Lovely looking puppy. HID is talking about a spaniel puppy in 2016 and to be honest I'm coming around to the idea. Never had a dog before. Any advice or do's and dont's
Apologies in advance - Gratuitous puppy photos alert!
- Thread starter Aztecs27
- Start date
gregers
Head Pro
yeah do enjoy having a dog,walking in the rain and the snow,picking up the dog mess,and if its like mine a g.s.d there bloody land mines,and if its a white 1 like mine the baths when she rolls in mud.
the bad points with a puppy,her eating 3 sets of dining room furniture,a duralit toaster,brand new mobile phone,wallet,endless shoes,carpet and skirting boards.
and yes i did crate her when we went out and being a gsd she escaped,bought kongs for her,endless toys etc.
enjoy it will change your life forever and you will wonder why you never got 1 earlier.
the bad points with a puppy,her eating 3 sets of dining room furniture,a duralit toaster,brand new mobile phone,wallet,endless shoes,carpet and skirting boards.
and yes i did crate her when we went out and being a gsd she escaped,bought kongs for her,endless toys etc.
enjoy it will change your life forever and you will wonder why you never got 1 earlier.
Bazz
Q-School Graduate
Thanks for this bud. Will look into it.
Aztecs27
Money List Winner
You're really selling it mate! No drama - Drop me a PM if you want any specific recommendations for places to stay/eat once you've decided on an area - I'm not going to claim to be the oracle on the lakes, but happy to point people to places we've enjoyed in the past.
Check out the type of dog and make sure it fits your lifestyle. In terms of spaniels working cocker spaniels have become very popular but most people are not geared up for the fact they are working dogs and need huge amounts of exercise. In most cases people need a show cocker, not a working one. Little things like that matter. If a dog gets bored it will get destructive. Not it's fault, it's yours. Choosing the right dog for you is the most important step. We have a show cocker, we don't show her she is a family pet, and they are great family dogs. A good size, great temperement. Highly recommended.
Check out dog training books or shows on tv, usually one of the lifestyle channels will have something. Victoria Stilwell, It's Me or The Dog worked for us. Check her out. It is like bringing up kids, once you know the basics you are okay. There are rules and methods which crop up all the time. Do take your dog to classes. Be realistic, unless you put in hours of training you will not get a gun dog level of obedience but work out what is important for you and work on it. I hate dogs jumping up on people, it frightens non doggy people, so we put a lot of effort into that. Our dog meets someone by going up to them, sitting down and shuffling closer. She knows she gets a biscuit when she does that. It may be something else for you, you need to decide.
Buy a big warm coat, gloves and walking boots. A parka is my tip. Whatever the weather your dog needs walking. I get dressed up like a Sherpa so bad weather doesn't bother me now.
Enjoy. Dogs keep you fit, 2-3 walks a day that you might otherwise not have done, and you find people talk to you when you are walking a dog. It is a very social thing.
Rooter
Money List Winner
Thanks LT, we are toying with getting a dog after we move house and given some food for thought!
Rooter - Can't emphasise enough the importance of getting the right type and size of dog. I have seen so many mistakes where people go for weird breeds or breeds that are of the moment. Think of the size for your house and car, think of the amount of walks you can do and how long they will be. There is a reason spaniels, labs and retrievers are popular with families, they are great family dogs. There is a reason westies and king charles spaniels are popular with older people. They all make sense. Getting a Hungarian Vizsla or Rhodesian Ridgebac might make you stand out but when it trashes your house and drives you mad because it is bored you become less enamoured with it. One thing our dog trainer told me. It is not the dogs fault, it is the owners. Bear that in mind and it makes you think about choosing the right dog for you.
Pin-seeker
Well-known member
Spot on.
I was criticised on here recently for saying my dog is a lazy breed,I was accused of being a lazy owner.
Personally I think a lazy owner is someone that doesn't do their homework when selecting a breed of dog.
Aztecs27
Money List Winner
That prompted us to get one (moving house). As I said previously, we both work 9-5 but can work around this by going home at lunch/leaving her at my parents house (Which is closer) so we can take differing lunch breaks to walk her at lunch time. There's also doggy day care, which is good for socialising with other dogs.
The wife is convinced I will do none of the walking as I never really helped walking her family springer...I think it's different when it's your own dog...and after a busy day at work, I'm relishing the chance to wind down by taking her out for a walk in the evenings (whatever the weather). The wife can do the morning walks though
I didn't think I'd get this excited, but I'm really, REALLY excited to get her home now. I'm sure she'll be a handful (understatement of the century??), but it will be great to have a dog again.
GeneralStore
Challenge Tour Pro
Gorgeous looking puppy, spend the time to train them when they are young. Its worth the investment
I have a GSD, he is 7 now and an important part of the family. House seems empty when he isnt around.
I have a GSD, he is 7 now and an important part of the family. House seems empty when he isnt around.
Aztecs27
Money List Winner
Cheers! Yea, annoyingly, the next local training course starts on the 5th Jan, so we'll have to wait till March to start training her in classes properly, but it's definitely something we're going to do!
