Spaniel Puppy Advice/Vent

[misst]

So I had puppy blues after getting Ruby. At 4.5 years old she is so sweet and loving and pretty good most of the time. I was used to terriers but she was something else. 9 months to house train properly, 2 years to really be able to be left alone for more than 5 minutes out of a crate. She's fab now. But I remember people being put off her by her "disobedience and biting and stealing".
She's a different dog now. But she has never bitten anyone, she was playing and over excited. She still needs reminding to wee if it's raining. She still steals my underwear. We know if stuff is left lying around she'll have it. We learned not to leave stuff lying around.

If you keep this pup it will likely be amazing in a couple of years but please don't think in the meantime that it's naughty out of spite. If you say settle it won't know for a long time what you want. Sit, stay, settle, wee, leave are all just sounds. You have to attach meaning to them and be very very consistent. Everyone has to do the same thing every time. I worry that you have very high expectations of this puppy's understanding. He might be better in a more experienced home but if you really commit you will get there.

 

[TheresaW]

Please, if you do not keep this dog, do not get another one. Until you move to a house big enough to accommodate a crate, a securely fenced garden prior to getting the dog and a breed you have researched, you are not really in a position to offer a home to a dog imo.

I actually think that is a really unfair thing to say. We have a failed working collie, who we took on as a 4yo. Yes we had the puppy (husky) as mentioned above, but nephew was living here then.

We have two other older rescues as well. Not everyone will take on an oldie, which i get, but for us, a year or two loved in a home, is worth everything to thinking about a life played out in kennels.

 

[YorksG]

I actually think that is a really unfair thing to say. We have a failed working collie, who we took on as a 4yo. Yes we had the puppy (husky) as mentioned above, but nephew was living here then.

We have two other older rescues as well. Not everyone will take on an oldie, which i get, but for us, a year or two loved in a home, is worth everything to thinking about a life played out in kennels.

Not as unfair as taking on a pup, who has already been failed by two prior humans, the breeder and the person they sold to, then by the op who had unrealistic expectations of a four month old spaniel pup.

 

[GrassChop]

Not as unfair as taking on a pup, who has already been failed by two prior humans, the breeder and the person they sold to, then by the op who had unrealistic expectations of a four month old spaniel pup.

Please could you pinpoint where I said I had unrealistic expectations of him? Or are you assuming that's what I meant? Have you read all of my replies?

Please don't assume you know exactly what home or life I can provide for him. It's a hard situation, we are learning, I have admitted my faults. I didn't come here to be berated and insulted though I appreciate strangers get the confidence and feel it's acceptable to do that behind a screen.

 

[Spotherisk]

You’ll know by now if you can make it work, and if you can then that’s great.

But if you can’t, and you must be realistic, you may end up with an obsessed and needy dog who isn’t getting all he needs from you, and your cats I suppose might take an easier option and move themselves out permanently which you understandably don’t want.

I suppose it might be helpful if others here who were in a similar situation to you (couple, working ft think, first time owners and have a (I know they’re not all but) busy breed which wants a job say how their weekly life panned out when their dogs were young? Ie up at 5am to let out for wee on a long line, back into cage until 7am, stay in cage until you’re dressed etc, out on house for 20 minute walk, then breakfast, back in cage for an hour. Back out for wee etc, 10 mins training, leave out of cage whilst you have a coffee but no human playtime. Etc etc etc! Probably finish around 11pm-midnight with final wee? Regarding how long you leave the pup alone in the house for I don’t know the answer as mine simply does not worry at all, I expect you build up in minutes?

Best of luck OP if you keep your dog, you’ve had loads of advice on here. The only thing I would add is don’t keep the dog out of mistaken loyalty to it - at the moment, if he could think like this he’d expect a new home soon, he has no idea you are supposedly his permanent one for the next 14 years. If you do need to let him go, please make sure he goes to the right place, whether that’s a spaniel rescue, Police kennels for working etc.

 

[YorksG]

Please could you pinpoint where I said I had unrealistic expectations of him? Or are you assuming that's what I meant? Have you read all of my replies?

Please don't assume you know exactly what home or life I can provide for him. It's a hard situation, we are learning, I have admitted my faults. I didn't come here to be berated and insulted though I appreciate strangers get the confidence and feel it's acceptable to do that behind a screen.

