Best time of year to get a puppy?

[Wendy and Sophie]

We are planning to get a Goldendoodle in 2014, and have options on timing.  I'm wondering if there's a better time of year to get a puppy.  Does it matter if it's in the more winter months when it's darker earlier? We live in NC so it's stays temperate most of the year; we're trying to decide whether to get a puppy in February when the days start to get longer, but when my work starts to get busier, versus getting one in the fall, when work is slower, but the days are getting shorter.  

The other variable is having an 18 year old in the house to be home a bit and help socialize through August, versus being empty nesters in the fall.  I'm thinking through whether it's better to get a puppy when we're heading into the warmer outside months, or wait, even though it will be less conducive to outdoor activity if we wait, because work will be less busy, though my daughter won't be around at that point to help.  

If anyone has advice on timing to bring a puppy home (the puppy would be three months old, with a month of training under his/her belt), I'm most open to your thoughts.  This forum was incredibly helpful with my last question, so I thought I'd post one more.  Thanks so much!

[Adina P]

I would opt for August because I am not a fan of winter and going out at odd hours in the cold for the 101 potty breaks required each day.

[Kyoko]

I say spring, early summer... I got mine in winter month, and the midnight and super early morning potty break in freezing cold weather was a killer for me!!! ( I live in Pittsburgh, too ) If the puppy comes in the spring, he/sje will have lots of time to play outside, and your daughter will be able to help over the summer....

[Wendy and Sophie]

Thanks so much for all the great info!  Lots of food for thought. 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Living in San Diego, weather is not an issue, for us". But standing out in the cold at 11pm does not sound very appealing! Having said that, I think YOUR time allotment spent with the pup is more important. Also factor in if you are going to want to take a vacation and if the pup would need boarding..
Whichever, somehow, someway, we all make it work. But I do like the idea of your teenager helping to train, socialize and bond with it too. So basically, 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other. There! Wasn't I helpful???? ;).
In the end...it will all pan out! :)

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I would opt for early summer. My pup seemed to have to go out ... a lot! I got him in early July, so it was a lot more pleasant than if I had gotten him in say, February. There are lots more opportunities for play in the warmer months - games in the yard, a children's pool, etc. And with your daughter home, it will be a help and the pup will have a chance to bond with her too.

[Debbie & Gibbs]

It's harder to roll out of the bed between 1:00 - 4:00 a.m. on a cold winter night to stand outside and say go potty, go potty LOL.  But you will make it work regardless of what time of the year you get your puppy.  We love our Gibbs and we have been standing outside in 20 degree weather encouraging him to get his business done.  Sure does feel good though to get back inside in that warm bed. 

Good luck!

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

One additional consideration is that you will not be able to bring the puppy out to walk in highly trafficked areas until he or she has had all of the required puppy vaccines. Is there a time of year when you'd be more happy sticking around home? I carried Charlotte around when we were out and about, because I wanted to socialize her. She was (and still is) a lightweight, so it was pretty easy. With a heavier puppy, it wouldn't have been possible.

[Wendy and Sophie]

Thanks for raising this question; it is not something I had considered.  I think March through October is the best window; not too rainy or cold.  Thankfully, we have trails two doors down from us so not much of a walk would need to be on a road way at any time during the year.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

We got yogi end of October. So we have short days, cold weather and snow now.
Potty training went so fast, at least it seemed fast. Loved the potty bells! So that really was no big deal,
he's so worth it, I thought I'd mind a lot more then I do.

I'd say choose based on how best you can socialize him. I liked this time of year because we love to camp and go out in our boat. We could not have done either for 7 weeks until he was immunized. So this worked for us.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

We live in Colorado, so we avoided the cold months. Also, my DH is a high school teacher, so we were lucky to get Monty in early May and Auggie in July. That way my husband was able to stay home with the pups during his summer break. Plus, the weather was nice for the gazillion times we had to take them out to go potty. I would say whatever works best for your schedule. The puppy will need to have somebody around a lot for a few months.

[Christy&Riley]

Winters are cold here so I'm very glad we got Riley in late June. We spent a lot of time outside initially as it was less stressful. (Never felt like we could relax inside unless she was in a crate because we never knew if she would go potty or get into something.) Riley is 7 months and still a handful. I would suggest doing it when you have many hands to help. I found puppyhood is a journey not a sprint.. :-)

One other thought...Riley is scared of everything so it can be a challenging going for walks in the dark. It may just be her though.

Ok, one other suggestion. ;-) Take lots of pictures the first week because they grow super fast. I had no idea and we don't have a lot of pics when she was little.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

The best time to get a puppy or a new dog is when you have the most time to devote to caring for it - whether it is because you will have an extra hand to help (I wouldn't necessarily count on others to help though) or because your work is less busy.  When you make that decision, season won't matter.  If all things were equal, I would opt for the most pleasant weather.