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Tell Winalot all the things people don’t tell you about owning a puppy: £200 Amazon voucher prize

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  • They don't always nap when they're tired like everyone always says they do... Instead they turn into zooming little land sharks that need to be put down for a nap!
    Honestly never heard of enforced naps until our girl but it was the best thing we could have ever done. Puppies need 18-20 hours of sleep a day, if they're not getting that, they get 'naughty' and 'destructive' simply because they're over stimulated and over tired. Putting our girl down for a nap solved so many problems for us! 😁 She's now 15 months and the best dog ever!

    PS: even if you're determined that they will never go on the sofa or on the bed, you will soon realise it's impossible to say no to those puppy eyes 😍
  • It's totally like having a baby/toddler again to begin with - the toilet training, how you can't leave them alone, how they NEED you every second of every day, how you have to totally plan your life around them.... but you also wouldn't change it for the world! 
  • No one tells you that having a puppy is literally like having another baby! You stress over their poo, you worry if they're eating enough, you worry if they're too hot or cold, you worry if they have enough toys, you worry if they're getting enough exercise, you worry about who will take care of them, you even plan holidays around them! They're not for the faint hearted but boy do they love you unconditionally.

    This is our 6 month old rescue pup Buddy. If he doesn't want to do it then he won't. He is stubborn, mischievous and teethy... But we love him! 
  • New puppies will whine or howl every night for the first couple of nights or even week! A ticking clock, mother's blanket, warm hot water bottle will all help.
  • Remember Puppies become Dogs, Start as you Mean to Go On, it's almost Impossible to Un-train.
    Puppies & Dogs love Jumping into Water, Shallow Streams, Large Puddles, Mud & Anything Dirty, but They Loathe Having a Bath, it can be a Real Battle because they Always Know the Bathroom Looms!
    Don't forget the Super Wet Shake Off After?
    It All Adds to the Love, Fun & Adventure of a Growing Puppy.
  • You don't realise how much time you need to give it the attention needed.
  • It’s like having a baby again and very hard work 
  • If you have children, then get a puppy, The children need to be taught that its a puppy not a toy. There is a time to play and a time not to play. Don't feed your food to the puppy, it can make it poorly< and he might poop everywhere or even be sick. When puppyis poorly,leave him as he will want to rest in his bed. Remember before you get a puppy how much the pup costs to feed, playtoys and balls, Leads, innoculations and even with pet insurance it can still cost you a lot with the amount you have to contrbute.  Please have the same commands from all the family, sit, stay, go to bed so the puppy doesn't get confused. Children need to know that you have to clean up after the dog, if it makes a mess,  spills his water, (his bowl needs to have water all the time). If puppy is not allowed on the sofa, start that rule straight away, otherwise he may think he can go and have a sleep. on the sofa, anytime. Then you may have the problem of Dog hairs all over the sofa, and even more when he grows The children have to know the boundary's Puppy has to know his boundarys, like shushinghim from Barking, evertytime someone pass's the house, or when people come to the door.
  • Nobody tells you that you have a lot of worries, worried somethings wrong worried if they are eating and sleeping enough. No one tells you that you feel guilty because your food looks better than yours and they give you puppy dog eyes. No one tells you about the lack of sleep. However it’s all worth it! 
  • No one tells you how to socialise your dog, everyone says to socialise your puppy but you only really get chance on walks when you see other dogs. 

    Also when you are training them to be alone its so sad to hear them howl and whine! No one tells you how to deal with that as the owner it's heartbreaking sometimes!
  • Having a puppy is very similar we found to having another child in the house. The sleepless nights, the constant need for attention and stimulation, separation anxiety, toilet training, teething and massive responsibility. Nobody tells you about the constant nipping which can really get you down sometimes but it's all worth it in the end. Having a little furry friend who's always happy to see you when you come home is the best feeling ever.
  • Your furniture and walls (wallpaper) is very likely to get ruined, especially when teething begins. If you are wanting a new sofa, wait until you're past that stage with your pup and they are house trained 
  • Ooo Fingers crosses!
  • - no one will tell you how they will turn your world upside down

    - no one will tell you how hard those first few weeks are until puppy is settling in

    - no one will tell you that routine and training should start immediately

    - no one will tell you that lie ins are a thing of the past, and you'll never see them again!! 

    - no one can prepare you for the adorable welcome party when you come home, or opening your eyes in the morning to another pair of eyes wondering why you haven't got up yet

    -no one will tell you how fast puppy will grow. And you'll wonder there the time has gone.

    - no one will be able to understand the bond between yourself and your dog. I cannot imagine life without my princess now.

    - the snuggles. Oh the snuggles!

  • Your marriage/relationship will be tested to the limit! But beyond the inevitable 'issues' a puppy may bring, it is far outweighed by the love that they bring to your family. Our puppy is literally our fur child and is treated as such...we are soft...perhaps one bit of advice I would give is don't be too soft! 😆 She has us wrapped around her little furry paws! Yes, the house DOES revolve around her. 🤣
  • No-one told me how fussy they could be like literally liking something for 9 months then wake up and boom they act like you are trying to poison them. We also had to teach my chihuahua not to jump head first and put his paws back as he kept landing on his face  :lol:
  • Owning a puppy will make your heart feel warm. You will feel unconditional love from day 1.  

    But, it will be constant poop picking and puddle of wee cleaning, in the first few weeks.

    Just like a baby, routine routine routine. It's definitely the key. 

    You will find yourself sat in aw, watching your pup sleep, eat and play. They are the most adorable pets in the world. 

    This is my puppy Coal and he is an English Bulldog. He loves to eat, eat, eat and sleep! Haha. He's a very laid back, lovable character.
  • My yorkie puppy makes me laugh everyday and it's a privilege to have her. Never trust a quiet puppy that isn't asleep, they will be up to no good.
  • That what they eat in that first critical year can affect their gut health and wellbeing for years to come. Id been looking for a vizsla for a long time and new to get one health tested etc but then a litter came up local to us and reasonably priced and instead of sensibly seeing the warning signs I took it as fate. Our beautiful moll was eating weetabix as a top up food we were informed and sleeping in a bunker in the garden with an old labrador while her mum was off on a shoot in Scotland. She has been absolutely plagued with health issues most central has been digestive issues which we have only recently got under proper control through a balance of diet and managing allergens. She's 10 this year and we love her to bits but I honestly didn't realise having a dog would be so so consuming and at times incredibly difficult.
  • My puppy Thor was harder work than a newborn baby! The house training was harder than potty training my toddler. 
    He sleeps on my bed because he hates his bed, the floor, anywhere else - Did I mention he's a Newfie x Labrador so he's no way a tiny dog. 
    He only likes certain food too, he's pickier than my daughters.
    But noone tell you how amazing they can can be. I went into anaphylaxis and had to get an ambulance, he wouldn't leave our daughters side until I came back, the fee days that followed he was never far away. He's a big and bouncy dog but he was gentle and caring. 

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