Looking To Get Puppy - Looking For Helpful Advice

[YvonneM]

Hello there - I am new here and have posted on the Welcome Mat to introduce myself, but will give a little background here, as I am sure not everyone pops in over there :)

My name is Yvonne and just last week I had to say goodbye to my cherished little Malt x Winston. We adopted Winston from the Animal Welfare League 10.5 years ago when he was approx 9-12 months old. As we don't have any kids, Winston was the light of our life - for us, he was the perfect little companion. We knew he had a heart murmur several years ago and his little heart just wasn't strong enough to keep going. He was just like a puppy and loved to play and race around ... seemed there was no stopping him! Even the night before he was such a happy active little fellow. We had no idea that just 12 hours later, he would be gone. It was a heartbreaking decision, but one that I know was right for him.

So, this brings me to my quest. We fell in love with the Maltese breed and all the traits that he had, that we are now considering getting another Maltese - this time from a breeder and this time a puppy. I have a couple of questions about those who have had puppies, as we have not had a puppy before.

We both work full time - Winston had a doggy door and so had access to indoors/outdoors whenever he pleased when we were at work or not at home, day and night. How do/did you manage a puppy if there is no one home for approx 8 hours during the day? Is it unfair to get a puppy if it is to be left at home for that period of time? Do I contain the pup while we are not at home? Obviously, I can't let a pup have run of the whole house while we are not home, but I don't want to coop him up either. I have also read conflicting information about the age of a Maltese puppy for when he should be separated from his mum. Some say 8 weeks and some say 12 weeks. This brings me to another question (full of them today!!) I have read that pups should be socialised during the 12-16 week period as this sets them up for how they will socialise as they get older.

I am sure that whatever reputable breeder I decide to go with will provide me with lots of helpful information, but I like to be armed with as much information as I can to make the right decisions - and I know that I will get lots of helpful information here.

Thank you so much in advance !

[smisch]

have Prived messaged (pmed) you

[YOLO]

I'm also looking at getting a puppy, and facing challenges over selecting the right breeder. This is equally true even with a popular breed such as the Malti.

There was some coverage a few years back over the explosion in indiscriminate Malti breeding with the emergence of aggressive & antisocial traits. This led to them becoming “Australia’s most dumped dog” and they were even listed on “dangerous dog” lists.

Should be no problem if you buy from a reputable breeder who breeds for temperament.

Cooping up a pup is not so much a problem as the lack of companionship. Dogs need company more than they need space. I would not recommend leaving a pup alone for 8 hours. Maybe you can find somebody to puppy sit for you whilst it is very young. If no other choice, be sure to leave plenty of things for your pup to play with and chew, and hide treats for him to find. I have HEARD that young dogs find the radio or even TV comforting (although personally my dogs don’t appear to have even noticed the TV.)

[dancinbcs]

Numbers of registered purebred Maltese born, have actually steadily dropped from a high of around 2000 a year nationally in 1988 to around 300 per year now, so they are almost a rare breed now.

What are common are BYB small white mongrels that all get deemed to be Malts and Malt crosses while most probably have no purebred Maltese in them at all.

[julesluvscavs]

Hi Yvonne I left a comment for you in the Introduction section. Once again sorry to hear about your Winston *hugs*

Its the first time we have had a puppy, its hard work and tiring at times, but totally worth it !

I don't know how people who work full time keep up with a puppy, but obviously they do !

I have never had a puppy before because of working, but now Im home full time (because of some disabilities) Ive been waiting patiently to have one ( now at the age of 46!)

I recently took a few weeks off my volunteer work so I could get our puppy (Miah) settled in, my husband also took a week off his work because of her. I recently rang my volunteer job up and explained I need more time off as I dont want to be leaving her for too many hours just yet, as shes very mischievous and very active (altho she does have quite a few naps inbetween her bursts of energy). We also don't like to keep our Cavs outside when we are not home, and defiantly not a puppy.

But of course everyone is different and whatever works best for them.

All the best with getting a puppy! fun times ahead

Btw our puppy came to us at 10 weeks, as her breeder keeps them to that age, and at just over 13 weeks now, she is about to start puppy kindy this week :)

A good breeder will provide you with lots of info and ongoing support !

