Calling all dog owners...Advice needed

[changed4life]

I'm considering buying a puppy. I'm at a point in my life where I'm not having any more kids; youngest is 9, and my youngest has been asking for a puppy.

We're thinking of getting a cocapoo or a cavatese. Does anyone have one of these?

Anyway, how difficult and time consuming is a puppy? Is it going to destroy my house that I work so hard to keep clean and neat? Do the good points of owning a dog outweigh the bad?

How much positive energy does a dog add to your life as opposed to negative energy?

I really have to think long and hard about this. My husband said if we get a dog it's mostly got to be my responsibility because I am home and he works long hours.

Thoughts anyone? Advice?

Thanks.

[frugalfarmwife]

Ok, first of all those are "designer dogs" better known as mutts So honestly you won't have as "set" a group of personality traits to go by when getting a pup, and I would NOT pay a large price for one, better to get a small mixed breed from the pound. Yes Cockapoos have been around longer, but I don't think they're recognized by any breed assocation, not sure though.

A puppy is a LOT of work, but can be a very rewarding member of the family. I STRONGLY recommend cage training, it is NOT cruel, gives the puppy it's own place which is a comfort zone, a place away from the hustle and bustle of every day life.

They need a VERY set routine, lots of exercize, lots of potty times and lots of socialization.

If you've never had a dog before also look into puppy obedience classes, heck even 4H with the youngest. I showed dogs in 4H and LOVED it, did very well also, it's very rewarding.

I'd take your youngest to the library and get books on raising puppies, read, read, and read some more.

good luck!
kj

[Izzy0906]

I have a 5 month old puppy and things are FINALLY settling down. We got him at 8 weeks and for the first few weeks, were woken 2-3 times a night to take him out and during the day took him out almots every 1.5 hours. He still had his accidents but now that's over and no more waking in the middle of the night. He needs LOTS of play time and attention. Now you wouldn't know I have a dog (Weimarainer, barely sheds) but he does make his messes... just keep an eye on toilet paper lol Also, make sure to have PLENTY of chew toys or else the legs of your furniture may suffer. Also, if you don't have a room to confine him/her in safely, get a crate. it's a LIFE saver. He loves it as his own bed but it also keeps him safe when I'm not home. Just a few tips

[Ceashels]

We have a sheltie that we adopted at the age of 11 weeks and a rescued dog. (They are both over 2 yrs old now.) We gave each of them a crate so they can have a safe place to be when we are out of the house. (We don't use them much these days as we have established our roles in the pack.) Though, we still have it available and they use it occasionally on there own. It was a safe place when there was thunder and lightning or when we were working on the house and had power tool noises. As soon as the rescued dog would enter it, you could see her anxiety go away.

We took the puppy when we got her to obedience training and we learned so much. The woman was incredible. Not only could she train the animals, more importantly she trained US. We learned what behaviors the puppy was giving us to help us understand her needs... this means potty time. We learned that if she had an accident in the house it was our fault, not hers. This does not happen anymore and we have also learned the signals that our Rescued dog gives us.

Was it hard work? Only thru the puppy stage, now that roles and routines are known, it is only fun.

We play games, we chase balls, we watch them run around like the goobers they are. We have constant companions, they are usually in the same room as we are, they know when i'm sick and offer me comfort, they signal warnings to us, they protect me (and this is funny because Cleo barks when my DH kisses me), and they get excited to see me when i walk in the door. They are part of this family and I don't regret a single minute having them.

Recommendations: research. Read up on the breeds, know what type of animal you have the room for. Know what type of animal you have the ENERGY for. Don't get a dog that needs long walks 3 times a day if you aren't active. Don't get a dog that constantly barks if you can't tolerate the noise.

I would gladly get a puppy from the pound or another rescued dog. Our local Sheltie Rescue is establishing a Senior Adoption for older dogs. These dogs are typically fully trained and can't move on with their masters when they move into assisted living or pass away. Take a look at what is available in your region and they will also gladly help you find the right match for your family.

[Cricket1]

We got a rescued pup a few months ago (mut). She is now 8 months old. She is my responsiblilty because my dh doesn't really like dogs a whole lot! It is A LOT of work. She has tons of energy and needs two big walks a day (even in the rain). The plus side to that is it gives me exercise. We have a fenced in yard, but we can't just put her outside because she is a BIG digger and chewer.

