Hi - I have a deposit on my first dog - a Cockapoo girl. I have seen photos and videos of her - she is from a reputable breeder in Wales. My problem is my 19 yr old beloved cat died a week ago and I had decided to wait a while before doing anything. Then 2 days later a friend at work asked if I could take on 2 kittens as his mother was severely allergic to them and his own cats would not accept them. I adore cats so I agreed. Then I saw a cockpaoo on the street !!! I fell in love and then found the breeder and booked a puppy. She is ready in 2 weeks time. My husband has brain damage after a benign brain tumour and 5 ops. He adores dogs and would love one. I really think a dog would be good for him. However, he gets confused so can never be left on his own. I work 3 days a week and have an incredibly busy life. All my family and friends have said that cockapoo puppies and in fact any puppy will be very difficult to deal with and that they are very naughty. Could you please tell me what to expect if I go ahead with the puppy. I have never had a dog before and my husband cant really help me. I would be grateful for all the advice you could give me. Big thank you in advance.
Dithering
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Firstly, I am really sorry to hear about your beloved cat. 
I know that you have asked for advice on what to expect if you go ahead with a puppy and I apologise if I am speaking out of turn but it seems like a lot has happened to you in a very short space of time. You lost your lovely cat of 19 years, you have just taken on two kittens and now you are considering taking on a puppy. You sound like a lovely lady but it seems like maybe you are taking on too much in a short space of time.
Having a puppy is a bit like caring for a baby! They require so much attention and lots of training. You say you met a Cockapoo on the street and fell in love, which I can understand as they are gorgeous but have you properly considered whether they are the right breed for you? Am I right in thinking that all of this has happened in the last week? I am slightly confused by the timescale so apologies if I have got the wrong end of the stick!
If you go ahead with the puppy you can probably expect disturbed nights, early mornings, toilet training which will involve taking the dog out at regular intervals and constant supervision whilst you are looking for signs that they need to go. It is important to attend a puppy training class and socialise the puppy. If you are lucky and end up with a dream puppy then this might all happen in a few weeks but it is not always that easy! Most dog owners experience blips during the first 18 months when the dog goes through the 'terrible twos' and then a 'teenage' phase where they can start wetting again in the house or their recall can disappear! Most people who I have spoken to suggest that the first two years is hard work but if you are will to put the effort in you will have a great dog at the end of it.
Who will care for the puppy whilst you are at work? Do you have time for two walks a day?
I don't mean to sound negative but I really do suggest doing a bit more research before going ahead with this purchase. I am sure that you would make a lovely owner and that the dog would be good company for your husband but I think it might be worth just sitting back and thinking about how you will fit the puppy into your lifestyle.
You could maybe consider a rescue dog. If you talk to the rescue centres they will match a dog to your lifestyle and help find you a good companion for your husband without you having to go through the puppy stage. It is only a thought and I do appreciate that you have already paid a deposit. Would the breeder hold your deposit for a future litter?
Maybe other people will come on with different advice! Whatever you decide to do I wish you the best of luck. x
I know that you have asked for advice on what to expect if you go ahead with a puppy and I apologise if I am speaking out of turn but it seems like a lot has happened to you in a very short space of time. You lost your lovely cat of 19 years, you have just taken on two kittens and now you are considering taking on a puppy. You sound like a lovely lady but it seems like maybe you are taking on too much in a short space of time.
Having a puppy is a bit like caring for a baby!
They require so much attention and lots of training. You say you met a Cockapoo on the street and fell in love, which I can understand as they are gorgeous but have you properly considered whether they are the right breed for you? Am I right in thinking that all of this has happened in the last week? I am slightly confused by the timescale so apologies if I have got the wrong end of the stick! If you go ahead with the puppy you can probably expect disturbed nights, early mornings, toilet training which will involve taking the dog out at regular intervals and constant supervision whilst you are looking for signs that they need to go. It is important to attend a puppy training class and socialise the puppy. If you are lucky and end up with a dream puppy then this might all happen in a few weeks but it is not always that easy! Most dog owners experience blips during the first 18 months when the dog goes through the 'terrible twos' and then a 'teenage' phase where they can start wetting again in the house or their recall can disappear!
