Dog Forum advice

My husband and I are looking to get a miniature schnauser puppy. Yeah.

I am looking to see what forums you all post on besdie LIF that can help us find a good breeder/information/advice.

He always had dogs growing up. I have never had one....so I want to read up and do research.

Thanks. And I cant WAITTTTTTTTT to get a dog!!!!

Re: Dog Forum advice

Not sure what forums are out there as I dont post on any. But you can learn alot from this forum alone.

But I do have this suggestion to you since you are looking to learn about dogs. You are doing the right thing to think in advance for sure. And you may not be able to believe what I am saying since people quite often want to find out the hard way, find our for themselves that is. But any kind of dog, esp puppies, are alot lot lot lot of work. In many ways just like having a newborn. So if you are ttc and hoping/planning to have a baby in the near future, it's a strong suggestion of mine (I actually beg of you) to wait for the puppy until you have older children. I really truly mean that. You will thank me when you have a screaming child in your arms....If you spend more time on this board, you will see numerous posters who have to rehome their dogs b/c they got them at the wrong time, or when they had a baby, etc, and the dog eventually became just too much work for them. Stick around here for a while and you will sadly see this as a trend.

So I must tell you that I love my dogs dearly but they take alot of time, effort and patience. Forget training them. I used to cry when my male dog was a pup. He sucked the LIFE out of me!!! I never had a dog before him (only cats). And my female, I used to have to take her out to pee 10 times a day. That's right. For one whole year. She took that much time to train.

So If I didn't have my 2 dogs before my DD< I would not have gotten dogs after I had my DD b/c let me tell you, the child has rocked my world and it is extremely exhausting taking care of a child. Now add a dog or two into the mix, let alone a puppy....

Puppies are just like babies. It is extremely difficult to handle a puppy and a baby at the same time. And naturally a baby's needs come before a puppy, so the end result to the puppy quite often is not a good one.

Sorry to be a downer and not meaning to lecture. Just wanted to share that dog advice with you since you were looking to learn more before taking the leap.

Message edited 3/18/2011 5:56:06 PM.

Re: Dog Forum advice

I agree with Goobster .. And get allergy tested as well.. Its something I never thought about and I dont think many people do.. Its very serious.. Try to get the dog at least 2 years before you have a child or way after your child is grown a little.. unless your an amazing multi tasker and dont need much sleep!!! Good luck.. You can always come here and we will try to help you..

Re: Dog Forum advice

Thank you so much for the advice. Its appreciated.

What we have thought about:

1. Mini Schnauser's are non allergenic and dont shed. So we know we wont be allergic to them.

2. Having a child and dog and the same time. I am not even preg yet...but we hope to have the dog at least 6 months before a baby.

3. We are VERY aware of time with the dog. I am the kind of person that, when a friend has a kid and I visit, I bring a gift for the older brother or sister. So I do get the attention thing even after a baby.

4. I am 40. I may not be able to have kids (nothing has SAID that) but you never know. So I dont want to wait for a dog till a baby is 2 years old. I may never have a baby. Hopefully that wont happen

5. We HOPE I will be a stay at home mom......

6.we know this is abig joba dn big commitment. We dont enter into it lightly. I'm NOT saying you all are saying that. On the contrary. You are making it VERY clear what to expect.

7. Doggie grandparents!!!!!!! My in laws were the ones that owned the schnausers. They will be a great help to us if there are dog issues. They dont care if its doggie babysitting or BABY babysitting. So we have a GREAT support in case we need doggie help.

Please. Any advice you all have is always welcome and appreciated.