"IMAFriend" wrote

Hello. I am considering getting a dog. Brother in law has some
puppies, a month old, the mom is a very very tame dog. The mom is
half chihuahua and half pug, not sure what the dad is, I think
similar. Very well behaved.

Puggles I think they are called.

I have two children, a girl 7 years old and a boy 5 years old. Both
have been scared of dogs (animals) most of their lives, but this is
the first dog they've liked. And they visited the puppies today and
liked them.

Well behaved is a matter of training. It means on all sides so you have to
teach the kids what to do and not do. The 5YO is going to need the most
assistance to deal with a small puppy so the puppy isn't hurt.

I live in Southern California, and I know at least in this area, when
you walk the dog in public, you pick up the mess. I don't know if
this is the 'standard' around the country or not. We don't have a big
back yard. We have cement, and a fenced pool. We have a front yard
that is grass, but not much. (Downside to California, small lots.)

Smile, walk dog in front of your own yard. Clean up.

I've seen pet adaptions for back areas like yours. Just a sort of quick pee
place. Low simple flats about 4 inches high with grass in them and a weed
wacker used. Dunno if they work well for you.

So, I guess my questions would be... What are my biggest concerns
about new puppy ownership? What is the 'cost' of ownership? What are
the biggest expenses?

Time will be your biggest 'cost of ownership'. A small dog (and all
puppies) need to get out more often to pee. They generally have a problem
holding it all night long before age 5 months (some are better). If your
spouse and you both work, you have a daycare issue for a puppy.

My personal preference has always been a larger dog, but short hair...
Like a labrador or something. Short hair is easier to maintain. (I
think.) But these little dogs are available and seem tame enough.

With your yard issues, smaller may be better.