I do enjoy her, but it's a lot like another child. I'm hoping that she will mellow into a lovely older dog.

[Kitten20]

A dog (especially a puppy) is like a child. It is quite a bit of responsibility/work. We have a 6 month old mini dachshund. For a short while, we also had a shih tzu puppy, but we decided to give him to a good friend b/c Chewie (my dachshund) was way too jealous and needs to be an only dog.

I have always had a dog, even growing up. I was also involved in 4-H as a teen and my family raised/trained a seeing eye dog for the blind.

Crate training is key IMO. It is not mean, even though you sure do feel like you're the meanest person in the world b/c the puppy will cry, bark and generally act like it's being tortured at first. They eventually grow to love their crate and feel safe in it. My grandparents have a dog who is fully crate trained and if you tell her to go to "bed", she will walk into her crate and stay there. She hates the vacuum and the broom, so she will go into her crate when those chores are being done. It also helps w/ potty training and will prevent any accidents from happening (eventually -- not at first). It will also keep your dog and your furniture/papers/cords/shoes/anything (lol) safe while you are gone or not able to pay full attention to them (puppy stages).

Best advice is to research breeds. Some are highly energetic, like labs, and are virtually stuck in "puppy stage" until they are 2 years old. But also don't go by stereotypes alone b/c your dog may be different. Mutts are great.

Lots of toys... my puppy has a "toy box" (a doggie bed that I throw all of his toys into in the corner of the living room) and he loves being able to go and pick a toy on his own, play and then rinse/repeat until he has all of his toys littered about the living room floor (again, just like a child LOL). Rotate toys to keep them new and exciting. Bully sticks are great. Kongs w/ a little peanut butter are also good.

My little guy is potty pad trained. We bought pads that supposedly smell like grass to help transition into going outside. Just remember that accidents are your fault! Also rubbing their nose in it does nothing. Either does yelling/screaming at them 5+ minutes after they have done the deed. You need to catch them in the act in order to train.

As Ceasar says... discipline, exercise and then love! I think that's what he says anyway. We love his show.

Wow, sorry for the length! LOL. Hope this helped a little.

[FreesiaE]

First, I'd recommend checking out your local shelters for a dog. Maybe stop by or check out petfinder.com. Next, know that it's a lifetime commitment on your part. A dog can live 15+ years and it breaks my heart to hear of people who "give up" dogs because they are no longer puppies. Ask yourself if you can pay the expense of a dog in your budget no matter what. We are not into crate training, but with our dog (she's about 35 lbs) there has never been a need to. She just calmly goes about the house when we are not there--no messes or chewing things--about her worst is seeing fur evidence of her sneaking a nap on the bed when we forget to shut the bedroom door. I also am not a fan of puppy pads. I think it's sort of gross to have a dog go on my floor essentially. Take them out often if you can when they are a pup. Ours is an adult dog and has no problems during the day when we are at work. Make sure you have your yard fenced/invisable fenced or at least a place where your dog can go alone without running off.

[wulong32]

i think everyone summed up what I was gonna say. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE dont go out and buy a designer dog. There are so many animals sitting in shelters that are put to sleep, while people go to puppy mills and spend a fortune for a "trendy dog". Makes me sick.

[frugal-fannie]

First, I'd recommend checking out your local shelters for a dog. Maybe stop by or check out petfinder.com. Next, know that it's a lifetime commitment on your part. A dog can live 15+ years and it breaks my heart to hear of people who "give up" dogs because they are no longer puppies. Ask yourself if you can pay the expense of a dog in your budget no matter what. We are not into crate training, but with our dog (she's about 35 lbs) there has never been a need to. She just calmly goes about the house when we are not there--no messes or chewing things--about her worst is seeing fur evidence of her sneaking a nap on the bed when we forget to shut the bedroom door. I also am not a fan of puppy pads. I think it's sort of gross to have a dog go on my floor essentially. Take them out often if you can when they are a pup. Ours is an adult dog and has no problems during the day when we are at work. Make sure you have your yard fenced/invisable fenced or at least a place where your dog can go alone without running off.