Most people who I have spoken to suggest that the first two years is hard work but if you are will to put the effort in you will have a great dog at the end of it. Who will care for the puppy whilst you are at work? Do you have time for two walks a day?
I don't mean to sound negative but I really do suggest doing a bit more research before going ahead with this purchase. I am sure that you would make a lovely owner and that the dog would be good company for your husband but I think it might be worth just sitting back and thinking about how you will fit the puppy into your lifestyle.
You could maybe consider a rescue dog. If you talk to the rescue centres they will match a dog to your lifestyle and help find you a good companion for your husband without you having to go through the puppy stage. It is only a thought and I do appreciate that you have already paid a deposit. Would the breeder hold your deposit for a future litter?
Maybe other people will come on with different advice!
Whatever you decide to do I wish you the best of luck. x
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Hi I agree with Sarah, you have so much going on in your life at the moment I think a puppy is a huge commitment, may be just a little more research before bringing a puppy home.
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Hello Heather- sorry to hear about your cat.
I agree with the comments made by Sarah.
I think a puppy will be too much for you to take on- without any support as you would need this whilst you are working for 3 days.
I think a puppy may put extra strain on you if you have a busy life and a husband who needs to be cared for. No offence is meant by this hun.
Maybe looking into an older dog? a rescue perhaps that can be left alone and is more settled. However you would still need to address who can help out whilst you are at work if you husband gets confused etc...
They still have loads of love to give and will be a great companion for you both.
If you do decide to go down the rescue route go and have a chat with them and tell them about your circumstances and hopefully they can match you with the right dog.
Also what about looking into getting a PAT dog to come and visit?
These are dogs that come into peoples homes and hospitals etc..... to give love and affection for people who can't get out and about and are ill or have disabilities.
I know it's not the same as your own, but it will give your husband something to look forward to.
I don't know exactly how it works but maybe something you could look into if it appeals
I agree with the comments made by Sarah.
I think a puppy will be too much for you to take on- without any support as you would need this whilst you are working for 3 days.
I think a puppy may put extra strain on you if you have a busy life and a husband who needs to be cared for. No offence is meant by this hun.
Maybe looking into an older dog? a rescue perhaps that can be left alone and is more settled. However you would still need to address who can help out whilst you are at work if you husband gets confused etc...
They still have loads of love to give and will be a great companion for you both.
If you do decide to go down the rescue route go and have a chat with them and tell them about your circumstances and hopefully they can match you with the right dog.
Also what about looking into getting a PAT dog to come and visit?
These are dogs that come into peoples homes and hospitals etc..... to give love and affection for people who can't get out and about and are ill or have disabilities.
I know it's not the same as your own, but it will give your husband something to look forward to.
I don't know exactly how it works but maybe something you could look into if it appeals
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I am very sorry to hear about your cat and indeed your husband. What a tough time! You say you work 3 days a week, are you able to come home at lunchtime or is there someone who can pop round every few hours to let the pup out to go to the toilet etc? It sounds like the puppy will not be lonely if your husband is there constantly and you say he is never left alone, so I take it you have a carer for him when you are at work? Have you asked this person how they feel about a puppy and whether they could take on some of the responsibility when you are at work? If the answer is no, I would reconsider your options. It would be perhaps unfair to put someone in a situation where they are caring for your husband and there is a crying, wailing puppy downstairs wanting attention.
You really can fit a dog into your lifestyle, so do not let me put you off. Also as a puppy, they quickly learn how to fit in around your family.
Like the other threads, you will be up during the night and early in the morning and there is a lot of training involved. The pup won't magically become a dream adult dog unless you put in the hours.
Kittens and puppies are very different animals. Cats being much more independent. You will find that a puppy is very demanding at first but like I said you can make this work if you do have the time but it will probably mean sacrificing certain things around the puppy. It is inevitable. In the early stages, it even affected going out for a drink with friends etc as the pup couldn't b left for more than a few hours.
All things to consider.
THE BEST OF LUCK!
Susie
You really can fit a dog into your lifestyle, so do not let me put you off. Also as a puppy, they quickly learn how to fit in around your family.
