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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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  • 1) They will complete your family!
    2) It’s so important to socialise your puppy so that they are used to other dogs and so don’t develop anxiety or even aggression towards other dogs.
    3) Dogs are very sociable animals and so it’s always a nice idea to eventually get another dog for them.
    4) Be prepared for the costs of dog visits and walks whilst you are at work as most dogs would struggle being left at home all day on their own.
    5) Make sure you have a secure fence!
  • edited Aug 8, 2021 10:11AM
    You DO need insurance and it IS worth paying a little extra for the better coverage. As the owner of a 4yo Labrador who eats anything she sees it is defo not an optional extra like some people will tell you 🤦
  • edited Aug 8, 2021 5:51PM

    1. The first 6 weeks are harder than having a newborn. They need constantly watching,  do not wear nappies and so accidents could be anywhere, and will eat everything they are not supposed to.

    2. Wear only old clothes that you don't mind small holes appearing in as their teeth are supersharp and they are super playful, with no concept of personal space or that you at wearing your fave trousers. 

    It will all be worth it, they love you unconditionally for life and show you it,  whereas your kids may love you for life, but only show it when they are older when they want to, or if they want something 🙂
  • People don’t tell you how much you fall in love with them at first sight, and enjoy planning their meals and looking for treats! You get excited to get home and see them at the window wagging their tails in excitement! 
  • You're never told of the little puddles on the kitchen floor that you step in half asleep in the morning and then realise you're slippers are chewed up too, but also no one tells you how much love they give you or how much love you feel for them.  
  • I think it's really important for anyone considering welcoming a puppy into the family to remember.. dogs are pack animals & see us as their human pack!
    They will want to assert themselves & know their place in the pack so it's really important to let them know from Day 1 which human (probably Mum!) is the Alpha in the pack. Not doing this can lead the puppy to experience anxiety, exhibit destructive behaviours &/or aggressive behaviour - not fun for anyone.
    - Feed the puppy at set times, after your family have eaten. They need to know they are not the leader in the pack & will need to wait their turn. Don't feed them scraps (even though it's tempting!) or handfeed them from the table while you're eating.
    - You be the leader - when walking, or entering/leaving the house - it's really important that you lead in this, not the puppy - don't allow him/her to push in front. 
    - Same rules apply - you set the route & they walk beside, or behind you.
    I know this all sounds very strict - but it's done with love & in a calm, yet firm & peaceful way. 
     
     That said, also be aware of the joy they bring - their quiet, reassuring presence & how comforting it feels to have them trotting along beside you on a morning walk - sets me up for the day :)

  • That you will get no sleep for about a week, it’s like having a newborn!
  • How hard they are with kids 🤯🙈
    Our first dog is 8 years old but we got a new puppy last week and now have a 2 year old & 11 month old. I literally need eyes in the back of my head 😂
    Also how frustrating it is having to toilet train again when you’ve just finished with your toddler.
    Having said that, I already love the bound the girls have with our new pup Monty and Barney (our other dog) has really surprised me with how he’s reacted to having another dog in the house! 


  • when you get a puppy nobody tells you that its like having a baby,al the crying in the night because he/she cant see you or wants feeding,or the heartache you feel when you have to go to work,i wanted a dog for ages before my son bought me mitzi,she is absolutely bonkers (like me) she terrorizes our postman or any delivery drivers,she controls everyone by barking her orders for her favourite treats (winalot shapes and hobnobs) her best friend is our kitten sammy,they both love running up and down playing chase and teaming up to steal food out the cupboards,we all love her to bits,a few months ago she had an accident and we nearly lost her,it was so hard and made us all realise how much she means to us all,shes finally on the mend and walking again and nearly 100% back to her normal self,so my advice would be to anyone getting a puppy,dont just get one because they look cute,puppy's are hard work but they grow to be amazing loyal companions 
  • Things they don’t tell you about owning a puppy:
    You’ll need to wake up in the night to let them outside to do their business to avoid any accidents!
    The jumpy “puppy” stage can last several years!
    You can never go on a spur-of-the-moment overnight trip with arranging a puppy-sitter. 

