Dogs

[Lily]

I have wanted a dog for about 20 or so years. Now I have my own place with a garden, and can take a dog to work, these seems possible. I am however very nervous about screwing it up.

I have had my heart set on a labrador as we've always had labs in the family. I know they are particularly good with children & I want a dog which will be a friend to my niece and nephew too. My house isn't massive, so I was thinking about a lab cross so I can have a smaller dog. I'm also a bit worried about pedigrees as I know they can have problems and a 'bitsa' would be even better. I am chatting to a lady who has had an unexpected litter of lab/cocker crosses. However I'm wondering if I should go for an older dog rather than a puppy, as I'm on my own and puppies can be a full on job (especially when I'm working although I could take some 'maternity leave' - i.e. leave!). Also I am wondering if I should have a minimum amount of savings, and if so what people would recommend. I am starting to lose confidence in being any good at this before I even get started!

Any advice/views gratefully received. Thank you!

[Hazey_Jane]

Lily, hope you don’t mind me asking a question about something you haven’t mentioned above. You work full time (do you still have the other part time jobs) have you thought about what you do would do with a dog during the day, since they can’t/ shouldn’t be left alone for more than a few hours at a time. I would love to have a dog but that is one of the big factors as to why I can’t have one. When my parents got Sebi, they looked into all sorts of different factors and did their homework (it helps somewhat that my Uncle is a dog trainer and expert) but managed to overlook that point.

[Edith Bacon]

I’m not Lily, obvs. but she mentioned in her post that she can take a dog to work.

[Hazey_Jane]

Thanks Edith, I must’ve skipped that bit. Still worth bearing in mind the impact on finance- every time my parents go out somewhere for the day and they can’t take Sebi with them, they have to send him to daycare which they didn’t factor in.

[Dáire]

Is the breeder genuine? It's not uncommon for unscrupulous breeders to pose as people who 'just had an accidental litter', but these days you pretty much don't get accidental litters as most people will neuter the dog. It could be a story from a puppy farmer (other signs include that you aren't able to see the mother). However if she's your mum's best mate or something, obviously more than likely fine. Do avoid pets4homes, gumtree and so on.

[Morganna]

FWIW, I would almost always prefer a puppy, although I know that will get disapproval from those who say you should get a rescue dog. My reason is that rescue dogs very often have issues, and you won't always know what they are before you get the dog. I have known several people who have taken rescue dogs only to find that they can't manage them (even after doing the fostering that rescue places insist on) and have to return them, which will probably add to the dogs' problems. If you get a puppy it is up to you to train it, which is both a good and a bad thing, depending on your experience. Also, you get the cute, bouncy puppy stage, which is lovely, but often destructive of your possessions :)).

Would your parents/brother be able to look after a dog if you want to go on holiday, or for the odd weekend away? If so, you don't need a dog fund, but you need to factor in insurance, which gets more expensive as the dog gets older - maybe a small fund for vet incidentals such as booster jabs and anything not covered by the insurance. After that, you are looking at food (not usually ruinous unless you want it to have a hand-delivered hipster diet of some sort), toys (Home Bargains do an expensive range), a bed, which is likely to need replacing every so often as the dog grows, and when they get too smelly even after washing. Oh, and seriously - do be prepared for chewing and other damage. They don't mean to be naughty, but they don't know the cost difference between chewing a toy and chewing furniture, and you will.

I don't think the size of the house matters much really. If you are with the dog it will be happy, and (ideally) dogs don't run around the house anyway - they get their exercise outside, and you have a garden it could run around in when not going for walks. Puppies sleep a lot in between manic dashing about, and older dogs also sleep when not actively doing something. If you want a large one, don't worry that the house won't be big enough, so long as you have enough space for it to lie down, and somewhere for it to sleep.

[overthehill]

Dáire makes a good point about unscrupulous breeders. Make sure you see the pups with their mother. If you can't, for any reason, you really don't know what you're getting or where it came from. Pups all look cute at around 8 weeks, but without seeing the parents (obs, I'm making wild assumptions that may not be true at all), you actually don't know what type of dog you're getting or how big it will grow ... or whether it will develop health or behavioural problems.

In your shoes, I really would go for a rescue. An adult dog skips all the hard work and heartache of looking after a puppy (think toilet training and chewing), and the rescue will generally be able to give you a good idea of the dog's temperament.

[Morganna]

So two entirely conflicting pieces of advice :)).

[Texaco Shirley]

Daisy was on pets4homes but there are clearly unscrupulous ads on there. She is hard work, it’s been similar to having a newborn but I would say that a. You are significantly younger and have more energy to cope and b. It will just be you so you would be far more consistent in training which is a big advantage.

[Chicky]

My friend has just got a dog and the bit she is struggling with is not being able to leave him for more than a few hours at a time (because of the need to go to the toilet). She’s found it’s really curtailed her being able to do things like go to the cinema/go and visit people who are not dog friendly/go out shopping for the day. She did know this before but hadn’t quite realised the implications.

[sally maclennane]

My friend has just got a dog and the bit she is struggling with is not being able to leave him for more than a few hours at a time (because of the need to go to the toilet). She’s found it’s really curtailed her being able to do things like go to the cinema/go and visit people who are not dog friendly/go out shopping for the day. She did know this before but hadn’t quite realised the implications.

This is what is putting me off getting a dog. We've kept my brother's dog a few times recently, for a few days while they are away and it's a big tie.

