AHHH we adopted a puppy yesterday and I'm terrified!

[RadioNate]

I fully admit to not being a dog person but DH is! He and DS finally got their way. I know it is a giant leap of faith but I was up 1/2 the night with worry.

She is shepard, husky mix so she's gonna be big. I'm absolutely ok with getting a big dog, I'm really not concerned about that at all.

We have a big house and a decent sized yard and if she likes it I plan on having her run with me.

She's also very cute.

BUT I'm TERRIFIED!

I'm most worried about the cats. Our little cat met the dog and they were both fine but our 16lb 5 year old hasn't. He's my baby and I'm so afraid that he'll be totally tramatized.

I think I'm also letting my mom affect me. She's a complete dog hater. She thinks people who own dogs are completely nuts. Poor DS, who was super excited, called to tell her and got an earfull about all the work and what a PITA dogs are. She is a total downer about the entire thing.

We have done tons of research and know what we are getting into. This has been nearly a year long process for us, so why am I so scared?

Someone tell me this is normal and while there may be bumps along the road, it'll all work out!

 

[TomD]

we got a shepard,husky mix and she is fine with both cats. We got her when she was 6 mos old from a shelter that was closing.

Last night we had an 8 month old beagle show up on our door step. Must be someones hunting dog . I checked 50 houses and noone knows who this pup belongs to. This morning I went looking for the owner again,hung signs out on our road,contacted the police and the humane society,and stopped at more houses.
Good luck to you on your new dog

 

[RadioNate]

we got a shepard,husky mix and she is fine with both cats. We got her when she was 6 mos old from a shelter that was closing.

Can you tell me about your pup. Don't scare me too much though. Shepards and Husky's were both breeds that were on our short list. Because we were set on adopting we had a list of about 5 or 6 breeds that we were ok with.

I'm just looking to be a little more prepaired. So any tips or heads up on problems that you've had to overcome would be helpful.

Right now my cat is bigger than the dog and I think I'm more worried about it getting horrible stressed or taking out the dog than I am about the dog!

 

[PlutoPony]

We have a shepherd/husky mix - a rescue we've had for 9+ years. She's a sweetheart, very independent, and has taken the job of watchdog as her own. Good with people and other dogs, but not constantly demanding of attention (which is a plus when your other dog is a lab ). Not a bad size - ~ 60 lbs, but then we're used to 80+ lb retrievers. This is an "all weather" dog - loves the cold and snow but also doesn't mind heat. Both our dogs spend a lot of time in the fenced back yard watching their world (or whatever dogs do when they're just laying around aw: ). I think this is a pretty good combination that should be good with kids and a generally nice pet. The only downside for us is the shedding - there's an amazing amount of fur that comes off her which means regular brushing and vacuuming.

I think you'll be fine once you get thru puppyhood!
Good luck

 

[snoopy]

I was terrified when I brought my babies (especially my first) home from the hospital, why should getting a new puppy feel any different? I think it just shows you are a good Mommy and worried you'll do right by your new dog.

I'm sure you'll get lots of great advice here on the boards from dog owners -- we've been researching getting a dog this year and while we've put it off for now, I got a ton of wonderful, practical advice from DIS dog owners. This is a really knowledgable crowd when it comes to dogs!

Good luck to you!! Post a pic when you can!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Right now my cat is bigger than the dog and I think I'm more worried about it getting horrible stressed or taking out the dog than I am about the dog!

You start the pack heirachy immediately.

The dog comes in the door after everyone. Eats after you all eat including the cat. Let the cat discipline the dog, I would. That way the dog knows the cat is higher in your pack.

A good trick from Ceasar Milan, "The Dog Whisperer" is to shut off areas to the dog as they go through puppyhood and adolescence.

I guess the biggest thing is to care for your dog....from a dog's perspective, not a person's.

1) Exercise
2) Discipline
3) Acceptance
4) Food

I found that walking my dog's (in a heel) to be a great source of release of energy for the dog and pack heirachy.

I haven't been doing it lately and it shows. I got 2 puppies 3 months ago and I am still learning. They are 7 months old now.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

She is shepard, husky mix so she's gonna be big. I'm absolutely ok with getting a big dog, I'm really not concerned about that at all.
We have a big house and a decent sized yard and if she likes it I plan on having her run with me.

