Very OT: We're getting a puppy! UPDATED post#19!

[mickeywho?]

I'd love some advice from any of you who have had a puppy or young dog in your family.
We've been doing research for the last few months in trying to decide what breed would be a good match for our family and have fallen in love with the English Cocker Spaniel. We have two boys - age 10 and 7 - and my husband and I both work from home. We know a puppy can be alot of work - just like bringing a baby home - so we're trying to get ourselves prepared for that! I have found two breeders that I'm really comfortable with - when speaking to them they sound great and I'm planning on visiting them to put any other doubts to rest (they really do seem like responsible breeders so there really aren't any doubts...)
The first breeder I spoke to does not have any puppies right now - she's hoping her next litter will be born in March - so we can have a pup around May. The second breeder has a new litter - 2 weeks old - and can promise us a pup in 6 weeks. She had a litter of 4 and only had two people wanting pups up until now.
Here's my question! Do we get the puppy that's been offered now or wait until the spring? We have a trip coming up in January - only 7 days long - so we'd have to find a puppy-sitter before we go. The breeder did offer to kennel the pup for us which may be a great option.
What do you think? Anyone out there have any thoughts?

 

[CanadianPaco]

Ah, a puppy! We have a 9 mnth old black lab puppy. Please take this with a grain of salt ... they make 'em cute for a reason!!!

Our 10 yrd old has forgotten the endless tasks she promised to do - but rest assured, we are very good at reminding her! Crate training is a must. Obedience classes (for you, not the dog) as well. We have a "dog-let-him-outer" person - when DD is at school and Dh is at work, I can't always come home from my work to "let him out". We have a kennel - a good, clean kennel. Worth every dime!

So you have a tough choice - the love you'llget is unmeasureable, so why wait?

 

[pkitty]

Have fun! I have a 6 month old pug....she's a blast but alot of work. Consider crate training or weewee pads ( they work). We haven't had a puppy for so long (our dogs lived to be 17,15.5 and 7 and we had them all consecutively) that I forgot how much work they really are....but they are soooooo cute! Have fun!

 

[Nicki828]

I'd love some advice from any of you who have had a puppy or young dog in your family.
We've been doing research for the last few months in trying to decide what breed would be a good match for our family and have fallen in love with the English Cocker Spaniel. We have two boys - age 10 and 7 - and my husband and I both work from home. We know a puppy can be alot of work - just like bringing a baby home - so we're trying to get ourselves prepared for that! I have found two breeders that I'm really comfortable with - when speaking to them they sound great and I'm planning on visiting them to put any other doubts to rest (they really do seem like responsible breeders so there really aren't any doubts...)
The first breeder I spoke to does not have any puppies right now - she's hoping her next litter will be born in March - so we can have a pup around May. The second breeder has a new litter - 2 weeks old - and can promise us a pup in 6 weeks. She had a litter of 4 and only had two people wanting pups up until now.
Here's my question! Do we get the puppy that's been offered now or wait until the spring? We have a trip coming up in January - only 7 days long - so we'd have to find a puppy-sitter before we go. The breeder did offer to kennel the pup for us which may be a great option.
What do you think? Anyone out there have any thoughts?

Congrats on your choice to get a puppy! I've always been in love with spaniels. We've had 2 American Cocker Spaniels - though they can be a bit tempermental. We currently have a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel - and he is the sweetest thing. Wonderful temperment and amazing with kids - very patient! Keep in mind if you get a dog in 6 weeks you will be doing the majority of your house training in mucky/wet weather.

 

[rjan67]

We have a 5 month old golden retriever puppy! She is sweet but eats EVERYTHING! Crate training is a must. Hang tough those first couple of days because it can be tough when they cry. I agree with the training. Around 4-5 months you will see a big change in the training (like finally they get everything) so be patient during those first few months and be consistent. Puppy class is a great option. We didn't go this time due to time constrictions but Sadie has lots of socialization with other dogs (our neighbours also have a pup and my Mom has a dog) as well as the numerous sports events we went to over the summer with the kids. Buy LOTS of chew toys! My neighbour an English Springer Spaniel who is fabulous. Best trained dog ever! I would just caution you about cocker spaniels. They sometimes can have bladder issues, especially when they are excited. I have known a couple who pee everytime they are happy to see someone. Just a thought. Also, take some time to research a good quality food for your pup. There are lots of great boards out there with info on it. After the dog food scare last year and my Golden got sick and died last year (my vet assures me they were not related) I have become more aware of what goes in to commercial dog food and was not impressed with what I learned. There are many moderately priced quality dog foods, you just need to learn what to look for. Good luck to you!