You expected the pup to stay in your garden, but failed to explain how he was supposed to know the extent of your garden. You presumably expected the pup and the cats to co-mingle, in less than two weeks. You expected a lively breed to fit in a property where there wasn't even room for a crate. You expected a pup to accompany your partner to work, with no training or acclimatisation. I would say all this to your face, not just through a screen, but fortunately, for us both, I am unlikely to ever meet you.

 

[splashgirl45]

The size of your property does not mean it can’t work , you have a small garden as well so better than some people . I’m in a one bed cottage, living room, kitchen and bathroom on the ground floor and just the bedroom upstairs . My dogs aren’t allowed upstairs ( my preference) but when they were puppies they were upstairs in a crate by the bed for the first couple of weeks. I am lucky as I am retired so have more time than you but the puppy stage is difficult . Just a bit of advice, try not to play with him till he gets really excited, try and have a short play then maybe give him a Kong with dog peanut butter in or similar and say whatever you like to establish quiet time and keep to that command , don’t swap round, so you and OH need to say the same… also instead of playing do 5 mins of training that should calm his brain. Good luck

 

[GrassChop]

I am unlikely to ever meet you.

Thankfully.

 

[YorksG]

Thankfully.

Indeed, as I said fortunately we are unlikely to meet.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I actually think that is a really unfair thing to say. We have a failed working collie, who we took on as a 4yo. Yes we had the puppy (husky) as mentioned above, but nephew was living here then.

We have two other older rescues as well. Not everyone will take on an oldie, which i get, but for us, a year or two loved in a home, is worth everything to thinking about a life played out in kennels.

Doesn't your oldie need a secure garden and a safe space? They obviously have an experienced owner, as you already had another dog.

 

[MissMay]

We got 2 puppies when we were working full time so you can see our naievity clearly!

I would have to be gone for work at 6.15 so I would get up at 5.30 and open then back door they could go in and out then whilst I was getting ready for 45 mins.
We free feed so always have food down.

Then they were secured back in the kitchen until 7 when my partner got up. Again he would open the back door and leave them in our garden until he left at 8.

We kept them in the kitchen and had our utility layered with puppy pads until I got home at 3.30. Then their evening and afternoon the door was left open full time and they had the freedom we also would do a bit of training and a sniff walk building up to proper walks as they got older.

Eventually the use of puppy pads got less and less they could hold their bladders a bit more each month.

Ours never knew any different than full days on their own from the get go. We couldn't take any time off when we got them so we collected on a Friday and by Monday we're back to work


We did used to leave their bed near a radiator for warmth. And we had a collapsible playpen for them if needed but they learnt to get under it very quick.

Their safe space in out house was under a console table it was in the corner of the kitchen beside the radiator out of the way and we put their bed in it so they would go there instead of a crate

 

[Pearlsasinger]

We got 2 puppies when we were working full time so you can see our naievity clearly!

I would have to be gone for work at 6.15 so I would get up at 5.30 and open then back door they could go in and out then whilst I was getting ready for 45 mins.
We free feed so always have food down.

Then they were secured back in the kitchen until 7 when my partner got up. Again he would open the back door and leave them in our garden until he left at 8.

We kept them in the kitchen and had our utility layered with puppy pads until I got home at 3.30. Then their evening and afternoon the door was left open full time and they had the freedom we also would do a bit of training and a sniff walk building up to proper walks as they got older.

Eventually the use of puppy pads got less and less they could hold their bladders a bit more each month.

Ours never knew any different than full days on their own from the get go. We couldn't take any time off when we got them so we collected on a Friday and by Monday we're back to work


We did used to leave their bed near a radiator for warmth. And we had a collapsible playpen for them if needed but they learnt to get under it very quick.

Their safe space in out house was under a console table it was in the corner of the kitchen beside the radiator out of the way and we put their bed in it so they would go there instead of a crate

How did you actually house train them?

I usually prefer to get 2 puppies together, they keep each other entertained, especially when the owner is out, although I know some people don't like the practice.

 

[GrassChop]

Indeed, as I said fortunately we are unlikely to meet.

Fwiw, I didn't say we expected him to stay in the garden with the assumption we didn't adapt it. We didn't expect him to jump a 4ft fence with hedges at his current size, this has now been increased in height.

You say "you presumably expected the pup and cats to co-mingle" so an assumption and not true. I was upset about them being so unhappy. I hoped it wouldn't be so bad but I didn't expect it to be anything.

