I got my current lab 12 years ago. We lived on 30 acres of land back then and we had 1 older dog already that was maybe 8 years old and we had 2 very dog-friendly cats. I didnt really "walk" my dog then. He just came out in the yard with me and ran around to his hearts content. People definitely came to visit him and I think his 1st full day with us we brought him in the car while we put our sailboat in the water (raised the mast, etc..). He did go to my in-laws house too and meet another dog there and explored (lots of land). We didnt have any kids then either, but he's always been very laid back. Not really afraid of much, very mellow, no big problems. I mean, he did bark at large lion statues that someone had at their front walk once, but he really didnt have any big issues. We are most likely getting a puppy in October. Now we live in a neighborhood on 1/3 acre of land. We still have the 12 year old lab but I dont know if he will still be around in October (he has oral melanoma). We do have a 14 year old cat. Now we have kids and lots of neighborhood kids and dogs that the puppy can "socialize" with. But I hear of people with dogs that are afraid of thunder, puke all the time in cars, hate being alone, etc...What can I do to try to prevent this? Should I make loud noises at home alot? Have my husband play guitar? Will my loud kids be enough to get him used to noises? My coworker has a dog that goes nuts during thunderstorms and I dont think i could deal with that! My 12 year old lab had 3 other animals in the house with him when he was home alone. Even when we werent home he never got separation anxiety. This puppy might have an older dog for a few months if he's lucky. I guess he will have the cat. I work part time and am out of the house from 7am - 3pm. My husband works full time but is usually working from home 2-3 days a week. So he'd be home, but the puppy might have to be in his crate some of that time, or gated in the mud room with some toys and a bed. My husband would be able to take him out for short pee-breaks. When my husband is not at home working, I would come home at lunch to take the puppy out for a short walk. We've made this work before when I worked full time and hmy hubby only worked at the office and was gone 10 hours a day, so I am sure we can do it now that I work part time and he is home working a few days a week! So the puppy will have to spend some time alone. But not every day. I guess I am a little worried that I really lucked out with my current lab and that I am in for a doozy with the next one! I dont feel like I did anything special with our dog now. I'm a little nervous that he will be a bit lonely, especially if our dog Baloo dies before we bring the puppy home. But then again I worry about the puppy being with Baloo for a month or 2 and then Baloo dying and the puppy missing him.
Re: Questions on socializing and stuff Hi Cubby, when is everything perfect in life? There's always something that could go wrong. I had similar thoughts: what if I lose my job; what if I lose my home; etc? I have managed to overcome those fears ( have been in my home for 26 years!) and believe that it's ok, I CAN have my pup and I have just bitten the bullet. My recent experience of my dog day care falling through flummoxed me for a day but then I just got on with sorting it out. Still not resolved but I have several contacts and I am working it through. I have also worried that I may be a useless dog trainer but somehow I have an inner belief that all will be ok (hope so!!!). Talk it over with your partner. You can't control the precise character of your pup but you can gain confidence in your ability to handle what comes your way. I hope it all comes together beautifully for you!
Re: Questions on socializing and stuff Harley is my first ever dog She gets a lot of socialisation in a variety of locations and with different sounds/environments. We have never had a problem with fireworks or thunder, she just stares at the patio doors My friend got a pup years ago and her other dog was 13 and was only around for 6 months. Even though the pup pinned for a short while, it didn't last. That pup is now 10 and is so kind and gentle due to being taught by the older dog I work 29 hours a week, hubby lots more than that (45-60). We used a crate for the first 6 months, now Harley is in the kitchen. We have a webcam set up that I can access through my phone to check up on her. I leave her for a max of 4 hours at a time (usually 3). She is always either eating her kong/rice bone/chews or sleeping, always excited when I come home, but never upset I hope some of this helps
