Anonymous wrote:I’ve dealt with a lot of breeders over the years, and I’ve never heard of a breeder keeping a puppy for “training” to sell at a 50% markup.

Girl, run away. That’s scetch as hell.

The 1-year-old puppy should be cheaper; 8-week-old puppies are in high demand.

You don’t really know how well that dog is trained. Also, the dog wasn’t trained by you, so you don’t know what you’re dealing with.

Get an actual puppy and watch YT videos about how to train a puppy. You’ll be better for it.

(I have to dogs—both from reputable breeders.)

Anonymous wrote:OP, I think what people are responding to is that it really doesn’t sound like YOU want a dog. It sounds like you want to provide the experience of having a dog for your kids and that they have been begging for one and you love them and are looking for the easiest way to give them what they want.

This is an absolute set up for failure. They are 14 and 16, which means gone in a few years, which means they are super busy with school and activities and friends. My kids are great with our dog - when they’re around. Which is rarely. And they certainly don’t change their lives around to care for the dog around the clock - that is up to me.

Your kids will adore the dog at first, and then in a few weeks they still will of course, and that will be heartwarming. But count on them playing with him for a few minutes a day, giving him some cuddles, maybe a walk a day if their schedules allow. You will be the one doing the constant care and worry and scheduling and vet visits and training. And you will have a dog for many years when they leave for college.

Some people go into that and want one anyway because they really want one too. You just don’t seem like that’s true for you (maybe I’m wrong).

Can you foster or babysit a friends dog or something first?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone with anxiety and mild depression, I can’t tell you how much a puppy exacerbated those conditions. A puppy is every single day, every couple of hours when they’re younger and every single day, 3-4 times a day even when older. There is no I don’t feel up to it today when you’re down and the neediness and dependency of a dog really made my anxiety significantly worse. I had to do some major work on managing anxiety related to having a dog, which I’ve come through. But it was tough.

Yikes- I can see that side too (for me, not my kid) which is why I am more into the older one. I don't mind walking the dog, feeding, taking it to places, and think once it settles it will be nice. It's the biting, aggressiveness and up all night that I don't want. A newborn seems easier-- at least I could stay in bed and nurse lol
Would you feel an older dog would have been much easier for you and your anxiety vs a pup?

Anonymous wrote:As someone with anxiety and mild depression, I can’t tell you how much a puppy exacerbated those conditions. A puppy is every single day, every couple of hours when they’re younger and every single day, 3-4 times a day even when older. There is no I don’t feel up to it today when you’re down and the neediness and dependency of a dog really made my anxiety significantly worse. I had to do some major work on managing anxiety related to having a dog, which I’ve come through. But it was tough.

Anonymous wrote:As someone with anxiety and mild depression, I can’t tell you how much a puppy exacerbated those conditions. A puppy is every single day, every couple of hours when they’re younger and every single day, 3-4 times a day even when older. There is no I don’t feel up to it today when you’re down and the neediness and dependency of a dog really made my anxiety significantly worse. I had to do some major work on managing anxiety related to having a dog, which I’ve come through. But it was tough.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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..

How old are your kids? How many do you have? Are they in a lot of activities? Be aware that kids are notorious for begging and promising they will do more with the dog and then they lose interest very quickly. Are you prepared to have this dog for potentially 15 years? I got a puppy and they are a LOT of work and expense.

They're 14 and 16 but I would regret if I didn't t get one. I think it could be nice for our family. My DD has anxiety and mild
Depression at times as do I. They're great w animals.

Anonymous wrote:

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..

How old are your kids? How many do you have? Are they in a lot of activities? Be aware that kids are notorious for begging and promising they will do more with the dog and then they lose interest very quickly. Are you prepared to have this dog for potentially 15 years? I got a puppy and they are a LOT of work and expense.

Anonymous wrote:

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..

How old are your kids? How many do you have? Are they in a lot of activities? Be aware that kids are notorious for begging and promising they will do more with the dog and then they lose interest very quickly. Are you prepared to have this dog for potentially 15 years? I got a puppy and they are a LOT of work and expense.

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..