We have made room for a crate. As I said, if you'd read my other posts, the units we have are for storage so it wasn't something we could just get rid of but we've made adjustments. Just because there is furniture in a property with no space for a crate doesn't make it small and not suitable for a dog so again, an assumption of what I allegedly expected.

I said the plan was to accompany my partner to work. Not right now obviously.

Glad to know you'd say it to someone's face, you sound so nice.

 

[MissMay]

I will start this by saying they are extremely smart dogs ( as in wasted we didn't really utilise their intelligence beyond basic training)

When we were home we brought them out and stayed till they went then praise. After a very quick time think a few days they would ask to go out when we were there and rush to go out in the morning or when we got home

We never punished them for going in the house and gave them all the opportunity when we could to go outside.
Tbh they just got it. As they got older they held more and could go longer so the 7 hours at day time was essentially Like holding at night for them. My partner is a night owl so during the week when they went to bed it was 12 or so and back out at 5.30.

We started them on puppy pads in their playpen as they were so small we had to contain them or we would loose them. They then seemed to understand the pads were where to go and used them in the utility and by 6 months they weren't using them at all. The day time was their quiet sleeping time and still is to this day
They have learnt to settle and sleep during the day and would never look for anything. They would be alert and ready to go in the evenings which suits our lifestyle

 

[GrassChop]

We got 2 puppies when we were working full time so you can see our naievity clearly!

I would have to be gone for work at 6.15 so I would get up at 5.30 and open then back door they could go in and out then whilst I was getting ready for 45 mins.
We free feed so always have food down.

Then they were secured back in the kitchen until 7 when my partner got up. Again he would open the back door and leave them in our garden until he left at 8.

We kept them in the kitchen and had our utility layered with puppy pads until I got home at 3.30. Then their evening and afternoon the door was left open full time and they had the freedom we also would do a bit of training and a sniff walk building up to proper walks as they got older.

Eventually the use of puppy pads got less and less they could hold their bladders a bit more each month.

Ours never knew any different than full days on their own from the get go. We couldn't take any time off when we got them so we collected on a Friday and by Monday we're back to work


We did used to leave their bed near a radiator for warmth. And we had a collapsible playpen for them if needed but they learnt to get under it very quick.

Their safe space in out house was under a console table it was in the corner of the kitchen beside the radiator out of the way and we put their bed in it so they would go there instead of a crate

This is so nice to hear from someone else who was full time.

My OH generally leaves for work at 7-7:30am so he'll take him for a short walk before he goes. He's then back in the living room and I'll be up at 7:30 so I'll let him have access to the garden and accompany him if he needs the toilet before I get ready for work. I'll then accompany him again at 8:45 before I take him back to the living room and go to work.

Depending on what work my OH has on, he could be back by 12 or any time shortly after but on the longer days, we have someone who will come in and let him out to toilet between 12-1 with the hour to have a play in the garden. Then my OH is usually back by 4 and he'll go on a longer walk (only as much as he can for his age) with short intervals of training or mind play in the evening before he sleeps for the entire night. He never gets up when we go to bed and he's left in the lounge.

He'll have his Kong, roasted bone and filled bone plus an abundance of toys when he's home even though he usually sleeps the entire time we are at work as we have a puppy cam set up for him. He cries for a couple of minutes before sleeping usually, sometimes doesn't make a sound at all. This was built up over the first two weeks we had him with time left being increased.

We've also created a new spot for the cats and the more confident one is chilling in the hallway in front of the living room so they can both see eachother and will end up sleeping with them both there. He also has the radio on when we aren't home. He hasn't had any accidents while we have been out but we accompany him every half hour to an hour to go to the toilet when home.

We're just collecting the new crate for him so we can implement this for quiet time. Currently we do this but just on his bed and he will eventually settle on this at the moment anyway. The crate is when it gets particularly bad and for other reasons as advised by others.

He's doing well with his training but I guess it all just gets really overwhelming.

ETA: we usually go to bed by 11:30pm so he gets taken out one last time before then. He gets loads of praise every time he toilets outside.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

This is so nice to hear from someone else who was full time.

My OH generally leaves for work at 7-7:30am so he'll take him for a short walk before he goes. He's then back in the living room and I'll be up at 7:30 so I'll let him have access to the garden and accompany him if he needs the toilet before I get ready for work. I'll then accompany him again at 8:45 before I take him back to the living room and go to work.