LOL, if she likes it? If she's a Husky she will have it in her blood to run and pull!! Caution is in order because they can get out of your yard and will run till the cows come home!! (A coworker has had two or three Huskies killed by cars because she can't/won't understand this, it's maddening).

Remember, you always have to look at the roots of the dog and remember what they were originally bred to do. Those instincts are extremely strong.

As for the Shepherd blood, protection is instinctual. This can be a problem if the dog isn't trained and socialized properly. I suggest you enroll in a training class in order to have the best experience with your dog that you possibly can, especially where you're a novice owner.

Now, with that said and understood, relax and enjoy the fact that you are more than likely to fall deeply in love with your new companion. Please don't let your mother's negative views sway you. Believe it or not, my mother isn't a dog lover either, so it's always been a challenge for her to understand and accept my love of them. I don't let it bother me anymore.

I suggest getting a copy of the book Good Owners, Great Dogs by Brian Kilcommons and Sara Wilson. Read the whole thing asap. If I can be of any help, ever, you know where to find me. You'll get lots of information here, so many great animal lovers on the Dis. Best of luck and show us some pictures!

 

[MerryPoppins]

We have three dogs and two cats. It's always a little traumatic when we introduce a new pet. Let the cats scold him and discipline him. That's okay. He'll learn real fast that they were there first and the pecking order will be established.

We just got a new kitty a few months ago. Our vet said to introduce him slowly to our other cat. He wanted us to sort of reassure him that he was still king of the household and give him a little room. He also said if there was a cat fight - stay out of the way! Cats usually do little lasting damage. They just hurt each other a little and sometimes the newcomer needs to be put in his place.

I would guess the same could be said for introducing a dog. In other words, give you cats lots of attention too so they won't feel the pup is stealing your heart away, and give them some chances to be away from him. Our older cat is now washing the kitten's face and ears. As I type they are wrestling on the floor behind me. Yours'll get used to a puppy if mine got used to a bossy, headstrong kitten!

Your puppy will soon be part of the family and your biggest issues will be getting him trained. Puppies may be a lot of work, but the love they give is priceless! Have fun and relax. It'll all come together soon.

 

[Kallison]

We adopted a year old lab from the pound and that dog drove me crazy for almost two full years. I spent many afternoons crying in my van out in the driveway so the kids wouldn't see me. At one point I wanted to bring him back -- but my best friend talked me out of it, said the kids would never forgive me. Now he is like one of my children, I can't imagine our family without him. He is 6 1/2, just spent big bucks getting him two operations in two weeks. He is healthy now. Having a dog is like a toddler that never grows up, but they do become part of your family. You will have ups and downs through the puppy stage, just remember to be patient. Tell you Mom to button her lips.

 

[simba928]

We had a husky, Nakita. She was a wonderful dog. We got my cat several years after Nakita and they were perfectly fine together. It will take some time for your cat to get adjusted, but I'm sure everything will work out fine. When we got my other puppy, Jake, my cat did not like Jake. Even now there is some jealousy. Now, both are fine together. Just make sure you exercise your puppy enough and give the same amount of attention as you have always given to your cats to them.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I didn't sleep the night before we brought Winston home because I thought Harley (my Shih Tzu baby) would hate me for it. It's normal!

4 months later they are having the time of their life. Introducing a dog to a cat is the same thing. They will work it out amongest themselves - just show the pup that cats are above them (they were there first). They are fed first, given treats first, etc. He'll figure it out =)

Good luck!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

One thing that I did when we got our dogs is to keep them leashed until I could trust them with our cats. I currently keep one of our dogs leashed because we have 2 new kittens. Most of the time she drags her leash behind her, but having it on her means I can step on it when she decides to chase a kitten.

Have fun with all your animals. With 2 dogs, 2 cats, and the 2 kittens some days I feel that I live in a zoo. But it's a lot of fun!

 

[TomD]

Can you tell me about your pup. Don't scare me too much though. Shepards and Husky's were both breeds that were on our short list. Because we were set on adopting we had a list of about 5 or 6 breeds that we were ok with.

I'm just looking to be a little more prepaired. So any tips or heads up on problems that you've had to overcome would be helpful.

