Thinking about getting a dog...lots of questions!!

[bex1984]

OH and I have been thinking about getting a dog for a while, but having spent a weekend with his best mate and his 11 weeks old puppy we're now seriously thinking about going ahead with getting one

Does this sound like a dog would have a happy life: It would come to the yard with me in the mornings, come out to the field with me to turn ponio out, then mill around for half an hour while I muck out. OH and I both work full time, but could either nip in at lunch to let the dog into the garden or OH could take an extended lunch and walk the dog. Then after work (we normally finish at 4pm), OH would walk the dog, or it would come to the yard with me. If at the yard with me, dog would get a walk, but would have to be shut in my stable while I rode if I was riding. It would have active walks - OH can run around throwing balls about for hours (men are such simple creatures

) It would be alone mornings and afternoons at home, and very occasionnally would be alone for longer....does that sound OK? It would also go on the odd day out with OH's mum and dad while we're at work.

Next Q - I have two cats, don't think they've met a dog before. They will have their own space as the dog won't be allowed upstairs and will be shut off from the kitchen. What are peoples experiences of introducing a puppy to cats? any tips?

The dog we really want is a border collie - thoughts? anyone with experience of the breed? I want one that is home bred and reared, and ideally has met cats, kids and other dogs.

I've been advised to get a big dog cage thingy for it to sleep in at night, and while we're out at work, for at least the first 6 months (or until it's settled). Is that a good plan?

I've never had a dog before - am excited but have soooo many questions! Any advice on getting a first puppy gratefully received

 

[hollykb]

Sounds like a good life for a dog to me! I would just check with your yard owner that she's happy for you to take dog along and happy for it to be left in the stable. You will need to be very strict with training it not to run around horses if it's going to be out in the fields with you. I never had a puppy crate for mine, I just confined him to one room in th kitchen. Crates can be very useful though if you don't have that option. Just make sure puppy has plenty to do whilst you're not home, like toys, kongs and things can be good. Just be sure that toys are puppy safe, no little bits to choke on and stuff.
Cats are no problem as long as you introduce them properly. Great idea for the cats to have their own dog free space. I don't have any experience with this but I know plenty of people who have both cats and dogs.
Only comment about a border collie is that they need a lot of exercise! They also need good training as they are full of energy, but they are intelligent so should be fairly easy to train. Would definitely recommend puppy classes.
I used to have a border collie x labrador who was lovely, have you considered a cross breed? Less potential for health problems and probably cost you less to buy initially. Just an idea, pedigrees are great too, just make sure you see the mum and ask the owner lots of questions.
Home bred and used to cats and kids is another great idea, might just mean you have to wait a bit longer to find a litter that's been brought up in that sort of home. It's annoying to have to wait but will help loads in the long run.
Hope all that helps! I'm no expert, just commenting from my experiences

 

[Nicki85]

Sounds like a lovely life

I'd say you would be able to offer the right life style for a dog. The only thing i would say to look into (that hollykb touches on) is the breed. Collies are very high energy and may not cope that well with being left alone for a couple of hours etc. I would be tempted to go for something that has less need to "work" and that can switch off. When we got the Springer she was a very demanding pup/ young adult and would chew the house up if left for longer than an hour. She even shredded all the cushions in the sofa, and chewed the wood on the dining room chairs. She also redecorated my nan's house by ripping the wall paper off the walls

She did grow out of it but ideally she needed a working environment to keep her and brain active!

Are you going to take time off work to stay in with pup when you first get it? As long as you sort out a way of introducing periods of alone time gradually you should have no problem.

 

[bex1984]

thanks guys

OH has his heart set on a collie - to the point that he might rearrange his working hours to take it for a long lunchtime walk. We're not worried about it being pedigree though and would consider a cross of some sort.

We're really keen to train the dog - in fact, a trainable, intelligent dog is a must. My OH struggles to sit still for long so needs a dog that can keep him occupied and entertained!! Puppy classes sound good

We will take time off when we first get the dog so we can introduce 'alone time' gradually and it does sound like a crate (filled with toys!) would be a good plan for us, and I'm sure the cats would appreciate that too

. I have 3 weeks off for xmas so ideally would get the dog then but have to persuade OH one that one...