Rooter
Money List Winner
Thanks mate, house is big, garden not huge but we live in the countryside. Wouldn't be left alone much at all, i work from home most of the time. Kids are 1,3,6 and 8. Can do an hour a day + easy walking, don't want one that malts much though, im slightly asthmatic, so a short haired preferably. I would love a beagle, but i think even that would be too needy for our life. Mrs wants a cockerpoo but i have dismissed it because it has both cock and poo in its name.. Any suggestions? Always loved bulldogs, but hearing stories about their terrible breeding and poor health as a result...
And sorry Aztec for hijacking your thread slightly! I think i am where you were 3 months ago probably!!
Aztecs27
Money List Winner
No apology needed mate! Some great posts in here! LT has hit the nail on the head....Don't get a dog that needs walking if you don't want to walk it etc...
Also (and this doesn't seem to apply to you as you work from home, which is ideal) don't believe the scaremongering of OH MY GOD YOU CAN'T LEAVE THE DOG ON IT'S OWN EVER!! (this isn't directed at LT by the way)
It's simply not true - don't be a douchebag, get a dog and leave it for 8 or 9 hours a day on it's own and expect it to not destroy stuff - but if you get them into a routine early, they can be happily left on their own for 3-4 hours at a time as long as you give them enough stuff to keep them occupied and reward them with a decent walk before/after/between times. It's not bad as a general rule, but use common sense and treat the dog right and it will treat you right back.
By the way my sister has a Cockerpoo - she's really small but REALLY adorable and very clever. I wouldn't have a dog so small as I don't think it would last a 15 mile walk in the Lakes! But they're really cool dogs, despite their embarrassing name.
Rooter
Money List Winner
Oh i agree, my neighbour has 2 springers and a dalmation and works. has a dog walker that collects them every lunch time for an hours walk (they get an hour in the morning at 6AM and then again at night too!)
Rooter - Sounds a good set up for a dog. Bulldogs have problems with breathing and hips. Steer clear, way too much inbreeding. I am not a fan of the cockapoo for a number of reasons but the name is certainly one. Of the many I have seen most seem to be more poodle than spaniel so ask yourself the question, do you want a poodle?
If you need short haired then three I would look at, depending on the size you want etc, labrador, boxer, pug. Plenty of other breeds but you need to check them out and see if they suit. A lab is ideal but they can get a decent size so you need to bear that in mind. A big house, countryside and if memory serves me right a Volvo XC90 so a lab would fit. I know people with all three of these breeds and the tempraments are all very good.
Loads of websites and advice out there but keep asking any questions.
Good advice from Aztec. We take our dog to work but I don't preach on that front. Common sense is the key and what you said is quite right.
If you need short haired then three I would look at, depending on the size you want etc, labrador, boxer, pug. Plenty of other breeds but you need to check them out and see if they suit. A lab is ideal but they can get a decent size so you need to bear that in mind. A big house, countryside and if memory serves me right a Volvo XC90 so a lab would fit. I know people with all three of these breeds and the tempraments are all very good.
Loads of websites and advice out there but keep asking any questions.
Good advice from Aztec. We take our dog to work but I don't preach on that front. Common sense is the key and what you said is quite right.
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Rooter
Money List Winner
Boxer! dude i think you have nailed it, My old boss used to have one and he was the office dog. One of the best natured dogs i have ever met, Except for the night someone tried to break in and she was still there! Very protective! I love them, worry that mrs R thinks they are too big, but i will work on her.. And yes, XC90 so no worries on space in cars, mrs has a hatchback too with decent boot.
If you get a boxer you have to give them an old name, Hector, Arnold, George, Henry etc. They just suit them. Of course that is no use if you get a bitch but I can only come up with so many good ideas in one day.
I know Aztec is having to think of names. The best advice I was given was to imagine, and this will happen at some point, you are looking for your dog after they have run off. It could be near home or on a walk when they are off lead. You have to shout for your dog for everyone to hear. You need a two syllable name and one that does not bring shame as you call it. No matter what your wife says do you really want to be shouting Fifi at the top of your voice? Picture that and naming gets easier.
I know Aztec is having to think of names. The best advice I was given was to imagine, and this will happen at some point, you are looking for your dog after they have run off. It could be near home or on a walk when they are off lead. You have to shout for your dog for everyone to hear. You need a two syllable name and one that does not bring shame as you call it. No matter what your wife says do you really want to be shouting Fifi at the top of your voice? Picture that and naming gets easier.
Aztecs27
Money List Winner
Precisely why we've veto'd so many names. In fairness, she 'looks' like a Poppy, so it's the front runner as we speak. Could change in the next few weeks though! Can't explain how excited I am (I'm sure this will change to despair the first time she craps on the (9 month old) carpet!
Rooter
Money List Winner
Geroge was the office Boxer i mentioned before!! How about FENTON!!!
It fits the brief. Two syllables, no shame when calling it out. It's a bit different and quirky. I like it, good shout. Now you just have to persuade your good lady on both counts, breed and name :thup:
Incidentally, if you do get one then you need to add to this thread with even more Gratuitous Puppy Photo's. A little like panda's, chimps, orangutans and kittens, you can never have too many puppy photo's. (this is not meant to be as creepy as it may sound)
Incidentally, if you do get one then you need to add to this thread with even more Gratuitous Puppy Photo's. A little like panda's, chimps, orangutans and kittens, you can never have too many puppy photo's. (this is not meant to be as creepy as it may sound)
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