Came home yesterday to find a puppy on my sofa ....

foreign_correspondent

does the OH not realise that if one of the kids is allergic to cats, the dog may well create the same allergy?

The way things are going at the moment for many staffy pups, this one may well never get sold, even if that is the owners intention - I think that you may end up lumbered with the responsibility for this little one, rather than the breeder...

I would be hving strong words with them about their responsibilities re: breeding pups they cannot find homes for at 8 weeks old.. I expect they are fed up with the smell and mess already and cant find buyers... I wonder what will happen to the poor little mite though? Some rescues may be prepared to try and find homes for the pups, but in my experience, most of them will (wisely) insist on the mother being speyed as part of that deal.

I dont envy your position here - but you did not bring this little life into the world, the breeder did, and they need to take their responsibilities seriously, not be bailed out by the kindness of their neighbours.

captainprincess

Errata wrote: »

You can't toilet train her properly, which is cruel to the dog and your house will stink. Tell him to take it back, tonight. Tell the kids it was just borrowed and has to go back. Tell him it's you or the dog. Good luck !

Are you saying it can't be toliet trained properly because the op has no garden? I beg to differ, I lived in a top floor flat with no garden when I got a 8 week old puppy and he completely understood he had to go outside and not in the flat!!
I agree it would be harder with young children around but it can certainly be done.

Paparika

Tell the OH that unless they are prepared to do all the toilet training, all the walks and everything associated with the care of a puppy/dog then puppy needs to go before everyone becomes attached.

If he says he doesn't want to give back to the family, then perhaps a rescue centre?


You have to think about yourself, 2 toddlers (3 if you count the puppy) one on the way, you need to rest up

foreign_correspondent

it strikes me it will be harder to return the pup in a fortnight than it would be now.. and if no home is found, (which is very likely in the current climate), or an unsuitable home is found, that you do not approve of, what will you do then? - as I presume you will have more concern for the welfare of the pup than the breeder does?

Errata

captainprincess wrote: »

Are you saying it can't be toliet trained properly because the op has no garden? I beg to differ, I lived in a top floor flat with no garden when I got a 8 week old puppy and he completely understood he had to go outside and not in the flat!!
I agree it would be harder with young children around but it can certainly be done.

The OP can't drop everything every time the pup looks like it needs a wee. Which is pretty frequent at 8 weeks. The pup can't go outside as it hasn't had it's jabs. That leaves the balcony, and I'm sure the OP doesn't want to spend half her time disinfecting the balcony.

foreign_correspondent

I think your OH neds to be aware of messing with the kids emotions too - they have just lost their cat, only to find it replaced by a cute puppy, which he is asking them to name.. but it too, will be going in a few weeks...

Whose needs is he thinking about here, or is he just trying to get a pup into the family on the sly, as he knows you would say no if asked directly? I would not be happy with this either way, the first scenario (pup is temporary) is selfish and thoughtless, the second (pup is being brought in craftily but intended to be permanent) is selfish and manipulative.

Sublime_2

Having a new puppy will be like having another baby, and you've got one due soon. It is a big responsibility, toilet/obedience training, walks, etc. Its a lot to take on for you at the moment, and wouldn't be fair on either your family, or the dog.

The breeders are obviously struggling with these pups, so as already suggested, give them back, and/or contact a staffy rescue centre. These are already full of unwanted animals, and over-stretched, as some are run voluntarily, but if they can help, they will.

Good luck with this, and be firm.

foreign_correspondent

If you keep this pup, despite how difficult this will be for you, I wonder what the odds are that the same people will have another litter on the way soon enough... and will struggle to sell all of them too? No wonder the rescues are full of staffies.

tandraig

errata - my sympathies hun. If you are going to give the pup back - my advice do it now! it will be so hard for you in a couple of weeks time. harden your heart and reassure the kids (and the biggest kid - your OH - grrr what is he thinking of landing you with a pup now?) that you will have a puppy when you have a garden and arent about to give birth yourself!
as for being allergic to animals - a simple skin test will establish if your child is allergic to both cats and dogs (rabbits too if you ask). not everyone is allergic to both - my son is allergic to dogs but not cats - his consultant was so surprised she repeated the test! so this may put your mind at rest.
as much as i love dogs (staffies in particular) this is not the right timing here. as you rightly say - to bring them up properly requires a LOT of time and commitment. both of which i expect will be in short supply in chez errata for some months to come.
if however you decide to keep pup - i see no reason why dogs cant be trained to use a litter tray! novel idea i know - but no different to those puppy training pads you can get!
whichever you decide hun - support will be forthcoming from me at least (and I am sure most everyone on P&PC)

Errata

hang on Tandraig - it's not my pup