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

Ahhh puppies!! We have a 3yo Brittany Spaniel!
If the breeder is willing to keep the puppy while you go away then go for it. Make sure you get yourself a crate and crate train that pup - especially if you work and value your shoes and everything else in pup's reach!!

Good luck and make sure you post pictures when puppy comes home!

And remember.... they do make em cute for a very good reason......

Who could resist or get upset with eyes like that?!?!

 

[petbren]

I'd love some advice from any of you who have had a puppy or young dog in your family.

Here's my question! Do we get the puppy that's been offered now or wait until the spring? We have a trip coming up in January - only 7 days long - so we'd have to find a puppy-sitter before we go. The breeder did offer to kennel the pup for us which may be a great option.
What do you think? Anyone out there have any thoughts?

Congratulations on your anticipated new arrival.
My vote is to wait until at least spring. We got a Coton de Tulear puppy(I've attached a photo as not too many people know what they are) on July 4th.
We found this a great time for us, as the DD10, and DS12 were out of school and could really be involved in the care of the dog, and the weather is nice enough to sit out while the dog explores the yard and does his business
As I would like Florida weather year round, I'm not the type who could stand for long times in the cold and snow to train a puppy.
Because of our diligence, he was fully house trained 6 weeks after we got him, and he is a great addition to our family. I know it will be a long wait for you and the kids, but do what you think is right for everyone, including the dog.

Good luck.

 

[mickeywho?]

Thank you all so much for your advice. I love those pictures - such gorgeous doggies! I have so much to learn and we're still a bit on the fence although leaning towards the pup available sooner rather than later. I'll post pictures when our arrival comes home!

 

[Disney_Mama]

We have a new addition to our family as well. He is a 5 month old Grate Dane. Almost twice the size of the picture below now. I need to take and updated one and post it. He is a wonderful dog. My DH called him Clifford. He is wonderful with our kids. He is a very mellow dog which fits in with our older dog, Sam.

During our times out of our home we do have him in a crate. He has no problem going in. He even will spend time in it while we are at home to take a nap. I am looking into doggie class for him. I have never done this with any of our other dogs, but considering the size he will be I feel it is not an option.

I say go for it and get the puppy now. I have always had dogs in my life and even when the kids don't keep up with their end of the chores.... It's still worth it.

 

[Ham Ham]

Charlie Oct/07 8 weeks

Charlie Aug/08 11 Months

Hi Mickeywho,
Getting a puppy is so exciting! We picked up our Charlie almost a year ago. He was work at first but so worth while. We crate trained for about the first 5-6 months but now he only goes into his crate the occasional time he wants some peace and quiet from us! We made sure to let him outside a lot the first month or so to get him into a routine (it was so cold early in the morning that sometimes he refused to go outside) and we did use puppy training pads inside during the day when we left him out of his crate. Charlie is such a great dog and we are so fortunate to have him as part of our family.
Good luck with your decision!
Ham Ham's wife

 

[deanie]

We have two lovely miniature schnauzers. We have had 3 schnauzers in total and two of these we got in the springtime. It certainly is much easier to train them when the weather is nice and also you can let them play outside a bit to wear off some of that extra energy!! We got Riley in February and a couple of days after we got him, it was -25oC for about a week and a half. It was pretty miserable taking him outside to do his business and I seemed to be the one to do it. About a month and a half later I had to take him to doggy daycare for half a day and took him outside for a toilet break. He did not know what to do. And then I spotted one lone patch of snow, about the size of a basketball. I took him over to it and immediately he went. I guess because he equated snow with having to do his business!! But he is one dog who never has accidents in the house. So, to make a long story short, you will have to do what works best for the family.