Edited March 1, 2013 by Jules❤3Cavs

[YvonneM]

Thanks for the responses - some info there to consider.

Jules - I too am 46 and am just thinking about our first puppy - I am a bit scared and also a bit excited, although its not a reality yet!

Winston always had access to indoors and out as he pleased via a doggy door whether we were home or not, so the same access would be afforded to our next doggie - although of course as a baby it would take some getting used to and would never dream of leaving a pup outdoors when we are not at home.

The thing I do worry about is that we work and we don't really have anyone who could puppy-sit for us - I would imagine that my husband would take a couple of days to a week off and I may do the same when pup first comes home. Having said that I am really looming forward to my first (and probably only) puppy experience.

My husband has been talking to a breeder who has been absolutely wonderful and has given him a lot of time over the phone and she doesn't let her pups go to their new home until they are 12 weeks - so at least if we buy from her pup will be not so little. This breeder has yet to confirm that her doggie is expecting, so I guess our wait is going to be quite a while now. I think this is a good thing since we have only just lost our adored Winston - it will give us some time to grieve for him and then to prepare for our new addition. I did see you response on my other thread - thank you for your kind words.

[YOLO]

Numbers of registered purebred Maltese born, have actually steadily dropped from a high of around 2000 a year nationally in 1988 to around 300 per year now, so they are almost a rare breed now.

What are common are BYB small white mongrels that all get deemed to be Malts and Malt crosses while most probably have no purebred Maltese in them at all.

Indeed, and it is undoubtedly these BYB "Maltese," sold through pet stores and gumtree, that have been the problem.

Unfortunately the ignorance of some people is overwhelming. I know a family, love couple, bought a random "Maltese" from somewhere, bought another soemwhere else, and voila, puppies that they sell as "pure bred."

[julesluvscavs]

Thanks for the responses - some info there to consider.

Jules - I too am 46 and am just thinking about our first puppy - I am a bit scared and also a bit excited, although its not a reality yet!

Winston always had access to indoors and out as he pleased via a doggy door whether we were home or not, so the same access would be afforded to our next doggie - although of course as a baby it would take some getting used to and would never dream of leaving a pup outdoors when we are not at home.

The thing I do worry about is that we work and we don't really have anyone who could puppy-sit for us - I would imagine that my husband would take a couple of days to a week off and I may do the same when pup first comes home. Having said that I am really looming forward to my first (and probably only) puppy experience.

My husband has been talking to a breeder who has been absolutely wonderful and has given him a lot of time over the phone and she doesn't let her pups go to their new home until they are 12 weeks - so at least if we buy from her pup will be not so little. This breeder has yet to confirm that her doggie is expecting, so I guess our wait is going to be quite a while now. I think this is a good thing since we have only just lost our adored Winston - it will give us some time to grieve for him and then to prepare for our new addition. I did see you response on my other thread - thank you for your kind words.

Like you also, we haven't had kids either, so it was now or never to experience at least having a puppy in our lives..:)

Im so glad that we are finally experiencing the joys of owning a puppy !! I don't know what to suggest about your situation with working, I'll let others respond who have had puppies and work full time..

We were waiting for a long time, and for the breeder to confirm her Cav was expecting and then we had to wait even more to see if we were going be chosen for one of her puppies ( we were high on her list anyway) I has secretly been hoping for a girl, but never told the breeder as I was just exited to be even getting either a male or female of the colour I wanted. It was fate as they were born last Nov on our 8th Wedding Anniversary ( a week early), and the Mother had 2 of the colours we had been wanting, and later the breeder asked us if we were interested in the female one. The rest is history !

If its meant to be, it will happen. I believe its all in the timing ! :)

Edited March 2, 2013 by Jules❤3Cavs

[Ruin Maniac]

I wish I had a job that could allow me to develop a prefix and breed maltese pups here, beautiful little dogs. It's unbelievable the rate at which they have dropped, though I suppose to the average person a BYB or pet store "maltese" is the same as a purebred without the effort or expense.

I think I saw a litter registered recently. I really do hope you find one.

