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Fido77

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Hi all, we’re getting a cockapoo puppy in a few weeks and obviously feeling very excited. However, everything I read from people with pups makes it sound really, really stressful and full on and it’s panicking me a bit. We could back out of it but I know it’s the right time for us, I just don’t want to be regretting it further down the line when we’re getting no sleep or time to do anything. Is it really that difficult? Will I not be able to relax with a book or a film for the next few months?!
 
Morning I am sat here at 6.30am with my first cuppa of the day

having just read your post I looked round to my cocker (12 weeks old) and thought read a book? Erm only dog training books currently and only when the wee one is asleep watch a film? As long as you can pause it

having a pup is very much like having a baby in my opinion

have to watch them from the moment they get up until they go to bed

first couple of weeks you may have to get up in the night to let them out

first two weeks I took off work to look after the pup and to socialise them. Second week I introduced them to my working routine

so there is a lot to think about before getting a pup, all family members should be on board and able to help and supervise. currently hubby is getting dressed and then he will look after pup so I can go and get showered and dressed

then hubby goes to work and I take pup for her first 15 min walk come back and I start work. Pup curls up at my feet and goes to sleep for a while then up and toilet and play time again

good luck with your decision
 
Realistically, no you probably won't be able to relax much. But it is only for a short (ish) while. But better to be realistic than sugar coat it. If you are anything like me, even when your puppy is asleep you will still be on alert listening to make sure he is still breathing!

Have you seen our helpful puppy guides here, including some recommended books?

Useful Links & Recommended Reading
 
JoanneF said:
Realistically, no you probably won't be able to relax much. But it is only for a short (ish) while. But better to be realistic than sugar coat it. If you are anything like me, even when your puppy is asleep you will still be on alert listening to make sure he is still breathing!

Have you seen our helpful puppy guides here, including some recommended books?

Useful Links & Recommended Reading
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Thanks for these replies! Everyone in the house is definitely on board but I do wonder if in the end I will end up doing the most. I think during lockdown I have gotten so used to doing nothing and I’m just being a bit lazy! I’m scared I’m going to regret it actually. Although I know that once pup is a dog it will be worth it. I just want to feel excited instead of apprehensive. We have cats too so I’m wondering how chaotic it’s going to get
 
Plan for the worst - plan for a demon Tasmanian devil who chews everything relentlessly, including body parts, cries at night, and also in the day if you leave the room for a moment, widdles and poos on your best rug, tries to chase the cats, steals food, underwear, remote controls if you turn your back for a millisecond, does the wall of death in your living room all evening, every evening, and is like a self-propelled power ball on a bit of elastic when on walks. Then any moment's peace you do get will be a bonus.

But yes, like bringing up a baby, it's worth it! :)
 
JudyN said:
Plan for the worst - plan for a demon Tasmanian devil who chews everything relentlessly, including body parts, cries at night, and also in the day if you leave the room for a moment, widdles and poos on your best rug, tries to chase the cats, steals food, underwear, remote controls if you turn your back for a millisecond, does the wall of death in your living room all evening, every evening, and is like a self-propelled power ball on a bit of elastic when on walks. Then any moment's peace you do get will be a bonus.

But yes, like bringing up a baby, it's worth it! :)
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These are my daily thoughts! Thanks though I actually spoke to my hubby this morning about it and he is totally on board with it and admits it’ll likely be quite hard going but we’ve raised the non sleeping kids and two cats so we’ll be fine
 
Just bare in mind that a pup/dog is a living breathing thing with a mind of its own, they dont have a on/off switch. What we do is mould them into our way of living and lifestyle, some are challenging but some are very easy and slot straight in there. It's not all doom n gloom, you can read multiple books and turn it into a science and think I must do this and I must do that because that's what the books say. Or you could just use common sense in conjunction with some of the information you've picked up from a book.
I've had bad ass terriers that would stand laughing infront of a charging rhino. But when they were pups they were scared babies on a night at first which is perfectly normal. With reassurance they learn that when they wake up you are still there and they are safe. So a simple thing of being able to sleep near you to start with makes a world of difference to the pup. They soon learn and grow in confidence and start to become more independent because they feel safe and above all happy.
 
Rinkydinkydo said:
Just bare in mind that a pup/dog is a living breathing thing with a mind of its own, they dont have a on/off switch. What we do is mould them into our way of living and lifestyle, some are challenging but some are very easy and slot straight in there. It's not all doom n gloom, you can read multiple books and turn it into a science and think I must do this and I must do that because that's what the books say. Or you could just use common sense in conjunction with some of the information you've picked up from a book.
I've had bad ass terriers that would stand laughing infront of a charging rhino. But when they were pups they were scared babies on a night at first which is perfectly normal. With reassurance they learn that when they wake up you are still there and they are safe. So a simple thing of being able to sleep near you to start with makes a world of difference to the pup. They soon learn and grow in confidence and start to become more independent because they feel safe and above all happy.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that, very true! It reminds me of parenting advice - there’s so much to read and be advised on out there but until you meet the child/dog then you can’t know what it will want/need. Thanks, that’s really made me feel better and I am excited about it even if I don’t sound it!
 
My friend's lab slept through in a crate in the porch on the first night they had him, and even when she got up he didn't cry for her, and was all calm happy smiles when she went to get him up. Apparently he was only 'naughty' once - he took a book off a side table, not what I'd class as naughty at all - she gave him a gentle rebuke (again, I wouldn't, I'd just remember not to leave books within reach) and he never did it again. So you never know, you might get lucky!
 
The fact that the whole family is onboard is a massive plus. The cats should be fine as they were there first and there are two of them. One thing our rescue taught me was to be tidy - put things away unless you’re prepared to bid adieu to books, hats and shoes. It’ll be fun - the pluses outweigh the minuses, or is that pli and mini? The relationship ‘twixt cats and newbie will be ‘interesting’ - George, our rescued cat, was just over 12 months when we adopted the whippet and in no time they were partners in crime. I really hope it goes well for you all - they’re so therapeutic.
 
RGC said:
The fact that the whole family is onboard is a massive plus. The cats should be fine as they were there first and there are two of them. One thing our rescue taught me was to be tidy - put things away unless you’re prepared to bid adieu to books, hats and shoes. It’ll be fun - the pluses outweigh the minuses, or is that pli and mini? The relationship ‘twixt cats and newbie will be ‘interesting’ - George, our rescued cat, was just over 12 months when we adopted the whippet and in no time they were partners in crime. I really hope it goes well for you all - they’re so therapeutic.
Click to expand...
Thanks very much everyone, what a lovely place this is, really appreciate all the replies
 
I completely agree with everything on here. We are two weeks into having Nellie and it is testing and be prepared for arguments but we certainly don't regret it. It will all be worth it in the end, or at least that's what I'm telling myself! Patience is the name of the game
 
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