I agree, it's stressful, messy and bloody hard work. Training is hard, but once they pass that stage it's all worth it.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
100% worth it! I just wish someone had warned me how hard puppies are...I think babies are easierI agree, it's stressful, messy and bloody hard work. Training is hard, but once they pass that stage it's all worth it.
How long is a piece of string. Depends on the breed & their trainability.Thank you all so much! How many weeks would you say that first stage of toilet training training and sleepless nights lasts?
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 xPlease 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.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.
Border Terriers are lovely! Good luck with everything. I’m sure it won’t take you long to find your furever friendYes 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.
Thank you so much this is really helpfulWe 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.
You can still work on it before vaccinations are complete, you just can’t put them on the ground.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.
We got a border terrier puppy in may when my kids were 2 & 3 and she’s been great.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.
Oh that's lovely to hear thank you for thatWe 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
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 puppyOh that's lovely to hear thank you for thatI've been looking into create training too l,
Oh that's brilliant, I'm glad you haven't had the sleepless nights! How did you go about toilet training?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
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.Oh that's brilliant, I'm glad you haven't had the sleepless nights! How did you go about toilet training?
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