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lovemypuppy
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lovemypuppy is offline  
Location: Cambridge, England
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02-09-2007, 07:51 PM

Help From The Experts Please

Hi there,
We have never had a dog/puppy before and now we are thinking of getting a Border Terrier Puppy, I have been doing lots of research on dog breeds, crate training, obedience training etc but have a few queries which I would like answered by the experts - ie you - the people who actually own dogs!

We desparately what a puppy to add to our family unit, however, I have a few concerns which I'd like help with.
We are hoping to have a Border Terrier Puppy but both myself and my husband work. I work part time (Term Time Only) and therefore the puppy would be left home alone from 9am until 2.30pm 5 days a week.
When I am at work my plan would be to have a designated lino-ed area in which to pen my puppy in. In this area I would leave a bed, toys, water and food and within this area a potty pad.

If I leave a potty pad down in the area whilst I'm at work does it then mean once I am home that I cannot try to train my puppy to dirty outside !!!!

I've also read that leaving an old fashioned ticking clock near but outside the puppies area would help to relieve the stress of being left alone, also that leaving the radio on helps and rubbing your scent onto their bedding or toys are also ways of helping.

Would it be fair to leave a puppy in a confined area for this time? I've read reports of people leaving their puppies in crates but this area seems to small an area to leave a puppy for 5 - 5 1/2 hours a day!

I'd also like information on 'routine' jabs / operations a male puppy would need and at what age these would be needed.

Lastly does anyone know if there is an age limit to putting a puppy/dog into kennels, we normally go on caravanning holidays which is good because a lot of sites allow dogs however next March we are going abroad and would be looking to put our puppy into Kennels, would it be too young at around 8 - 9 months !!!

Last question - can anyone recommend a good Pet Insurance....

I know there's a lot of questions here and would really appredciate any answers and advice given.
Thanking you in advance.
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terrier69
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02-09-2007, 08:09 PM
Originally Posted by lovemypuppy View Post
Hi there,
We have never had a dog/puppy before and now we are thinking of getting a Border Terrier Puppy, I have been doing lots of research on dog breeds, crate training, obedience training etc but have a few queries which I would like answered by the experts - ie you - the people who actually own dogs!

We desparately what a puppy to add to our family unit, however, I have a few concerns which I'd like help with.
We are hoping to have a Border Terrier Puppy but both myself and my husband work. I work part time (Term Time Only) and therefore the puppy would be left home alone from 9am until 2.30pm 5 days a week.
When I am at work my plan would be to have a designated lino-ed area in which to pen my puppy in. In this area I would leave a bed, toys, water and food and within this area a potty pad.

If I leave a potty pad down in the area whilst I'm at work does it then mean once I am home that I cannot try to train my puppy to dirty outside !!!!

I've also read that leaving an old fashioned ticking clock near but outside the puppies area would help to relieve the stress of being left alone, also that leaving the radio on helps and rubbing your scent onto their bedding or toys are also ways of helping.

Would it be fair to leave a puppy in a confined area for this time? I've read reports of people leaving their puppies in crates but this area seems to small an area to leave a puppy for 5 - 5 1/2 hours a day!

I'd also like information on 'routine' jabs / operations a male puppy would need and at what age these would be needed.

Lastly does anyone know if there is an age limit to putting a puppy/dog into kennels, we normally go on caravanning holidays which is good because a lot of sites allow dogs however next March we are going abroad and would be looking to put our puppy into Kennels, would it be too young at around 8 - 9 months !!!

Last question - can anyone recommend a good Pet Insurance....

I know there's a lot of questions here and would really appredciate any answers and advice given.
Thanking you in advance.
Gosh, where to start.

Just a few things to think about.
If you've never had a dog before a border terrier isn't perhaps the best breed, but you say you've researched so you must know that. Where is Borderdawn when you need her, she's the best person for advice on BT's.
Personally, I wouldn't get a pup unless I was at home with it all the time to start with, esp as that is a long time for a new pup to be left. I'd either book off work or in your case wait until term ends. Esp as that is the quickest way to housetrain, to be there all the time to get them outside and reward when they do their business.
We had a linoed area, they ate the lino, now I have ceramic flooring.
Potty pads are great, but my dogs shredded theirs.

