Slightly OT, but wow, don't vets have mismate shots in the UK, or did she not realize her intact male had gotten to the intact female?
Regarding the puppy: I would suggest waiting -- at the very least until your have a roommate that can help, and in my experience, two dogs are always going to be more work than one -- just like human children, they can entertain each other, but also get into scuffs over things, make bigger messes, etc.
You yourself have stated a number of reasons NOT to get a puppy at this present time in your life. Think to yourself -- if someone were asking your opinion on this situation (full-time job with irregular hours, significant other not in favor of it, not keen on puppy pads, etc.) would you advise them to go through with getting the puppy?
She considered aborting them but decided not to. She had homes lined up for most of them before they were born but wasn't expecting as big a litter as she got! Personally I think maybe she should have aborted, and she says she would if it ever happened again, but she didn't and now there's puppies looking for homes.
Personally I'd probably advise them to go looking into an adult rescue. And I was thinking of adopting another adult dog or looking into fostering before this opportunity came up. But now I'm torn!
As tempting as puppies are, it sounds like an adult dog or fostering would be much better for your current situation.
Perhaps get your puppy fix by helping your friend start them on basic obedience and socialization with Sparky, rather than bringing one into your life at this point.
They've already got most of their basic obedience down, Jess started clicker training them as soon as they could walk! And seeing as 2 weeks ago she had 10 adult dogs in her house as well as 9 pups I think they've been well socialised too!
I'll definitely keep adult adoption/fostering in mind though.
I work full-time and also go to college at night after work.
My husband and I alternated who would go home for lunch on days I didn't have lunchtime classes. We'd let the pup out for lunch, let them play and then they were put in a long-term confinement area until we got home. The long-term confinement area was basically tile flooring with a kids playpen blocked against a wall so the dog couldn't move it. Pup had a heavy water crock, toys, and I'd put on the TV or radio softly while we were gone.
I have corgis that can't jump over a 3" playpen gating so this wouldn't work for larger dogs, though you could get a taller playpen to use.
If I didn't have my husband to alternate times to go home I would have hired a petsitter or not gotten the puppy at all.
Hmm, I suppose play-pen and puppy pads would work whilst I was out. It would have to be in the kitchen though (only room with a washable floor) and I don't know how my flat-mate would react to that.
I have a crate that I could use for shorter periods of time, because I don't want to encourage peeing in the house too much but a play-pen and pads would be OK whils I was at work.
Although, If I'm doing that I could just put the baby-gate across the kitchen door and leave him in there. It's pretty puppy-proofed.
Ah! Listen to me talking like I've already got him! Like I've already decided to get him...
I didn't use puppy pads because A: they chew them up and B: it doesn't help with potty training unless you intend to have your dog use potty pads when they are an adult
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You were all supposed to go "OMG! NO! You can't get a puppy!" and the I could actually say no. Now you've all gone and got excited about it I'm actually going to have to go and get one!
Lol.
Like I was ever NOT going to come home with one anyway.
I'm not a trainer and my situation isn't totally analogous, and I only have one dog and can't speak to that issue, so maybe I'm crazy to say this, but I think you should go for it. (I'm in love with Treig the Unimpressed myself
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Thanks for your input. I think I've mostly decided to go for it. I just need to get my flatmate's OK (I'm not going to let her come here expecting Sparky and go "Surprise! Collie pup! OK, I'm off to work now...") and then have a chat to Jess about which one she thinks would fit in best with me.
Unless someone manages to come up with a super-good reason why I shouldn't of course.
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Regarding the puppy: I would suggest waiting -- at the very least until your have a roommate that can help, and in my experience, two dogs are always going to be more work than one -- just like human children, they can entertain each other, but also get into scuffs over things, make bigger messes, etc.
You yourself have stated a number of reasons NOT to get a puppy at this present time in your life. Think to yourself -- if someone were asking your opinion on this situation (full-time job with irregular hours, significant other not in favor of it, not keen on puppy pads, etc.) would you advise them to go through with getting the puppy?
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Personally I'd probably advise them to go looking into an adult rescue. And I was thinking of adopting another adult dog or looking into fostering before this opportunity came up. But now I'm torn!
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Perhaps get your puppy fix by helping your friend start them on basic obedience and socialization with Sparky, rather than bringing one into your life at this point.
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I'll definitely keep adult adoption/fostering in mind though.
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I know though. As soon as I see them on Wednesday I'm going to be all "Right, you three are ALL coming home with me right NOW!"
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My husband and I alternated who would go home for lunch on days I didn't have lunchtime classes. We'd let the pup out for lunch, let them play and then they were put in a long-term confinement area until we got home. The long-term confinement area was basically tile flooring with a kids playpen blocked against a wall so the dog couldn't move it. Pup had a heavy water crock, toys, and I'd put on the TV or radio softly while we were gone.
I have corgis that can't jump over a 3" playpen gating so this wouldn't work for larger dogs, though you could get a taller playpen to use.
If I didn't have my husband to alternate times to go home I would have hired a petsitter or not gotten the puppy at all.
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I have a crate that I could use for shorter periods of time, because I don't want to encourage peeing in the house too much but a play-pen and pads would be OK whils I was at work.
Although, If I'm doing that I could just put the baby-gate across the kitchen door and leave him in there. It's pretty puppy-proofed.
Ah! Listen to me talking like I've already got him! Like I've already decided to get him...
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That is all.
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You were all supposed to go "OMG! NO! You can't get a puppy!" and the I could actually say no. Now you've all gone and got excited about it I'm actually going to have to go and get one!
Lol.
Like I was ever NOT going to come home with one anyway.
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Or like all of them?
ROLLING IN BORDER COLLIE PUPPIES OMG.
I know I'm no help at all. I want pictures -- lots of pictures!
I like Ossian the best, just from looks...no clue on personalities obviously. But Ossian's little freckles near his nose are adorable.
Edited because I'm way too excitable over BC puppies.
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Unless someone manages to come up with a super-good reason why I shouldn't of course.
*squee* Puppy!
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