what happens to a puppy if you don't train it

[English Cocker]

I'm after more advice. We had an English Cocker spaniel puppy for a week but we had to return him to his previous loving owner. I broke a bone in my foot and I couldn't clean up after him or take him outside (we live in a flat on the 5th floor). I'm writing this in Seoul. I'm going to be here for maybe about 9 months with one or two long trips to my home country. My boyfriend is the permanent resident and he would like to try again and get a dog more suited to a flat like a maltese.

Anyway, he really likes dogs although he doesn't know much about them. I'm fine with nice placid fully trained dogs but I don't think I'm the most suitable person to train a puppy. I'm more of a cat person. I'd like him to have a dog because he wants one, but it'd be me who has to train it and when I'm not here it'd be on its own all day. The layout of the flat means it would have to go in a pen rather than a puppy proof room.

If a dog was like a hamster and all you had to do was give it food and water I'd say 'yeah, go ahead, get a dog.' However I read about toilet training, socialisation training, anti-bark training etc. . and I think 'oh, I've got to really put a lot of effort into this puppy otherwise it'll be unruly and impossible.' I'm not a dog person but when we had the puppy I tried to put a lot of effort into making sure it developed the right way.

I know you're going to say 'look if you don't want a dog, don't get a dog.' That's very logical and you're quite right. But what I would like to know is the worst case scenario. What happens if:

a.) It stays in the pen all day and I make my boyfriend attend to it when he gets home in the evening. (bearing in mind this would probably just be walking and playing)
b.) The puppy spends a year running around without getting much training at all.

It'd grow up to be a very difficult dog to be around wouldn't it?

 

[SHADOW_THE_STAFF]

I wouldnt put a puppy through that.

No training, no socialisation. It would be horrible.

You may get quite a few emotive responses to this question, just to warn you.

 

[SallyandPippa]

Yes you are being entirely sensible saying that a puppy who was forced to live in that way would indeed grow up to be a very difficult....and UNHAPPY dog!

After wanting a dog for 20 odd years I know how your boyfriend must feel but it is important that you explain to him that it would be cruel to get a puppy at this point in your lives. If he loves dogs he will take what you say onboard and agree to wait until you are both more settled in a more suitable environment, when there is someone at home during the day, when you have a garden for the puppy to play and learn potty training, when you are BOTH willing to make the life long commitment that comes with a dog.

When you and your boyfriend are in a more suitable environment and decide to get a dog please resist the temptation to take the first cute puppy you see, they are all cute! It is really important that you research breeds so you are able to find a dog whose general characteristics suit your life and environment, there is so much information available to you on the internet....make use of it! However, at the end of the day, the main influence on your dog's personality and behaviour will be YOU so make sure you are in the position to be able to give a dog all the things it will need, it is unfair to do anything else!

Good luck!


Sally

 

[English Cocker]

Yes I guessed it'd be very bad for a dog and that was my reason for not wanting one. I just wanted to phrase it bluntly to get truthful answers from you all. More answers would be good.

A few years down the line, with a house and a garden I think I'd be happy to have a nice adult rescue dog (after getting to know it at the shelter). For now I think we should stick to pet mice.

 

[bridey_01]

Why not rats? They're marvelously entertaining and just like a dog, only less maintenance and smaller! I hand raised a litter when their mother died, and the resulting babies were tiny rodent dogs! They would follow me around the house, respond to "come" and learnt many tricks.
As for what would happen if you didn't train/socialise? You would have a demon from hell. Peeing, pooping in the house, chewing EVERYTHING, constant barking, biting (maybe even you).

 

[English Cocker]

I keep suggesting rats but as the boyfriend's Korean he thinks it's a bit weird. Even gerbils are far out here. We have miniature hamsters. They don't do much though.

 

[bridey_01]

What about if it was a lovely colour, like siamese? Show him some pictures of some cute baby rats, maybe he will relent.

 

[SHADOW_THE_STAFF]

I think thats a very sensible idea. Lots of people get dogs for the wrong reasons then end up taking them to the shelter when they dont want them any more. You seem like you've really thought this through. I think you'll be a very responsible dog owner, when you finally decide to get a dog.

 

[English Cocker]

I hope so. I'd like to see myself with a nice shaggy mongrel when I'm older and more settled. I just hope my boyfriend's not too disappointed. I'll have to train the hamsters to unicycle.