Oh, a funny WDW story. We were about to get our first family dog but I kept telling the kids that we had our WDW vacation first and we could not get one until after we came home. This was our first trip to WDW and my middle son confided in me on our last day in the world, "I am so sad to have to leave Disneyworld but I am also so happy because TOMORROW we can get a dog". Okay, I didn't mean the day after...we finally got Willy, who turned out to be the best dog in the world, two months later.

 

[ottawamom]

Please wait until spring. I know its exciting to have a puppy come home soon but with the trip planned you'll be glad that you waited. It's a lot of upheaval for a puppy to be moved around a few times during their first few months with you. There could be attachment issues. Hopefully not but is it worth the chance.

Kennels (not breeders) won't have a dog stay with them until they are at least 6 months old. Not sure why but that's a rule I've run across. No matter how clean the breeder keeps her place there may be parasites or viruses that a young puppy could pick up or bring there. Result another (expensive) trip to the vet.

I have a Samoyed that we got from the breeder at 10 months (She was our second so I didn't need to go through the puppy thing again.) She had been adopted out to a family and then returned to the breeder due to family issues. She was with the breeder for a few months then she came to live with us. It was a lot of adjusting. I know you are only away for one week but that can be a lifetime to a dog.

The time you spend waiting until spring can be put to good use. You can investigate puppy training classes read books, puppy proof the house, teach the children various commands and how to train the dog. The spring is also so much easier for housebreaking. By the time the nice weather arrives your puppy will be ready to go for walks. (Some people in our neighbourhood walk their puppies before they have completed their full course of puppy shots. The puppy should really be kept away from other dogs(in case they aren't fully immunized) until they have had all their shots at 12 weeks).

Boy this is long, just my two cents! Take what of it you like.

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

Thank you all so much for your advice. I love those pictures - such gorgeous doggies! I have so much to learn and we're still a bit on the fence although leaning towards the pup available sooner rather than later. I'll post pictures when our arrival comes home!

When I picked our puppy, I was at the breeders almost daily til they would let her come home . My gf was getting my puppy's sister and they were going to wait until after Christmas but I took our little one home on Dec 8 . When my gf & her kids came over to see our puppy, that was it, they went to pick up the sister then too!

 

[mickeywho?]

As much as I was ready for our puppy now! - we decided to wait until the spring... Going away to WDW in January was definitely a factor - house training will definitely be easier for all of us in the spring. I have waited this long - I can wait a few more months...
Love all these pictures. Your puppies are gorgeous!

 

[Ham Ham]

When I picked our puppy, I was at the breeders almost daily til they would let her come home . My gf was getting my puppy's sister and they were going to wait until after Christmas but I took our little one home on Dec 8 . When my gf & her kids came over to see our puppy, that was it, they went to pick up the sister then too!

How Daisy actually sees her dog.

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

 

[digskat]

These are my babies Jasmine our Goldendoodle after princess Jasmine and Lily after Walt's wife our boston terrier. Love them like a crazy.

 

[pxlbarrel]

I know you've made the decision already but I was gonna say that you should make your decision on a number of criteria and one being which is the better breeder. Which breeder has a better reputation or a healthier line of spaniels. If they're both equal in that respect then taking a pup in the spring is probably the best because of all the reasons you mentioned. But if the pups that are available now are of exception quality and health compared to the other breeder's....

Sounds kind of cold to base decisions on such things...but that's what you have to think about. I like the fact that the first breeder was willing to take the pup in while you were on your trip... it says she still cares what happens to them after they've left her home.

I'm sure you've done your research on the breeders and both are fine ... this is more for those who might be in the same situation and are looking for a pup right now.

I must say that I'm very green with envy about the impending puppydom. <sigh> but... on getting a furball of love.

 

[mickeywho?]

So after all the indecisiveness we went with waiting for our puppy until this month. (Just based on discussions with each breeder we were more comfortable with the 2nd breeder - she seemed more concerned with where the pup was going and asked a lot of questions)
So our Molly comes home next weekend! We're so excited!!
I'd love any advice you experienced doggie-parents can give us regarding housetraining, puppyfood, etc. Anything you can offer would be great!
Thanks!