    But they are definitely worth all the effort!  ;)
  • No one tells you that such small animals take up a huge part of your life! That they can be the most loving little creatures but also the most stubborn and moody (my dachshund can throw a tantrum like no human I have ever known!). 

    They will be the first thing you think about Iin the morning (because they are usually licking your face or bouncing on your head - time to wake up!) And the last thing you think about at night (because they're snuggled in right next to you).
  • They never tell you that a puppy will have so many personalities.. one minute they will be snuggled into you looking all cute and sweet.. then the next minute they will be hanging off your ankles and barking at you for no reason! They never tell you that it will be like having another child, sleepless nights and bed wetting! That they will eat anything and everything and have you at the vets racking up a £70 vet bill every go! They don't tell you that they will flash those puppy dog eyes at you and you will forgive them in a heart beat! That they will have you wrapped around their little paws. That they will become so loyal and protective over their family, they will bark at fresh air.. if they think that fresh air is breaking into your home. They don't tell you all of this because they don't come with a manual, you just have to go with the flow! They don't tell you the puppy instantly becomes a part of your family, and you can't imagine life without out them! ❤️ 
  • Being woken up in the morning by two pups jumping on your bed is one of the best ways to start the day  :)
  • The first few nights are hard, they pine for their mums. Toilet training is not easy and takes a lot of patience. They chew everything.. but they are amazing 🤩 
  • This is Peach my pug! Something they don’t tell you about owning a puppy is the guilt for when you go anywhere without them, even if it just going to the toilet. She follows me everywhere! 
  • No one told me I'd love my pup like my own child. No one told me I'd be up half the night with them whimpering to get in my room. No one told me my actual child would be their best friend. 
  • 1. That owning a puppy actually starts BEFORE owning a puppy! Research the breed~if you have a lazy lifestyle like me, a border collie for instance is going to be a nightmare. Think about your next 10-15 years as much as is possible~are you going to always be available to walk the dog in the day? If not, is someone going to be able to help? Will you afford doggy daycare? Will your family change~will you be able to juggle (not literally....) children AND dog/s? If you HAVE to buy from a breeder, research them as much as you do the breed. Puppy farmers don't have it written across their forehead~you won't be visiting a barn full of cages, they masquerade as loving dog owners in normal homes. If you're adopting from a rescue, make sure they're reputable too (rescues DO have puppies, they just don't often make it to their websites~ask to join their waiting lists. A decent rescue should offer back-up should your circumstances change) Will you always be able to afford insurance or hefty vets bills? Have you got back-up plan/s and back up plan/s for the back up plans? :) ?

    2. That after all of that, it will absolutely be the best thing you've ever done :)
  • Nobody tells you that you're going to happily impoverish yourself paying for inoculations, insurance, dog collars - if you have more than 1 puppy at a time it's for sure they'll chew one anothers collars off! - crates and the best food you can afford. Nor that you're about to want a Garmin or a Fitbit, because that sweet little bundle (of terrorist ...) needs many, many short walks every day. And they don't warn you about just how fast you'll be irrevocably besotted with the creature who's from this day forward going to influence every decision you make, whether it's moving home, changing work hours, getting other animals etc., etc. 


    I Know that when I first starting living with dogs, nobody told me that the unconditional love and comfort they freely give would, in my 60's actually save my life when I lost my beloved husband to Covid. But it did, because I couldn't give up while they trust me to be here for them.

  • They grow up so fast, enjoy every moment with them. Things will get easier as you both bond and develop your special relationship.  Teach them what you want them to know not what Google is telling you to teach them. And most importantly don't forget they love you.
  • Puppies grow into adult dogs and are expensive to keep so always consider this when embarking on what should be many years of care
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