Welcome Puppy??

My husband and kids would like a dog, but there is no way!!! I know people with dogs. They can't spend the day at the beach/zoo/waterpark because someone has to be home with the dog. They have to take the dog out for a walk no matter how cold/hot/rainy/snowy it is outside. Their houses smell like, well, dog. Their kids can't run and play in the backyard because of the poop. They can't rent a vacation cabin, because they have a dog. I have a feeling that if we got a dog I would be the one who gets to do all the work, and I gag just watching people pick up their steaming pile of dog poo in their little baggie.

You need to be prepared for potty training. If you thought training kids was fun, just wait until dealing with a puppy.

You can't become too attached to your belongings. Puppies like to chew and they will chew literally anything. It can happen very quickly. Let our dog out to pee and she chewed through our cable wiring. Lost TV reception. She's destroyed our sprinkler wiring, drip irrigation and chewed holes in our carpet. I've seen her chew on our cement block retaining wall. This wasn't done in a long, unsupervised stretch, either. I work from home and keep a pretty close eye on her.

Bug has some great additional tips below. Dogs are a big responsibility, especially during the puppy stage. At times, I really felt like I'd gained another child.

That said, dogs are super companions, fun to be around and super loyal. I don't regret getting a puppy last year at all. We love her to pieces! Just be sure you're ready for all the work.

P.S. And if anyone "swears" they will help you with the dog care, they're lying. Mom takes care of the dog.

1. Dogs need (No matter the size) walks EVERY day. If you can't commit to a 30 minute walk daily, don't get a dog. A yard is not enough. Dogs are biologically and instinctively driven to see the world. They need to smell, wander, get out, etc.

2.Since you have never had a dog, you should at least take your dog to puppy classes. They will teach you obedience, basic commands, and care.

3.Dogs need routine vet care and need to be fixed. If you can't afford monthly flea treatment and heart worm treatment, don't get a dog. They also need rabies shots yearly. Dogs can be expensive.

4. You can't just leave willy nilly with a dog. They need care. They shouldn't be crated all day. That will lead to a very unhappy dog. Crating while they are young, and having a crate for the dog...is a good idea...but you can't be at work 8 hours and leave the dogs in there all day. (I don't know that you would do this, I'm just throwing it out there!)

5. Dogs live a long time. You are making a commitment of many years. If you travel often, like to spontaneously have overnights places, or are not home much of the day...don't get a dog. Do NOT plan on traveling while this puppy is little. That will lead to all kinds of confusion, potty training problems, abandonment issues, etc. It's a very bad idea to kennel board a puppy. (Also, you can't until they are of a certain age and can get the necessary shots.)

I've always had cat but for some reason (aka I must have taken a crazy pill that day) I decided to get a dog. Dogs are NOTHING like cats. But I did learn a lot and I'll gladly share with you.

1) Someone has to be in charge of the dog and usually it's you. Dogs need to be walked a good long walk at least once a day in addition to being taken out to pee every few hours. If you don't then be prepared for your house to become a dog toilet quickly. In fact it's more about training you to get on a schedule so they don't eliminate in your house.
2) Dogs need to learn the rules of the house which means everyone in the house needs to be on the same page. I had a no dog on the couch rule which no one paid attention to. Milo doesn't come up with I sit down but he does when everyone else is on the couch.
3) Dogs need to be bathed and depending on the breed groomed. Be prepared to do it yourself or plan on shelling out $$ every 3-6 weeks.
4) Dogs need a bed or two, a crate large enough for them to turn around and lay down in, toys, water bowl and food bowl. They also need toys which may need to be replaced frequently. Then there's the cost of food, treats, etc ongoing.
5) Dogs need to go to the vet at least once a year for shots and a check up. In addition you also need to give heart worm medication monthly ($$ if I get it at the vet cheaper if I get it off line) and medication for fleas and ticks applied every 3 weeks (again $$ if I get it at the vet cheaper if I get if off line).
6) If you go away for period of time you need to board the dog or have someone else take care of him/her.
7) If you are gone at work 8 hrs a day then your puppy will be spending a lot of time alone or you need to make arrangements for someone to come in and take the dog out.
8) Since you are a new owner you'll need to take puppy training classes that will show you how to be the boss of your dog. Dogs are pack animals and you and your family need to be head dogs in the house.

Think long and hard before you make that commitment because it's unfair to the dog to adopt him/her and then change your mind because it's too much work. Know up front that you will have to spend time, money, and a lot of energy to make the dog a part of your family. If you are basically too lazy to get out for a walk and don't care for playing outside in the yard then owning a dog probably isn't a good idea. DON'T FALL FOR THE KIDS PROMISING TO HELP OUT. THEY WON'T FOLLOW THROUGH WITHOUT YOUR REMINDING AND NAGGING which will lead to tension not responsibility.

