Puppies

[The Fish 10838]

No, not that kind MF.

 

Finally got the house and finances in order so we're looking at getting a dog. Sister-in-Law is in a similar situation so we're looking at buying siblings.

 

It's somehow my job to sort out the paraphernalia that you need to go with it. Crate, Bed, lead, tags etc. Anything you dog-owners would highly recommend?

 

Also, pet insurance? It's likely to be a cockapoo or sproodle, so any suggestions for insuring the thing, would be appreciated too. 

 

[Dr Gloom 21911]

Disappointing lack of chebs

[trophyshy 7083]

 

Get a border terrier man. Cute as fuck and actually have a personality.  

[Toonpack 9377]

11 minutes ago, The Fish said:

No, not that kind MF.

 

Finally got the house and finances in order so we're looking at getting a dog. Sister-in-Law is in a similar situation so we're looking at buying siblings.

 

It's somehow my job to sort out the paraphernalia that you need to go with it. Crate, Bed, lead, tags etc. Anything you dog-owners would highly recommend?

 

Also, pet insurance? It's likely to be a cockapoo or sproodle, so any suggestions for insuring the thing, would be appreciated too. 

 

 

Booooooooooooooooo

 

Never crated any of our hounds.

 

Insurance we're with PetPlan, who are excellent tbh, and they bloody well should be at £103/month

[The Fish 10838]

2 minutes ago, Toonpack said:

 

Booooooooooooooooo

 

Never crated any of our hounds.

 

Insurance we're with PetPlan, who are excellent tbh, and they bloody well should be at £103/month

 

Literally everybody I've spoken to has firmly advocated a crate. What's your issue with them?

I looked at PetPlan, it's a lot more expensive than some of the alternatives. Why'd you go for them?

[Monkeys Fist 42356]

Get a virtual one - no hair, no shit to pick up, and if it yaps it’s fucking head off at everything single fucking thing that passes within 200m of your house, you can switch the little cunt off. 
 

Also won’t make you, your house and furniture stink like a wet tramp’s nest. 
 

Otherwise, don’t pay hundreds for a posh mongrel spackadoodledoo,  go to your nearest shelter and get one from there. 

[Toonpack 9377]

10 minutes ago, The Fish said:

 

Literally everybody I've spoken to has firmly advocated a crate. What's your issue with them?

I looked at PetPlan, it's a lot more expensive than some of the alternatives. Why'd you go for them?

 

Never used a crate so don't see reason for them, don't like the thought of caging my dog up, never have and never had any problems.

 

Petplan are expensive but absolutely never had any issues with any claims with them including a claim in the hundreds when Hamish was attacked, and claims are all handled between them and the vet.

 

Had other insurance before and they can be twats about pre-existing or repeat conditions - our old Lab had ear problem and needed an earwash every couple of years, claimed first time and then at renewal they'd explicitly excluded anything to do with her ears (not just the earwash thing but anything at all ear related). Lots of them do that. Vet bills can easily be in the thousands, last thing you want is a barney with insurance companies.

Edited November 14, 2022 by Toonpack

[Alex 35055]

Consider getting a rescue. There’s loads out there need homes. 

[Christmas Tree 4725]

Crates are great if you are really going to be on top of your dog training game. If, like most people, you are going to give in when the little mite is crying at the top of its voice with big sad puppy eyes then don’t bother  

 

Puppy socialisation and basic professional dog training courses are a must in my book. Will help keep your dog safe and make it a pleasure to around others dogs and when you want to take it in pubs etc.

 

We are with pet plan buts it only about £45 a month.

[Alex 35055]

The other thing I’d say is match the breed to behaviour traits. It’s not a perfect guide to what they’ll be like of course but it’s a decent indicator. Talk to people who have a dog like the one you fancy getting. Don’t do what most people do and buy one just for their appearance 

Edited November 14, 2022 by Alex

[Craig 6682]

2 minutes ago, Alex said:

The other thing I’d say is match the breed to behaviour traits. It’s not a perfect guide to what they’ll be like of course but it’s a decent indicator. Talk to people who have a dog like the one you fancy getting. Don’t do what most people do and buy one just for their appearance 

 

Absolutely this. 

One of my mates has a Cavapoo - absolutely gorgeous temperament - placid, loyal and loving. Another has a Cockerpoo - batshit crazy, permanently on one, pisses all over the place. 

 

Looking up the behaviour traits, they're typical of the respective breeds. 

I'd also advocate getting a rescue.

[Alex 35055]

We crate our greyhound as she basically used to have a shit and a piss almost every night on the kitchen floor. We tried all sorts and thought we’d cracked it only for her to fall back into the habit after a couple of good nights. She’s an ex-racer and she was two and a half when we got her so we concluded it was ingrained in her. I don’t particularly like doing it but she goes in last thing at night and one of us gets up about 6 - 6.30 to put her in the garden so she only sleeps in there. She goes in no bother (even at other times) and is generally a very happy, contented dog. I would tend to agree you don’t need one if you’re getting a puppy. 

[The Fish 10838]

We did consider rescues but you've no idea what the dog's life was like before it was taken to the shelter and with a little lad it's not worth the risk.

 

We've spent ages poring over breeds, what exercise and space requirements they'd need.

 

Part of the reason we're going for a poodle cross is because they'd be hypoallergenic and there'll be less moulting. Both Cocker and Springer spaniels will obviously mean it'll need attention and exercise, but I work from home so can sort that out while avoiding my responsibilities at work. 

[Christmas Tree 4725]

Get a golden retriever. Batshit crazy but funny as fuck  

[Gemmill 44784]

We're with Petplan. We were for the cats too and they're great. Dead quick payouts and never a question asked. 

