[~Karla~]

So, we're definitely getting a dog. One of the service dog training groups has agreed to work with me to help me train a dog to be an autism assistance dog for my twins. Given i'll be tethering a child to the dog when out in public, I need a sizeable dog. We're looking for a shepherd (German, Belgian or white Swiss) or shepherd cross. DH and I are rescue animal people, rather than pedigree-off-a-breeder type people. I decided to aim for a dog 6-18 months old, so we can avoid the puppy stage (mainly the chewing) and hopefully we can find a dog that already has basic obedience so we can just go from there, rather than starting at the beginning.

I keep looking at this guy. He has stolen my heart. http://www.adoptapet.com.au/animal/animalD...&statusID=3

But I don't want a puppy. But I want him. But DH and I agreed on a slightly older dog, not a puppy. But look at that photo! Those eyes! Those ears! He's just so adorable!

Please help remind me how bad the puppy stage is and why I'd be better with a slightly older dog. Please, because otherwise I'm going to cave and go and meet that puppy and see if he has what it takes to be a service dog! And I don't want a puppy!

[*Kell*]

I will simply state facts:

* Puppies wee and poo everywhere until toilet trained
* Puppies chew things more than adult dogs
* Puppies cry for the first few nights

* Adult dogs still need stimulation though, dogs are always like children, so need their toys alternated every week or two so they don't get bored
* Adult rescue dogs can be wonderful (I have two) however you need to find one with the right nature for your kids

Good Luck!

[~Karla~]

I will simply state facts:

* Puppies wee and poo everywhere until toilet trained
* Puppies chew things more than adult dogs

Thank you. I need to keep re-reading these points and resist the temptation to keep clicking my link to see that gorgeous puppy.

I don't want a puppy, I don't want a puppy, I don't want a puppy, I don't want a puppy...

(it's not working...)

[meggs1]

Oh he is cute. Someone will snap him up for sure - he wont have any problems finding a forever home. Whereas you can save the life of a lovely slightly older dog who others might reject.

Hope that helped?

[~Karla~]

Thanks Meggs. It did help. A little bit.

But he's soooooooooo cute!!

[cira]

Meh.

Our eight-week old puppy was pretty much toilet-trained, she peed inside twice.
She chewed up some shoes but I had warned everyone to put their shoes away so really not the pup's fault. And you can always provide lots of chew toys.

And the benefit of puppies - you have more control over their early development, socialisation and exposure to noise, different environments and people.

puppy puppy puppy..lol

[heffalumpsnwoozl...]

He looks like he's towards the older end of puppy.... I'm not helping, am I? Is he going to grow up to be large enough for your needs though?

[~Karla~]

He looks like he's towards the older end of puppy.... I'm not helping, am I? Is he going to grow up to be large enough for your needs though?

I'm not sure. It depends what he's been crossed with. I'd need to see him in person to try and judge how big he will be. But if he's half as adorable in real life as that picture, I think it will be really hard to say no to him.

Cira, that's so NOT helping!

[laridae]

I don't think you'll be able to judge properly how big he will be unless you get an older dog.
But, its probably going to be a lot easier to train from a puppy...

That didn't help, did it?

[~Karla~]

Yes, but it's easier to tell temperament in an older dog. A puppy is more of a gamble. But then, I can control what a pup is exposed to so a pup is more "malleable" in a way.

I'm also concerned my kids might love a puppy to death (literally). Which would be much harder with a bigger dog.

But that puppy is just so gorgeous. I've even been dreaming of him at night-time.