New pet owner

jdsimmons3

Hi everyone. After lots of discussion we have decided to get a puppy. We own our house. Steady income, garden and fields across the road, one of us is always home and our son is almost 6 and is begging for one!

We've decided on a Dalmatian and are viewing him next week.

What do I need plan for?
I'm researching about food, how much they need and the costs etc.
What about vaccinations, do I register him with a vet and then they give me plan and cost etc and will they contact me whenever our dog needs a booster etc.
I've check pet insurance and puppy training.
Anything else I need to look at? I basically want everything covered he's not ready to leave for 3-4weeks so I want to get all my finances in place ready to take care of him.

Robin9

Be prepared for your life to change !    Lots of exercise for the puppy and you. !

As soon as you get him ring  the vet and follow their advise.

jdsimmons3

Robin9 said:

Be prepared for your life to change !    Lots of exercise for the puppy and you. !

As soon as you get him ring  the vet and follow their advise.

We're definitely ready.😁
We've chosen him over having another baby! Ahha!

Thank you, I have been reading about vaccinations etc but hard to find out when these are needed and how much they will cost. I think I will call the vets and just ask so I can keep the money aside.

Soot2006

Baby gates, room dividers (v important if you have a child too!), dog beds/crates, car crate - it's amazing how much "stuff" they seem to need in the first 2 years .. then as they mature, they seem to become happy with an old towel and won't chew everything they can reach any more.  Endless supply of chew toys of all different consistencies and treats.

Vets will try to sell you a puppy pack with vaccinations and wormers included. Can be worth it for a new dog owner with monthly checks, etc. Esp a Dalmation which are not always an easy first dog (most dogs aren't easy, of course - and some of all breeds just are easy!)

I assume you know about their specialised  dietary needs? https://www.dalmatianwelfare.co.uk/living-with/health/stones/ Discuss with your breeder, If they have healthy adult dogs, I'd just keep on feeding the same thing.

Puppy training and then ongoing training until they are about 2 years for the best possible outcome.

I HIGHLY recommend this book for your son, which is the only puppy book for children I am aware of that is accessible and high quality behavioural advice: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Puppy-Tales-Billy-Steven-Goodall/dp/1781333378/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2HIOE2YAKFCQW&keywords=sally+bradbury&qid=1647777500&sprefix=sally+bradbury,aps,294&sr=8-2

jdsimmons3

Soot2006 said:

Baby gates, room dividers (v important if you have a child too!), dog beds/crates, car crate - it's amazing how much "stuff" they seem to need in the first 2 years .. then as they mature, they seem to become happy with an old towel and won't chew everything they can reach any more.  Endless supply of chew toys of all different consistencies and treats.

Vets will try to sell you a puppy pack with vaccinations and wormers included. Can be worth it for a new dog owner with monthly checks, etc. Esp a Dalmation which are not always an easy first dog (most dogs aren't easy, of course - and some of all breeds just are easy!)

I assume you know about their specialised  dietary needs? https://www.dalmatianwelfare.co.uk/living-with/health/stones/ Discuss with your breeder, If they have healthy adult dogs, I'd just keep on feeding the same thing.

Puppy training and then ongoing training until they are about 2 years for the best possible outcome.

I HIGHLY recommend this book for your son, which is the only puppy book for children I am aware of that is accessible and high quality behavioural advice: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Puppy-Tales-Billy-Steven-Goodall/dp/1781333378/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2HIOE2YAKFCQW&keywords=sally+bradbury&qid=1647777500&sprefix=sally+bradbury,aps,294&sr=8-2

I did read about the food! From what I found some Dalmatians need a lower protein diet? Or shouldn't eat too much meat such a liver etc but I will look more into that and discuss with the owner. I'd much rather pay upfront a larger bill and know I'm covered for most things! So definitely worth calling them up and asking what they would recommend. Training wise. I found a local one who comes to our home for a four week training course. Then after that I will take him to a weekly group one . Thanks for the book I'll definitely get that!

sheramber

A baby would be less hassle- I can assure you after having three dallies. They are tsill my favourite dog.