You have received good answers, I just want to add or confirm. It IS another child, you will have to teach it everything. It DOES cost money. It WILL be a burden at times. It WILL affect your household/schedule.
All that being said, it can be very rewarding. Good luck.
Oh and, the shelter would be my first preference. Just saying...

Oh boy! :)

Plan on another child joining your family. Literally.

Google 'crating' and have one ready when you bring home doggie home.

Walks every day are a part of the deal.

Be patient and regular with the potty training. (Do you work outside the home or are you home to do this at regular intervals?)

It takes about two years for them to truly be 'adults' and lose the negative puppy behaviors (chewing, getting into bathroom trashes, etc.)

For a well-behaved dog, take a training class and live it. You won't regret the time you put into this if you do it properly and religiously.

Buy high-quality grain-free food and you'll have a healthy, happy pooch.

Stay away from rawhide bones; they can get stuck in the intestines, resulting in a costly surgery, or death (trust me, been there!). The "bones" made of muscle are the best.

Have fun! Remember, it's like having another child!

make sure you have the space for a puppy first. do you have a designated space for them in the house and in the yard? are you willing to get up and take them out at all hours of the day and night? who will keep it when your on vacation? at work? at school? who's job will it be to feed, take care of etc? can you financially afford a pet? food, vaccinations? vet checkups etc? all things to think about. puppy's chew furniture and shoes and toys and table legs etc. as well as childrens toes lol. how is your patience level? are you and the hubby both on the same page about this? not saying don't get one just saying they are not like a fish. you have to be hands on taking care of them pretty much 24/7 for the first few months and even afterwards still a lot more work than a cat.

A couple things that make the process easier are 1) having unlimited amounts of disposable income, 2) having dog daycare nearby, 3) having no job and the ability to let the puppy out every 20 minutes or so-for a while, 4) having a fenced in yard. Not sure what a multi- poo is-but it sounds tiny and temperamental-a larger dog may be better with children-they are more calm and don't yip incessantly. You will want to get the dog neutered as soon as possible. Sometimes little dogs need to be walked-or else. It's a huge responsibility and the novelty wears off quickly-meaning you will be doing all the work. You will probably have to get up during the night to let him out-it's like having an infant-it's very hard work. Best of luck!

Congrats! A dog will become your bestfriend. Yikes, first dog? Well i suggust training it right away! Don't become lazy with the training. And take them for a walk at least one time a day, more exercise equals less crazy dog. Dogs need to go to the vet at least once a year for shots and a check up. In addition you also need to give heart worm medication monthly ($$ if I get it at the vet cheaper if I get it off line) and medication for fleas and ticks applied every 3 weeks (again $$ if I get it at the vet cheaper if I get if off line).

Cheers!
-N.

We have a 9-month old schnoodle (poodle/schnauzer) who is the best puppy I've ever seen.

Even in that scenario it is a TON of work. You lose your freedom. You spend lots of money. You worry yourself sick about fleas and allergies. What happens if your kids are allergic? We reacted badly to our schnoodle at first (and she's supposed to be a very low-allergy dog). Luckily we were able to resolve it, but what if we hadn't? We would have all been heart-broken.

You don't say how old your kids are. I wouldn't do it until my youngest child is past the age of 5.

I cannot reiterate how much extra work it is for MOM!

Good luck.

It really IS like having a newborn baby so be prepared. Crying at night, taking care of them and letting them in and out 24/7, AND they don't wear diapers so of course be prepared for nasty, stinky floors for (at least) a few months (all the newspapers and puppy pads do is absorb some of the urine, it's still a disgusting mess.) And you can't leave them home alone, you need to take them with you wherever you go for the first several months or else they will cry and probably be destructive.
I am a HUGE animal lover but I just couldn't do the puppy thing. Our dogs were adopted at about a year old so they were already trained. We just got our second cat, which is an ADORABLE little 3 month old kitten!!! Kittens are great because you get all the baby love but they use a litter box practically from the womb and they are independent from an early age so there's a lot less crying and really no training.

I love dogs and have had them for most of my life. As an adult I've trained three puppies. As others have said, it's A LOT of work. The first few weeks and months are a lot like having a baby--sleepless nights and lots of messes. I will probably always have a dog as long as I can afford one (they are also very expensive), but it is a huge committment and I do make sacrifices so that the dog is not left home alone for too long of a time. I would just make sure that before you do it you are ready to make the committment and not just "give it a shot."

