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Jac · 10-09-2009, 01:40 AM

Hi zbargainmama,

I am one of the breeders you are writing to and I just sent a long email but I wanted to respond to your posts here too.

It is a tough decison to make, puppy or adult, but the deciding factor, for me, would be the quality of the dog or puppy.

As mentioned (so well) above, the way the dog was raised makes a huge difference in how it will fit into your home. Since you have children, you will want to make a very careful decision.

I suggest that, before you decide (especially if you are not in a hurry) that you study the best ways to introduce a dog or puppy into your family, especially the children.

The biggest problem that families have with puppies is their playfulness because children always get bitten and scratched...why? Because they are on the floor, at the puppy level. Pups think that if you are on their level, you are a littermate! So, you have to teach your children how to raise a puppy before you get one.

There are several rules;

1) Let the puppy have a safe place to go, a place where the children are not allowed. This is usually a crate and the children should never go into the crate or even reach into the crate.
2) Never play chasing games and never hold a puppy down when it wants to go away.
3) Respect the puppy
4) Be gentle
5) Parents should supervise the puppy and children AND protect the puppy from rough handling...because if your pup feels protected, he will not need to learn to protect himself.
6) If you play on the floor, you will be bitten. If the puppy is getting wild, stand up and calmly leave the room.

Here is an excellent article about children and dogs: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Conten ... C=0&A=2229

Before you get the puppy, teach your children about how you plan to train the puppy. You will want them to participate in training so that the puppy understands that the child is to be obeyed...also teach the child that there is a huge difference between giving a "command" and being pushy/bossy/loud.

Once your children are ready for a puppy, then you are ready to find the right puppy for your family.

Older dogs are rarely perfectly trained...not if they are available for re-homing...GENERALLY...because well behaved dogs always have someone who wants them. Most breeders who do have well behaved dogs that they intend to place, already have a wait list.

There is nothing worse than adopting an adult dog with really bad habits...puppies potty on floors...but so do untrained adult dogs...and some trained adult dogs will, when they are frightened or getting used to a new home.

There are many more things to consider...but just because a dog is older, does not mean that he is free from puppy behavior...only worse, because it is more a part of who they are.

I hope this helps a bit.

10-09-2009, 01:40 AM	#9 (permalink)
Jac Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: northern California Posts: 9,243	Re: Are my ideals to high?? Hi zbargainmama, I am one of the breeders you are writing to and I just sent a long email but I wanted to respond to your posts here too. It is a tough decison to make, puppy or adult, but the deciding factor, for me, would be the quality of the dog or puppy. As mentioned (so well) above, the way the dog was raised makes a huge difference in how it will fit into your home. Since you have children, you will want to make a very careful decision. I suggest that, before you decide (especially if you are not in a hurry) that you study the best ways to introduce a dog or puppy into your family, especially the children. The biggest problem that families have with puppies is their playfulness because children always get bitten and scratched...why? Because they are on the floor, at the puppy level. Pups think that if you are on their level, you are a littermate! So, you have to teach your children how to raise a puppy before you get one. There are several rules; 1) Let the puppy have a safe place to go, a place where the children are not allowed. This is usually a crate and the children should never go into the crate or even reach into the crate. 2) Never play chasing games and never hold a puppy down when it wants to go away. 3) Respect the puppy 4) Be gentle 5) Parents should supervise the puppy and children AND protect the puppy from rough handling...because if your pup feels protected, he will not need to learn to protect himself. 6) If you play on the floor, you will be bitten. If the puppy is getting wild, stand up and calmly leave the room. Here is an excellent article about children and dogs: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Conten ... C=0&A=2229 Before you get the puppy, teach your children about how you plan to train the puppy. You will want them to participate in training so that the puppy understands that the child is to be obeyed...also teach the child that there is a huge difference between giving a "command" and being pushy/bossy/loud. Once your children are ready for a puppy, then you are ready to find the right puppy for your family. Older dogs are rarely perfectly trained...not if they are available for re-homing...GENERALLY...because well behaved dogs always have someone who wants them. Most breeders who do have well behaved dogs that they intend to place, already have a wait list. There is nothing worse than adopting an adult dog with really bad habits...puppies potty on floors...but so do untrained adult dogs...and some trained adult dogs will, when they are frightened or getting used to a new home. There are many more things to consider...but just because a dog is older, does not mean that he is free from puppy behavior...only worse, because it is more a part of who they are. I hope this helps a bit.