Advice on getting new puppy

[Orange Creme]

Hi all. I'm looking to buy our first family dog next year. We have a loving home with an enclosed garden and lots of country walks on our doorstep.

Although I grew up with dogs and horses I've never actually owned my own puppy. I have looked into rescue centres but generally they dont seem to want to home older dogs with young children (my youngest is 2). So wondered if you have any helpful tips on the first few weeks after bringing puppy home? Also any book recommendations?

 

[Sp20191]

Be prepared for very little sleep, lots of nipping and generally having your house turned upside down!

We got our first puppy in April, and it was bloody hard work. My parents have had dogs since I was a baby so always been around them, but it’s so different having your own.

The 8 year old got the brunt of the puppy nipping and it was pretty bad, his arms were scratched and bitten a lot.

I’m not saying this to put you off but to just prepare yourself, I didn’t realise how hard it was and not sure I’d have coped if my kids were toddlers.

He’s an absolute delight now and it was worth all the stress

 

[AutumnLaughs]

Be prepared for very little sleep, lots of nipping and generally having your house turned upside down!

We got our first puppy in April, and it was bloody hard work. My parents have had dogs since I was a baby so always been around them, but it’s so different having your own.

The 8 year old got the brunt of the puppy nipping and it was pretty bad, his arms were scratched and bitten a lot.

I’m not saying this to put you off but to just prepare yourself, I didn’t realise how hard it was and not sure I’d have coped if my kids were toddlers.

He’s an absolute delight now and it was worth all the stress

I agree, it's stressful, messy and bloody hard work. Training is hard, but once they pass that stage it's all worth it.

 

[Sp20191]

I agree, it's stressful, messy and bloody hard work. Training is hard, but once they pass that stage it's all worth it.

100% worth it! I just wish someone had warned me how hard puppies are...I think babies are easier

 

[Orange Creme]

Thank you all so much! How many weeks would you say that first stage of toilet training training and sleepless nights lasts?

 

[Jaeme]

Thank you all so much! How many weeks would you say that first stage of toilet training training and sleepless nights lasts?

How long is a piece of string. Depends on the breed & their trainability.

Some tips for bringing the puppy home;
We give them a smallish cardboard box for their first bed in case they destroy it (I have labradors so it's a big-ish small box), with a blanket in the box and a hotwater blanket and ticking clock underneath the blanket. This helps them cope with being separated from the litter where they'd sleep in a pile together.

Socialisation is really important. Even when they're not able to go for walks yet, have them meet new people at your house, carry them outside etc, there's lots of good info online now.

And if you're buying a specific breed, do your research on the breed & breeder, make sure they have the relevant health testing done

 

[Sp20191]

For us it became more fun and not a chore at 20 weeks, he was toilet trained, slept through, had lost his needle baby teeth and we started to really enjoy him x

 

[stevienicks]

Please do your research and read up on breeds. So many people buy a breed just for looks snd are then shocked when they have issues because of temperament etc.

 

[Sp20191]

Please do your research and read up on breeds. So many people buy a breed just for looks snd are then shocked when they have issues because of temperament etc.

Yes this! We did so so much research before we decided on a breed. Also factor in pet insurance, grooming (we pay £35 every 6 weeks for our dog!) food, vaccination, flea, worms etc, they are definitely not cheap x

 

[Orange Creme]

Please do your research and read up on breeds. So many people buy a breed just for looks snd are then shocked when they have issues because of temperament etc.

Yes that's what I'm doing at the moment. I know what you're saying but I'm not the type to buy an animal for its looks. I'm considering a small terrier such as a border terrier as that's what I grew up with. I'm giving myself about 12 months to research and learn etc.

 

[stevienicks]

Yes that's what I'm doing at the moment. I know what you're saying but I'm not the type to buy an animal for its looks. I'm considering a small terrier such as a border terrier as that's what I grew up with. I'm giving myself about 12 months to research and learn etc.

Border Terriers are lovely! Good luck with everything. I’m sure it won’t take you long to find your furever friend

 

[bubbletea123]

We got a puppy two years ago. My SO took two weeks off work to help, I wasn't working at the time so that was great.

We had a pen set up in the office with linoleum underneath so that if he had accidents, it wasn't on the hardwood. He slept there as a puppy until he was housetrained, about 9 months old - where we could really trust him. He had a crate with cosy blankets and he loved it. He isn't allowed to sleep in our bed. As much as we love him, we are the ones in charge and he does not get the run of the house. He also isn't allowed on our expensive sofas. Obviously, that comes down to each individual owner as to if they want to be as strict. We take a lot of pride in our furniture so that is why. He has plenty of comfy memory foam beds to lie on. Haha.

When it came to house training, we literally took him out to the bathroom every 30 minutes, in the beginning, this resulted in minimal accidents. He never pooped in the house as a puppy, something people often have issues with. (He's pooped once as an adult but it was an upset stomach). It is really hard work but consistency is key. If he pees in the house, don't yell at him as he won't know what he did wrong, especially if you see it long after he did it. Instead, as soon as it happens or as soon as you see it, take him outside and make sure he pees there. They understand it fairly quickly BUT it takes a while for them to be able to hold a full bladder.

We never had any issue with him chewing furniture, etc. If he went to bite us, we would distract him with a bone or a toy, and he forgot about it.

He went through a phase of barking, and it was clear he was just testing the boundaries. We would ignore it. He then stopped as he wasn't getting attention for it.

We do not have pet insurance for him. We looked into it but because of his breed, it was going to cost more for his insurance than ours which is insane. He has had some medical procedures which we paid for out of pocket, and they would not have been covered anyway. Again, up to each individual owner though.