The ticking clock and other things are a good idea and work well, but be prepared for a fwe nights of no sleep. Juts don't go down to the pup or they'll have you under their spell!

Routine jabs will be given when you take him to the vets straight away. They get two lots and can go out for walks after the second lot, then yearly boosters.
Operations depend on if you want to have him done or not.

I don't know about the kennelling but I've heard it's not a good idea to put them in under 1 year to 18months. So maybe get your pup after that holiday and in time for the summer hols?
Are you on a breeders waiting list for a pup?

That's all I can think of for now, there will be load more who have more expertise than me along soon.
You've come to the right place!

Oh, and welcome to Dogsey
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lovemypuppy
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02-09-2007, 08:26 PM
Hi
Thanks for your info. I have read that terriers are generally not for newby dog owners do you know why this is !!!
Also can you let me know how I can contact borderdawn!

I'm seeing some puppies tomorrow morning which will not be ready until 14th October 2007, if we collect on the 14th I will have a week at work and then a week off. I understand what your saying about being at home with the puppy to start off with - would a week be long enough !!!!

Interesting about the lino - we do need to replace it anyway but obviously I want to make sure a puppy would be safe in any area.

May be a better idea to wait until either Chrismas or next summer holidays but you know what it like when you want something you want it as soon as possible.!!!
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Ripsnorterthe2nd
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02-09-2007, 09:02 PM
I don't think a Border Terrier is a bad choice for a first dog, as long as you know what to expect. At the end of the day, you have to start some where. Many people get English Springers as first dogs. Some triumph, some fail, I think what's important is making sure the breed fits in with your lifestyle and what you want from a dog. If you really consider what a breed was originally bred for and you know you'd be able to cope with the traits the breed may have because of this purpose, then you can't go far wrong! Does that make any sense?! Breed research is everything, that's what I'm trying to say!

Personally if I was you I'd start searching for a really good breeder now, one that health tests and brings the pups up appropriately and then go on the waiting list for a pup next Summer, in time for the school holidays. That way you'll have a few weeks to settle the dog in and get it used to you and your family. And you can enjoy your holiday abroad without fretting about the pup! Don't forget though, to start leaving the pup fairly early on for short periods so that it's used to being left when you go back to work.

I think leaving an adult dog for 5 hours a day is fine, but a young pup might struggle a bit. It would definitely make house training harder. I found I spent a lot of time socialising Isla when she was tiny, something your pup might miss out on if left alone during the day.

On the flip side of the coin, I do know of people that have left pups all day while out at work and the dog has turned into a lovely well rounded individual. I think they just worked extra hard to socialise & train the pup when they weren't at work to make up for it!

Ticking clocks and/or radios are a good idea to help settle the pup, as is giving the pup something that smells of you.

I don't have problem with using puppy pads, some do, some don't. When home from work I would continue to take the pup out every hour for a wee and just use the pads when you're out. It may take longer to house train the pup, but if it suits you use them!

Pet insurance, well I'm with More Than now who seem reasonable. Always go with an insurer who offers a lifetime policy, so that if the dog gets a illness that is long standing, the policy will keep paying out year after year.

If you do get a pup I would probably prefer to use a pet sitter than a kennels. If you do use a kennels, try and put the dog in 1/2 a day a week a few weeks beforehand to get him/her used to it.

Also consider puppy training classes, as first time dog owners it will make every thing soooo much easier in the long run. Puppies can seriously test your patience at times and training classes will help to make sure the pup has boundaries and will help you when you feel you're going insane!!!!

Good luck and let us know what you decide.
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thandi
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02-09-2007, 09:06 PM
why dont you consider putting off looking for a puppy until you come home from your holiday abroad? A few months wont make a difference in the scheme of things - after all this is a breed you are likely to still be sharing your life with when it is 16!
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Patch
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02-09-2007, 09:11 PM
I`ve pm`d Borderdawn for you in case she does`nt spot the thread when she logs in next, hopefully she`ll be along soon

