The Scoop on Puppy Parenthood

Spinone puppies are absolutely adorable.  Most puppies are.  And like most puppies, they can be work.  Before you consider bringing a puppy into your family you need to be aware of the responsibilities of having a puppy in the house.  

Puppies are a group effort.  Everyone needs to take responsibility for the care and training of a puppy.  Just a few seconds of not watching a puppy can result in something being chewed, gnawed, pooped on or peed on.  So be aware.  Puppies are fast and rather stealthy. 

And remember, if your remote control, your tennis shoe or the dining room able leg are all fair game if they are in reach of a puppy.  Puppies want to explore.  How do they do that? By putting “it” in there mouth, no mater what “it” may be.  So if your new puppy gets a hold of your new purse ask yourself where you left it and just how would a puppy be able to get a hold of it.  Then slap yourself, NOT THE PUPPY.  

The old adage of sticking a puppy’s nose into their own feces or urine does not go over with me.  Puppies do what puppies do and if you aren’t watching them and they do it in a place you don’t want them to do it then that is your fault.  Because of this I am a great proponent of crate training.  This gives a puppy a place that is their own. Their safe haven, and they will not urinate or defecate in that area if they can at all help it. 

Now don’t expect your 2 month old puppy to hold their urine while in a crate for 8 hours.  Could you do it when you were that age?  I don’t think so.  So leave the crate door open for them so they can get to the papers and put the papers away from the crate in an area for them to potty or poop.  You will find they will poop in the furthest place from where they sleep.   

And remember to provide them with toys.  Not one or two, but lots of toys.  The attention span of a young puppy is similar to that of a young child.   So recall the huge bag of toys, books, blocks and whatever else it took to keep your child occupied when they were young and apply that to your new puppy. 

Everything you do for and with your puppy helps establish the personality of that puppy when they grow into adult hood.  It will also be the foundation for the relationship you will have with that puppy as they mature.  Always treat  your puppy as a future adult dog and remember the behavior patterns you establish early on will provide the framework for the adult dog you will be sharing your home, life and love with for a very long time.   

In our throw away society too many people decide they are tired of something or that it is too difficult to deal with and they dispose of it, whether it be a car, a job or a pet.  In my opinion, that is the wrong attitude to have.  Having a pet of any kind is a life long commitment.  That is why I am trying to give you some pointers on the potential hurdles of having a puppy in your household.  I am looking for puppy parents that understand the commitment they are taking on. 

As a breeder, I want to find homes for my puppies that will be enriched by the addition of the new family member.  If you start to feel a bit overwhelmed give me a call.  Let’s talk about the issues and see if I can help.  If you feel overly stressed or at your wits end with your puppy you have waited too long.  Don’t let it get to that point.  I am here for you and for the puppy. 

And remember that as the breeder of your di Parma puppy I feel you have joined my family.  If you have questions I will try to answer them.  If I don’t feel I have the most informed answer I will try to find out more about the subject.  

What I have done in the past few paragraphs is to let you know that having a puppy is not always easy.  That said, I will tell you to have a Spinoni puppy cuddle against you and give you a wet kiss is one of the brightest moments of my day.  I cannot consider anything better than to hug my dogs close to me and let them know, once again, that I adore them.  They in turn, provide me with the love and companionship I find difficult to express in words.   

I consider my puppies like my children.  When a di Parma puppy goes to their new home it is with the understanding that they will be treated like a member of that house hold.  They will be loved and cherished for the rest of their lives.  So, if a di Parma puppy comes to live with your family you are agreeing to those conditions.   

That said, I will state that in the event that, for whatever reason there may be, things are not working out with you and your puppy, I will expect you to return that puppy to me. I will not be upset nor angry.  I understand life sometimes gets away from us all. If you feel things are not working out with your puppy please let me know and I will take the puppy back into my household.   I do not want any of my puppies ending up in rescue or in foster care.   

I hope this short diatribe has been enlightening and reassuring.  Life with a Spinone, or a number of Spinoni, is the most gratifying experience I can think of.  You have a family member who adores you and wants to share their life with you.  They will love you unconditionally and will give you joy and happiness when you most need it.   

Thank you for researching the Spinone as a potential addition to your family.  You are considering one of the most magnificent breeds I can imagine.

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