I would second that ,but maybe you can find a cockapoo at the pound or even cocker spaniels are great loving family dogs. I got my dog lots of leather treats when he was a puppy, the 99 cent only store carries them cheaply.We also took him out alot and once I got him trained to go outdoors no accidents. We can be out for long periods and he would not drink much water and wait till we are home to take him out.I now have my yard fenced in and he loves it.

[Hardy1]

I've always had dogs, most from puppyhood and it is HARD work but I'd never be without one!!
I also agree that these crosses are mutts. It seems odd to pay a lot for a cross breed - but, just my opinion.
Good luck! By the way, I've had a cocker spaniel, labradors and have 2 golden retrievers now. the cocker was the hardest work re being sensitive and highly strung, the labs and goldens hardest work for chewing (my nearly 4 yr old still chews). Would recommend Life with Marley - your library should have it. It gives clear accounts of bringing up a pup!
W

[banana]

A new puppy is a lot of work. We went through that a little over a year ago. However I love my dog to pieces. I wouldnt trade him for the world.

You'll need a lot of patience in the beginning but the rewards are sooo worth it.

[pita1213]

we have a beagle and he was crate trained.it's his space he can go in that's just his. he hurt himself a couple of years ago jumping off the sofa and reinjured his back leg that he hurt when he was a pup. he does a good job staying off furniture when we are home, but would be on the sofa in a second if left out by himself, so his crate is his safe place to go when we are out of the house or when we go to sleep. all we have to tell him is toby time for bed, or toby go lay down and in he goes.
we used to give him a little treat when he went in to train him to do that. he still gets one every now and then.
we also trained him to hit a set of bells i have hanging on the back door's door knob when he wants to go out. shortly after we got him we bought the bells and hung them up. whenever we took him outside, i smacked the the bells, said toby go outside and then took him outside. after a few weeks, he caught on and started hitting them himself when he needed to go out. the only thing we have to remember is that when he goes to a friend's house when we are out of town is to take the bells, and show him which door they are on. we hang them up, smack them and then put him outside. that has helped a lot with preventing accidents.
also with the crate, toby will pee or poo on the carpet when i vacuum if he is out, but if i put him in his crate, he just sits and watches. he will also put himself to bed if he gets tired. wanders in and lays down.

[vverkin925]

Just so there is one vote on the other side . . . .

I currently have one dog and one cat and can't wait until I am pet free!!!! The cat is 9 and in very poor health. This creates additional stress and expense. The visits to the vet combined with his inability to control is bladder and frequent vomitting (wherever he happens to be) just to give you an idea. The dog is 7 and still acts like she's 7 months. She chews, she digs into my couches (literally) and pees on my mother's bed if she forgets to close her door. She sheds terribly although I bathe and brush her regularly.

Do I love them? No. Would I want to see them hurt or mistreated? No. Will I abandon them? No. Will I rejoice when my home and my life are returned to my complete and pet free control? Heck Yes!!!!

The hair, the mess, the cat litter, the vet bills, the cost of kennelling or begging friends to watch them when I travel, these are all things I will not miss when they are gone. You couldn't pay me to adopt another animal right now.

These are the things that CAN come from making a commitment to bring an animal into your home.

[Neeley]

We have two cats, two dogs and a rabbit. All are rescues, inside pets and very spoiled.

We do not crate our dogs. Frannie (the small dog - a Jack Russell) goes into the bathroom whenever we are going to be gone for more than an hour or so. We have a baby gate we put up so she is not closed in. She sleeps in the bed with us and loves to nap on the couch during the day. Hunter (the bigger dog - a weimeraner) has his own very large bedroom. His bedroom has a glass door so he can see out and he does not feel closed up. He has cable TV, twin sized bed (he use to have a queen size), a chair, etc...

Frannie gets three meals a day cooked for her. She eats a combination of rice, chicken breasts, boiled hamburger meat, and eggs. She has a sensitive stomach and unti I can find a food that 100% agrees with her I cook for her and make sure she gets all of her proper nutrients with a small amount of puppy food added in. I may start to add nutri-cal if I cannot find a good food for her soon.