Also, how old are your boys? Many breeders won't sell small dogs like a Malti-poo to people with young children. I've had a Maltese and they can be very fragile. They are very sweet, but generally more of a lap dog. Years ago my toddler tripped on one of my Jack Russell terriers, falling on him and causing a disc injury. Fortunately he was ultimately fine, but it was a scary and expensive injury for the dog. I'm also lucky my toddler didn't get bit.

My boys are 12 and 15. We now have an active 15-pound Miniature Poodle. It's working out pretty well although I wouldn't trust our dog with very young children.

Good luck!

Ummm, wow. Getting a puppy is a huge undertaking. Beginning with housebreaking. I googled how to crate train a puppy and got some great advice. Our youngest yorkie did amazingly well. I put his crate on a large plastic container next to our bed. When he cried in the night, I stuck my fingers through the holes in the door and he would go back to sleep. If he kept whining I took him outside. During the day he stayed on a leash next to me, was corraled in the kitchen, or he was in his crate. I took him out after naps and after every meal on a leash so I could praise him when he went "potty.". I would praise him and say, "Potty!! Good boy.". Then I let him run around for a few minutes. He will potty for me on command now. Eventually we confined him to the living room and kitchen using baby gates until I was sure he was trained.

I could go on but you have already received some good advice. Google is your friend!! :). Find a good vet. Ours gave us a packet about puppies with tons of helpful advice.

Oh, make sure it has had all rounds of vaccinations before you take it to a public place.

We have an 8 year old poodle and and a 10 week old Goldendoodle. Needless to say they don't really get along because the goldendoodle (Lady) is a rough tough puppy who is 4 pounds heavier then her senior.

Anyway, dogs are awesome. They can also be a headache from time to time. Puppies are a lot of work. They have to be trained in everything except cuteness, they always ace that!!!

My suggestion to you would be to do a lot of preparation and research. Find out what your training techniques are going to be. For example, will you crate/kennel train? If you will crate train, find out how to go about doing it. My poodle is the first dog I've trained from a puppy and I made a lot of mistakes with her. So for this puppy I did a lot of research on training puppies and she is a little gem. After only one week of having her she was house trained and understood all basic commands. But, that's only because I've sunken alot of time and effort into her. After only two weeks she is completely trained how to walk on a leash, but I do walk her twice a day. She hasn't damaged or destroyed anything (yet) because we keep the house super picked up and give her pleanty of play time and bones and dog toys to chew.

I'm not saying it's a cake walk but if you prepare yourself, you will make it much easier for you and your family to live in harmony with this new love.

Also, dogs are a huge expense. You need to consider the costs of purchasing food, treats, bones, toys, shampoo, clippers or regular grooming, combs and brush, and spaying or neutering, leash and collar, oh and vaccinations. It all adds up quickly, but again it is all worth it if you love your puppy like family!

I hope I've helped you make the right decision whatever it may be.

Best wishes!

My daughter adopted a puppy late last summer in TX, her BF lives there but works offshore, so she still lives here in WI. WELL...... she can't have a dog in her apartment sooooooo......... guess where the puppy lives....... yep with me. It has been an interesting 9 months...... puppies teeth like babies so they chew everything in sight. They bore easily and get into mischief constantly. Mine thought not stupid is quite stubborn ---- refuses to learn. Even though I have covered wastebaskets she does get into them and drags out things she shouldn't be chewing on or eating. She chewed the cord off my brand new ----- never used carpet scrubber-----$63 to replace cord. She has broken 4 leashes that were rated for a dog up to 100 lbs ------ I got one now that is rated for a dog up to 250 lbs --btw she is only about 40 lbs. If I leave food on the stove top or counter top --- she gets a snack --- she will lick the butter dish clean ----- urrrggggg. It's worse than having a baby in the house.
And for some crazy reason she thinks she is the same size as the chihuahua who weighs about 6 lbs --- and tries to sit on my shoulder. It's actually funny she will put her front paws on my shoulder and then try to get her back paws on my shoulder and snuggle with me.

Anyway if you can deal with the hassle of training a puppy, they are wonderful, but it's a lot of work the first year.

