[mitzigollop]

Hi Everyone

My name is Louise and I'm seriously thinking about getting a dog and after much research I have decided that a Cockapoo is for us. I'm a lone parent with 2 young children and a grumpy old cat and all my family live about an hr away from us. I grew up with dogs and love them but this would be my first dog as an adult and my main concern is how much a tie they are or at least if you consider them to be a huge tie or whether you love them so much it really doesn't come to mind? Do you have people that help you when you need it or do you rely on kennels? I want to be able to provide a forever home for a dog and that's why I'm taking my time to really think about it. Also do you know of any reputable breeders in the Kent area? Thank you!

I should also mention that I work from home.

 

[Jedicrazy]

Hi Louise, :welcome: to ILMC. It is a big decision and it's great that you are considering it carefully. I'm not sure how old your children are but when I got my first Poo, Obi, I was on my own with two young children. They were 6 and 3 at the time. It was really hard work and I did wonder if I had bitten off more than I can chew in the first few months. The hardest part is the housetraining and then when the puppy gets to that nipping/biting/attack any thing that moves stage! If you can get through that in one piece then you are half way there. You'll have to think about how you plan to exercise the dog, will the kids walk with you? I would also recommend a crate as a safe place for the dog for some peace and quiet and time outs and tellings off all round when kids and dogs go too crazy . Of course if your kids are older it should be easier?

On the plus side, you work from home which is ideal and you've had dogs before and you've done some research . I don't have any family nearby and so relied on friends when desperate and found the services of a lovely family who host dogs for holidays (via a local dog walking company). I've also been lucky enough to make and meet some fantastic friends through this site who live locally and one of those is a dog walker who can host. So over time a support network has built up. Perhaps you could do the same.

I would say if you plan on managing on your own and think you can do it then Go For It. Having Obi and now Roo (my new puppy) has enriched my life in many ways.

Re your search, take a look at this thread for some useful tips:
http://ilovemycockapoo.com/showthread.php?t=8339

and you might want to google the Cockapoo Owners Club and the CCGB too. Good luck.

p.s. in answer to your question about are they a tie. I don't think of it that way as my dogs are part of my family, like my children. They go everywhere with me if I can take them and I just plan responsibly for cover if they can't come. I wouldn't leave them for more than 3-4 hours (less so at the moment because of the puppy). So for me no, they are not a tie and I would be lost without them.

 

[Toffin]

Hi Mitzi

I've sent you a pm.

Toffin
x

 

[Cat 53]

Are dogs a tie? Yes. You have to think about their needs as much as you think about your childrens. They get sick. They need nursing. They cost money.....sometimes lots of money. You will worry about them. You need to plan if you take them out with you, go on holiday with them, or find alternative care if you go away without them. They will break your heart. Having said that....they are worth it all. They bring such love, joy and happiness into a household. I cannot imagine being in a house without a dog.

 

[LittleLisa]

Hi Mitzi

I was completely new to being a dog owner until 7 weeks ago when we went to pick up Mable. By the time she had been with us a couple of days I has almost forgotten what life was like before her....but in a totally good way It's been hard some days - on Monday she started to be sick and then was quite lethargic for the afternoon and I started to panic - the next day was the first time I had to go into work since having her and the dog walker was taking care of her. Anyway, she was all soon better and the whole leaving her process worked out perfectly fine with my son being home super early to entertain as well.
All in all I would say I have no regrets what-so-ever. You should go for it! Mable has been on holiday with us and I pretty much take her everywhere. I also largely work at home I now really enjoy the lunchtime walk we take together and have high hopes of being super slim by Christmas I absolutely love our doggy. I will say that it's very much like having another child - this is what I was expecting and this is now very much how it feels. But it's all been very much worth it.

Also if you go and see some cockapoo puppies there is no way in the world you will come away without one !

 

[mitzigollop]

Thank you so much for replying. I really appreciate you taking the time. My youngest is 2 and I am def looking into getting a crate for everyone's sanity, esp the dog and cat.

Yes, I'm hoping that on the days that I don't work and have the kids with me I will get them invovled in dog walking, I'm hoping it'll be a new lease of life for us all. My eldest is 6 and has been struggling with her dad and I separating (2 yrs ago now) and think a dog will help, along with being a fantastic addition to our little family.

Thank you again.

 

[Jedicrazy]

Good luck with the search then and keep us posted!

 

[Florida Cockapoo]

I don't have kids and my family is at least an hour and half away. We have a 27 year old bird, 7 year old cat and soon to be puppy. Do I feel tied down? No.

We are pilots and have an airplane at our house. We like to travel. I plan on taking our dog flying with us when we can. As for our others animals we either have an animal sitter come in or take them to family when we travel.

But most of the time we are at home. And enjoy having the animals around. The house would be very quite with out life running around.

I never feel tied down. But did grow up with many animals including horses. My family always managed to do vacations and most of those were done lasted minute with a few days planning.

So it can be done. Good luck.