Puppy-proofing the cats... How does that work?

[mrs.b]

I am interested in an update for your previous thread. Did you get any more information about dogs that fail training as service dogs? I think that is a really interesting idea for getting a well-trained puppy. Any new ideas for the type of dog you want?

We did reach out to a few of those organizations, and most do have some sort of program for their career-change dogs but the wait lists tend to be extremely long since first priority goes to the families that raise and train the dogs (as it should be). There is still a premium demanded for the dogs to recoup the cost of dog, vet care, and training invested to that point. Those dogs are still usually closer to two years old, and we'd like to introduce our new family member to the household within the first year of its life. So, this is no doubt a fantastic opportunity for someone to get a great dog, but we do not think it's the right choice for us.

We looked into goldendoodles because I love the idea of them - intelligence and temperament tendencies from the parent breeds - but I absolutely refuse to spend $2,500 on a puppy that is essentially a mutt, and that's how must all the ones I found tend to charge. And the more I researched, the more I became nervous that I'd get a puppy mill dog. No thanks. No one in our house has allergies, so we might as well just go with an AKC golden for 1/5 the cost from a club referral agency to be certain I'm not funding animal mistreatment.

Still in love with golden and labrador retriever breeds. We spent the last month and more thinking it over, and we still have not entirely ruled out a breeder, but the reason we're so in love with those breeds is because the breed's stereotypical temperament is what we want. So, we're working with a couple local shelters that do get a lot of puppy surrenders, and they're keeping their eyes out for golden or lab puppies, or any pup (that will be large in size at maturity) that looks like it may have the personality and intelligence we're seeking. We plan to see what shows up in the shelters between now and tax season. If "the right" pup has not come around by then, we'll revisit the breeder debate.

That said...I have an appointment this weekend to meet five 7-week old black lab pups being fostered for a local shelter. The pictures online... I just hope I have the self-control not to bring all five home. We may have our canine baby soon, after all.