[LizT]

Numbers of registered purebred Maltese born, have actually steadily dropped from a high of around 2000 a year nationally in 1988 to around 300 per year now, so they are almost a rare breed now.

What are common are BYB small white mongrels that all get deemed to be Malts and Malt crosses while most probably have no purebred Maltese in them at all.

Hello and welcome Yvonne.

Yes. I was going to say exactly this. They have become very popular as part of a cocktail mix. But you will be able to find a good breeder with a bit of time and research.

12 weeks is a good age to get a puppy if you work. It's amazing how much they grow in the first month. With the help of a puppy pen, toileting pad, water bottle, dry food in a container on the side of the pen, a feed (and toilet stop) before you leave in the morning, and again when you get home, it can be done. If someone is able to come home early or at lunchtime that is great, but I don't feel it is impossible to have a puppy and work, so long as you can come home at a decent hour to spend time with your puppy. Some people time in annual leave with a new arrival to help with settling in. The important thing her is NOT to spend every waking minute 24/7 with the new puppy as it will be hard on him/her when you go back to work. This is a good time to establish periods of time left alone.

Good luck in your search and enjoy the plannning stage. :)

Edited March 2, 2013 by LizT

[Loving my Oldies]

With regard to the situation where Maltese and crosses thereof, became the most dumped dogs, one of the things that is never talked about with regard to SWF, particularly Maltese, is the necessity for constant grooming. I believe that Maltese (and other breeds) should come with that warning. Some of the SWF that end up in pounds and shelters are unbelievably matted and, consequently, would be in awful pain due to urine burns, twisted hair pulling is like being burned, terrible ulcers under the eyes where the hair is matted with eye discharge. OMG it is just awful.

With that off my chest . . . . . .

YvonneM and Jules, I was 48, single and working long hours when I adopted my first dogs never having owned a puppy or even had a pet since the age of 13. LOL. Because I worked long hours, there was no way in the world that I was going to have a puppy and leave him or her alone through the day. How did I solve that: well I adopted two of course :laugh: :laugh: .

I took two weeks holiday from the day they came to live with me and when I had to go back to work, I employed a dog walker/minder to visit them in the middle of the day and she would have her lunch while she played with them or just let them crawl all over her or nap or whatever it was they wanted to do. She would leave me little notes (which I still have nearly 20 years later) telling me what they did.

Nammu and Calypso came from different breeders because I wanted a girl and a boy. Yes, I was a nervous wreck, terrified I would do the wrong thing - they were so small and precious. Sadly it turned out that Calypso had a malformed heart and she died at the age of 3 and a half. Broke my heart as I loved her to distraction.

So there is your solution, YvonneM! Get two! Don't be put off by people who say you "shouldn't" have two puppies at the same time as you can't devote the time to them. I used to take my two to training together, and I will admit that I wasn't very successful, but then I was really only doing it for socialisation and fun. I loved having two dogs together and, let's face it, there are two of you.

Walking them was a cinch and I used to take them to off leash parks (watching like an eagle of course) where they were as happy as you could want little dogs to be.

ETA: One of the things that really surprised me was the amount of attention my dogs received when I was out an about with them. They were very lovely, but the first time I was stopped and asked if I would sell them, I was rended speechless . I became used to it and once was offered a couple of thousand for Calyspo.

I also learned that they were in the top 5 of stolen breeds, so I was paranoid about that. Had bolts on back fence gates, side gate and even front gate until I started getting huge electricity bills because my metre couldn't be read :laugh: :laugh: .

Edited March 2, 2013 by Danny's Darling

[YvonneM]

Again - thank you - my faith is energised that getting a puppy is do-able while we work!

I never thought about coming home at lunch time, but I don't work that far from home, so could probably manage that. He/she could probably come to work with me a couple of times over the first few weeks as well ... I work in an office and the girls would adore having a puppy around! Penned of course!! Husband gets home around 4pm, so that's good too.

