Puppy Advice (merged)

LillyJ

I don't know a website, but have you considered a rescue dog instead of a puppy?
There are loads of little darlings desparate for a family, and they are so rewarding to own. They are also cheaper than a puppy, meaning you have more cash to spend on the bits and bobs.
Rescue centres also very often have litters of puppies too, if you are desparate for a pup.

smileypigface

Are you looking for a particular breed as there are some good web sites that are breed specific that are very helpful - for example we have a springer spaniel and find www.itsaspringthing.co.uk a really useful point for reference, recommendations and help from other owners.

Might be worth googling the actual breed you are getting and see if anything helpful comes up.

Not websites but a visit to the vet you intend to use would probably be useful - they will be able to give advice on vaccinations/worming/initial check ups/socialisation classes locally etc. This will give you info about what basic vet trips you will have to schedule over the first months.

For really good, sensible and practical advice I would recommend reading Gwen Bailey's Perfect Puppy book - well in advance of getting a puppy - my experience is that it's too late to think through house rules and approach to training once you've got the puppy - it's not the sort of thing you can easily make up as you go along.

Also, if you've never had a puppy before it might we worth having a few walks at the time you would plan to walk your puppy in the parks etc you would use to see if there are regular people walking their dogs - I was pleasantly surprised that so many dog owners are happy to chat as they do their circuits of the park - it's always interesting to hear other people's experiences and might help you decide if a puppy is really for you and also pick up some useful hints and tips.

Well done for starting your research before deciding whether to get a puppy - good luck - Roly is our first dog and we wouldn't be without him now - he has pushed our patience a few times - but he returns all the love and affection 10-fold.

toshkininny

thanks, not sure what route at the moment that we will be taking.

We have a local RSPCA, if we do have a rescue dog it will need to be one that can be with young children, which rules most of them out. I have been there, done that, got the t-shirt looking at all those dogs and usually want to take home the old, 13 year old one that no-one would ever look twice at!

That's why we ended up with my last dog. 9 years old when we got him, and that's why I haven't a clue about how to start with a puppy, as this time round we want a few more years before we have our hearts broken again!

mirrorimage0

if you are considering a rescue have a look on https://www.dogpages.co.uk they have a forum of all different rescues etc and you could also post there about puppy advice so many dog people on there you would get lots of great advice, one thing i would definatley say is find some good local puppy training classes and socialsie your dog really well, i know of a couple of rescue that have got puppys in at the moment depending on where you are feel free to pm me

Paparika

toshkininny wrote: »

thanks, not sure what route at the moment that we will be taking.

We have a local RSPCA, if we do have a rescue dog it will need to be one that can be with young children, which rules most of them out. I have been there, done that, got the t-shirt looking at all those dogs and usually want to take home the old, 13 year old one that no-one would ever look twice at!

That's why we ended up with my last dog. 9 years old when we got him, and that's why I haven't a clue about how to start with a puppy, as this time round we want a few more years before we have our hearts broken again!

No it doesn't,

There are various reasons why dogs and cats end up at the RSPCA, as you have said been there done the t-shirt.

Pupppies are often at the dogs home, already inoculated too, good luck with your puppy search.

Maybe this will be of some help to you.
http://www.dogpages.org.uk/index.htm

foreign_correspondent

my rescue dog was aged about 4 when I got her, and my mums rescue dog was about ten months old. Rescues do have dogs and pups off all ages, but an adult dog is generally much much less demanding than a puppy - a few days ago there were so many threads on here regarding people having difficulties with puppies (nipping, growling etc) - I think most of them have been moved to DT now.

Bear in mind that puppies need constant attention for the first couple of weeks to toilet train, if that goes ok, you may then be able to leave them for a couple of hours at a time, but no more.

A puppy is pretty much guaranteed to do all or some of the following - wee, poo, puke etc on your carpets, chew shoes, TV remote controls and any other random objects, chew furniture, nip, whine, bark - and cry when left. If any combination of these would be too much for you please do reconsider.

With an older dog its personality can generally be better assessed and there are plently of stable, house trained, child friendly young adult dogs in rescues, and others, just as good, being put to sleep every week as there are just too many dogs.

Buying from a breeder just encourages the breeding of more dogs, many of which will ultimately end up unwanted.

I would encourage anyone who is really keen to get a pup to have a look at some of the many pup in rescue - such as these - http://www.dogpages.org.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=177268&st=30

countrymusicfan

My best suggestion is to go and see the puppy with the mother and make sure both are healthy. Try about.com and look for the dog section. I found a great article asking if you are ready for a dog and what breed you want, etc, etc, etc.

moomin5

Its a good idea to also have a think about what qualities you would like the dog to have and then find a dog that matches those, be it a pedigree or mix, puppy or adult. Then your less likely to fall for that cute dog which is totally unsuitable for your lifestlye.

i.e for me this was;
* I'm not incredibly active and don't want to have to physically wear my dog out.
* I want my dog to be laid back and not need to give him constant attention.
* easy to groom
* personally prefer larger dogs.
* Dog would need to be able to cope at home while i'm working
* Docile nature

Probably some other stuff, but you get the picture! There were lots of breeds i liked the look of and many i discovered were no good for my requirements, then i came across greyhounds and they fit my needs perfectly. I now own 2 and the research paid off as they really do suit my life.

My dogs had never lived in a home before and were 2yrs when we adopted them, but they made the transition fairly easily. They picked up the housetraining over a weekend and most accidents after were our fault in hindsight, we had a few issues but we expected that with the major upheaval they'd been through. I don't think i could cope with a puppy, i'm too used to my dogs sleeping at least 20 hours of the day now.

Don't forget to also train the kids as much as the dog, its often the kids doing something silly that can end up with a dog growling/snapping.

toshkininny

thank you all, will certainly be looking up some websites that have been suggested.

LillyJ

toshkininny wrote: »

thanks, not sure what route at the moment that we will be taking.

We have a local RSPCA, if we do have a rescue dog it will need to be one that can be with young children, which rules most of them out. I have been there, done that, got the t-shirt looking at all those dogs and usually want to take home the old, 13 year old one that no-one would ever look twice at!

That's why we ended up with my last dog. 9 years old when we got him, and that's why I haven't a clue about how to start with a puppy, as this time round we want a few more years before we have our hearts broken again!

There are loads of dogs in rescues that are good with children! Although we don't have kids yet, we needed to think about it as they should be on the cards in the next couple of years.
Our dog was 12 months old when we got him, and they said he was suitable to live with young children, but not cats

He is FANTASTIC with my friend's children, and loves them to pieces.