They do not grow up until in the dotage. Need plenty of stimulation, not just physical exercise but mental exercise as well.
Search now for local training classes that use positive reward based methods as there is often a waiting list for good classes.

My dallies loved clicker training as they had to think things out. 

Check out the videos by Kikopup  for  puppy training.

Make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder. the pup should, be microchipped by the breeder= this is a legal requirement so avoid anyone who does not do it.

Your vet will advise the vaccination protocol  he uses and the cost.  Normally around 8 weeks and 12 weeks.

Your breeder should tell you what they are feeding and you should continue with that to begin with. Changing home is a big change for the pup and changing the diet would make it worse. 

Any change of diet should be done gradually over a few days gradually increasing the amount of the new food and reducing the old one.

Take your pup for a vet check AS SOON AS you get him. 

Dalmatians are prone to uric acid stones which can be costly so make sure you have adequate insurance- it won't be cheap so avoid cheap companies and go for lifetime cover where vets fees reinstate each year. 

Ask the breeder if they will give you a but of bedding that the pup had been using so it had a familiar smell. Alternatively, take a   blanket for the breeder to put in the pups bed so that you can bring it home with the pup.

jdsimmons3

sheramber said:

A baby would be less hassle- I can assure you after having three dallies. They are tsill my favourite dog.

They do not grow up until in the dotage. Need plenty of stimulation, not just physical exercise but mental exercise as well.
Search now for local training classes that use positive reward based methods as there is often a waiting list for good classes.

My dallies loved clicker training as they had to think things out. 

Check out the videos by Kikopup  for  puppy training.

Make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder. the pup should, be microchipped by the breeder= this is a legal requirement so avoid anyone who does not do it.

Your vet will advise the vaccination protocol  he uses and the cost.  Normally around 8 weeks and 12 weeks.

Your breeder should tell you what they are feeding and you should continue with that to begin with. Changing home is a big change for the pup and changing the diet would make it worse. 

Any change of diet should be done gradually over a few days gradually increasing the amount of the new food and reducing the old one.

Take your pup for a vet check AS SOON AS you get him. 

Dalmatians are prone to uric acid stones which can be costly so make sure you have adequate insurance- it won't be cheap so avoid cheap companies and go for lifetime cover where vets fees reinstate each year. 

Ask the breeder if they will give you a but of bedding that the pup had been using so it had a familiar smell. Alternatively, take a   blanket for the breeder to put in the pups bed so that you can bring it home with the pup.

They have been microchiped and will have first vaccinations before we collect. Yes I will continue with the food they're using. The mum and dad are there family pets so I will probably use the food they use for them when the pups older. The owner is giving us a blanket, toy, and collar they had since birth. 

We're an active family so will definitely get lots of physical exercise! Might even make an obstacle course in the garden for me as I read they would love that! I don't doubt it's more difficult than a child! But I trained him pretty well so I think I'll be ok with a puppy too! Will definitely get some one on one training though mainly to teach me the best ways to train him so I'm sure in what I'm doing

Fosterdog

Call around some local vets now to make sure you can get registered, since lockdown and an increase in pet ownership along with reduced patient numbers due to restrictions a lot of vets are at capacity and cannot or will not take on any new clients. Some will take on new pets for existing customers but others will not register any new animals at all. The last thing you need is to get your new dog, need a vet, and then find out nobody will take you on

jdsimmons3

Also question for Dalmatian owners!

How much exercise is enough for a puppy?

A timeline would be ideal such as
first 6months-  20mins

6-12month 30mins etc

My long term plan is to take him with me on my runs (4-5 times a week in mornings)

Then a daily walk to my son's school in the afternoon (there and back takes around 1hour)

Of course this is too much for a puppy! Do I was thinking,
Would it be unwise to walk him to my son's school 25mins, then carry him home if he gets tired?
Or should I just take him on one or two short walks 10-15mins at time each day? 
Maybe this is took much too so please let me know!!

