posted 12-09-2003 12:42 PM         

so here is the problem, i want a puppy. i want a basset hound puppy. OMG they are so freaking cute. i sat with this one all day on sat. and i have been tryying to force the thought out of my mind, but cant. i have always wanted a basset hound, but like always i wanted a grown one. but not now, not after sitting with that puppy. but i dont know the least bit about puppy.

any puppy advice need please ( i will not get my new puppy until i am fully educated on the subject of puppy! ) here is a little background for ya to consider...
PETS I ALREADY OWN
1 fixed female basset/beagle mix, fixed, 4-5 years old
1 fixed male cat. street cat no background history. estm. to be about 1-2 years old.

I live in an apartment, I am home at nights (work days) my boyfriend is home during the days (works nights).

please understand i am that i am totally going to read up. you know read the puppy books, read the bassets books, but personaly experince is always a big help. so thanks for the help.

posted 12-09-2003 01:03 PM         

I do not think the issue of spay/neuter is really an issue. Get the pup fixed between 8-16 weeks and you will have no sexual behaviors or problems.

Everyone told me that girl vs. boy really wasn't a big deal. Every animal is unique, and there are aggressive females and calm males just as frequently as the other way around. You already know that how you treat the pup and socializing it weighs far more heavily than the gender of the pup. Males may be a bit bigger than females if that makes a difference to you.

Some things to read up on: housetraining/crate training, training basic manners, feeding, introducing puppy to other household animals, vaccinations, socializing (with other animals, people, places, etc).

You will need to decide breeder vs. rescue vs. shelter. More things to read about! If the pup did not stay with mom long enough, you will need to teach bite inhibition and other puppy skills. If you go with a breeder, there are all sorts of things you should do when looking for one - yet more reading!

You will want to find puppy classes. I would have liked one that had part of the class given over to off-leash play time, although I suppose there could be potential problems with older pups. This also begs the issue of when it is safe to bring the pup out, which has many varied opinions from person to person and vet to vet.

No matter how much reading and preparing you do, the reality will always be different. If you want any resources on any of those topics, let me know which ones and I will point you to what I collected before I got Nala.

Good luck to you on this exciting journey!

posted 12-09-2003 01:05 PM         

I can honestly say that I was NOT prepared to handle a puppy when we brought Cameron home- I never thought a puppy would be so much work! Taking her out umpteen times a day, her peeing and pooping everywhere, her constant hyperness-- I cried to my mom on the phone the first week we had her because I just didn't think I could handle it....HOWEVER, after 6 months with her I love her more than anything, and don't regret my decision at all-- but trust me, as you can see in my other posts, there are new issues everyday! Puppies are adorable and sweet and you can teach them to do so many wonderful things, if you can deal with the stress of raising a crazy puppy to full adulthood.

One last note, even though I know Bassett Hounds are known to be calm, laid back dogs, and the puppy you watched may have been a very good puppy too, don't assume any Basset pup will be that way! I actually read another post (don't remember if it was on this board or a different one) about a family who got a Basset pup thinking it would be so calm and easygoing, but they were taken by complete surprise when this puppy turned into a crazy little thing a week after they brought her home!

As long as you are aware of all the work puppies are, though, I would say go for it- raising a puppy has been such a rewarding experience for me. Plus I know you mentioned that when you are at work your boyfriend is home, so that would be great for the puppy to always have someone at home, especially during potty training.

posted 12-09-2003 01:50 PM         

Jamiya!!! i have thought about you alot, when i was with the puppy. i thought about all the scary things that could happen or how i would feel if the doggie was listening. i might need all the articles you read! anything you want to send my way feel free my email is lotty616@yahoo.com
i would be very greatful!!!

puggleowner!!! i dont know, this is so hard, i want the dog so bad, and i think i would be a good mama it the puppy but i am just so scared. at times i think it would be fun, at other times, i am like no way no puppy for me.

I also feel bad for buying a dog you know. there are some many homeless dogs out there that need a good home, and i am buying a new puppy.
but then again i have always wanted one and she was so cute, and oh my heart melted!!

see i go back and forth like this all day!! crazy isnt!!

well if i was to get this puppy i would get a female. is it bad to have to females?