Depending on what work my OH has on, he could be back by 12 or any time shortly after but on the longer days, we have someone who will come in and let him out to toilet between 12-1 with the hour to have a play in the garden. Then my OH is usually back by 4 and he'll go on a longer walk (only as much as he can for his age) with short intervals of training or mind play in the evening before he sleeps for the entire night. He never gets up when we go to bed and he's left in the lounge.

He'll have his Kong, roasted bone and filled bone plus an abundance of toys when he's home even though he usually sleeps the entire time we are at work as we have a puppy cam set up for him. He cries for a couple of minutes before sleeping usually, sometimes doesn't make a sound at all. This was built up over the first two weeks we had him with time left being increased.

We've also created a new spot for the cats and the more confident one is chilling in the hallway in front of the living room so they can both see eachother and will end up sleeping with them both there. He also has the radio on when we aren't home. He hasn't had any accidents while we have been out but we accompany him every half hour to an hour to go to the toilet when home.

We're just collecting the new crate for him so we can implement this for quiet time. Currently we do this but just on his bed and he will eventually settle on this at the moment anyway. The crate is when it gets particularly bad and for other reasons as advised by others.

He's doing well with his training but I guess it all just gets really overwhelming.

ETA: we usually go to bed by 11:30pm so he gets taken out one last time before then. He gets loads of praise every time he toilets outside.

This sounds a much more positive post, hope it works out for you all

 

[malwhit]

I was ready to either rehome or shoot my Whippet when she was around 8 months old

She had been hard to house train and come back on recall. I took an on-line course with a sighthound specialist and adapted my training to fit in with Lola's mindset. Just the odd tweak can make a lot of difference, and I was seeing a change in her within hours.

Six months later, she is still here and alive She has the odd "naughty" day but 99% of the time she is brilliant

If you want to keep the puppy, speak to spaniel/gundog trainers and work with them.
If the dog is a wrong fit for your family, you need to rehome it ASAP. I would contact breed rescues first, they may have a waiting list of people who can adopt or even foster him temporarily

 

[meggymoo]

This is so nice to hear from someone else who was full time.

My OH generally leaves for work at 7-7:30am so he'll take him for a short walk before he goes. He's then back in the living room and I'll be up at 7:30 so I'll let him have access to the garden and accompany him if he needs the toilet before I get ready for work. I'll then accompany him again at 8:45 before I take him back to the living room and go to work.

Depending on what work my OH has on, he could be back by 12 or any time shortly after but on the longer days, we have someone who will come in and let him out to toilet between 12-1 with the hour to have a play in the garden. Then my OH is usually back by 4 and he'll go on a longer walk (only as much as he can for his age) with short intervals of training or mind play in the evening before he sleeps for the entire night. He never gets up when we go to bed and he's left in the lounge.

He'll have his Kong, roasted bone and filled bone plus an abundance of toys when he's home even though he usually sleeps the entire time we are at work as we have a puppy cam set up for him. He cries for a couple of minutes before sleeping usually, sometimes doesn't make a sound at all. This was built up over the first two weeks we had him with time left being increased.

We've also created a new spot for the cats and the more confident one is chilling in the hallway in front of the living room so they can both see eachother and will end up sleeping with them both there. He also has the radio on when we aren't home. He hasn't had any accidents while we have been out but we accompany him every half hour to an hour to go to the toilet when home.

We're just collecting the new crate for him so we can implement this for quiet time. Currently we do this but just on his bed and he will eventually settle on this at the moment anyway. The crate is when it gets particularly bad and for other reasons as advised by others.

He's doing well with his training but I guess it all just gets really overwhelming.

ETA: we usually go to bed by 11:30pm so he gets taken out one last time before then. He gets loads of praise every time he toilets outside.

I’m glad you’ve managed to get hold of a crate, I’m sure you’ll find it makes a world of difference, even if you only use it for a short time. Don’t be put off if he says ‘no’ first time! Or if he starts whining, he’ll settle eventually. Persevere, it will be worth it. Also at the risk of you thinking you can’t do right for doing wrong, but by your own admission you are new to the world of puppies, so can I just say be careful with what you leave him alone with to chew. Some bones which claim to be safe do splinter and if you’re with him you can remove any splinters immediately. Sorry if this is something you’ve already realised. Keep at it and hopefully in a year or two you’ll forget what a nightmare it can be!

 

[MissMay]

That's great to hear glad it helped.

I found with mine lots of sniffy walks were more tiring than pounding long distance so even if we could only do 15 mins around the estate they went at their pace just smelling and that seemed to tire them mentally also.

