- Joined
- Apr 22, 2004
- Messages
- 38,363
shimmer|1366921028|3434531 said:I have a 5 month old puppy that I've had since 9 weeks, DH was not on board so she is MY puppy (it's a joke between us because now he loves her lol).
I was lucky enough to take two weeks off work when I first got her, she is pad trained because we both work FT. I have an awesome play pen that she stays in all day. It fits her crate, food & pad. I'd feel bad not leaving a pad, she rarely uses it though.
I do come home at lunch every day to give her a 1/2hr out, but really she sleeps all. day. long. So I don't feel like she has had a lower quality of life at all with both of us working full time!
Yssie|1366921078|3434532 said:YT|1366918007|3434491 said:Sortmon is smart. She'll make an educated decision. And I'm sure that if she decides to get the puppy or the dog, she'll do everything in her power to raise a happy, healthy dog.
People are starting to sound a bit lecturey... She's not going to make a rash decision.
Yup, true that - sorry to add to the hubbub Sortmon! If you adopt I'm confident you'll figure it out - pretty good bet that people who care enough to wonder if it's a good idea are going to make good pet parents if they decide to take the plunge![]()
Chrono|1366921395|3434538 said:I hate to say this but the level commitment and amount of time and work in taking care of a puppy is almost as though you have a newborn human baby at home. Are you prepared for this lifestyle change?
justginger|1366931538|3434622 said:I cringe to see people say that puppies and dogs can't be cared for by full time workers. Of course they can! If working couples chose not to have dogs, they'd be euthanized by the millions. With toys, music, more toys, and even a companion, dogs are more than capable of amusing themselves during the day - and the days I've been home sick are a testament to what percentage of they time they sleeping anyway, lol.
If you want a puppy, which it sounds like you really do, get a puppy. But know that no one is exaggerating the work involved. I was shell-shocked when we got our first foster puppy, Maisie, who needed full training. I'd come home after a long day spend 30 minutes cleaning up her area (thank goodness for tiled floors!), and then another 30 minutes-an hour on training. Every night. There is simply no down time in a puppy household. And DO make sure your partner understands that the commitment is forever, he's going to have to help (whether by actual help or by accepting the fact that you'll have less time for him).
One of my friends, who I thought was far too young and immature for a puppy, got one last year and has done a pretty excellent job with her. Her training isn't perfect, but hey - she saved that pup's life and the important part is she's never going to be homeless (the girl's parents adore the dog more than she does, so it really has two homes!), is happy, non-aggressive, and spoiled rotten. It might be hard, but if you want it and know you're committed, do it. I do recommend leaving her with her mom for an extra few weeks though, if your friend agrees.
sortmon|1366925564|3434575 said:Chrono|1366921395|3434538 said:I hate to say this but the level commitment and amount of time and work in taking care of a puppy is almost as though you have a newborn human baby at home. Are you prepared for this lifestyle change?
Definitely, and I'm ready for it! My bf and I want children at some point in the near future, so I figured that a puppy would be a good intro. If we can't handle a puppy, there is no way we'd handle a newborn.
sonnyjane|1366934836|3434636 said:I often joke (and honestly I'm only half joking!) that a newborn would be better than a puppy. Obviously I know that sounds silly but there are a few valid points. The first is that you can take your baby with you when you travel/go shopping etc., but any places still don't allow dogs. The second is that a child will eventually grow to be self-sufficient. You will ALWAYS have to take your dog for a potty break lol! DH wants a dog but I know that we are nowhere near able to give a dog what it would need right now as far as commitment goes.
minousbijoux|1367035888|3435434 said:You know, you are so thoughtful about this that I imagine you'll be a better puppy parent than many who just go for it on impulse alone.
I hope you do get one and love it up! Good luck.
Ganesha|1367189904|3436288 said:Like you, I reeeeeally wanted a puppy but my DH was adamant about adopting a young adult dog from a rescue. We ended up with the sweetest, most loving little 2-year old dog. It only took a week or so for him to adjust to 'going' outside in an urban environment (he wasn't a city dog before). Plus my DH works from home so he had a lot of supervision. That one week of occasionally finding messes in the house was enough to make me really grateful we weren't potty training a young pup!
Also, just wanted to say I think it's wonderful that you're considering a shelter dog. Somehow I think dogs that have lived through tough times recognize just how lucky they are to have found a loving forever family, and that gratitude makes for a very strong bond!
webdiva|1367205936|3436438 said:Is there any way you can foster one of the pups for a few days to get a sense of how much work it is? At this age, mom is doing a lot of the hard work so your friends are probably not even getting the full puppy experience. A few poopy, sleepless nights may have you running to an adult dog. If not, then you know what you're in for - and more power to you! I love handling puppies for the rescues, but am pretty happy to come home to my well trained, adult dogs that fit into our lifestyle.