Puppy or older dog?

[Mickey'snewestfan]

We are looking to add a dog to our family in the coming months. I work full time, DS is in school full time, we'll have a dog walker but that's still a lot of hours for a dog to be alone, so I thought an older dog might be a better choice for us.

I've been looking at rescues, and also put out some inquiries to breeders of breeds I'm interested in. Today I spoke with a woman who has a 10 month old sheltie available.

She told me that coming into my home -- being inside all day, living in the city with daily walks as opposed to running around in the country (we also have a small yard that's fenced), having cars go by, would be a big adjustment to a dog from a breeder, and she thought that maybe a younger puppy would have an easier time. In the end she seemed to think the dog would adjust, and seems willing to consider placing the dog with me, but now I'm wondering.

Should I be rethinking my decision to look for an older dog?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

No. Your schedule is not good to raise a puppy. Remember what human toddlers were like? Puppies are worse than that.

They require lots of training and bonding.

Anyway 10months is still a puppy. You should get a dog that is over 2yrs old.

 

[dolcezena]

I agree with adopting a dog 2y/o or more. Our Liam is 14 mos now & believe me, still very much a "puppy." Think toddler with sharp teeth, who happens to be almost 70 pounds!

While I think shelters are a fantastic place to get your newest family member, I would also suggest checking with a vet in your area. I know ours always has flyers up from people who have to move into "pet-free" environments, or simply can't care for their friends anymore. These animals are used to behaving in a home, have been loved, & (usually) are too old for them to be adopted at a shelter (not OLD, but they aren't at the cute & cuddly stage). Plus, you have the bonus of learning more about your new friend.

Shelter animals (sorry folks) sometimes have emotional disorders that take a lot of time to cure. (I am NOT saying that all of them do!) Taking in a friend from a shelter often involves a lot of commitment from you - if you find one that can adapt easily, great.

GOOD LUCK!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

And if it is a lab mix they have to be over 3yo...Labs never seem to grow up.

Actually a dog over 3yo would fit your lifestyle better.

The owner of the sheltie is aware that a 10month old puppy is not well suited for your situation. That is why she said those things and was discouraging you.

 

[horseshowmom]

I strongly agree - get an adult dog who needs a home!

Two situations with friends of ours:

1) Someone gave them a registered Chihuahua puppy (the last one in the litter that hadn't been sold and needed to go somewhere). They're both gone to work all the time and are gone a lot of evenings. This was not a good situation for a puppy. They had problems house breaking the puppy, but I explained to them that the puppy wasn't having a chance to get into a routine of any sort. They wound up giving her to someone else who was at home during the day (and I was glad ).

2) Someone had to give away their miniature Dachshund. She's two years old and already housebroken. She has adjusted quite well in just a few days. Of course, they're home a lot of the time, so that's helped some too.

I agree with checking with your vet. You'd be amazed at how many pets are shuffled around (when mine come to me, they stay for life, but lots of folks don't see it that way).

 

[dolcezena]

And if it is a lab mix they have to be over 3yo...Labs never seem to grow up.

That isn't something that I wanted to hear!! Liam is a Lab/Chessie Retriever. OMG, I have another year & a half of this?!??!?!?!?

 

[horseshowmom]

And if it is a lab mix they have to be over 3yo...Labs never seem to grow up.

Someone abandoned a Lab puppy at our house back in November (he was about 8 weeks old, and I suspect also one left in a litter that hadn't sold - we have a trade day in a neighboring town, and this was the day after that).

He's now almost 8 months old, and he's hilarious! He's also huge and very rambunctious. I'm going to have to take him in hand soon and start training him with some manners (he loves everybody and doesn't know any other word than PLAY PLAY PLAY!!!

Actually a dog over 3yo would fit your lifestyle better.

I agree.

The owner of the sheltie is aware that a 10month old puppy is not well suited for your situation. That is why she said those things and was discouraging you.

I think so too. I would look at other options (and there are plenty of them out there - want a Lab puppy? J/K ).

 

[The Mystery Machine]

That isn't something that I wanted to hear!! Liam is a Lab/Chessie Retriever. OMG, I have another year & a half of this?!??!?!?!?

