Age of Puppy When Adopting

[Jespah]

Well, my options for getting a pup are few and far between and I am going to go this coming weekend to see a little red and white girl who is 6 months old. I wouldn't be rushing this, except Rupert is not doing well. He is very mopey and not even enjoying his people and dog friends, he is also very protective of me when other dogs come around. The breeder is well respected in Canada, so I'm not worried about the soundness of the dog.

I have only ever brought in 8 week old puppies and molded them from the start. What's your experience and the pros and cons of an older puppy? One of my main concerns is this one will be house trained - normally a good thing, but I'm at work all day and had my dogs paper trained until they were old enough for their bladders to make it through the day. I can't afford $10 a days for someone to take them out midday. I may have to train the new one to use the paper until she's old enough to go all day, without going.

Thoughts?

Deb

[corgimom]

Are you also going to take Rupert to meet this dog? I know at our Humane Society here, they will not let you adopt a dog unless you bring your current dog in to meet the potential new one to see h ow they get along.

You will have to see how her temperment is and how well behaved she is and
if Rupert seems to be okay with her. If you take her, how soon after bringing her home would you be back at work? and would you seperate them during the day while you are at work until they get used to each other?

Keep us posted.

linda

My last Pem was 2 years old when I adopted her from the Humane Society and she was wonderful and calm and potty trained; however, I did not have another dog to introduce her to at home.

[Jespah]

Yes, I'll take Rupert to meet her, although it's not a good test of how he will be. He is often not good with pups as he likes to think he is better than them. He takes a couple of meetings with new dogs before he likes them, then he is a loyal and good friend.
Yes, they will be seperated - but able to see each other - I have to make sure the pup is safe and the cats!
I would possibly be going back to work on the Monday, if we got her this weekend, but if the following weekend, I'd take the Monday off. I have two weeks vacation coming up from August 28th to September 11th. I don't want to spend too much time with her as I don't want her to think I'm always there. I had to do the same when I got both Riley and Rupe and they adapted well.

[milles2]

Deb:

So sorry Rupes is still out of sorts. But excited for you about the possibility of a new puppy! Any chance of a "trial" period with the 6 mo old?

What kind of environment is the 6 mo old in now? Does she have sibs and is she used to being around cats? That would make it more helpful for her.

Rupert breaks my heart. Sure hope he is happy again soon!

Susan

[Shelly]

I have a 12 yr old female I got from a rescue 4 years ago and I bought a 5 month old male from a breeder 1 1/2 months ago. I think it may have been too much of an age gap. Still she tries to stay away from him. He tries to love her to death licking her ears, trying to kiss her, his recent thing trying to herd her by nipping at her constantly. She puts him in his place when she loses her patience but hasn't ever bit him or anything worse. I think in time it will work out. Taking it from the other perspective, I think having the older one around to teach the pup how to be a dog, and socialize him is wonderful. She's a wonderful role model. The pup has ALOT of bounce in him and the older one is really laid back so she just wants to be left alone. I looked for months prior to buying the puppy for a corgi through rescues, pounds, the internet, and the right one just wasn't available so finally resorted to a breeder. It'll work out. Good luck. As for housetraining, it's been 1 1/2 months and mine still has accidents at least once a week and I'm home all day letting him out hourly if he doesn't go through the doggie door and take the initiative himself. Housetraining does take patience and time. One of the best things about adopting my rescued first corgi was that she was housetrained and that crazyness of a puppy had gone (but then I do wish I'd known her then) ~Shelly

[FoxysMommy]

We got Foxy when she was just under 4 months old...Not OLD, but not a young 8-week old pup either. She had no problems being housetrained, and responded very well to praise for pottying outside.

She was, however, a bit stand-offish for the first few months. She didn't like to be held so much, didn't like to sit too close to us, and didn't give lots of puppy kisses. Over time, all of that has changed and she's a very loving, super-glued-to-your-side kind of pup.

I think she was nearly out of the "socialization" stage when we got her, and that is why she acted like that in the beginning.