 

[Fran27]

I'll answer your questions

a) first, I don't trust pens. I had one for my second pup and he escaped all the time (climbing over it, which wasn't really safe for the puppy either). I prefer crates. There's nothing wrong with leaving a dog in a crate/pen all day in my opinion though. They just mostly sleep. The problem is that only a walk wouldn't be enough for a dog (you usually need to give them at least 2 hours of playing/excercise), so he would probably lack excercise and be a real pest.

b) lots of people actually don't bother training their small dogs. The consequences are... a dog that can be vicious to other dogs and people if not socialized (although daily walks help with that), a dog that will do about anything he wants in the house - steal stuff from the trashcan, chew furniture, sheets, the couch... pee and poop everywhere... won't come when you call him nor stop when you ask him to.

So yes, it's a pretty bad idea. Why don't you get another cat?

 

[Dreeza]

well good for you for being totally honest...and also for doing lots of research! i am sure there are tons who get a dog, and THEN realize you have to do things like that.


Would you ever consider getting an older, trained dog? Since it seems like you are an animal person already, just not necessarily a dog one, maybe you will quickly realize how fantastic the companionship of a dog is.

Since i just recently leared that the greyhound is a coach potato...what about a retired greyhound? I know there are other dogs that are larger, but surprisingly ok with living in a smaller area (someone please correct me if i am wrong!)

Or just get any dog that is older...and preowned, and has already been trained. My dog was already potty trained, and knew 'sit' when we got him at 6months...and he was still a total handful...

 

[Renee750il]

Actually, getting a cat is a good idea. A cat like a Siamese, Russian Blue, Ocicat or Egyptian Mau is more vocal and enjoys human interaction more than some, so that might be a good compromise for you and your boyfriend for now.

Kittens are immensely easier than puppies, and there are almost always lovely, personable adult cats available at rescues and shelters.

 

[Fran27]

I love cats. Most of the ones I've had were very cudly and loved people, too. They're really NO work compared to dogs as well, and they are very good company in my opinion...

 

[Dreeza]

lol, i think ive just had bad experiences or something with cats...or maybe it was just the family i used to babysit for...their first (and very old cat) was just mean...and avoided everyone.

then that one died, and they got another...that cat was soo cute, and we played with it...but then sometimes it would get all psycho...and i would be so terrified of it, lol...it would hiss and paw at me...and if i started walking away from it, it would chase me, making all these weird scary sounds, and then like paw at my heels...the thing was posessed, lol probably got sick and tired of the kid mishandling it...

 

[Fran27]

I have a siamese mix... Looks just like one though. She's very vocal, and extremely affectionate. She's cautious with strangers though, but she's one of the best cats I've had - although I've had three other very affectionate ones. The thing with cats is that people tend to take them because they're cute, and don't care for the character. I've met some very cute kittens who were really not nice. Just got to be careful and spend some time with the cat first.

We got one of the family cats without seeing her first. We wanted a kitten because one of our cats had died and the one we had left felt very lonely, and when we went to pick him up from the kennel he stayed at for the vacations, one of the employees told us she had one kitten to give away, so we said, sure. She was very cute, but couldn't stand being picked up. She hasn't changed much now, she can be really nice, but only when she wants to, lol.

 

[bubbatd]

When in doubt about owning a dog...one shouldn't get one. Time will come.

 

[AmberwayGSD]

You could also go with a reptile.Most males like them except mine lol.No housetraining issues either.Bearded Dragons are good for beginers or a Gecko.

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

a.) It stays in the pen all day and I make my boyfriend attend to it when he gets home in the evening. (bearing in mind this would probably just be walking and playing)
b.) The puppy spends a year running around without getting much training at all.

You'll end up with a dog with problems.

 

[Adogstale]

WElllll since you asked

First.. consider CRATE training... if you are away for hours a day.. and not a pen. A crate can be a dogs best friend if started as a puppy.. they love them.. it's like a den..

I find small dogs are hyper.. and if not socialized properly you will find a very difficult time and dog on your hands. Dogs get bored.. and you pay for it... An older dog (rescue) use to a calm household.. or unactive house hold might be better suited than a puppy.

If you do not plan on being part of this dogs life.. then don't get one. It's one thing to not be a part of a dogs life.. but living with one? that is not liable to happen. If you are home and the dog is in it's crate it will probably yap constantly until you give in.. and yet that is good because you are paying attention to it.. but not good because it learns all it has to do is yap to get attention.

I don't think personally that a dog is suitable in a home when one of the owners is not interested.. it truly is a family effort.. as this little one is apart of your family.. A puppy is like a baby.. it needs guidance/training/discipline everyone has to be on the same page.