Key is not to make a super super fit dog you can't have in the house as they are bursting with energy. One mental sniff walk and one exercise walk seemed to work for us

 

[Pearlsasinger]

This is so nice to hear from someone else who was full time.

My OH generally leaves for work at 7-7:30am so he'll take him for a short walk before he goes. He's then back in the living room and I'll be up at 7:30 so I'll let him have access to the garden and accompany him if he needs the toilet before I get ready for work. I'll then accompany him again at 8:45 before I take him back to the living room and go to work.

Depending on what work my OH has on, he could be back by 12 or any time shortly after but on the longer days, we have someone who will come in and let him out to toilet between 12-1 with the hour to have a play in the garden. Then my OH is usually back by 4 and he'll go on a longer walk (only as much as he can for his age) with short intervals of training or mind play in the evening before he sleeps for the entire night. He never gets up when we go to bed and he's left in the lounge.

He'll have his Kong, roasted bone and filled bone plus an abundance of toys when he's home even though he usually sleeps the entire time we are at work as we have a puppy cam set up for him. He cries for a couple of minutes before sleeping usually, sometimes doesn't make a sound at all. This was built up over the first two weeks we had him with time left being increased.

We've also created a new spot for the cats and the more confident one is chilling in the hallway in front of the living room so they can both see eachother and will end up sleeping with them both there. He also has the radio on when we aren't home. He hasn't had any accidents while we have been out but we accompany him every half hour to an hour to go to the toilet when home.

We're just collecting the new crate for him so we can implement this for quiet time. Currently we do this but just on his bed and he will eventually settle on this at the moment anyway. The crate is when it gets particularly bad and for other reasons as advised by others.

He's doing well with his training but I guess it all just gets really overwhelming.

ETA: we usually go to bed by 11:30pm so he gets taken out one last time before then. He gets loads of praise every time he toilets outside.

Gosh that's a turnround in a couple of days!

 

[GrassChop]

I was ready to either rehome or shoot my Whippet when she was around 8 months old

She had been hard to house train and come back on recall. I took an on-line course with a sighthound specialist and adapted my training to fit in with Lola's mindset. Just the odd tweak can make a lot of difference, and I was seeing a change in her within hours.

Six months later, she is still here and alive She has the odd "naughty" day but 99% of the time she is brilliant

If you want to keep the puppy, speak to spaniel/gundog trainers and work with them.
If the dog is a wrong fit for your family, you need to rehome it ASAP. I would contact breed rescues first, they may have a waiting list of people who can adopt or even foster him temporarily

Thank you.

Luckily, my auntie, uncle and cousin have several spaniels between them who have been giving good advice too.

 

[GrassChop]

Gosh that's a turnround in a couple of days!

This is what we've been doing the whole time, I just never explained our schedule and it still comes with frustrations of course so I needed to vent as I felt like we had totally messed up!

But I've taken everything on board and I'm doing as I'm told

 

[Pearlsasinger]

This is what we've been doing the whole time, I just never explained our schedule and it still comes with frustrations of course so I needed to vent as I felt like we had totally messed up!

But I've taken everything on board and I'm doing as I'm told

And so it would seem are the cats!

 

[Pinkvboots]

He'll do proper bum tucked in zoomies when he's wet and then barks, whines and tries taking it out on us! He will avoid walking through any slight mud or water, god forbid his paws get wet!

Some dogs just don't like wet and cold I have a 12 year old Jack Russell who will want to go out see the wet and go no thanks.

My other dog a cavalier is the same they are proper little whimps but they get put out and get walked regardless once they are out we make it fun and they soon forget.

When they come in they get dried off get a treat lay by the Aga and it's soon forgotten.

 

[Pinkvboots]

It's only been a few weeks and his going to be clingy his been in 2 different homes already and still such a young dog.

His petrified your going to leave him because basically everyone else has.

When I got mavis she had been with the breeder then rehomed with the lady I got her from unfortunately she became very ill, so mavis went to live with her friends to be rehomed because her owner was not going to recover, so I was the 4th person she ended up with she doesn't let me out of her sight and I've had her a year.

She even follows me to the toilet and sits outside the bathroom when I shower.

It's going to be hard for a while and honestly a few weeks is nothing especially for a puppy, you sound like you don't really want to give up on him and its so rewarding when it finally all comes right you will look back and think it was all worth it.

 

[FionaMc]

This is so nice to hear from someone else who was full time.