[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by Jespah

I have only ever brought in 8 week old puppies and molded them from the start. What's your experience and the pros and cons of an older puppy? One of my main concerns is this one will be house trained - normally a good thing, but I'm at work all day and had my dogs paper trained until they were old enough for their bladders to make it through the day. I can't afford $10 a days for someone to take them out midday. I may have to train the new one to use the paper until she's old enough to go all day, without going.

Thoughts?

Deb

Deb,

Not a problem on any of the fronts you have concerns about. At six months, even with her being house trained the breeder's "way" I seriously doubt you are going to have to worry about any paper training. I have a 7 month old rescue boy here and on the days I have to be out all day - not accident one in his crate! And I can say with relative confidence, he didn't have the beginning this girl you are looking at did.

Older puppies are great, you don't have to worry with all the baby training things, chewing (at least as much), there are a lot of benefits to going the older puppy route.

As far as Foxy's standoffishness at first - I don't think her age had anything to do with it. Just some puppies are that way, it was just in her genetic make up. One puppy in a litter we had was an independent little thing. While the others would be in a pile wrestling, she'd be off exploring and doing her own thing. She wasn't a particularly affectionate towards humans either even though she'd been held and smooched and cuddled as much as the others in the litter had from day one.

Another advantage of her being older is that Rupe isn't going to view her as a baby puppy and will be more tolerant as she won't be as obnoxious as baby puppies can be.

Good luck! We're pulling for you!

Debbie

[Jespah]

I think I know all of this great advice in my head, and I think things will work out, but I'm still reeling from losing Riley and being in this position just seems unreal to me.
The breeder I spoke to last night suggested a trial period as well - knowing the breeder I'm going to, I don't think she would mind that at all. I'm not too worried about Rupe adapting - he's 4, so he's young and he is a very playful guy. It may take a week or so, but he'll be won over. I'm really doing this for him - last night I just wanted to cry - he just isn't him - listless, non-interested or focused. At least being mad that there's a new kid in town is better than lonely. As for the house training - I have 5 cats and had 2 dogs so a little more puppy pee is not going to bring my world to an end. I'm pretty cool about that - my concern was that if the little girl was used to telling someone she had to go out she may be stressed by holding it and then tinkling inside. I'm also not worried about the cats, 3 of them will stay well clear of her and the other 2 will give her a run for her money. My three legged cat rules the roost and Tucker, Rupe's personal cat loves dogs - even visiting dogs.
Right now the pup lives on an acreage with her brother and other Corgis - I don't know if there's cats, but again, I'm not too worried.
I'll try and post a photo of her when I get it from the breeder - although I can't figure out how to put them in these posts.

Deb

[Jespah]

This is Felicity (I would change her call name) and we are going to go on Saturday to meet her. She is very different looking from Riley - which is good for me.

[corgimom]

Deb,

She looks very sweet. You will know when you meet her if it feels right and if she seems like a good fit . Maybe Rupert and her will hit it off right away. I bet you can't wait until Saturday gets here.

linda

[Michael Romanos]

Deb - I think you set a standard when you got the very attractive and dearly loved Riley and then the handsome and sturdy personality that is Rupert. Just make sure that when you get your next Pem, that you can maintain the standard you have reached, so you won't ever feel disappointed or let down, and in a large way, you do it out of respect and dedication for what has gone before.

[KatC]

Felicity looks beautiful, and I am sure she will be very happy to find she has a new brother to look after her in her new home.

Abby was six months old (and not house trained) when I got her from the Breeder. She also came from acreage, and missed her Corgi companions greatly at first. I shall never forget the look of sheer delight when she caught sight of her own reflection in a floorlength mirror - she stopped abruptly, her eyes shone with absolute joy, then she ran to greet this other Corgi and could not comprehend where it was. She spent quite a long time eagerly checking round the side and then hopefully going back to the front to see if it was still there.

I really think that dear Rupert will say if its OK by you Mum, then its OK by me.


Kath.