Should I get a puppy?
Hi, me and my wife have never owned a dog/puppy and are quite nervous to get one. We like the idea of having a cute dog at home with us but we are afraid of losing our freedom and also not doing right by the puppy. We are thinking of getting a mini schnauzer…
Hi, me and my wife have never owned a dog/puppy and are quite nervous to get one. We like the idea of having a cute dog at home with us but we are afraid of losing our freedom and also not doing right by the puppy. We are thinking of getting a mini schnauzer about 8 weeks old. Our main concerns are how to do the potty training before the 16th week vaccine as we are not allowed to take it outside. We are really not comfortable with having pee/poo at home and would like to have the dog trained well. We are also worried about the teething stage as we live in a rented apartment and would have to pay for the damages. Most of all we are concerned our life will change completely we won't have relaxed quiet time ever as we have now for example just watching movies alone or cooking and have dinners together without the dog trying to eat the food. Another concern is about being out of the house, my partner works from home and I have to go often for 8 hours to work. But sometimes my partner also goes out for a few hours. In the evenings we would like to continue going for dinners or grocery shopping without having to be worried that the puppy is home alone and would get traumatized :( Are we overthinking this and over worrying about our life changing crazily or is this real already?
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Also, getting a lazier breed.
I do have a reef aquarium 😊
I am in the eu and don't have a yard, am in an apartment.
I got an adult rescue and was the best decision. She came trained and was never any trouble. All my future dogs will likely be adult rescues.
No. Do not get a puppy. Maybe get a fish instead.
I can’t think of a worse first dog than a mini schnauzer. Get a poodle from an ethical breeder. It will come very close to potty trained. Or a retired adult. Tell me what region of the US and I’ll find you one. Do you not have your own yard? Your private yard is generally considered safe if puppy has had one or two parvo shots.
it sounds like a lot of your worries would be solved with getting an adult dog
It sounds like you may want a cat. Honestly, think of dogs like human toddlers that don't have hands. Dogs are pack animals and need to be with their humans or they can have anxiety that leads to barking and destructive behavior. And that's adult dogs. Puppies are 100 times more needy. If you want to get a dog anyway, try fostering for a local shelter. That way they can take the dog back when you realize you don't have time for him/her. Do NOT get a puppy
I mean if you are worried about a puppy doing puppy things why not just get an older dog? There are plenty of adult dogs and older dogs that need homes as well. A puppy is a lot of work and time, an adult dog is as well but to a lesser extent.
These concerns make me think you'd maybe better suited to an older dog who is already housebroken. If you reach out to local shelters, they may have an adult dog in a foster situation that has already done well in an apartment setting. The no outside until 16 weeks thing is more to do with limiting contact with other animals until vaccinated (think training classes/daycare) than being outdoors to potty. You can definitely start working on potty training before that period, its just going to be a work in progress, especially if they're left alone during a work day since puppies can't hold their bladders for a 9 hour day until they reach a certain age.
If those are things you’re worried about, I wouldn’t get a dog. You do lose freedom and your stuff gets destroyed. For me, it’s worth it. But it’s an enormous commitment.
A puppy does not sound right for you at all.
I wouldn’t get a puppy. They are A LOT of work and quite needy for first year and half. Forget about sleep and clean floors (it WILL pee and poop on your floor and carpet for at least 6 months). Even seasoned dog owners go through puppy blues. Also I had schnauzer before and lol they sure look cute but not for the beginner. SO MUCH ENERGY!!!!! My poor furnitures never stood a chance. My advice is to check instagram pages for local rescue and get adult dog whose already housebroken and personality settled. Someone else already did all the base work and you get to keep it! And I swear the dog is grateful. This way you are set for more success.
Don’t get a dog
You can take the puppy outside before 16 weeks to potty, you just shouldn't take it to public places like dog parks etc. If you have a yard, you can obviously spend time with it outside in your own yard.
“ur main concerns are how to do the potty training before the 16th week vaccine as we are not allowed to take it outside. We are really not comfortable with having pee/poo at home and would like to have the dog trained well.” Your knowledge gap is so so far behind that dear god no please don’t. Spend some time around friends dogs, go creep the dog park, get some time in with these things before you commit to having your life ruled by them. And after that if you still want a cute thing around, look at rescues for an adult out of teething staged potty trained dog.
Tbh from everything you said probably not lol
You're thinking about all the right things before getting a puppy! It's a major lifestyle change but everything you mentioned is totally manageable. If you decide to get a puppy, I'd get a puppy trainer or start puppy basic classes so both you and the puppy start out on the right foot. It's definitely a big commitment and whether or not you're ready, only you and your partner will know. There will be days that are rough, especially at the beginning, but it all gets better and the work you put in is what you get out of your dog. My first puppy was really rough but so worth it. My second one was much easier because I lowered my expectations and never lost my patience, remembering she's just a baby. Consistency in training and routine is your friend. I leave my 5 month old girl for about 4 hours at a time now and could push it to 5 if I had to but I'd prefer not.
You are definitely asking yourselves the right questions. I would never suggest to someone who is a new dog owner to get a puppy- they are a ton of work for the first year, sometimes two depending on the breed. I lost my bestie Bear last summer at 13 and raised him from 10 weeks and knew I wanted another friend but was not interested in a puppy. I watched the social media pages of our local rescues and animal services and ended up adopting a 3 year old pup from the shelter. She had been in a foster for a few months so they could say what her personality is, house training, etc. she needed some time to settle in but she’s an amazing dog who fits into my life perfectly. I would go to a shelter that uses fosters and see if they can match you with a dog with the personality and traits you are looking for.
As someone who got a 9 week old puppy 3 months ago the concerns you have brought would point to me saying no you shouldnt get a puppy but an adult house broken dog. Puppies will pee and poop everywhere because they dont know any better and sometimes cant control it so if your worried about that save yourself a headache and get an adult dog. We did that with our first dog and it was perfect
Im a big proponent of getting adult dogs, especially as your first dog. For your guys' sanity, please consider adopting a 2+ year old dog
So firstly don’t get a puppy. I grew up in a household where we bred and showed dogs and had loads of puppies and whilst they are so cute squishy and adorable, I just know the pain of toilet/leash and command training. I currently have a dog inherited from my Mum and my dog who adopted when she was almost five. If you get an adult dog they are preprogrammed with commands and are toilet trained. I don’t know if I will ever want another puppy but for a first dog owner don’t do it. And the teething stage, at first it’s adorable when they chew on you and then it feels like they have razors in their mouths. You can leave a dog alone for a few hours at a time. When I’m in the office my girls are left inside for 8/9hours. I hate it but I have no choice. You can also still socialise etc. I sometimes get someone to check in on them but honestly, the eldest would prefer I didn’t. Will you have relax time like you do now? No. Have I learnt to prep meals with 30cms between me and the bench because Honey must be there to catch anything that falls? Yes. Do I share my toast, chicken and veggies with them at dinner? Yes. Is one currently asleep on my feet while the other is up against my back in bed? Yes. But they have saved my life when I thought I wanted to give up. They give me unconditional love every day. They make me laugh with their silly antics. My world is better because of them. So yes you’ll lose some freedom and space. But to me it’s so worth it.
I don’t want to be a jerk but you definitely do not want a puppy. You have to be ready for a year of hell and since you have not done this before - it feels even worse. Look for an adult dog. Dogs make life wonderful but you have to put in the work.
Dogs demand time and effort. You'll change your life for 15 years. Be sure about your decision before get a puppy. If it's not 95% of hell yes, you shouldn't get it.