[orchid]

Hi Everyone,
My Husband and I currently live at my Mother's house till we buy our own, and she has one cat and we have two very spoiled siamese cats. I've been thinking about getting a dog. I have a few concerns, one of which is how the cats and puppy will react to each other, and how I would go about introducing them without having a bad situation. Also, my Husband and I both work full-time Mon-Fri and I don't want to be unfair to the puppy. I'm also trying to figure out the best breed for us, we love labs, but I'm not sure. If anyone has been in one of these situations or just has some good advise on the subject it would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Maggie

[blackgavotte]

Hello, and welcome to this forum. My first thoughts are, are you sure you can live at Mother's house until you move into your own home? If not, I would advise you to think about not adding a dog yet. If you are in rental accommodation its very difficult to find a good rental which will let you have a dog, especially a larger breed dog, and when you already have two cats. That having been said, if you know you can stay where you are till you buy your own home, then a lab is an excellent dog. Best always to buy a well bred, registered dog from a reputable breeder who shows their stock, that way you may pay a bit more initially but you will most likely get a very good dog with some health and temperament guarantees, and beautiful to boot. Most good breeders also make sure to give plenty of support and advice during the rearing stage, which is invaluable. Make sure your fencing is very good, plug any holes etc, that comes first. Introducing a young puppy to cats is usually not too difficult, since most cats recognize this young animal is not truly a threat after a short while, depending on the cat. Cats will hiss and howl, and be sure to clip their front nails before you introduce the puppy, he's bound to get a scratch or two, and you don't want an eye injury... but usually after a couple of days they sort things out. Ideally if you can have the puppy behind, say, a baby gate for a day or two while the cats get used to the smell, sound, movement, etc, of the puppy, that helps the cats get over the initial shock and makes the eventual transition easier. The one thing I tend to get on rants about is the number of people who get puppies, then expect them to live all day long in Crates ( I insist on calling them what they are, plastic boxes ) while they go off to work. Your puppy should have a safe enclosure or run, to stay in, or access to outside through a doggy door or whatever, while he is maturing, so he is not expected to hold bladder and bowels all day long... especially in a larger breed puppy, they need to be able to move around a bit, stretch muscle and build proper bone through at least a minimum amount of exercise, and just think of the hours of boredom many dogs have to endure, for our schedule's sake. Good luck with whatever you decide, these are just some of my thoughts.

[Cheetah]

Crates are not for making dogs live in, and if you've seen them used that way, it's the WRONG way to crate train. My puppy is 9 months old now, and is still only kept in his crate during the day for 3-4 hours, MAX. When I am home, he is out of the crate, running around the house and yard with me, and my other dog. I have to disagree with allowing the puppy access to the yard when unsupervised. Puppies eat rocks and sticks (which choking and/or thousands of dollars worth of surgeries to remove blockages), get stolen, poisoned, shot, etc. I NEVER let my dogs outside if I am not either out there with them, or at the door keeping an eye on them.

I agree that if you're working full time, and you can't come home for lunch, then you may not have time for a puppy right now.

[orchid]

Hey Thanks,
Yes, we know for a fact we won't be moving into an apartment from my Mother's house, we will definetly be buying a house, hopefully soon. I've gotten comments to get an adult dog, but I'm concerned about my cats with an adult verses a puppy. Also I wouldn't crate my dog while at work, that would be cruel and unfair. I had thought my laundry room would be a good place, it has lanoleum and if a good sized room. I still don't know if I should even be thinking a lab, I'm starting to lean more toward medium small sized dogs like poodle mixes etc. Thanks again for the reply!
Maggie

[k19smith]

I would also weigh the fact that labs are usually very hyper puppies. I don't recomend that first time puppie owners get a lab because most people don't have the time to properly train or excerise them.

If you don't use a crate your puppies is going to got to the bathroom everywhere, chew on your walls and whatever else it can find. Crates are not cruel if used correctly. Dogs are den animals and once they are used to there crate it's like there bedroom. My dogs just get in there crates on there own when it's time for bed etc. They also teach your puppy bladder control so they learn to hold it , I don't mean for long periods. Depending on the age of your puppy will depend on how long they can stay in the crate without being let out. Size also has a factor in that. My puppies at 6 months could hold it while I was at work. There crate is also a saftey tool to keep them safe while your away. That way they can't ingest household objects etc.

Have you thought about looking a your local shelter or resces? I do pure breeds all the time form 8 weeks and up. If you work with a rescue that is foster based they can tell you weither the dog is good with cats or what ever you want in a dog/puppy.

Hope this helps,

[rmangers22]

Good luck in your search. First I think you wait until you are in your own house before intruducing a puppy for a number of reasons. It might be best to have a puppy only have to get used to 1 house rather than 2. some puppies can be destructive, even when you think you are keeping an eye on them. They are like little kids.. good one second and the next chewing on the molding. Best that happen in your house than your moms. I also agree that puppies should not be in a crate all day. A crate should be their safe place, at night for sleeping, or for a few hours a day. Maybe once you are in your new house there will be a neighborhood child you could trust to take th puppy out for you when they get home from school? I would recommend if you have a 1/2 bath or laundry room, you can put up a baby gate and leave the puppy in there during the day, w/ newspaper or pee pads for elimination and an open crate w/ blanket so they learn that is where they sleep. most dogs won't eliminate where they sleep unless they absolutely have to. that is why I don't like all day crating. You can feed them in the am when you are getting ready for work, leave just water out durning the day and feed them again when you eat dinner. Food does not have to be left out all day. All day feedings tend to result in overweight dogs.
As for a breed... that is a personal choice. I am not a fan of labs or retrievers for my own personal reasons. I have allergies and the dander and oil in their skin for water repellant irritates my skin.. not to mention the wet dog smell and I hate shedding. If you like a smaller breed, cockapoos are great. They are from 12-25 pounds. Have webbed feet good for swimming. very agile, don't shed, and actually as dogs go.. don't smell when they are wet either. Very smart. If you like a bigger breed, I love the Soft coated wheaten terrier. That was my 2nd choice but too big for my husband. they run about 45 1bs or so. It really depends on what you can handle of a dog. You may not mind the shedding since you already have cats, you are used to vaccuming alot. I was always a purebred type of gal, but I got my 2 cockapoos from the shelter, they were rescues at 3 months old... Best thing I ever did. You can put an application in at your local shelters and they will tell you if something comes in that fits what you want.

[orchid]

Well good news! My Husband and I today went to look at houses out in the country in a nice suburban area. I've decided to put the whole dog craving aside until we get settled in a place. I still love labs, but I don't like tons of dog hair, its bad enough with the cats. I really appreciate the comments and advice, its always fun talking to animal lovers! I really got to thinking and it would be a lot more practical to attempt a dog in our own home. Thanks again! Maggie

[lipsmakerx]

I just wanted to say that I tried to put my puppy in the half bath with a babygate. He did NOT respond well. He jumped around, peed all over, yipped, and chewed on the wall and gate. It was a nightmare. Then when I got the crate, things settled down. He whines a bit, but then lays down and seems content. I wish I'd never bothered w/ the gate.

[rmangers22]

Every dog is a little different obviously. Some dog breeds require a little more excercise than others so being confined to a crate for 8 hours isn't great for them. I think you just need to try different things and use what is good for you and your pup. I had 2 cockapoos. At first they were in a crate but only for small periods at a time, then as they got bigger they were in a bigger one then they were in the mud room w/ their crate there w/ the door open. It doesn't work for all dogs.. Crating makes them feel more secure for sure. But a full day in a crate??? questionable... but again a personal choice