Getting a puppy

[Catherine]

hi there! Haven't been on line much and normally it is about my haffies but now would like some advice as my other half and I have decided to get a dog. It is all very exciting and as neither of us have had a dog before we are trying to get as much advice as possible. We have decided that we must have a puppy as we have 5 cats that are more or less totally unused to dogs and I think a puppy would be the kindest thing for them! Also we have decided on a Golden Retriever and I will contact The Golden Retriever Rescue to see if there is anything suitable with them. I work part time and am about to approach my boss to ask whether I can bring dog to work - if I can't I will look for another job that fits in!Anyway any advice greatly received

[nicole]

Just curiosity, but what makes you think that a puppy would be better/kinder with your cats? By the way....I do love retreivers, they are wonderful and highly intellegent. ;D

[jor]

A puppy as a first dog is a big step. Puppies need house training, this can involve taking the puppy out every half hour for the toilet and there WILL be accidents (will your workplace be happy with puppy piddles?) they need socialising, I believe the best place to do this are puppy classes at a good dog training school. They need basic training (sit, stay, down, heel, come) before they are 6 months old (In my opinion) they may be quite chewy when teething, things like carpets, doors, skirting boards, tables, chair, shoes, socks, underwear, your favorite trousers, your show brilde...,.
they need extra attention to be sure they develop the right attitude towards people, dogs, horses, cars, bikes, children etc.

I would actually suggest you look for an older dog who has basic training, is house trained and is used to cats with a placid temprament. this way you will get used to having a dog without the stress and extra responsibility of a puppy knowing that the dog is good with cats (even with early and positive introduction some dogs will NOT get along with cats) you will also be giving a loving home to an abandoned older dog (many many dogs in rescue centres all over the UK)

I have fostered dogs for rescue centres and loved every minute. My mother has handled/shown and kept dogs for 40 years and she always reccomends people get an older, trained dog as a first rather than a puppy.

Afterall if you get a puppy and it proves too much what will you do?

[chloe]

www.dogpages.org.uk/forums/index.php is a great place to get advice about dogs - I'm really pleased that you're going to approach the rescues rather than buying direct from a breeder - there are so many dogs out there needing a good home. Agree that an older dog would be easier. I got Milo from a rescue centre aged 8 months. He's now 10 months old and a fabulous addition to the family. He'd never lived with cats before but learnt really quickly that Salem is the boss and he doesn't bother her now.

Good luck!

[wills]

oh lucky you!! we have a 7 year old golden retriever, and he is absoloutly gorge. Cant offer much advice on the puppy front. But goldies are lovely gentle dogs, however they do have a tendency to get very very mucky!!

[sunnybunny52]

Hi. We have recently got a rescue goldie from Irish Retriever Rescue. She is about 7 and had a very difficult life before we got her and it is obvious that she had been badly treated. She is a really wonderful natured dog and very loving. We lost our first beloved goldie to kidney disease earlier this year and were going to get a pup but decided against it at the moment, deciding to get a rescue. IRR had a batch of dogs come over when we got our bitch, some had hang ups due to being ex puppy farm bitches but they really do try to socialise and check out the dogs before they put them up for adoption, they also had some puppies, so give them a try and help re-home a dog in need. www.irishretrieverrescue-uk.co.uk

[podkinpie]

hi
I have 3 retrievers(had a litter of nine a couple of years a go with Holly , and kept two of her daughters) and a cocker spaniel.They make the most wonderfully devoted friends and companions, and are definitely far less neurotic than our cocker.
.I love puppies ,although they are lots of hard work ,but such fun .Next time round though I would love a rescue dog.
My only thought re dogs in general is that it is totally wrong to have a dog on its own all day whilst you are at work.I know several people who do this and it makes me so cross.So do make sure you can sort out your work situation first.
Also they really do become like another member of the family,but you do have to consider them in almost all you do.Cats are so much more independent.
Good luck.

[holi]

I used to think the same about owners leaving dogs but now I'm afraid I don't agree. I have friends whose animals are so well looked after and stable and absolutely fine. They both work but just get up very early to walk dogs and do horses then do again when they return so it can be overcome.

[kerrylee]

If I ever got my own dog it would be a rescue I think...good lck with puppy ;D

[WendyM]

I think you cant go wrong with reading...reading...and more reading before you get your dog. No single person will be right, as with horses you'll find out what works for you. Puppies DO need lots of attention, but one important factor is that they also need NO attention at the right time, which is really difficult for most people when the puppy is screaming 'love me, I need you NOW'. If you dont get this right you end up with an adult with behavioural issues...wont be left alone, being destructive etc. An older rescue dog is a good idea but you might end up with a dog with these particular issues..often thats why people have 'got rid of them'. How many hours do you work? Its not a problem for a dog to be left alone for a few hours each day, with a young puppy that will differ but dont give up your job, your friends, way of life etc...your dog can fit in with it happily. I see far too many people who have not quite got it right, just like with horses, so that their whole life is stressful BECAUSE of their pet instead of being more pleasurable! With any dog be it puppy or adult, dont go for one that is hanging at the back and wont come to you. If you look at a rescue kennels just observe OUTSIDE of the pen for a while. When you approach and speak, the dog that rubs itself against the kennel bars and tries to press itself against the touch of your fingers for more, will be wanting to work for you from day one and should definately be considered! This is the easiest dog to train but as I said before it may also have other issues you wont know about. PM me if you want at any time, I've had 25 years of training, competing, breeding, and living with wonderful German Shepherd Dogs, Springer Spaniels, Malinois, and German Wire Haired Pointer. How exciting for you - good luck.

[stef]

Good luck with your puppy, I have never not had a dog in my life! and just could never live without them! In fact i am taking delivery of another tomorrow! lol!
9 month old border collie (sheepdog) called ben, i have never even seen him but i was offered him as his owner has no time for him as she works nights as a nurse full time and her ond her OH have just split up! hopefully he will be lovely and get on with our labrador, the chickens and the house rabbit lol!

[annahindley]

I have to post the rescue link that I got from here a while ago - I am driven to look every week or so....
My Mum was going to have one of the labs, but she ended up having my Dad's dog as he went into hopsital, so I was gutted that we couldn't save one....
www.freewebs.com/manytearsrescue/dogslookingforhomes.htm
breaks my heart - I am dying to get one but need to sell this house first and get a bigger garden....
Can't see any goldies, but sometimes life does that. I was dead set on getting a collie, but I ended up with a lab from the rescue centre, and I've had them ever since.

[WendyM]

oh this site gets to you..poor old Henna, and Mr Magoo, and Sophie is such a cutie..

[annahindley]

Mr Magoo is my fav too....but those poor bitches with the worn out saggy bodies, poor things