Oh but you know that already, don't you?

 

[dolcezena]

Oh but you know that already, don't you?

Yeah, actually, I did....Not like I'd change him for a second!

At least he's better than Riley - who's a Border Collie. I hear they slow down at about 7.

But back to the OP...

Reason I think of vets is because we (at the time, DH) ALMOST had to give up Maggie, because we couldn't find a place that would take his dog & my cat (both have now passed). Fortunately, we ended up buying a house, but Maggie's vet had actually offered to help find a home for her. At the time, she was a 9 y/o Lab/Huskie, & was the absolute sweetest, most loving girl on the planet!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

At least he's better than Riley - who's a Border Collie. I hear they slow down at about 7.

I have one of those too!!!

She slows down to do my bidding so I will throw her ball. Or as we call it her "crack ball".

 

[dolcezena]

I have one of those too!!!

She slows down to do my bidding so I will throw her ball. Or as we call it her "crack ball".

Me, DH & a friend decided to see how long Riley would play fetch. FOUR hours later, we gave up (it was a cool day & we made sure he had water breaks.) "Focused" is an understatement when it comes to a Border!

(Sorry OP - don't mean to hijack )

But I have thought of something else relevant to you...

Knowing what breed/type of dog is almost more important than WHERE to get the dog, or how old they are. We (I) researched pretty heavily before we got Riley, so we (I) knew we were in for a high-maintenance, high-energy, obssessive-compulsive dog. Some breeds are better than others at spending time on their own. (Hint: Borders are NOT one of them! Pretty sure Labs aren't either....)

 

[ckay87]

Shelties are working dogs, too. And if he doesn't get the ability to "work" (exercise), he could become quite naughty. I would consider an older, calmer dog who needs less exercise. Perhaps a smaller dog. We have a dachshund who, because he only has 2 inch legs, is quite happy with just the shortest walks!

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Thanks everyone!

To be clear, I'm not at all sure I'm going the breeder route, a rescue is definitely an option, but I feel like these people really know dogs so having the conversations with them helps me sort things out. I put in a call to the leader of our local sheltie breed club and told her I wanted a 2 - 5 year old sheltie and she encouraged me to call about this dog as well. I figure even if I get a dog from a shelter or an entirely different breed I'll still have learned stuff that's useful.

I wasn't surprised that she said it might not be a good fit (although in the end she seemed willing to continue to explore placing with me, so she must not have thought it was an awful fit), but I was very surprised that she thought I was looking too at dogs who were too old. I was expecting to hear that 10 months is still a puppy and I should be looking over 2. However she made it sound like the opposite was true.

As to breeds, I am very open to suggestions -- I want small but not too small. Tough enough to run around with my kid, but also something that cuddle and spend quiet time with the family. I'd rather not deal with a super fussy coat -- I'm willing to brush the dog and take it to a groomer but something like a Bichon or a Maltese is not for me. I don't really want a total one person dog because I know I'll be doing most of the care but I want it to bond to my 10 year old as well. And like I said, the dog needs to do OK with a small yard, lots of walks, and in house exercise. Also, it needs to do OK being home alone most of the working day.

Oh, and no dachshunds or pugs for weird reasons.

If not a sheltie then what?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

You are getting caught up in "breeds", when you need to be looking for the right dog.

Too much bookwork and not enough legwork. I would get into contact with some Rescue organizations and give your criteria.

3yo, housebroken, laid back, etc....

Then you go to PetsMart, Petco, etc. and check out the rescue organizations dogs. You hit the shelters, know the dogs there, talk to the workers.
Drop into your local vet's offices and do the same. Most vets I go into have a bulletin board with all kinds of dog's to adopt on it.

You need to open up your search and find the right dog. It is out there. There are tons of older dogs to adopt.