 Any advice would be appreciated!

Soot2006

Don't underestimate how heavy a puppy will feel after 25 minutes carrying! I went long-distance hiking with 5 month terrier. I rigged up a backpack and my husband and I took turns carrying him. We're still suffering from the back pain, 5 years later hahaha ...   A good rule of thumb is 5 minutes exercise per month of life, but they can have this twice a day.

They can also do unlimited play time. Mine are allowed in the garden with the adults totally ad lib as they will lie down and take a little break and the 3-dimensional stress on joints is actually healthy as long as it's not forced.

The best way to tire them out is mental exercise - obedience, tricks, sniffer training, etc. We always do a half hour of age-appropriate obedience before bed time and I have never had a dog that didn't sleep through the night (cuddled up to me in bed) from 14 weeks onwards (but again,  sometimes you do everything right and they are just difficult).

Running will be great for a dally, and I introduce a bit of running from about 7-8 months on suitable terrain (grass/trails) only. No pavement pounding. From 12-18 months, I introduce them to the canicross belt (they wear the harness for running before then, but without me attached to it) for very short distance but off lead/long line for most of the run. From 18 months you can then start doing proper distances and also get them pulling on the belt.

Don't assume that every dog learns to walk on lead easily. I've had some pick it up who would happily have done a school run by 5-6 months and others who took well in early adulthood to be confident loose lead walking without needing to sniff everything or dart sideways at random intervals.Equally, some dogs don't like being carried even if you are strong enough to do it!

Most importantly, don't take anything a puppy does or doesn't do too seriously - enjoy them while they're young and silly because it's over in a flash. I remember stressing so much over my first puppy, getting everything right, etc, whereas now I puppy parent by instinct. 95% kind/compassionate, 5% "I'm only human and sometimes puppies are infuriating", but 100% force and fear-free. They all grow up in the end.

jdsimmons3

Soot2006 said:

Don't underestimate how heavy a puppy will feel after 25 minutes carrying! I went long-distance hiking with 5 month terrier. I rigged up a backpack and my husband and I took turns carrying him. We're still suffering from the back pain, 5 years later hahaha ...   A good rule of thumb is 5 minutes exercise per month of life, but they can have this twice a day.

They can also do unlimited play time. Mine are allowed in the garden with the adults totally ad lib as they will lie down and take a little break and the 3-dimensional stress on joints is actually healthy as long as it's not forced.

The best way to tire them out is mental exercise - obedience, tricks, sniffer training, etc. We always do a half hour of age-appropriate obedience before bed time and I have never had a dog that didn't sleep through the night (cuddled up to me in bed) from 14 weeks onwards (but again,  sometimes you do everything right and they are just difficult).

Running will be great for a dally, and I introduce a bit of running from about 7-8 months on suitable terrain (grass/trails) only. No pavement pounding. From 12-18 months, I introduce them to the canicross belt (they wear the harness for running before then, but without me attached to it) for very short distance but off lead/long line for most of the run. From 18 months you can then start doing proper distances and also get them pulling on the belt.

Don't assume that every dog learns to walk on lead easily. I've had some pick it up who would happily have done a school run by 5-6 months and others who took well in early adulthood to be confident loose lead walking without needing to sniff everything or dart sideways at random intervals.Equally, some dogs don't like being carried even if you are strong enough to do it!

Most importantly, don't take anything a puppy does or doesn't do too seriously - enjoy them while they're young and silly because it's over in a flash. I remember stressing so much over my first puppy, getting everything right, etc, whereas now I puppy parent by instinct. 95% kind/compassionate, 5% "I'm only human and sometimes puppies are infuriating", but 100% force and fear-free. They all grow up in the end.

Thank you Great advice!
I think the last pup will be going tomorrow so we will have to wait longer. Unfortunately there aren't any within 4hours of us gives us more to get ready I suppose