I think its worth considering who could take the dog if you were going on holiday, or away for a few days. Also if your work situation changes, what would you do? What if someone starts working there who is allergic? Or if you want to work somewhere else?

Also in theory, a rescue dog is a good idea as they're older but lots of rescue places are very specific about what type of household they'll allow to rescue their dogs. I've seen quite a few specify stuff like no visiting children and experience of rescue dogs.

[Little My]

Whatever you do, don't get a puppy. I always said having another child would be easier, and I wasn't wrong.

[Luce]

I would also avoid a puppy, if my heart ever allowed me to get another dog. Especially as you're working - I know you'll be able to take them to work but if you rescued one, you'd be able to make sure they were the type of dog who liked that lifestyle. My only concern for a Lab would be they might have too much energy for that, I always think the best place for Lab is a farm with a big, country kitchen.

Having a puppy is really, really hard. I was already at the coal-face with a baby and a 5 year old so felt like things couldn't get much worse. But they could :lol: It was exhausting and a constant worry for those first few months. A rescue wasn't an option for us though because rescue places don't let you rescue if you have children.

My advice would be definitely for savings, yes but also to get the best pet insurance you can afford. Dogs eat so much stupid stuff that can kill them, they're so simple, bless them.

They are super lovely but the closest you can have to another human around (of all the pets) in my opinion. I have deeply loved my cats and gerbils but Rox felt like a third child, in some ways and I'm not sure I'll ever properly ever get over losing her. So be prepared for your heart to get utterly destroyed :))

[sally maclennane]

To be honest though, most people who want a dog will get a puppy. It's actually quite hard to adopt rescues.

[Squirrel]

A lab/cocker puppy sounds like a terrible idea for someone who wants a companion dog whilst working in an office (if I’ve got that right about your job).

They’re both high energy working breeds that will need a lot of attention and stimulation when they’re young, they may well mature into calm companion dogs but you can also get very hyper personalities and you probably don’t want to spend 3-5 years figuring that out.

If you get a puppy then pupternity leave will be pretty much essential, having a new 8 week old puppy come and live with you isn’t compatible with going out to work. Actually I’d say the same for a rescue dog as well although it would depend on the dog’s history. I only had 9 days off with Ted which wasn’t ideal but he turned out to be fine to leave for 3-4 hours after that, many rescue dogs aren’t okay with being left at all and separation anxiety is very common. Taking a puppy to work won’t be possible in the early days until the dog has properly settled in with you and toilet training is more reliable. Can you do part time hours or work from home for a bit?

Are you likely to always be able to take your dog to work? It’s worth considering what you would do if you changed jobs. Dog walkers and doggy daycare exist but can be expensive or hard to find one that’s the right fit.

I’m not trying to put you off as I bloody love dogs and I think you would be a very conscientious and loving dog owner. But I really am trying to put you off the lab/cocker puppy specifically. Just no.

As for savings, a pedigree or designer cross puppy will cost a fair chunk of money to buy in the first place, whereas a rescue dog will be a lot less. Have a look at the Pets at home website or similar to get an idea if the cost of food and all the things you’ll need. This is very variable, our last dog hardly needed anything and was very easy but Ted is a lot more high maintenance and costs me a bloody fortune all the time .
There’s a thread on here somewhere about dog insurance so have a look at that.

I could talk about dog ownership all day .

[FiveO'Clock]

I've had dogs my entire life, mostly rescue, and have loved them all. My first dog, a rough collie, was like my sibling, and my latest dog, Benson, an Old English Sheepdog, is like my baby in some ways, and one of my only two non-rescue dogs/puppies. I'm partial to herding dogs due to their temperament, but consistency in training is so important and will have the most effect on your life and how much other people like your dog. I was a foster home in animal rescue for a couple of decades, so have had the company of many dogs coming from different circumstances. I don't understand the British idea (introduced to me by my husband and his mother) that dogs can't be left for more than a few hours, but it may be due to space and garden access. Lily, you would be such a wonderful dog owner/servant ;) , I just hope that you take the time to choose the puppy or dog that will make it all worthwhile.

[viggy]

Five, it might be because we tend to live so close to each other too - my friends had neighbours who had two dogs that they left with full access to the house and garden. They have company, space and outside space, so they’re fine right? Except they barked the whole time their owners were gone, the neighbours were driven crazy (including my dog loving friend).

[Estrella]

My experience with leaving dogs is similar to Five’s so I think it’s a space/climate/outdoor access thing. It’s totally acceptable over here to have completely outdoor dogs who never come into your house too.

Puppies are very hard work. Genuinely my newborns were easier. Insurance is an absolute must too.

I’ve only had dogs from breeders rather than rescues. I know that a rescue is a better choice ethically, but I’m wedded to Dobermans and I prefer to know I’m getting one from clean lines who is health checked and we are matched with. And that the breeder is someone we can go back to with questions/support.

[Lily]

Thanks all. This is really helpful.

I'm veering away from the puppy idea now. Older dogs do come up sometimes - I'm also chatting to someone who has a lab/chow chow mix in need of a home - so that does seem the most sensible way to go. I've joined the local Labrador rescue place too. There's a doggy daycare place just down the road should I need it. Lots to think about!

This is the dog. She's not neutered so I'd need to factor that in.

https://www.pets4homes.co.uk/classified ... dog-leeds/

[Squirrel]

I would say don’t rule anything out at this stage, you’re doing the right thing putting feelers out. It’s better to wait for the right dog than to jump into something just because the opportunity presents itself.