[Gingergal]

Hi,

I have never owned a pet before, not even a goldfish! The only pet my family had as a child was a budgie for 6 months and it died (of cancer).

Finally my husband after 16 yrs of marriage said yes to owning a dog. I have never pushed this with him as I know a dog can pick up if someone doesn't really want it, and I wanted both our 'energies' to be positive.

I have just applied for a puppy and they are 'just' born so hopefully will get a puppy from that litter in a couple of months.

But now I am so nervous I have never had that kind of responsibility before (no children) and I am petrified.

I am reading everything I can get my hands on as I want a 'well balanced, calm submissive' dog in the words of the 'dog whisperer'.
If it wasn't for watching the dog whisperer, I know I would have a neuritic dog, over spoiling it and babying it. - so am thankful for that!

 

[Donna5503]

Hi...that is great! You won't be sorry....Dogs are great! Give them lots of love, but be firm in what you want from them --- they will learn to know what you want by the tone of your voice and select words.

What kind of a puppy are you getting? I'll look for your posts!

 

[FourIsCompany]

I'm so excited for you! I waited 16 years to get my first dog and it was one of the best times in my life! I don't have kids either, so it was like having my babies! LOL (I got 2 puppies at the same time).

It sounds to me like you're well-prepared and actually, you sound a lot like me in your preparation, so I'm certain you'll do wonderfully! There are a lot of knowledgeable people here, so if you have any questions or issues, just ask!

I suggest learning about clicker training in the next couple months. It's been a very valuable tool for me (along with Cesar's basic philosophy). This is a really good site and you can read a lot about it. Clicker Solutions and a great book on the subject is Click for Joy. I love that book.

Yes! What kind of puppy? I look forward to your posts!

 

[Gingergal]

thank you for your replies.

I thought I was the only one who had waited so long for a dog!

It will be a cocker spaniel (or english cocker spaniel as I am now living in the US LOL!)
I had initially wanted a female dog but there is only one red colour and that's a male. So I was reading an old thread here about the difference (apart from the obvious)
I had thought a boy dog lifted it's leg to pee whatever his age and was pleasantly surprised they don't till older and see another dog. And I had thought housetraining would be more difficult because of this.

I don't know why I just had wanted a bitch, maybe because I had felt more comfortable cuddling up and gossiping to her

So am trying to now to work out (amongst many many things) if I am getting a dog from a reputable breeder with tests done on both sire and dam if pet insurance is worth it?
As I don't have a $1000+ or so to drop on a vets bill (not including neuter, vaccines etc) I know I have to initial lay it out but I could get it back with insurance.

Obviously if I have to I will but can't figure out if I should just save $30 a month myself or put it into insurance

 

[FourIsCompany]

I don't know why I just had wanted a bitch, maybe because I had felt more comfortable cuddling up and gossiping to her

My first two dogs were female and I thought I'd never want a male, but now I have one and he's my favorite dog! (Don't tell the others) Jaia is nearly 3 and he lifts his leg to pee, but he just lifts it straight up, not out to the side. And he only lifts it about 3 inches off the ground.

So am trying to now to work out (amongst many many things) if I am getting a dog from a reputable breeder with tests done on both sire and dam if pet insurance is worth it?

I can't help you there. I don't have any pet insurance, but we are fortunate to be able to afford the extra vet needs. If I were you, I think I might take the $30 a month and put it away for future vet bills and just have kind of a vet account. At least, then if you don't use the money, it's still yours. But I don't know your situation so I can't really say. I don't know the breed well enough to know what their health problems are either. Sorry!

My sister-in-law loves Cocker Spaniels and has 3 of them. They aren't English Cockers though.

 

[rosemaryninja]

I'm excited for you! The wait is the hardest part

Don't be nervous! Raising a puppy is difficult -- I won't lie -- but it's also a very enriching and bonding experience. And it's tons of fun. I miss it! Here's a good recent thread about what you should start stocking up on:
http://www.dogforums.com/2-general-dog-forum/51220-what-else-buy-well.html
(Granted, silverphoenix is EXCEPTIONALLY well-prepared in terms of puppy supplies, so don't be too scared off... you don't really need to get two dozen different kinds of toys, lol...)

If you're looking for good reading material, check out "Before You Get Your Puppy" by Ian Dunbar (available as a free e-book here http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/you-get-your-puppy ), "The Art of Raising a Puppy" by the Monks of New Skete and "The Other End of the Leash" by Patricia McConnell. Some great tips on raising a pup can also be found at the following sites:
http://www.dogstardaily.com
http://diamondsintheruff.com/behavior.html

All the best and keep us updated!

 

[Equinox]

Welcome! I'm very, very excited for you, too!

I also know how it is like to wait... I really waited my entire life for a dog and only just brought him home. These have been the best days of my life, and I felt like the wait was truly worth it. Besides, with all the preparation and research (you can never do too much of that!) you have to do, 2 months will fly by (sort of).

I am the opposite of you. I always imagined myself more comfortable getting a male dog, but I'm not sure why. My little baby squats when he pees, but once or twice he did try to lift his leg (imitating the big dogs in the neighborhood, I'm sure), and fell right over!

Definitely keep us updated with posts and pictures! Have you decided on names yet?

 

[Gingergal]

I'm excited for you! The wait is the hardest part

Don't be nervous! Raising a puppy is difficult -- I won't lie -- but it's also a very enriching and bonding experience. And it's tons of fun. I miss it! Here's a good recent thread about what you should start stocking up on:
http://www.dogforums.com/2-general-dog-forum/51220-what-else-buy-well.html
(Granted, silverphoenix is EXCEPTIONALLY well-prepared in terms of puppy supplies, so don't be too scared off... you don't really need to get two dozen different kinds of toys, lol...)

If you're looking for good reading material, check out "Before You Get Your Puppy" by Ian Dunbar (available as a free e-book here http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/you-get-your-puppy ), "The Art of Raising a Puppy" by the Monks of New Skete and "The Other End of the Leash" by Patricia McConnell. Some great tips on raising a pup can also be found at the following sites:
http://www.dogstardaily.com
http://diamondsintheruff.com/behavior.html

All the best and keep us updated!

Thank you so much everyone for your warm welcome and help -I will take all and any

That is a good thread thanks, but after seeing how prepared silverphoneix is - what can I say She has put me to shame - I will now panic and run off and buy the stuff (so far I have just done research and know some items what I want and where the cheapest is.)

Thanks for the links good stuff - I have done the Ian Dunbar (great stuff) but didn't know about the others