My OH generally leaves for work at 7-7:30am so he'll take him for a short walk before he goes. He's then back in the living room and I'll be up at 7:30 so I'll let him have access to the garden and accompany him if he needs the toilet before I get ready for work. I'll then accompany him again at 8:45 before I take him back to the living room and go to work.

Depending on what work my OH has on, he could be back by 12 or any time shortly after but on the longer days, we have someone who will come in and let him out to toilet between 12-1 with the hour to have a play in the garden. Then my OH is usually back by 4 and he'll go on a longer walk (only as much as he can for his age) with short intervals of training or mind play in the evening before he sleeps for the entire night. He never gets up when we go to bed and he's left in the lounge.

He'll have his Kong, roasted bone and filled bone plus an abundance of toys when he's home even though he usually sleeps the entire time we are at work as we have a puppy cam set up for him. He cries for a couple of minutes before sleeping usually, sometimes doesn't make a sound at all. This was built up over the first two weeks we had him with time left being increased.

We've also created a new spot for the cats and the more confident one is chilling in the hallway in front of the living room so they can both see eachother and will end up sleeping with them both there. He also has the radio on when we aren't home. He hasn't had any accidents while we have been out but we accompany him every half hour to an hour to go to the toilet when home.

We're just collecting the new crate for him so we can implement this for quiet time. Currently we do this but just on his bed and he will eventually settle on this at the moment anyway. The crate is when it gets particularly bad and for other reasons as advised by others.

He's doing well with his training but I guess it all just gets really overwhelming.

ETA: we usually go to bed by 11:30pm so he gets taken out one last time before then. He gets loads of praise every time he toilets outside.

Honestly, it sounds like you’re doing great and he is just being a puppy. People don’t say it enough, but puppies are kind of horrible. It’s really hard work and you’re always (especially the first time round) questioning if you’re doing it ‘right’ and what should you focus on first, and their little puppy minds are often just chaos. And then when it starts getting a bit easier they turn into teenagers and you have a whole new set of frustrations to deal with. But then they slowly turn into really great dogs and it’s all worth it.

 

[Clodagh]

Honestly, it sounds like you’re doing great and he is just being a puppy. People don’t say it enough, but puppies are kind of horrible. It’s really hard work and you’re always (especially the first time round) questioning if you’re doing it ‘right’ and what should you focus on first, and their little puppy minds are often just chaos. And then when it starts getting a bit easier they turn into teenagers and you have a whole new set of frustrations to deal with. But then they slowly turn into really great dogs and it’s all worth it.

I say it a lot. The horrible thing about puppies is puppies are horrible things. .

Well done OP, sounds like it’s going great. I would move his bed into the crate so he has continuity and is clear about where he should be lying.

 

[I'm Dun]

Doesn't your oldie need a secure garden and a safe space? They obviously have an experienced owner, as you already had another dog.

Mine didnt. He has had one accident in his entire life, and it was my fault as I didn't read the tiny puppy asking to go out quickly enough. He slept in the bed with me and my adult dog from day one. In some ways its easier as I had to go out to the toilet with him and was already used to doing that with my adult dog, so no temptation to chuck him out for a wee on his own. I also credit my older dog with helping me with the puppy. He was the perfect role model and a couple of times stepped in to stop him doing something and redirect him, he also played with him and set boundaries much better than I could have done. The puppy thought he was amazing and just followed along copying him. It would have been a hell of a lot harder without him to help!

 

[I'm Dun]

I say it a lot. The horrible thing about puppies are puppies are horrible things. .

Well done OP, sounds like it’s going great. I would move his bed into the crate so he has continuity and is clear about where he should be lying.

Other peoples puppies are the best! You can have a lovely puppy cuddle and smell the lovely puppy smell, then hand the damn thing back before it starts biting or peeing or running riot

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Mine didnt. He has had one accident in his entire life, and it was my fault as I didn't read the tiny puppy asking to go out quickly enough. He slept in the bed with me and my adult dog from day one. In some ways its easier as I had to go out to the toilet with him and was already used to doing that with my adult dog, so no temptation to chuck him out for a wee on his own. I also credit my older dog with helping me with the puppy. He was the perfect role model and a couple of times stepped in to stop him doing something and redirect him, he also played with him and set boundaries much better than I could have done. The puppy thought he was amazing and just followed along copying him. It would have been a hell of a lot harder without him to help!

Oh yes an older dog in the household makes life a lot easier.