Collaborative Post
We brought Bella, our almost ten week old Sprocker Spaniel, home with us just under two weeks ago and, in that time, we have learnt a lot about puppies, which we didn’t know before.
Ed and I grew up with parents who were allergic to dogs, so we didn’t have previous experience of owning a dog. We had done some research, and spoken to other dog owners, before making the decision to get a puppy, and we had been preparing in the two weeks since meeting Bella, before she was ready to leave her mum and come home with us, but it was still a steep learning curve when she was actually with us.
Inspired by Lords and Labradors, who have released a campaign to help first time dog owners prepare, I wanted to share what I have learnt so far from owning a puppy, and what I wish I had known beforehand, so that I was better prepared.
Puppies are Like Babies
This is something I had kind of grasped beforehand, having spoken to a friend who has a dog, who was telling me about sleepless nights and needing to have eyes in the back of my head, and it is true, babies and puppies are very similar. Having had three children, I feel that a puppy is actually harder in many aspects, than a newborn. With my babies, I have been able to feed them and cuddle them, but with a puppy, they are almost like a two year old and a newborn mixed – and that is hard work!
Puppies Sleep a Lot
Just like newborns, puppies need a lot of sleep! I was worried to begin with, how often Bella was sleeping, but I have realised it is perfectly normal and that puppies generally do sleep an awful lot of the time. We are fortunate, as Bella has been sleeping through the night, and napping throughout the day, giving me and the children time to be able to get home schooling and work done, in between her naps.
Puppies Bite
I was aware, and warned in advance, that puppies can bite, but I wasn’t prepared for how much Bella bites. It is to do with teething, and it isn’t that painful, but it can take you by surprise, when she decides to latch onto your ankle whilst you are attempting to get her food/water/a toy. I have been starting to train Bella, and one of the main things I am working on is to minimise the biting, by rewarding good behaviour, and discouraging biting. It is definitely a learning curve, and one of my least favourite aspects of owning a dog, I must admit.
Puppies Cannot Go For Walks
I was a bit surprised when I found out that puppies can’t actually go for a walk outside their own back garden until they have had their vaccinations. Bella has so much energy, I was envisaging long walks in the local park to burn some of this off, but I need to wait a few more weeks until I can do this. For now, she is taking to the back garden to release some energy, but I cannot wait to be able to go for longer walks with her.
Collars Might Not Fit
I bought everything extra small, but the collar I bought was still too big for Bella when she first arrived. Obviously this isn’t a huge issue as she is not able to go for a walk just yet, but it is something to bear in mind when shopping online.
Puppies are Quick Learners
I was really surprised how quickly Bella caught on to learning the command ‘sit’, when training – when it involved a treat, she was very quick at picking it up. However, Bella has also been quick to learn how to climb the stairs, prompting us to consider a stair gate, and quick to work out how to climb up to the table and sofa to try and get things she isn’t allowed (mainly the children’s socks, which she is obsessed with).
There is no denying it, puppies are hard work and take a lot of care, love and attention. Although Bella is a bit of a handful, we wouldn’t have her any other way. We are besotted with our new puppy and so happy to have her in our lives.
This is a collaborative post, however all words and images are my own.