Danny's Darling - I had to laugh - I HAD considered getting 2 so that they wouldn't be lonely too :laugh: !! Having said that, and whilst I am beginning to appreciate the work that goes into looking after mumma dog and raising puppies, I am not sure that we could afford the $$ to get 2! Like you, Winston always got comments on what a lovely dog he was - I always said he was to "pretty" to be a boy!! I must work out how to post a photo of him. Winston went to a grooming salon once a month for the entirety of the time that we had him - he adored going there - lapped up the attention! I agree, there is a lot of work in maintaining a long haired breed which is why we kept him clipped short for easy maintenance.

I can't believe that someone offered to buy your doggies!! Oh my goodness!!

I too was always paranoid about theft - WInston was such a pretty little fellow, likeable and loved people - I reckon he would have gone to anyone who offered him a treat :laugh:

[minimax]

Again - thank you - my faith is energised that getting a puppy is do-able while we work!

I never thought about coming home at lunch time, but I don't work that far from home, so could probably manage that. He/she could probably come to work with me a couple of times over the first few weeks as well ... I work in an office and the girls would adore having a puppy around! Penned of course!! Husband gets home around 4pm, so that's good too.

Danny's Darling - I had to laugh - I HAD considered getting 2 so that they wouldn't be lonely too :laugh: !! Having said that, and whilst I am beginning to appreciate the work that goes into looking after mumma dog and raising puppies, I am not sure that we could afford the $$ to get 2! Like you, Winston always got comments on what a lovely dog he was - I always said he was to "pretty" to be a boy!! I must work out how to post a photo of him. Winston went to a grooming salon once a month for the entirety of the time that we had him - he adored going there - lapped up the attention! I agree, there is a lot of work in maintaining a long haired breed which is why we kept him clipped short for easy maintenance.

I can't believe that someone offered to buy your doggies!! Oh my goodness!!

I too was always paranoid about theft - WInston was such a pretty little fellow, likeable and loved people - I reckon he would have gone to anyone who offered him a treat :laugh:

When I got my pup she came to work with me for the first few weeks, and she mostly slept. She would play for a few minutes, then sleep on someones foot under a desk. Or curled up on my jumper. After that I didn't feel so bad leaving her home alone because I realised she really does just sleep all day!

I still went home at lunch time for a while, to let her out to the bathroom, give her lunch (while she was still young) and a quick run, but sometimes it was more distressing for her to see me quickly than it was to not see me all day.

I was also lucky that I could adjust my work hours around her schedule, because she had a HORRID sleep schedule - awake before the sun (around 4am - 4:30am) but then would crash out again about 5.30am. So I'd leave for work just as she was heading for her 5:30am crash out nap, leave brekky so it was there when she woke up, and that way I was home much earlier. It saved me hanging around home watching her sleep until my normal start time.

Learning to be alone is really important for a puppy, from the start.

Edited March 3, 2013 by minimax

[YvonneM]

Minimax - you are lucky to be able to adjust your work schedule to accommodate your puppy. I am interested to know that once you left puppy on her own at home, did you contain or pen her or did she have the run of the house/yard? I know I will learn as I go and that this forum is a valuable source of information and help, but I am asking for personal experiences - I want to make sure we do this right the first time! I know I stressed so much the first few times that we left Winston at home alone, only to come home to, well, nothing to worry about at all! But he was a little older at 9-12 months. We get up at 4am every day anyway - so active pup in the early morning suits me just fine .... but you just watch, ours will want to sleep until 8!

[minimax]

Minimax - you are lucky to be able to adjust your work schedule to accommodate your puppy. I am interested to know that once you left puppy on her own at home, did you contain or pen her or did she have the run of the house/yard? I know I will learn as I go and that this forum is a valuable source of information and help, but I am asking for personal experiences - I want to make sure we do this right the first time! I know I stressed so much the first few times that we left Winston at home alone, only to come home to, well, nothing to worry about at all! But he was a little older at 9-12 months. We get up at 4am every day anyway - so active pup in the early morning suits me just fine .... but you just watch, ours will want to sleep until 8!

She was contained in the kitchen, which was gated off from the rest of the house. I'd not give a pup the run of the house, way too much potential for destruction, not to mention toilet training bad habits. I chose the kitchen because it was tiled, so any accidents could be easily cleaned up.

I had my pup in summer, so I wouldn't have left her outside, but I don't leave my dogs outside when I'm not home anyway, regardless. But that's just personal preference!