Great to see you are doing the research, a great example to other future first time dog owners
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terrier69
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02-09-2007, 09:24 PM
Terriers are often thought not to be ideal first time dogs because of their huge characters and strong wills. But you are doing your research and if when you get your pup you have a good breeder to ask for advice and come on here you'll be fine.
I got my first terrier of my very own when I was 16 at home with chicken pox, we spent all day training etc and she was so good at anything I asked her to do because of this.
One of the reasons I would want to be at home for those first weeks is they grow up soooo quick, and the more you are there the better. Having had lots of pups I couldn't leave mine now because of this, missing out.
Rips advice is good.
As for the lino, it wasn't my terrier that did that I never found any of my terriers to be destructive, but you never know.
Another reason to be around as much as poss early on.
The petsitter idea is a brill one too if you have to leave them early on.
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lovemypuppy
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02-09-2007, 09:25 PM
Thanks for your reply.
I had looked at more than as a Pet Insurance option so will consider them if we decide to go ahead.

I'm due to go and view some puppies tomorrow that are available to take home on 14th October 2007, they will then be 7 - 8 weeks old. I have spoken to the owners and I don't get the impression they are actual breeders, but the owner has told me to come and see the pups and meet both parents (who are both family pets) the owner has had the pups checked out by a vet but I'm aware I will need to ask for proof of this.
I'm due to have a week off at end of October 2007 so this could be a good time to bring the pup home.
Also although I am at work for 5 1/2 hours a day the pup will initially be left alone for about 3 1/2 hours, my neighbour is a keen dog lover so maybe I could ask her to come in once in that time and let the dog out into the garden for a while.
Its a lot to think about, I've been researching since July this year but we went away over the summer holidays so obviously didn't do anything about it.
Decisions Decisions !!!!!
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Ripsnorterthe2nd
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02-09-2007, 09:34 PM
Originally Posted by lovemypuppy View Post
Thanks for your reply.
I had looked at more than as a Pet Insurance option so will consider them if we decide to go ahead.

I'm due to go and view some puppies tomorrow that are available to take home on 14th October 2007, they will then be 7 - 8 weeks old. I have spoken to the owners and I don't get the impression they are actual breeders, but the owner has told me to come and see the pups and meet both parents (who are both family pets) the owner has had the pups checked out by a vet but I'm aware I will need to ask for proof of this.
I'm due to have a week off at end of October 2007 so this could be a good time to bring the pup home.
Also although I am at work for 5 1/2 hours a day the pup will initially be left alone for about 3 1/2 hours, my neighbour is a keen dog lover so maybe I could ask her to come in once in that time and let the dog out into the garden for a while.
Its a lot to think about, I've been researching since July this year but we went away over the summer holidays so obviously didn't do anything about it.
Decisions Decisions !!!!!
I would wait until Borderdawn comes on, she'll be able to advise more about the breed.

I do think though that we could advise you to wait until next year until we're blue in the face, but you've got your heart set on getting a pup sooner?

I'm not sure about health tests on BT's (they seem to be relatively healthy from what I remember?), but your pups breeder doesn't sound like they health test, so be careful there.

Can I ask (cos I'm nosey!), what you're expecting when you bring your pup home? I'm always curious what it must be like for first time dog owners to get a pup. I've had dogs all my life, but got my first pup last year and it was a shock enough for me!

Also do you know what to expect, breed trait wise, from a Border Terrier? You can tell me to take a hike if you want, wouldn't be the first time! :smt043
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lovemypuppy
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02-09-2007, 09:48 PM
Hi Rips,
What do I expect when I first bring a puppy home - well lots of hard work, lots of sleepless nights and no doubt there will be times when I think 'oh my god what have I done' but I'm sure everyone who's had a puppy has thought that at some point.
I'm aware that it will need lots of time, attention and love. Also encouragement - it is somewhat frightening contemplating bring a puppy/dog into the family - especially if you've never had one before but this isn't a split second decision I've researched and been taking my time in deciding, the thought however is not going away and is growing.
Do I know about Terrier traits - I'll be honest - only what I've read - they are willful dogs, independent and need firm handling and patience, ongoing training, they like to dig so if you are a proud gardener not a good choose!! fortunately I'm not.....
Must be careful when letting them off lead as they like to give chase, probably not a good idea to do this until fully trained and then only in a safe, traffic free area.

I will have lots to learn but will attend puppy classes and believe I'm going in with my eyes open. (Obviously there are going to be shocks along the way) but isn't that life !!!
Dont think your being nosey, I'm glad to have some feedback and someone to make me if about what I'm doing
Thank you .
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