advice b4 buying puppy please

[stelis55]

Hi

My partner and I are considering getting a puppy but I have 1 concern that I'm hoping someone can help me with. I am at home pretty much 24/7 but my partner works 4 on 4 off. He works 6am-6pm for 4 days, then off for 4 days then 6pm-6am.
I generally get up around 9 and will be the 1 feeding and walking the puppy, but will my partners erratic working times cause a problem or confuse the puppy? Any advice would be much appreciated

[Nettle]

Puppies are pretty good about fitting around us as long as someone is about most of the time, but here are some considerations (I used to work 12 hour shifts too ):

Puppies are pretty much a full-time job. You might be around 24/7 but how much of that time is available for the puppy?

When your partner is on nights, he needs sleep during the day. Does he sleep well enough that the puppy won't disturb him while it does puppy things like yip and bounce about?

You will need to forget about getting up at 0900 for months unless partner is willing to see to puppy's normal early morning routine of pee poo play and feed, and clean up any overnight accidents, very early before he goes to work. If you want a puppy that is clean in the house you HAVE to do this.

Where do you intend puppy to sleep, given that your bedroom will be in use days and nights some weeks, and puppies need lots of sleep.


If you can both work around these issues, all the best to you and your future puppy

PS It's more than twice the work you think it will be!

[emmabeth]

Agree with all of that.

Research what breed or crossbreed will fit in with your life best.

Your very first consideration should be what that breed originally existed for - its no good you liking the look or size of a Border Terrier if you hate dogs who like to bark at things, like to look for things to bark at, are stubborn and independant - terriers are like this and if you dont want to deal with that.. dont have that breed.

Too many people fall in love with a look but cannot live with the dog that comes with that appearance - I think collies are beautiful dogs (and I have a crossbred one)... I wouldnt own one again though, they are not the right dog for me.

Take into consideration coat requirements too - smooth coats that require little grooming save you time in one area... but they all shed like yo uwouldnt believe and hte hair is really difficult to remove from sofas./carpets/clothing.. Long haired dogs require grooming but the hair sheds less and is more easily picked up off surfaces.

Wire haired dogs shed even less, most of them not at all but that wire coat needs hand stripping, which is easy to learn and doesnt take much time to do... many people have wire coated dogs clippered off which ruins the coat though, (and looks horrible)..

So decide what you want a dog to do, and be, in your family first. THEN decide what coat you can cope with, then decide what look you prefer (ie tall, short, long nose, short nose, sticky up ears, floppy ears..).

When you have a short list of breeds, then find people who own those breeds and talk to them. Even if you end up going for a crossbreed, its good to have a fair idea of what the breeds that make up your crossbreed are like.. its no good thinking 'i couldnt live with a gsd'.... and then getting a gsd crossbreed!

Finally... (actually theres a ton more i could write on this subject)....

There is NO rush. As the saying goes, 'marry in haste, repent at leisure'... its true for dogs as well as partners! Your dog will be with you hopefully around 12 - 15 years or more. 15 years with a dog whose personality grates with yours is no fun at all.

Take the time NOW to decide and find the right dog for you, and you will have many years of companionship and fun and learn a lot.

Rush into getting a puppy... any puppy, right now... and things can and will go wrong, it all ends in tears and usually.. its the dog that suffers the most.

[Maggie]

I cant really add anything else. Other than, dont be ruled by your heart, go with your head.

If you feel that you BOTH are ready to take on such a big commitment, then the hard work you put in will be worth every minute of the joy you will get out.

Pups are worse than toddlers most of the time, and they can destroy very expensive things in seconds, so be vigilant.

I have also got to say though, that once you have got into your routine... early mornings, late nights etc etc etc, you will wonder how you ever did without a dog.

I have allways had Bullterriers, but for a first time dog owner, and for someone who isnt masacistic I really really wouldnt recomend one!

If you want the easy option, then dont get a terrier full stop.


Have you concidered taking on an adult dog. There are manymany rescues that just cater for specific breeds, so you can get to know a breed through them.
If you go through the kennel club, you can find out about specific breeds, and they will put you in touch with a breed rescue.

I wish you all the luck in the world, and dont forget, when you have your new dog... be it pup or adult... PICTURES PLEASE

[stelis55]

Hi again

thanks for the advice. We both decided that we are ready and now have a new member of the family!! His name is Zak and he is a blue & gold long coated german shepherd. The first couple of nights have been tough, he cries most of the night but we have resisted the urge to go down and comfort him. I remember Victoria advising someone that if you put a couple of drops of something on the pups bed, it can help them sleep but I can't remember what it was, any ideas???
I will post some pics of him as soon as I can.
thanks again for everyones advice

[mum24dog]

It's not clear from your first post whether you have had this pup planned for a considerable time and have done a lot of research into (or already have experience of) the breed and the breeder.
Forgive me if you have, but my first advice would be to get your pup insured. GSDs are not the healthiest of breeds (to say the least) and are prone to a considerable number of conditions.
Hopefully you will have bought him from a breeder who has done all the available health tests and you were able to see both parents to get an idea of their temperaments.
Do you know the hip scores of his parents?

I wouldn't leave a new pup alone at night. Put yourself in his position. He's a baby and used to the presence and comfort of his littermates. Now he's in a strange place and left all on his own.
Usual advice is to have his bed or crate in your room to start with (helps with house training too as you'll hear when he is restless at night and needs a wee) and then gradually to move it away towards the place you want him to sleep eventually.

Seek out a trainer who uses positive methods. Definitely avoid the "I've had GSDs for years - you have to teach them who's boss" brigade.
GSDs can be highly strung and reactive and if trained using methods that suppress behaviour can be a liability (as can any dog) since they learn not to give warnings when they aren't happy.
Be very, very careful to avoid bad experiences, especially with other dogs and from the age of about 5 months as many of them start to lunge and bark at other dogs around that age.
Socialisation in positive situations with all shapes and sizes of well mannered dogs and people from day 1 is the key to trying to avoid such behaviour. trey never to let him get into a situation where he needs to feel defensive.

Pam

[deborahberko]

I don't think that the pup would get confused, when we first got our puppy, my dad was working in a different state, and he came home every other weekend, then he worked night shifts when we did live in the same state, and Missy ( the irish terrier puppy) was fine, she was just happy to see him when she saw him.

[Ry]

I wouldn't think there would be any major inconvenience. I mean, as long as your partner has some sort of consistent role in your dogs life, and the dog understands what is expected of it, everything should be ok. As long as the dog is cared for and raised properly, he/she should be alright. That sort of schedule for your partner shouldn't phase the dog too much.