What you hoped it would look like! Reality
I will be speaking ONLY to the adult (i.e., the responsible party). I can’t tell you how many
children I have talked to with the “adult” prompting the kid on what to ask. Now let’s get to the title of this blog. Many times I have been asked, “Do Border Collies really chase and nip?” Or “Are Bordoodles trainable?” My answer to both questions is, “YES!” Border Collies need to be trained not to just chase anything it wants to, and the Bordoodle (i.e., Doodle) is a very trainable dog when you put forth the effort. Plus, making sure you buy a doodle from a responsible breeder helps a lot with their trainability.
Please, understand my words might come across as “sharp” to some, it’s only because I need to get my point across as to the seriousness of taking a puppy/dog into your home - just because your kids want one.
Summertime Puppy Purchase: This is going to be fantastic; everyone is home for the
summer!! Comments I have heard…1) I want my kids to learn responsibilities on taking care of a puppy…2) I had a puppy when I was 10 years old and I learned how to take care of another(s) needs. These are the most popular quotes, I hear. I’m usually suspicious of the first comment; “I want my kids to learn responsibilities.” I have asked, “what do they currently help out with in the home (chores)?” Answers vary, but I have heard, “it’s really hard for my son/daughter to do ______!” If that’s true, why the heck are you wanting to bring in a very demanding puppy/dog that needs a lot of attention during its first year
of life, if you can’t get your kid to wash a dish or take out the garbage!?
**Parents! What happens, when your precious little Sally or Johnny forget to feed the puppy? This is bigger than a goldfish so you just can’t flush poor Fido down the toilet!
After Summer Ends: Your kids head back to school, the house is quiet, and guess what?
Puppy is still there! Mom and dad, you’re on your own. You are the main dog walker, kitchen
staff, pooper picker upper, and let’s not forget trainer. So, in a nutshell, it’s up to you whether or not the puppy is a successful adult dog. During my certification course for dog training, we had to stand around a busy dog park/pet store and observe behaviors between dogs and their humans. I could always tell when the honeymoon was at its peak. Proud parents with the adorable pup in the cart, as their children are petting the puppy, and grabbing toys off the shelf and tossing them into the cart, whilst mom/dads smile. However, I could tell when parents had lost the battle against, Sally and Johnny. The honeymoon is over and they (parents) had full custody! Dog was now walking their human, and wanting to get out of the store. Their human is trying to pay while Fido pulls on the leash towards another doggy “friend.” I, at times, would follow the person, with my eyes all the way out into the parking lot, and you could see them pulling on the leash or grabbing the dog (pretty rough) while they struggled to put the dog into the car.
Things parents don’t consider: Depending on the age of your children, the fact remains that you WILL be the main caretaker. Regardless of the time of year you take this puppy into your home, you need to ask yourself, “Am I UP for this responsibility?” Take the kids out of the equation. You NEED to be “selfish,” because you will be left to the task of taking care of the dog.
Final Thoughts: A dog is only a puppy for 10% of its whole life.
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