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The doghouse

Reserved a rescue dog, now the doubts are creeping in...

33 replies

MyGastIsFlabbered · 18/10/2014 14:28

Met with a dog today, she's lovely, got on well with the boys (4 and 2) so we reserved her. However, now I'm worrying if we're doing the right thing-it's so much responsibility. Is this normal when thinking of adopting a first (since I was a child) dog?

OP posts:
Floggingmolly · 18/10/2014 14:31

Yes it is. We did it anyway (a giant greyhound!) and it's like he's always been here. We love him Smile

MyGastIsFlabbered · 18/10/2014 14:33

Lucky you, we'd love a greyhound, but have cats & cat-friendly greyhounds are rare as hen's teeth.

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CMOTDibbler · 18/10/2014 14:37

I think its normal - its a big change and a lot of responsibility.
We have lurchers and cats Smile

TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge · 18/10/2014 14:39

Perfectly normal. I'd say if there were no doubts or worries then there would be something wrong.

EvenBetter · 18/10/2014 15:12

Yep, normal! I worried if she'd be upset at the change, if she'd like us, if she'd be a dick, plus the whole being solely responsible for another living being for its whole life aspect-keeping Her happy, safe, healthy and protected. Since you have children this aspect might not be so scary to you!

You just have to adapt to not being able to go to certain places, can't leave her alone, etc. within a day you'll wonder how yous ever got by without her!

writingbeagle · 18/10/2014 15:21

We got our first puppy three weeks ago. For the first week, I kept having the odd panic that it was the wrong thing - but already the doubts have disappeared. He's amazing and just about the best decision we've made as a family. DH in particular is besotted with him.

MyGastIsFlabbered · 18/10/2014 15:22

We never go far anyway so no worries there Grin

My biggest worry is how she & the boys will get on, but the boys are used to dogs but you still worry don't you?

She's a lovely girl though, am sure it will be fine.

OP posts:
Floggingmolly · 18/10/2014 15:26

What breed?

MyGastIsFlabbered · 18/10/2014 15:30

Crossbreed, she was a stray from Portugal so not much is really known about her.

OP posts:
LEMmingaround · 18/10/2014 15:32

Bless. She will be fine and love being in a family.

ruby1234 · 19/10/2014 12:52

Crossbreed, she was a stray from Portugal so not much is really known about her.

You're bringing an imported stray no-one knows much about into your home with small children?

No wonder you're worrying!

gaggiagirl · 19/10/2014 12:58

What ruby said. Sorry OP. Do you know how she is around children, any history at all? How old she is?

cupofsneeze · 19/10/2014 13:02

I'm with Ruby on this one.

Has the dog been through all the rigorous checks needed if you have 2 very young boys.

2 and 4 year olds can be very noisy and unpredictable which some dogs wont bat an eyelid at but others can become very stressed and react badly especially if they have had a bad experience previously.

I would do some more research on the dog and spend a lot of time together before committing.

She sounds lovely so i hope it works out Smile

ItMustBeBedtimeSurely · 19/10/2014 13:06

I'd be stressed too about bringing an unknown dog into a household with very young children! My dcs are similar ages and I find it stressful just visiting my parents because of the dog - the kids have to be constantly supervised and the dog gets really stressed with all the noise. I don't personally think dogs and very young children are a good mix.

MyGastIsFlabbered · 19/10/2014 13:24

She's currently with the RSPCA who have vetted her suitability re children. We've met her twice & she's been absolutely fine with them. My boys are used to dogs as my mum has one (she had 2 but one was put to sleep).

We'll make sure the dog has a 'safe place' where she can get away from the boys.

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 19/10/2014 13:29

If you are having doubts I would back out now and think again when your DC's are older. Rather than have the dog with you for a few weeks and then decide you can't cope. I wouldn't even consider bringing a dog into a house with two such small children. But only you can make this decision.

MyGastIsFlabbered · 19/10/2014 15:28

When we see her I have absolutely no doubts whatsoever, it's when I come home again I panic.

OP posts:
Owllady · 19/10/2014 17:14

It's quite normal to feel apprehensive. Having a dog is a huge responsibility :)
I've always had rescue dogs with my children and although they have been difficult in some respects, I have never had a negative experience wrt my children, you just have to be sensible. I'm sure the rspca will be supportive if you need advice too

BirdyArms · 19/10/2014 21:49

I think if the RSPCA have said she's OK with children it will be fine. Your mum has dogs so you know what you're getting yourself into. I am just considering getting a dog and am scared by the commitment too. But I'm sure that when we get one I won;t be able to imagine life pre-dog.

PureMorning · 19/10/2014 21:54

I think is normal to have a 'what have i done' moment.

I find it kick in about 3 weeks after getting a new pet too.
The honeymoon is over and you realise you are going to spend years telling the dog not to lick the kids after its spent 5mins licking its arse and telling the kids stop licking it back.

LouietheChi · 19/10/2014 22:09

Breeds aside, yes it's totally normal. It's a big bloomin deal!

MyGastIsFlabbered · 20/10/2014 07:04

Thanks everyone, I was feeling a bit deflated after reading some of the comments on here, but we'll see how it goes.

OP posts:

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VivaLeBeaver · 20/10/2014 07:56

I was the same before picking up my first dog. To be honest there were times the first week or two of having her I still thought "oh my god should I have done this".

I've gone on and had two more dogs since so obviously got ver the slight panic!

TheHouoooooondsBitch · 20/10/2014 08:14

I think its normal to feel like that, especially with a rescue. You don't know their history (we don't even know for sure what breed ours is!) and then you have all the usual worries, will they get on with the kids, will the kids behave properly around her, will she run away as soon as she gets an opportunity, will I bond with her.... So many other things! I was even worried about bonding with her knowing she's only gonna live 10-12 years (large dog!) and then break my heart!

EasyToEatTiger · 20/10/2014 08:49

I was the same when we brought our first rescue dog home. She's a collie and I thought I could never deal with A COLLIE. It helped us a lot to first find a vet, and to look into training classes, Depending on her history, you may need the help of a behaviourist at some point. Children need a lot of training. We have just had some help with crate training as one of our dogs is afraid of children. Most things that crop up can be dealt with!

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