Like the other threads, you will be up during the night and early in the morning and there is a lot of training involved. The pup won't magically become a dream adult dog unless you put in the hours.
Kittens and puppies are very different animals. Cats being much more independent. You will find that a puppy is very demanding at first but like I said you can make this work if you do have the time but it will probably mean sacrificing certain things around the puppy. It is inevitable. In the early stages, it even affected going out for a drink with friends etc as the pup couldn't b left for more than a few hours.
All things to consider.
THE BEST OF LUCK!
Susie
Hi Heather,
Welcome to the forum.
So sorry to hear about your cat – I have to say though that 19 is a very good innings.
I think that Sarah has covered a lot of what I was going to say but… I hope you don’t mind me saying but it sounds like you’ve taken on a lot – two new kittens AND a puppy. Might it be worth waiting for the dust to settle a bit with the loss of your elderly cat before taking on new commitments?
If you do want to ‘fill the hole’ that your elderly cat has left sooner rather than later then perhaps, for the time being at least, make a home for the kittens. As I’m sure you’re aware kittens are able to look after themselves and will love to cuddle up to your husband whilst he is at home.
I hope this helps
Turi x
Welcome to the forum.
So sorry to hear about your cat – I have to say though that 19 is a very good innings.
I think that Sarah has covered a lot of what I was going to say but… I hope you don’t mind me saying but it sounds like you’ve taken on a lot – two new kittens AND a puppy. Might it be worth waiting for the dust to settle a bit with the loss of your elderly cat before taking on new commitments?
If you do want to ‘fill the hole’ that your elderly cat has left sooner rather than later then perhaps, for the time being at least, make a home for the kittens. As I’m sure you’re aware kittens are able to look after themselves and will love to cuddle up to your husband whilst he is at home.
I hope this helps
Turi x
Hi Heather,
Very sorry to hear about the loss of your cat. I wonder if the grief and the pressure from your family committments have made you make a hasty decision about the puppy?
Do you think you've had enough time to think it all through?
The new kittens will bring a lot of fun and love into your life and will help to heal the loss of your cat. Maybe when they've settled in in a few months time it would give you the time to think how a puppy might fit in?
I'm sure any responsible breeder wouldn't mind if you changed your mind.
I'm not wanting to be negative but I'm worried that you might be taking on too much too soon.
Take care
Gill
Very sorry to hear about the loss of your cat. I wonder if the grief and the pressure from your family committments have made you make a hasty decision about the puppy?
Do you think you've had enough time to think it all through?
The new kittens will bring a lot of fun and love into your life and will help to heal the loss of your cat. Maybe when they've settled in in a few months time it would give you the time to think how a puppy might fit in?
I'm sure any responsible breeder wouldn't mind if you changed your mind.
I'm not wanting to be negative but I'm worried that you might be taking on too much too soon.
Take care
Gill
Hi Heather, I do agree with the other posts, maybe now is not the ideal time for you to take on the hard work involved in raising a puppy. I am sure that the breeder would hold your deposit against a future litter, I would hope that a reputable breeder would return it to you under the circumstances, did you tell them all you have shared with us? I would question how they would have thought it a good idea for you to take one of their puppies at the moment if you did.
I do hope it all works out for you, whatever you decide
I do hope it all works out for you, whatever you decide
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I disagree !
The dog may be a wonderful development tool for your husband and once puppy stage is passed, the best companion.
Kittens will add another layer of chaos/dimension!
Personally if you want a successful outcome you need to look into a support network for the three days or pay someone. It will make everything easier.
Which part of the country are you in? As there may be people on this forum in your neck of the woods.
Good luck to you and it's great you took some time to find out pros/cons, its a good start for a new pup.
A
The dog may be a wonderful development tool for your husband and once puppy stage is passed, the best companion.
Kittens will add another layer of chaos/dimension!
Personally if you want a successful outcome you need to look into a support network for the three days or pay someone. It will make everything easier.
Which part of the country are you in? As there may be people on this forum in your neck of the woods.
Good luck to you and it's great you took some time to find out pros/cons, its a good start for a new pup.