Frannie use to chew cords. In less than a couple of months we went through three vacuums because she ate the cords. She no longer does that. Now she gets a new toy about every two weeks and she picks and chooses what toy she wants from her toybox to play with. Hunter has eaten a queen size mattress, wingback chair, and at least one pillow every week or so. He is roughly 3 years old and still loves to chew. But he only chews stuffed, fabric items like pillows, stuffed animals (the ones withour hard eyes or pieces that will choke him) and mattresses. He does not like rawhides or anything hard to chew on. I give him a pillow here and there to chew on as a present. Last week he did decide to eat about 6 hardback books DD left in his room.


I love all of my animals as much as I love my mom, dad, kids and hubby. I love them MORE than some other family members. I would do anything for them and would never trade anything for them.

When we travel Frannie goes with us. She stays at upscale pet resorts. Her accommodations are often nicer than many hotels for people. Hunter likes to stay with out vet so he does not travel with us.

Vet costs are just a part of it and something to consider. I take my kids to the doctor when needed and I do the same for my pets. They each get their annual check-ups with all the shots and tests to keep them as healthy as possible. When they get sick, we head to the vet so that I can be sure they are getting the best care available. Frannie ended up at the ER for animals last month and it was in the $500 range. Two weeks before that Hunter got sick and his vet bill was almost $200. Between those two visits and Frannies annual check-up in September we spent almost $900 on the animals' vet visits in six weeks. Had to dip in the savings account a bit, but that is what it is there for.

[Lori Biever-Launder]

I have always had animals in my life. My current dog (an American Staffordshire terrier bitch) is a retired show dog. I got her at eight weeks and we have been in love ever since.

Gypsy is crated trained; I wouldn't have it any other way. I have trained dogs as s sideline for years and can tell you it is waaay safer for everyone to crate your dog while you are not at home. You wouldn't leave a two year old lose in your home and a puppy is essentially the same as a two year old, so do NOT leave a puppy loose either. It only takes on bit of curiosity and WHAM!, an electric cord is chewed and puppy is dead.

As for the mixes you mentioned, they are just that: mixes. DO NOT buy from a pet store; pet store puppies come from puppy mills which are horrible places. Dogs are stacked in crates fro their entire lives, bred every heat and are bred without regard to any health testing. Many are severely inbred and many will cost you a small fortune in vet bills. This is not to say EVERY puppy from a pet store will be unhealthy or have behavioral problems, but nine times out of ten, I can tell when a dog has been purchased from a pet store/puppy miller.

Go to the local shelter first. Check out the dogs there. Do not automatically dismiss the adult dogs as "problem children". Many dogs are relinquished for the stupidest reasons (I have volunteered at our shelter for years and have heard it ALL.: the dog doesn't match the furniture any more (!), got too big (gee, it was a MASTIFF--did you think it was going to only weigh fifteen pounds forever?), moving (I have moved numerous times and my animals have ALWAYS come with me!), new boy/girlfriend doesn't like the dog (get a new friend, keep the dog!)...well, you get the idea.

If you DO plan to buy from a breeder, don't buy through the classifieds. Go to a dog show and check out the breeds that interest you. Talk with the owners and handlers about the breeds. Hit the library and read up on the breeds you like.

A responsible breeder rarely breeds (my bitch's breeder only breeds about once every three years--she has HUGE waiting lists for her puppies) and will take a dog back if, for ANY reason, you can't keep the dog at any time--tomorrow or ten years down the road. The breeder will stand behind his/her dogs with a written health guarantee. The parents will be free of genetic problems and will have been shown or in competition in the breed's chosen field. One other thing: a puppy from a reputable breeder will cost a LOT less than from a pet store! To give you an example, my sister owns a Smooth Fox terrier. A puppy from his breeder will cost about $500.00 or so. A Smooth from a pet store will often run $1500.00 and be a pet quality pup.

The mixes you have mentioned are small dogs. Are your children careful with tiny dogs? Many small dogs will nip if they are frightened or feel threatened. You may want to look at a dog that's a bit larger until your kids are older.

Lastly, reputable breeders do not advertise in the newspaper and they NEVER breed "designer" dogs.