 

Be prepared to be sick of your life for a week or two after you get it. I fucking hated Dylan after the first week but I wouldn't be without him now. 

 

Don't hang about on the training stuff - start early. But also don't start immediately. This thing is gonna be experiencing its first days away from its mother and siblings so give it a couple of weeks to just be a div, then start in on the training. 

[Alex 35055]

12 minutes ago, Christmas Tree said:

Get a golden retriever. Batshit crazy but funny as fuck  

Great if you love constantly being covered in dog hair too 👍🏻😂

[Gemmill 44784]

41 minutes ago, Craig said:

 

Absolutely this. 

One of my mates has a Cavapoo - absolutely gorgeous temperament - placid, loyal and loving. Another has a Cockerpoo - batshit crazy, permanently on one, pisses all over the place. 

 

Looking up the behaviour traits, they're typical of the respective breeds. 

I'd also advocate getting a rescue.

 

Ours is a cavapoo and he's a lot more chill than the cockapoo that my dad got at the same time. 

 

That thing is fucking mental and gets taken out 4 times a day to burn the insanity off. I take Dylan out once a day for a decent walk in the morning, then if he's being a bell I just chase him round the garden for 15 minutes and he goes back to sleep. 

 

My sister's got a cockapoo who's cool as fuck, but I think cavapood defo have a tendency to be a bit more into just sitting about. 

[Gemmill 44784]

There's online training courses btw if you can't get to a trainer, or just don't have the time. I got Dylan before the world had opened up again so signed up for this thing:

 

https://fenrircanineleaders.com/en-gb/collections/training/products/perfect-puppy-course?gclid=CjwKCAiA68ebBhB-EiwALVC-NjfDeG9v54qACc4OoFplw3Yxeujl4NrveORcS3DkaMIFuamQIYTRsRoCATYQAvD_BwE

 

It's basically everything you need to have a well behaved dog with none of the tricksy shit like making them roll over or "speak" or anything like that. 

 

I eventually went to some training classes too but got way more out of the online stuff tbh. You'll be able to get started on a lot of this stuff before they're even old enough to get out. 

 

Also the mental effort of being trained tires them out which is always good. 

[Gemmill 44784]

Also, if you want to pick up tiny shits that don't reek, feed it raw. 

 

https://www.lunaandme.com/

 

That's where we get ours from. 

[ewerk 30534]

1 hour ago, The Fish said:

We did consider rescues but you've no idea what the dog's life was like before it was taken to the shelter 

Well it couldn’t have been any worse than living with you.

 

It would be worth going to have a look anyway. The rescue centre don’t just hand out dogs to anyone who comes looking for one, they do go to great lengths to make sure that they partner the right dog with the right family so won’t give you anything that’s likely to play up. Plus you aren’t giving money to fucking breeders.

[PaddockLad 17238]

I’ll sell you this idiot for a tenner Dave 

 

 

[Christmas Tree 4725]

4 hours ago, Alex said:

Great if you love constantly being covered in dog hair too 👍🏻😂

You’re not wrong  Sometimes it’s literally like tumble weed rolling past.

[Blastronaut 1333]

3 hours ago, ewerk said:

Well it couldn’t have been any worse than living with you.

 

It would be worth going to have a look anyway. The rescue centre don’t just hand out dogs to anyone who comes looking for one, they do go to great lengths to make sure that they partner the right dog with the right family so won’t give you anything that’s likely to play up. Plus you aren’t giving money to fucking breeders.

 

Aye. At least explore it as an option. I grew up with a border collie as the family pet, local  farmer just cast the poor thing aside because she was too lazy to round up sheep. The dug was probably smarter than me to be fair. 

 

Just slept all day and ignored everyone until someone said "walk". Even then half the time she would look at you in a way that said "sound. You go for your walk, prick. I'm quite happy here"

[The Fish 10838]

15 hours ago, Gemmill said:

We're with Petplan. We were for the cats too and they're great. Dead quick payouts and never a question asked. 

 

Be prepared to be sick of your life for a week or two after you get it. I fucking hated Dylan after the first week but I wouldn't be without him now. 

 

Don't hang about on the training stuff - start early. But also don't start immediately. This thing is gonna be experiencing its first days away from its mother and siblings so give it a couple of weeks to just be a div, then start in on the training. 

I've looked at Pet Plan and it's about £40pm, check on comparison sites, and I can get the same level of cover with stuff like M&S Bank, or John Lewis, for £15. What marks PetPlan as superior for you lot?

 

Already had a browse of puppy trainers around here. 

[Gemmill 44784]

4 minutes ago, The Fish said:

I've looked at Pet Plan and it's about £40pm, check on comparison sites, and I can get the same level of cover with stuff like M&S Bank, or John Lewis, for £15. What marks PetPlan as superior for you lot?

 

Already had a browse of puppy trainers around here. 

 

I was warned when I got the cats that the lifetime plan with Petplan is zero exclusions - if your cat gets any ailment during its time with Petplan that ailment will be covered. I was told (and this might be bollocks or it might have improved since then) that other insurers can eventually reclass things as "existing conditions" and stop covering them. 

 

One of the cats was diagnosed with asthma as a kitten - diagnosis involved a £1.4k stay in an oxygen tank cos he was so fucked. Fully paid for (minus excess) and every asthma related thing covered for the rest of his life. 

 

I don't know if this is common to other insurers too, but as soon as a vet bill goes over £300 I just pay the vet the excess and they source the rest of the cost direct from Petplan. And they've never quibbled over a penny. 

 

This might be the experience you get with every other insurer btw, I don't know cos I've only ever used Petplan.