A
Hello Heather,
I kind of agree with HappAd in that there are so many positives that come out of owning a Cockapoo. I personally have found having my dog has given me a huge lift like nothing else could. They are loyal and loving and sometimes you need things like that in your life when other stuff around you is not going well. He helps me to laugh and unwind and get out in the fresh air. All very good for you. The problem is, for the first 6 months any puppy is hard work and needs lots of attention as Sarah and others have mentioned. It really does depend on what can be arranged for the three days that you work and how you will manage on the days when you are not working if you are the main carer for your husband?
To give you an idea, the first six months could include broken sleep (puppy crying to go out at night or for company), very early starts (puppy needs to go out), late to bed (puppy having a mad hour before bed time), many hours in the garden whilst housetraining (be prepared to stand outside with puppy in all weather!). Time for training and puppy classes and of course the walks which will slowly ramp up as the puppy grows.
If you are prepared to take on the hard work then go for it. I think you will find it very rewarding. Good luck with your decision.
I kind of agree with HappAd in that there are so many positives that come out of owning a Cockapoo. I personally have found having my dog has given me a huge lift like nothing else could. They are loyal and loving and sometimes you need things like that in your life when other stuff around you is not going well. He helps me to laugh and unwind and get out in the fresh air. All very good for you.
The problem is, for the first 6 months any puppy is hard work and needs lots of attention as Sarah and others have mentioned. It really does depend on what can be arranged for the three days that you work and how you will manage on the days when you are not working if you are the main carer for your husband?To give you an idea, the first six months could include broken sleep (puppy crying to go out at night or for company), very early starts (puppy needs to go out), late to bed (puppy having a mad hour before bed time), many hours in the garden whilst housetraining (be prepared to stand outside with puppy in all weather!). Time for training and puppy classes and of course the walks which will slowly ramp up as the puppy grows.
If you are prepared to take on the hard work then go for it. I think you will find it very rewarding. Good luck with your decision.
Ah but you are more concise Adam and I do tend to ramble
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I actually agree with Clare & Adam, I think that if you have thought it through and there will be someone arranged for the 3 days whilst you're at work, then I see no reason why a puppy couldn't fit into your lifestyle now
And as for the dog being trouble for a couple of years, I also don't really agree, my Izzie cried for a couple of nights when we first got her (only at the start of the night) and then after that settled to bed very well, my dad got up for work & me & my sister for college & school etc which meant that she could be let and to the toilet & would usually settle again after that. When they are young they don't need as much walking (can't be taken out straight away anyway and when they start going out only need short walks for a while as it's all they can manage). So that shouldn't be a problem for a few months and then i'm sure you'll have something figured out, Izzie was also very easy to toilet train, didn't seem to take long and only a few accidents, so I very much think that if you believe that you can handle it then I see no reason why you shouldn't go for it! But obviously it will take work with a puppy, 2 kittens, work committments & also your husband...
But I wish you every bit of luck
& please keep us updated with what you decide to do!
And as for the dog being trouble for a couple of years, I also don't really agree, my Izzie cried for a couple of nights when we first got her (only at the start of the night) and then after that settled to bed very well, my dad got up for work & me & my sister for college & school etc which meant that she could be let and to the toilet & would usually settle again after that. When they are young they don't need as much walking (can't be taken out straight away anyway and when they start going out only need short walks for a while as it's all they can manage). So that shouldn't be a problem for a few months and then i'm sure you'll have something figured out, Izzie was also very easy to toilet train, didn't seem to take long and only a few accidents, so I very much think that if you believe that you can handle it then I see no reason why you shouldn't go for it! But obviously it will take work with a puppy, 2 kittens, work committments & also your husband...
But I wish you every bit of luck
& please keep us updated with what you decide to do!
To all you kind and lovely people who replied to my post. I spoke to the vet when I took my kittens for their first injection. He advised me to wait a year for the kittens to grow up. I have also decided that a puppy would probably never be the right option because of my current workload. I will look at rescue home for dogs when the time is right.
Huge thanks for your advice. I really appreciate it.
Good luck with your cockapoos.
Huge thanks for your advice. I really appreciate it.
Good luck with your cockapoos.
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