot always tell at a few weeks old which of the pups with be a normal confident adult dog and which will grow up to be nervous and snappy. Training and socialisation plays a huge part in that, but so does genetics.

EDIT: it is usually under 5's that they set the limit it, but it varies according to the rescue.

JoeyDoll

Hi Phoae

I'm pretty new to dogs as I haven't had a one before and didn't really know where to start. I assummed the breed averages gave a good indication as to the nature of a specific breed and suitablilty to children etc, I think your right about each dog having it's own certain character which you cannot necessarily predict, but as a general guide I'm not sure where else you can start! I did read that a reputable breeder should know his puppies well enough to spot the boistrous ones and the more reserved - mainly by watching them at feeding time and playing (which may give a indication to their nature)

I asummed if you were to go through the official dog breeds website then you should be able to avoid puppy farms, and reach a reputable breeder as they have standards in order to be registered with the club.

If you have any thoughts on choosing a dog breed they would be appreciated.

Thanks

tiff

JoeyDoll wrote:

Hi Tiff

I didn't know that about some rescue home having a child age limit - my son is five.

I just meant I think it would be cheaper to rehome a dog than buy a puppy - if that makes sense.

off topic again but did you find training you puppy easy, I haven't had a dog before and I'm a little aprehensive, do they cry all night too?

This is the first time I've trained a dog, my OH trained the last one. I looked into clicker training and got a clicker training book by Karen Pryor. I got Charlie at 12 weeks and it's amazing, he picked up on it straight away and now does sit, down (lie down), paw and off as in off the furniture. We're working on stay at the moment, he will stay sitting or lying down for 10 seconds before I click and give the treat but I'm working up to leaving the room, coming back and him still sitting there. My OH is not convinced he will ever do it but I think he will. I think the clicker is brilliant, but you have to get the timing right.

He cried the first two nights, just for a few minutes after we went to bed then about 5.30 in the morning so I got up and let him out for a wee. I didnt go back to bed the first morning. Next morning he was crying at 4am so I let him out for a wee, put him back in his crate and went back to bed. Ever since then he has gone through the night until my DH gets up at 6.30 for work.

judderman

Only last week i took out the M&S insurance, they seem to be pretty good, with only £50 excess.
Also this site http://www.k9magazine.com/viewarticle.php?sid=18&aid=153&vid=0&npage= is a pretty good site or dog/animal questions.
Whatever the weather a dog need's a walk.

pboae

If you go to a good responsible breeder, they will have a very good idea of how their pups will turn out (although there is still no 100% guarantee). They will know the mother and father (dam and sire) and their parents, going back generations. They will know everything there is to know about the dam, and will have carefully picked a sire to complement her. That gives them the best possible chance of having pups that meet show standard, both physically and behaviourally. But they, quite reasonably, expect you to pay for the knowledge and time that has gone in to producing that litter. Even when a breeder charges £1000 or more for a pup, if they have done it properly with all the health checks and screening, though to the weaning, they will barely make a profit.

Alternatively you can go to a back yard breeder who breeds their two pets together or uses any other male dog they happen to have access too, just to make a quick buck and sells them to anyone who wants one. Or a puppy farmer who may well use the same stud male regardless of whether that male is so aggressive even the puppy farmer cannot handle him.

So really breed averages are only the most basic guide, and won't really help you when it comes to choosing an individual. Which is why I prefer adult dogs, so I know what I am letting myself in for!

I'd really advise you to register on one of those sites, there are far more knowledgeable people there who will be able to help you make your choice.

Tiff: I love clicker training :T I reckon you'll have Charlie doing a long stay in no time!

JoeyDoll

tiff wrote:

This is the first time I've trained a dog, my OH trained the last one. I looked into clicker training and got a clicker training book by Karen Pryor. I got Charlie at 12 weeks and it's amazing, he picked up on it straight away and now does sit, down (lie down), paw and off as in off the furniture. We're working on stay at the moment, he will stay sitting or lying down for 10 seconds before I click and give the treat but I'm working up to leaving the room, coming back and him still sitting there. My OH is not convinced he will ever do it but I think he will. I think the clicker is brilliant, but you have to get the timing right.

He cried the first two nights, just for a few minutes after we went to bed then about 5.30 in the morning so I got up and let him out for a wee. I didnt go back to bed the first morning. Next morning he was crying at 4am so I let him out for a wee, put him back in his crate and went back to bed. Ever since then he has gone through the night until my DH gets up at 6.30 for work.

Thanks for your reply - sounds like the clicker is a great training tool, will look into it, it seems to be working for you!!!

It's good to know that your puppy didn't cry much as that is a concern of mine - didn't really want my son awake all night with the dog crying!!

Thanks you've really given me some confidence in getting a puppy - much appreciated.

Oh one last thing - toilet training - how easy is it? Did you find it difficult?

tiff

I've heard that toy breeds like mine take longer to house train. Charlie isnt house trained yet. I'm working on that with the clicker as well. For me I think thats going to be the most difficult thing. Some say they dont expect theirs to be house trained until six months old but I really hope it doesnt take that long. My sisters Beagle was house trained in 3 days.