[Emona646]

I really want this puppy been dying to get one I go to high school now and am, in my opinon, mature enough. I could walk it to my friends and leve it with her dog then it would get socilized and then I would pick it up after school. Nwould it be OK? My friends mum stays home a lot so my puppy would be with someone. Is thant OK too?

[tickle]

I think that is a great idea, but perhaps you should test it first to make sure your pup would get along okay with the older dog.

Tick

[Wondergirl]

What else are you planning to do to socialize a new pup? Have you read up on dog training and care? Please don't go into this totally clueless. Caring for an animal is a huge job! (and lots of fun!) I love my cats, but they throw up and use their litter boxes, so I have to clean up after them (a lot), plus they have to be fed and given fresh water and have safe/comfortable places to sleep and have safe/fun toys to play with. And they want my time too, to play and to brush them and to just be with them. And cats don't have to be trained like dogs do. Cats just sort of hang out; dogs don't -- they need training and walking and hands-on care.

[Emona646]

Yes I totally understand were your coming from but I helped bring up my m8s dog too so I know what to do and I woul walk it there and back every day plus normal walking. Is that OK u think??

[Emona646]

Thankx so much for answering my question both of you this info is really helpful

[Emona646]

Thanks eveyone you r so helpful!

[Alty]

I think it's a great idea to leave the pup with your friends mom while you're in school.

I do have to ask, since you say you're in high school, how are you going to pay for the dog, it's shots, spaying/neutering, food, any health concerns that may come up?

The first year of puppy ownership is the most expensive if you get a healthy pup. Three sets of shots within 6 months, and then spaying or neutering. Are your parents helping out with the costs or do you have money put aside, and earnings coming in, to cover all of these expenses?

[Emona646]

Mum and dad want it 2 so they will pay and I will do the chores 4 it e.g. walking feeding.

[Cat1864]

Have you discussed this plan with the friend's mum? If she is going to be taking responsibility for the pup during the day and the training that comes with it, she should be consulted.

One thing to think about is that a having a dog is a family project. Everyone who is old enough needs to be part of the training and 'chores' so that the dog knows it can't ignore everyone but the person who feeds it or trains it. Dogs will become territorial over the person they see as their food source.

[Emona646]

Yes its sorted with my friends mum I'm taking most of the responsibliites.