Puppy vs 11 month old (trained)

[Anonymous]

We are probably getting a Golden Retriever puppy. The kids are dying for a puppy and have never had one. It seems daunting and also cute.. my kids are 14 and 16. There is an option to get an older puppy mostly trained and good temperament but fairly pricy and about 1k more than a puppy. Also not local so we would have to fly to meet it and see and cancel a puppy deposit. The puppy breeder isn't my favorite but ok... that's another story. The trained puppy is almost grown so looks like an adult.. beautiful but not puppy like. She said she is stoic.. a few things still need correcting..but sounded minor.

My daughter has been begging for a puppy. I know we are the adults so who cares but I will be so upset if got this older one and my kids didn't bond or were constantly sad they never had a pup to raise. I almost would prefer an adult like a 3-4 year old instead of 11 months. I also like we could mould a puppy but we have never had a dog.

Curious your thoughts on either.. I realize trained is amazing but it's a flight, expensive and then a little bit of letdown..

[Anonymous]

I'd get a puppy so you can train it.

[Anonymous]

Why is the 11 month old puppy available? It sounds like someone returned it. I would pass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is the 11 month old puppy available? It sounds like someone returned it. I would pass.

She said she kept the best 3 to train and sell for more. She is awesome and has great dogs and referrals. I believe her- she was honest. Said people request trained dogs. There were 2 others already sold. She sells the young ones for 2k and trained like $3500 or 4k. She sent it to her brothers and he spent time with her. The people who have dogs from the same parents were raving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd get a puppy so you can train it.

Yes I thought about it but isn't it a nightmare and me and DH know NOTHING about puppies
Of course we can learn..but then isn't it a crapshoot with their temperament or are most Goldens the same?

[Anonymous]

It won't be fully trained and not trained to YOU so you're just bypassing some bad behavior phases and getting up in the night. Might be worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It won't be fully trained and not trained to YOU so you're just bypassing some bad behavior phases and getting up in the night. Might be worth it.[/qu


You mean not fully trained by 10-11 months?

[Anonymous]

Have you met the 11 month old? If so, how did you like the dog? I mean, just age isn't much information on which to make a decision one way or the other. Older dogs are easier in general, but, that doesn't do you much good if you don't like the dog.

[Anonymous]

We just hit the one year mark with our puppy and I would happily paid $5k to skip the year and just get what we have now. He’s finally calming down a bit and being consistent with training. We adore him, of course, but it was a hellish year.

[Anonymous]

Go with what you feel is the healthier, better bred animal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you met the 11 month old? If so, how did you like the dog? I mean, just age isn't much information on which to make a decision one way or the other. Older dogs are easier in general, but, that doesn't do you much good if you don't like the dog.

Haven't met but was told he's super chill and perfect. Great temperament. Saw pics and videos. Would have to fly to meet her

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go with what you feel is the healthier, better bred animal.

No idea!! The puppy parents have their health clearances. I don't love the breeder but they have lots of people
Who do but not warm and fuzzy and can't meet pups till
Pick up. (Picking 1 of 2). Pup is deep red and will
Be 70-80. 11 month old is cream and will
Be 65

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just hit the one year mark with our puppy and I would happily paid $5k to skip the year and just get what we have now. He’s finally calming down a bit and being consistent with training. We adore him, of course, but it was a hellish year.

Yikes. What breed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are probably getting a Golden Retriever puppy. The kids are dying for a puppy and have never had one. It seems daunting and also cute.. my kids are 14 and 16. There is an option to get an older puppy mostly trained and good temperament but fairly pricy and about 1k more than a puppy. Also not local so we would have to fly to meet it and see and cancel a puppy deposit. The puppy breeder isn't my favorite but ok... that's another story. The trained puppy is almost grown so looks like an adult.. beautiful but not puppy like. She said she is stoic.. a few things still need correcting..but sounded minor.

My daughter has been begging for a puppy. I know we are the adults so who cares but I will be so upset if got this older one and my kids didn't bond or were constantly sad they never had a pup to raise. I almost would prefer an adult like a 3-4 year old instead of 11 months. I also like we could mould a puppy but we have never had a dog.

Curious your thoughts on either.. I realize trained is amazing but it's a flight, expensive and then a little bit of letdown..

I would do the older pup although just to warn you the 11 month old is a teenager and might regress. My puppy was perfect when younger and now is exhibiting some issues. I think your first instinct to get a 2 or 3 year old is the best one honestly. We have an older dog that we adopted at 2 and skipped over the puppy stages and the teenage stage. Training was pretty easy compared to the new puppy!

[Anonymous]

You've been posting a ton on here about getting a golden retriever. Based on the sum of your posts - get the 11 month old. A little puppy will take way more time and training and let's face it, that breeder is totally sketchy.