Living With a Dog - please do think carefully first!

Snow is falling heavily, it is bitterly cold, you have a thumping headache, your dog waits by the dog at his usual time to go "walkies", non of the family heed to your suggestions they might like to take him …….

This message is more than likely aimed at "Mum" more than anyone else in the family, it may indeed be rather blunt, but the aim is to simply make anyone considering a puppy, who has a family and work to consider, to think hard and carefully first.

Please, before committing yourself to having a puppy, think about all the complications it could cause. Do not simply tick all the questions yes, because you know your family would love to have a dog. Think on and if you believe that at the end of the day all the care of the puppy is going to fall on your shoulders, that if your time is precious and you feel you might not be able to cope, be perfectly open and blunt.

Re homing a puppy is not easy for all concerned, his health and well being can be badly affected through a trauma which is not of his making.

Having chosen the breed you like, found a reputable breeder and fallen in love with a wonderful cuddly, bundle of fun, the day for you to take home your puppy arrives.

You are prepared for the puppy, you have provided the essentials for him, a warm bed, possibly a crate, food, feeding and water bowl, puppy collar and lead, toys etc.

The puppy takes time to settle down, his new home is strange to him and he misses his litter mates. All his new family though are excited and pleased to have him, everyone makes him feel very welcome.

He starts to grow, getting much bigger, less dependent on you, getting his paws under the table, as they say! During this time you slowly become aware of some of the annoying things a young puppy can get up to.

Your time is very limited, you are working as is your partner, there are the children to get to school and their various activities mean a lot of running around, not to mention shopping and other household chores to keep up with.

For some reason you never seem to be able to train the puppy to "go outside", thus he makes messes indoors on the floor. Neither have you noticed he has started to teeth and wants to be introduced to toys which he can happily chew upon, instead he has bitten into the legs of that very nice antique chair grandma left us in her will.

Before the puppy arrived it was agreed that every family member would help with his care, but everyone else always seems to have schedules that prohibits them from assisting - even for a walk.

Hence he is getting extremely bored, starts barking when you go out and the neighbours are not happy.

Coats of the dogs in pictures of the breed look wonderful, especially when long. One morning you wake to find the coat has grown, and is hanging in masses of tight nasty mats.

Taking the dog to a grooming parlour is my no means cheap, and with some more unusual breeds can cost quite a lot of hard earned cash.

You promise to make more time for your dog, take him for walks, groom and bathe regularly, but doing all this by yourself easily creates friction and you can feel rather resentful.

After all it was a family decision to have a dog.

Before entering into the purchase of a puppy, sit down think it all through, talk honestly with your family. Be determined that if the family really want the pet, they will have to help, that you will not take up the reigns and be totally responsible.

Finally, think about any other pets you have, consider how you think they will feel about having a new member to the family.

Then, and only then, when you know you have the total

support of your family - go ahead, buy your puppy.

Love him, have the best fun ever with him and enjoy

many years of companionship.

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