I've seen a few people on here say that having had a puppy, they wouldn't do it again. As someone who is planning on homing a pup in the next year, I am obviously fascinated by those of you who thought they wanted a puppy but having done it, in retrospect, wouldn't go through it again! Why specifically for you would you only go for older dogs in the future?

And in fact, those of you who have done it and would do it all over again, why is it all worth it!?

I didnt fancy "doing the puppy stage again, so rescued an 13 month old dog,, and am so pleased i did as hes fantastic and still young enough to grow with us as a family.

I'd do it all again in a heartbeat! They're hard work but so very worth it - and I like a challenge! I love all my rescues dearly, but the bond I have with the two I've had from pups is something very special.

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''Dogs are like chocolates, you can never have just one!''

oh no, I love puppies :-) but I'd also take on an older dog if they fitted in the the rest. Yes pups are hard work, but I never think of it as 'work'

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Penny
Funfastquick Agility Dogs

the first few weeks is bad, can be really bad, and it can feel like forever but it passes and you've got a dog which is you through and through. i think i'd always want a dog from as young as possible.

i've just done my first 4 weeks second time round and life is finally getting good again

Not me! It is the best bit as far as I am concerned. I don't remember ever having trouble with a puppy; they are adorable and I loved every minute. Okay, they mess on the floor if you are not very vigilant, they chew up the wrong things (my fault for leaving them where they could get them), they nip sometimes, easily fixed.

For the very first time I have acquired a three year old dog, not a puppy, and she is far more difficult as far as I am concerned. I love her to bits and she is a lovely quiet dog, but I can only let her off lead where she can't take off, she is fascinated by all the other dogs she sees, and she pulls like a train!

I would dearly love another puppy.

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My cocker spaniel is 3 years old. Only once he turned 3, did I actually bond with him and enjoy having him as a pet. Throughout his puppyhood and teenage phase, he was difficult and strong-willed. It was a massive shock, having owned a very easy, laidback elderly cavalier before getting Ollie. We simply were not ready for the whirlwind that Ollie was.

However, although it was a nightmare, it was definitely worth it, and surprisingly, I'd actually go through it all again, to have a mad cocker puppy. I absolutely adore cockers and their personality and I'd prefer having them from a puppy so I know how the dog was bred, that its parents were health tested and it was trained the way I wanted. Also, having had a difficult cocker puppy, next time, it'll either be easier or just as difficult but at least I'd be ready and I'd know what to do next time.

In the next 5 or so years, I would love to get a solid chocolate or black cocker bitch to show. And I'd obviously buy as a puppy from a breeder.

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I OWN A CHOCOLATE ROAN COCKER SPANIEL
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I'm hopefully doing it again in the next couple of months, in fact I'm going the whole hog and breeding a litter myself! Definitely keeping a bitch pup back, may yet persuade the OH that we need to keep a dog pup back as well, we'll see

I have done it, and will do it all again!

I think it's one of the best stages in the dogs life and they fly past so quickly

The sleepless nights (although mine have been fairly good), toliet training and destruction are all worth it for the lovely well behaved pup you get after the puppy cuddles, teaching them all the basics, taking them on lovely walks, socialising and meeting new doggie friends makes it worth while! They look at you with their cute little faces and all the bad things escape your mind!

I loved the puppy stage and can't wait till the next addition finally comes along the only slight annoying thing is the '5 mins per month of age' walking rule..I love going on long interesting walks and having to stop after 20 mins barely into the walk is horrible

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I don't like the puppy stage at all but after having an older rehomed dog, I think I'd rather have the puppy