 

[Orange Creme]

We got a puppy two years ago. My SO took two weeks off work to help, I wasn't working at the time so that was great.

We had a pen set up in the office with linoleum underneath so that if he had accidents, it wasn't on the hardwood. He slept there as a puppy until he was housetrained, about 9 months old - where we could really trust him. He had a crate with cosy blankets and he loved it. He isn't allowed to sleep in our bed. As much as we love him, we are the ones in charge and he does not get the run of the house. He also isn't allowed on our expensive sofas. Obviously, that comes down to each individual owner as to if they want to be as strict. We take a lot of pride in our furniture so that is why. He has plenty of comfy memory foam beds to lie on. Haha.

When it came to house training, we literally took him out to the bathroom every 30 minutes, in the beginning, this resulted in minimal accidents. He never pooped in the house as a puppy, something people often have issues with. (He's pooped once as an adult but it was an upset stomach). It is really hard work but consistency is key. If he pees in the house, don't yell at him as he won't know what he did wrong, especially if you see it long after he did it. Instead, as soon as it happens or as soon as you see it, take him outside and make sure he pees there. They understand it fairly quickly BUT it takes a while for them to be able to hold a full bladder.

We never had any issue with him chewing furniture, etc. If he went to bite us, we would distract him with a bone or a toy, and he forgot about it.

He went through a phase of barking, and it was clear he was just testing the boundaries. We would ignore it. He then stopped as he wasn't getting attention for it.

We do not have pet insurance for him. We looked into it but because of his breed, it was going to cost more for his insurance than ours which is insane. He has had some medical procedures which we paid for out of pocket, and they would not have been covered anyway. Again, up to each individual owner though.

Thank you so much this is really helpful

 

[thenomad]

Socialization is important to instill at a young age but only after his/her initial vaccines and once you get the okay-go from the vet. Parvo can be quite deadly especially for pups.

Like everyone else said, housebreaking depends on the breed. It’s okay to use those training pads for them to go indoors or when they have accidents but don’t train the puppy to rely on those solely. I find a lot of people do this for their smaller breed dogs to replace walking altogether and it can lead to confusion about whether it is okay to go potty indoors or not well into their adult years.

When they start teething they’re going to be brats and will try to chew everything up on sight. Have a lot of chew toys and appropriate bones on hand when puppy reaches this stage. And to have lots of patience.

Invest in a good local dog trainer. Do lots of research on this. Some important tricks to learn is heel, having good recall, sit, and learning to leave it.

Also, start crate training when they’re young. So they have a safe place at home when you’re away which will lead to less destructive behavior as well as reduce separation anxiety.

Most of all enjoy the puppy stages and take lots and lots of pictures. It goes by so quick.

 

[Jaeme]

Socialization is important to instill at a young age but only after his/her initial vaccines and once you get the okay-go from the vet. Parvo can be quite deadly especially for pups.

You can still work on it before vaccinations are complete, you just can’t put them on the ground.
So taking them to meet family or friends at their houses is fine providing they have no pets or if they have pets that they’re vaccinated.
Also things like taking them on buses or trains but you have to carry them or have them in a carrier

 

[Wetmyplants]

Yes that's what I'm doing at the moment. I know what you're saying but I'm not the type to buy an animal for its looks. I'm considering a small terrier such as a border terrier as that's what I grew up with. I'm giving myself about 12 months to research and learn etc.

We got a border terrier puppy in may when my kids were 2 & 3 and she’s been great.

There were times were I nearly lost my mind with the nipping when she had her puppy teeth (she liked to hang on to clothing so we have lots of things with holes in now) but other than that she’s been brilliant.

We were lucky in that she slept in her crate with no crying from the day we bought her home. She was house trained within about 3 weeks and is wonderful with the children, infect I think she thinks she is one, I often catch her taking herself down the slide or running about on the trampoline!

Good luck x

 

[Orange Creme]

We got a border terrier puppy in may when my kids were 2 & 3 and she’s been great.

There were times were I nearly lost my mind with the nipping when she had her puppy teeth (she liked to hang on to clothing so we have lots of things with holes in now) but other than that she’s been brilliant.

We were lucky in that she slept in her crate with no crying from the day we bought her home. She was house trained within about 3 weeks and is wonderful with the children, infect I think she thinks she is one, I often catch her taking herself down the slide or running about on the trampoline!

Good luck x

Oh that's lovely to hear thank you for that I've been looking into create training too l,

 

[Wetmyplants]

Oh that's lovely to hear thank you for that I've been looking into create training too l,

We placed a large towel over her crate at night and left the radio on low and it seemed to work. Not sure weather it was just luck of the draw when it came to our dog though as our previous dog cried all the time at night as a puppy

 

[Orange Creme]

We placed a large towel over her crate at night and left the radio on low and it seemed to work. Not sure weather it was just luck of the draw when it came to our dog though as our previous dog cried all the time at night as a puppy

Oh that's brilliant, I'm glad you haven't had the sleepless nights! How did you go about toilet training?

 

[Wetmyplants]

Oh that's brilliant, I'm glad you haven't had the sleepless nights! How did you go about toilet training?

We just let her out in the garden every half hour to an hour then she eventually learnt to ask if she needed to go.

She’s been a pretty easy puppy to be honest. We walked her off the lead from when she was first allowed out and she recalls like a dream now. Walking on the lead need some work as she tries to jump up everyone as she thinks everyone wants to be her friend... especially children!

Our vet said that borders are pretty much bomb proof and are great pets to have around family x