[northern_sunshine]

DH has found a puppy that is being given away that he REALLY wants. She's 4 mos old and a shepherd/husky mix. We went to look at her tonight and she's quite a quiet dog (even with other dogs barking nearby), was really excited to see us and has the cleanest teeth I've ever seen in a dog (or human!).

I guess I'm mostly nervous cause we have 4 kitties, who I love (I'm a crazy cat-lady at heart) and it's been awhile since I've owned a dog. Plus we take care of my mum's 2 dogs for a couple months in winter when they go south. She'd be a pet, indoor at night and bad weather, outside when we are and on nice days. We have lots of land for her to run and play on. And where DH and I are both home right now, would be a good time to get her trained.

What I'm asking I guess is what should one consider when getting a puppy? DH told the people we'd let them know in the next day or so so I don't have a ton of time.

:

 

[mamamillet]

There are two of you so its different, but we just got a pup last month and I will say training a pup with a 6yo around is much harder than when it was just me! It had been eight years since my last puppy and I guess I blocked out a lot of the trouble...but my gut reaction is if you are ready to make the commitment regardless of what comes down the road than go for it!

 

[northern_sunshine]

DH is totally gung ho for it and I'd want to do it now rather than when the weather gets cold and snowy if we're gonna do it.

The pup is just sweet and LOVED DH, she didn't want him to leave. She did jump on us at first, but after she got a bunch of attention and love she stopped, and we'd train her to not jump anyway. I guess I'm just nervous cause it's been so long since I had a puppy (i was 8 when we got a puppy last).

 

[mamamillet]

Start looking for a puppy class to take her to and go to your library and check out some books and HAVE FUN!

 

[boricuaqueen327]

i say go for it if you really want to. you both are home so its a great time to get her trained. keep in mind that if you guys are going to work later on, get her used to a crate so that she wont freak out when you guys go out later on.

if you do decide to get her, post some pics. i need a puppy fix, since it will be a LONG time before i get any pups.

 

[thekimballs]

With that mix you're dealing with:
-high exercise needs
-high dominance behavior
-high prey drive
-the warring natures of an obedient dog (shepherd) and an extremely disobedient dog (husky).

Perhaps the worst thing you can do with a dog of that breed mix is let her run and play on your unfenced land. Huskies have a very high prey drive and are probably the worst livestock-killers there are. If she gets on to someone else's land I would absolutely expect her to kill rabbits, ducks, sheep, etc.

She will need a securely fenced yard (huskies and shepherds both dig and climb), a commitment to lots of exercise and a "job" to do, and owners willing to train her to be good inside the house and to take responsibility for her outside the house.

 

[canadianchick]

For me, having a puppy is like having a new baby.... only different. They are very time consuming and it is so important to put the time into them when they are young so that your family can enjoy them as part of the family. We have a 10 mos. old puppy and both dd and I went to obedience classes with him. DD is 10 yrs old and that is a perfect age because she is really into the training part of having a dog. The time we spent on him this winter/spring has paid off because he goes everywhere with us now. I see that you are expecting a new baby this winter so think about how much time you will be able to give to this furry baby.