We want a cocker puppy, but not sure

[suki1964]

Hi Andy

If you do go ahead and get a pup have you taken into consideration how much of your "free" time it will eat into? With out last dog we both worked and after a long day at work, having to come home and play and train a pup was something we hadnt considered. We had done all the arranging of a dog sitter and such but hadnt thought about how much time we still needed to devote to him and it was a hell of a shock    But then thats the sort of sacrifice you have to make when you want a dog and walking around like a zombie and the house always looking like a bomb had hit it soon became a way of life

The other thing I done was to take another weeks holiday when he had had his injections. This was mainly because not being able to take him out before as we didnt have a garden, I wanted him toilet trained and used to walking on the lead as soon as possible. So a week of "walkies" every two (extending to four) hours day and night worked but added to the general feeling of exhaustion.

I suppose Im just saying that it is possible to have a pup and bring him up successfully when you are working full time, but it really is a full time job which you are having to squeeze in to just a few hours a day and it is much harder and tireing the you can imagine.

Good luck with whatever you decide

Caroline and Alfie                    

[Loraine]

Hi Andy

If you do go ahead and get a pup have you taken into consideration how much of your \"free\" time it will eat into? With out last dog we both worked and after a long day at work, having to come home and play and train a pup was something we hadnt considered. We had done all the arranging of a dog sitter and such but hadnt thought about how much time we still needed to devote to him and it was a hell of a shock    But then thats the sort of sacrifice you have to make when you want a dog and walking around like a zombie and the house always looking like a bomb had hit it soon became a way of life  

The other thing I done was to take another weeks holiday when he had had his injections. This was mainly because not being able to take him out before as we didnt have a garden, I wanted him toilet trained and used to walking on the lead as soon as possible. So a week of \"walkies\" every two (extending to four) hours day and night worked but added to the general feeling of exhaustion.

I suppose Im just saying that it is possible to have a pup and bring him up successfully when you are working full time, but it really is a full time job which you are having to squeeze in to just a few hours a day and it is much harder and tireing the you can imagine.

Good luck with whatever you decide

Caroline and Alfie

I had started to reply to this post about 4 times and just couldn't get my words out!  I was trying to say what Caroline has put so well as I did something very similar.  I think the key word is 'exhaustion'.  You have no idea how much it will take out of you and when you're feeling particularly weary it can all get too much.    It's not impossible though and in the end it is so rewarding - Candy is an amazing dog - but it's VERY hard work.  

Loraine                      

[MPG]

Dear Andy,

Being a new puppy owner myself I can only tell you just how time consuming it really is.  I gave up work purposely to give our new bundle of fluff my full attention and, believe me, it really is a 24 hr job.  I had a cocker spaniel before, but he was 2 years old when I got him and I didn't start working full time till he was 8 years old.  So he was very well adjusted and fully trained. We had a dog flap for him and every other day my boyfriend would take him to work with him (very quiet small office). I just can't imagine how it would have worked out for our new little one had I not be available 24 hrs a day. I know some people here say that they have managed and it is wonderful that they have, but, really it's such a huge commitment and responsibility - afterall we wouldn't consider leaving a human baby alone even for 4 hours! We have to put the puppy first, not what we want and I would strongly suggest waiting until one of you can be at home for at least the first few months.  There is a lot of getting up in the night during the first few weeks so it will be a big strain due to lack of sleep and then there's the problems that Padfoot so rightly pointed out, boredom for a puppy can make them very hard to train/change the behaviour.  There are some wonderful doggies (cockers too) that need new Mummys and Daddys and this really might be your best option. Good luck whatever you decide and best wishes. MPG                    

[padfoot]

The pup would more than likely remain un-housetrained, chew things, bark and howl, and would not be very well-socialised with people.

This is quite a strong statement - as Gill and I am sure others have proved, it is quite possible to raise a well balanced socialised puppy and work as long as the comittment is there and the pups needs are realistically considered before a decison is made.

Yes but I was referring to THIS case...where a pup would be left for 8 hours every day. I am presuming from your post that you make sensible arrangements so that your puppy is not left for that long