Right now my cat is bigger than the dog and I think I'm more worried about it getting horrible stressed or taking out the dog than I am about the dog!

Georgia is one of the best dogs I have owned. EXTREMELY gentle with both the kids and cats. Plays a little rough with me. We have a nightly wrestling match...lol She likes to run and weighs @80lbs. She is a strong dog.

The only drawback I have is I was used to short hair dogs with little shedding. She sheds alot and she is white. Doesnt go well with the wifes black pants

 

[doxdogy]

Our Katie was a shepherd/lab mix. She came to us after the cat and they got along just fine. We introduced two cats a few years ago and she never bothered them. She was the most gentle dog in the world. She allowed the dachshunds to sleep on her in the winter. Dori was her best buddy they use to kill all the monsters in the backyard together.

 

[horseshowmom]

When we brought in a new kitten (found abandoned), our older cat (about 11 years old at the time) absolutely threw a fit and said that she would not stand for it. She stayed back in our bedroom for at least two weeks. We continued to pet her and talk to her, but basically, we figured she'd learn to deal with it (and she did).

We laugh now at how she acted then and how she is now (there have been a couple of others added since then too). They all do fine (and she's 15 1/2 now).

It will all work out. Just love them all and have some patience.

(Right now, we're dealing with a lab mix who is 2 years old - also abandoned - and our outside cats straightened her out in less than two weeks. She no longer tries to chase anybody! Now if I could just get her to stop dragging up trash and trying to get into the garbage can! LOL I just keep remembering that she'll outgrow it!)

 

[Planogirl]

First of all, ignore your Mom's comments. She feels the way she does and nothing will change that.

As for your older cat, make sure that he always has a place to go to that the dog can't reach. It can be his refuge. Also, shower him with tons of attention so that jealousy doesn't become a problem. He's adjust slowly.

 

[horseshowmom]

One more thing, two of our dogs literally saved my teenage DD's life a couple of years ago when someone tried to get into the house (he had already broken into one man's house and killed him and then broke into another house and killed a girl after he left our house).

Had it not been for Cherry and Missy, who were in the house at the time and threw a horrendous fit when he tried to get in the door, I have no doubt that my DD would no longer be with us. I love my cats, but they wouldn't have made much difference that day. Tell your mother that...

 

[RadioNate]

you guys are the best. I think it's going to be good. We know dogs are work, we know they are high energy but, like kids, we know rewards will outweigh the challenges.

We spent the day at a football game with friends who all have and love dogs and it was so much better than talking to my mom. She really made me feel bad about even thinking about having a dog. It is hard for her to accept that I have DHs needs/wants to consider too. He put his dog asleep (she had a heart condition) right before we were married and up until that point he always had a dog. He doesn't feel like his family is 'complete' w/out one. I know my mom, who lives 1200 miles away, likes that I can come and go w/out much thought and she thinks a dog will changed that. But I still don't get why she's so upset about it. My dad (they're divorced) doesn't really like pets in general and he doesn't care.

We are definately planning on going to training and I think DH may even be taking her to work with him so she'll get to be around a lot of different people.

 

[agotta]

We had a husky/shepard mix growing up and she was the greatest!! She had a great temperment, and was a good size. Not big, I don't think she was more than 50 lbs. Good luck!! Show us pictures when you get them!

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

Many congrats on the new addition to your family!!
This is our shepard/akita mix - Casey. She is 6 yrs old now - we adopted her as a puppy. She is the frst dog that we have had as adults - didn't do obedience training so her behavior is sometimes hit-or-miss.
Agreeing with Peanme - Casey loves to run - does not understand the concept of come- to her that means "just keep running" - we have a large yard but it is not fenced - she has a "run" that allows her access to 1/2 of the back yard. We did crate train her as a pup but now she sleeps in our bedroom and is no problem staying in the house alone when we go out.
When we got Casey we had a cat - Fluffy - Fluffy spent 1/2 of her time being afraid of Casey and the other 1/2 being nasty to her (swatting) - Fluffy passed this June after a long 14 year life - Casey still watches down the cellar stairs looking for her.
Getting Casey was a big change in our lives - a big adjustment - but she is part of our family and we all love her. I hope you enjoy your puppy as much as we enjoy Casey.