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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Thinking of Getting a Puppy
We went to visit this family that is giving away a puppy. It's have cocker and half Bishon. It's the cutest puppy ever and I have always wanted a dog and my hubby grew up with a dog. I am nervous though! We travel a lot - usually never at the same time, but I want to be sure this pup never feels neglected.?
?If you have a dog, what are some things I need to know? Where do you leave him if you go out of town? How expensive is it to have a dog??
AHHH don't know what to do 
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Re: Thinking of Getting a Puppy
We have a 3 year old "hound mix" that we adopted from the pound when she was 2 months old. We are fortunate that my dad loves our dog and he's always really nice about watching her for us when we go out of town so that we can avoid boarding her.
Financially speaking, it is a matter of luck. We have been having some problems with our dog recently that have been quite expensive. About a month ago, she developed facial nerve paralysis (a nerve that controls the left side of her face is now paralyzed; possibly permanently) and we had to take her to a very costly veterinarian specialist for it because our regular vet didn't have much experience with it. It cost a lot of money and she was simultaneously diagnosed with hypothyroidism so now she's been having lots of blood work done until they get her back within normal range....also costly. I would say we've spent upwards of $1000 between the neurologist exams and all of the blood work they have had to do.
I hope that doesn't scare you from adopting an animal as it's a VERY rewarding experience. I just thought I would share one side of the spectrum to give perspective.
Having a puppy is a lot of work but totally worth it if you are ready for the commitment! We got our puppy two years ago and she woke us up super early in the morning (much like a baby) and would play from the moment she got up. She potty trained well...though we followed her everywhere she went to make sure she got potty trained well. She did go through quite the puppy phase with her sharp teeth though. We used to jump on the couch so she couldn't bite at us. She was teething though. She never tore up much so we were lucky. She did try to chew the corner of the wood molding and part of the carpet when we were living in an apt. They will chew, because that's what puppies do.
I would def. consider the costs involved as well, puppies require quite a few vet visits before they are one year to get all their shots, etc. They also require flea and heartworm medications.
We crate trained Casey and just took her off the crate a few months ago (for when we were gone). She did the crate at night when she was a little puppy but because trustworthy after a few months at night. She is doing well with it so far. They are mischevious at times and do require lots of attention, walks, playtime, etc.
We don't have any regrets. We love our girl. : )
We have had our little monster for almost 2 years now. She is a toy yorkie so shes a little thing, 6lbs. When we first got her I was up a lot with her. She would wake up every morning about 6:30 and want to play and potty and eat. Then she would calm down at about 8:30ish then it would continue. However as she has gotten older she sleeps later then I do now.
The only real problem we have ever had with her is potty training. Little dogs are harder to potty train because they don't have the same sense of living space as bigger dogs do. She has to be brushed every other day, taken to the groomers once a month. But even with groomer visits she still is pretty resonable priced. Between her food, flea medicine, heart worm, and grooming her average monthly costs is about 50.00. As a puppy though there are more costs such as shots, puppy class *I highly recomand*, and if you decide to get the puppy fixed.
When we go out of town she stays with either my parents or his parents. However if for some reason she can't stay with one of them; we have found a boader we trust who does in home broading so she isn't locked in a kennel the whole time.
Puppies are a lot of work, time, and commitment like a kid but honestly I love that stinkin dog so frickin much. lol. She was the best present my husband ever got me. She was my 21st birthday present hence her name is Martini.
Thank you so much for asking these questions and really thinking about this before making a decision! So many people just think puppies are cute and then two months later realize they can't take care of it.
::stepping off soapbox now::
I have two golden retrievers and love them like children! They really aren't that expensive to take care of, but luckily they haven't had any serious issues like dogs can have. We have had to visit a dermatologist and a surgeon and that was a little more than normal, but still nothing real ridiculous.
My parents come stay with my dogs when we go out of town. It's great that they can do this, but it does prevent us from traveling together. (BTW...if anyone wants to trade off dog-sitting, I'd love to talk!) I would never put my dogs in a kennel, but that is just me. There are some nice places that you can leave your dog at, though.
Do you know why the people are giving away the puppy? Just make sure that if it is a behavorial issue that you are willing to work with the puppy to correct it.
I think having a dog is a wonderful experience! Let us know what decision you make!
I definately want to think through it because I don't believe in giving a dog away - once he's ours - he is OURS FOREVER! So we both know there were lots of things to think about now that this maybe a reality.
They are giving him away because their dogs - they own both parents and I met them both yesterday - had a litter and they had 8 puppies. Our doggie is the last one because not many people thought he was as "cute" as the others but the's totally adorable! We spent about 45 minutes with him yesterday and he played when you wanted him to and would be a total cuddle bug when you wanted him too. He, at 8 weeks old, also waddled to the door when he had to go potty and everything. His parents were very mild tempered as well - didn't bark AT ALL when we came to the door and cuddled up to us right away!
We discussed it last night and I think we may get him! I'll keep everyone posted!