 

[MoniqueU]

I have 2 labs, one I got at about 10 months old and one I got as a puppy. The one that was a puppy was far easier. Potty trained in days, never chewed anything, doesn't run off, you can walk him, you can leave him in the house while you are gone etc. The older dog counter surfs if you leave him, pees and poops in the house when he feels he isn't getting the attention he needs, is impossible to walk because he is so strong and pulls real hard. I love them both to pieces but not all puppies are hard to deal with. I may have just gotten lucky but the puppy part of my chocolate lab was super easy. Don't rule out a puppy, many people have great success with them even though they work.

 

[disneystacy]

We are looking to add a dog to our family in the coming months. I work full time, DS is in school full time, we'll have a dog walker but that's still a lot of hours for a dog to be alone, so I thought an older dog might be a better choice for us.

I've been looking at rescues, and also put out some inquiries to breeders of breeds I'm interested in. Today I spoke with a woman who has a 10 month old sheltie available.

She told me that coming into my home -- being inside all day, living in the city with daily walks as opposed to running around in the country (we also have a small yard that's fenced), having cars go by, would be a big adjustment to a dog from a breeder, and she thought that maybe a younger puppy would have an easier time. In the end she seemed to think the dog would adjust, and seems willing to consider placing the dog with me, but now I'm wondering.

Should I be rethinking my decision to look for an older dog?

I am going to be completely honest here.
I don't think you should be getting a dog at all.
You work full time and your DS is in school full time.
I don't think its fair to the dog to be alone all day.
Will you have time for this dog after a hard day at work? Will your son after the novelty wears off? Are you prepared for the mess that may be possible after arriving home? Will you then need to kennel(cage) the dog all day?
Dogs love companionship, I wouldn't knowingly get a dog only to leave it home alone and indoors all day with just one walk while you are gone.
I know people do it every day, but is it truly fair to the dog?
Plenty of other pets to consider that would better be suited for your situation. (cat,bird,hamster etc)
It sounds to me from what you posted, that the breeder you spoke with didn't want to come out and say it, but she wouldn't call your home situation ideal for one of her dogs. 10 months old is still a puppy. Not sure how much younger you could get before you run into other issues, like housetraining.

Just my opinion. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Shmily1]

About a month ago on a Monday, I heard a barking noise while I was cooking dinner. We don't have dogs so I knew it was a dog after my two stray cats (one who was expecting and I know have the 5 kittens from too) that showed up and have now become family. It was a cute little black lab/bassett hound mix-looking dog. Probably about 25 lbs. She wanted to play with the cats! She wasn't rough with them, but wanted them to chase her. She stayed around Tuesday and Wednesday then Thursday we couldn't find her. On Friday, she was back--laying in the water hose that someone had left drizzling. She was sick!! I carried her to the vet (he told me she was 6 or 7 months old) and found that she had parvo--$428 later, she was back "home".

Last Thursday morning, DD was going to school and called me hysterically crying. Something was wrong with "Harley"--she had blood in her eye, her head was swollen, and her jaw had a large cut on it. I left work and rushed her to the vet--she had been bumped by a car--$279 later, she's back home and getting better. She is now shut up on our large front porch when we are not home or asleep so she doesn't get side tracked in front of another car.

Our family loves her, but she sure is costing us a fortune to have been a stray dog!! She is very loving, not too big, and doesn't get into trouble.

 

[DMickey28]

We adopted a stray 7ish year old hound from the local shelter in September. He is the best dog we have ever had. He came fully house trained (had a few accidents getting over the "go anywhere" shelter mentality), fully obidence trained and eager to please. He handles my toddler like a piece of cake. He is a couch potatoe and rarely exerts himself past a quick romp in the door when we get home.

I am a SAHM and have noticed that when we do go out for dinner or to run errands, I often come home to his howling. Seeing as I live in an apartment that's not a good thing but I have asked the neighbors and no one hears him. Even though he is the most low key dog we have ever had he is very family oriented and does not like to be left alone. We could not have this same dog if I worked full-time.

Good Luck ....

 

[damo]

I agree that you should get an adult dog. Older than 3 years is great. First of all, many love to sleep all day. Zillions of working families have dogs. Secondly, they need and deserve a loving home and will reward you for it. However, don't just jump at the first dog you see. Make sure it feels absolutely right as this is a dog you will have for a very, very long time.