As a "starter dog" I would recommend that you seriously consider an adult dog. You can easily find a dog that is a couple of years old through a local shelter. You can find one with a known temperment that likes kids, you can pick the activity level that fits your family, they even often have training such as housebreaking, leash training, basic commands. So much easier for the first time around if you don't have to worry about EVERYTHING. Oh, and puppies need to get up every couple of hours in the night, just like newborns. You know that mom is making those dark trips to the back yard every time.
I would also recommend a larger breed. Small dogs can be wonderful pets, but it is much safer for the dog to be around older children. Tiny dogs have tiny bones that are easily broken. A friend had a very small dog, her 5 year old was playing with it with a rope toy, accidentally flung the dog several feet onto tile...broken rib, punctured lung, devastated child. A larger dog will be able to play with your kids. I have 2 sons, 4.5 and 20 months. Our dogs are 65 and 85 pounds, and I still have to remind the boys to be gentle! Everything listed below about responsibility will be exactly the same with a larger dog- don't fall into the thinking that a smaller dog is less work :)

READ. Read read read read read. Read everything you can get your hands on about dog training techniques and how to understand your dog. Read about care (vet visits, preventative medicines and their expense, boarding costs if you don't plan to take it on vacation with you). Read on the breed (or breeds, since it is mixed). As a mixed breed, you won't really know which traits of each breed you will see expressed in your dog, so you need to know about all of them, and figure out how you plan to address any issues that come up. Some breeds are chewers. Some are diggers. Some are barkers. Some are roamers (leave the yard and wander and don't come back). Etc.

Read up on crate training. Not just opinions on websites, like this one, but in training books about how to do it and why it works so well.

I recommend The Monks of New Skete as a starting place. They have a few books. Lots of great information in them.

Make sure you can afford the vet care. Annual visits for shots, of course. But also if it gets sick. Our GSD had an episode a couple of years ago that costs us almost $1000. That was cheap compared to some treatments and situations. But certainly not something insignificant like buying a bag of dog food. And now she takes daily meds... so there is an ongoing medical expense as well (in addition to flea/tick preventative, heartworm preventative, and annual booster shots).

Take it seriously, and you can have a wonderful new addition to your family. Be lax about it and assume that problems will take care of themselves later.. and you will be one of the ladies posting on her in a few months about "how do I give the dog away without breaking my kids' hearts?" The best way to train a puppy, is to train it right to start with. It is easier to work hard up front, than to have to RE-TRAIN out the bad learned behaviors.

Good luck, and congrats.
We absolutely LOVE our dog. She is every bit a part of our family. Even my mom loves her at this point. (and mom is NOT a dog person at all... and totally against any pets in the house, etc. )

Give them a lot of attention and be sure to walk them and keep them clean. Have your boys help too.

I would suggest a labrador retriever or a boxer as a good family dog. Get the book, "How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With" before getting a dog, or even putting a deposit on one, so you know what to expect.

Visualize what having a puppy/dog would be like and decide if this is what you want for your lifestyle. For years, hubby and I were against the idea of a dog because of the commitment involved, but decided to get a puppy now b/c we're ready. We really WANTED her. Really wanting a dog and knowing what to expect with having a puppy goes a long way toward successful pet ownership.

On costs, I looked for an affordable vet place and drive an extra 45 min. past my old vet, but am saving $300 on initial puppy expenses to fully vet through spaying and microchipping and will save over the life of the dog. It's the premise of the place to have affordable vet care. It's a tiny place, but they are up to date on everything. I'm switching the two cats over too and will double up on appts. to save on drive time and gas. Buy as much as you can for the puppy at a discounted retailer like Big Lots. Everything there is clearance prices! I got the best deal on a crate with free shipping from Amazon. Look for the best dog food for you budget. If you're not sure what's a good food (and many people don't), read dogfoodadvisor.com. Buy pet meds from 1800 Pet Meds. They have generic for Heartgard and Frontline! Also do a puppy class. Petsmart has coupons sometimes you can print from online to save $20 on a puppy class.

Ask for referrals/do research on a pet sitter and kenneling for vacations if you have no one to watch the dog while on vacation. You absolutely can pack up and go somewhere for a day - once the dog is older and can hold their bladder up to 8 hours (8 months +). You can always have a petsitter check in for a walk(s) and potty break(s) if you're gone longer than that in one day or want to give the dog relief sooner. Keep in mind there are plenty of places you can take dogs including metro/state/local parks, camping and some hotels. There's lots of info. and resources on dog/puppy ownership out there!

As others have said, it's like having a newborn and is a lot of work...but fun work.

Definitely plan on crate training...it makes a huge difference in getting them potty trained and gives them a safe place that is their own when in a chaotic environment. Then you can tell the boys that when the dog is in that space, it is to be left alone to "chill." It is the best thing for them.

Plan to take the puppy to obedience classes when old enough, and work with it to at least get the basics down.

Get the pup spayed or neutered by 6 months

Plan to spend several hundred dollars on it during the first few months, as there will be start-up supplies, at least one more round of shots (possibly two) in the first few months after you get it and then the spay/neurter.

Finally, have lots of fun with your new puppy. They're so cute when they play and play and play until they just pass out!