Adopting a 7 month old Shikoku?
I just wanted people's thoughts on the matter I have been talking to Peggy and I really like the way she is describing the puppy so all that is fine but what I really wanted to know is do you think I'll be missing too much or is the puppy phase very short lived ?
Comments
If you've never met the breed, you may be better set-up for success getting one at 7 months instead of as a puppy.
Jesse
Many people actually prefer an older puppy (5-8mo) as the majority of the "hard" stuff is over with and they still get the joy of that puppy attitude.
Can't wait to know what you decide, and if you do get the pups I hope you share pictures here
I brought Ruby in at six months to a home inhabited by a snarky adult shikoku and four cats (two of home were elderly and without claws). She was by far the easiest integration I have had in my 36 years of sharing my home with dogs. There literally was not a single issue to contend with. It was utterly seamless.
We brought Hilo in a year later. Hilo was three at the time and came to us from Brad where he shared his home with many other dogs, as well as with Brad and Jen. He had never lived with cats before, and had spent most of his life in a far more rural setting. He also integrated quite smoothly. I think it took about three whole days to get everyone on the same page.
On the other hand, Miko came to us as a nine week old puppy. Our two dogs at the time Moto (a shiba inu) and Piglet (a senior pit bull), had much more to contend with. Not just adapting to another personality, but a complete schedule adjustment that comes with a puppy. Integrating a nine week puppy was by far the most difficult integration I have dealt with.
It reaffirmed for me that I will only adopt adult dogs. I will leave the puppies to others. Obviously this is purely personal. I know many other people prefer puppies. But I find adults far less stressful. I know exactly what I am getting myself into as opposed to waiting to see what personality develops as the puppy ages. Especially when attempting to integrate this personality with other animal family members.
Just another way to look at things I guess.
Jesse
As for older dogs vs puppies and kids - frankly, puppies can be pretty problematic with kids. They haven't learned bite inhibition, they haven't learned manners, and since they are growing so fast, they are perpetually in a state of not knowing their own strength. A puppy is pretty much guaranteed to bite a kid (and everyone else) at some point simply because they mouth everything. It's perfectly normal, and it's how they learn bite inhibition, but you may as well skip that phase if given the option.
Jesse
Talked to Peggy and ryoko will be coming home soon.