in what ways do dogs hold you back from doing 'normal' things? what are the bad things about having a dog?

[juicychops]

been asking dog questions lately as considering a dog but want all the information good and bad to know if its for me or not.

im thinking prob a small breed as only have a small house

apart from having to sort out arrangements for if you go on holiday, what other holdbacks are there when having a dog?

[juicychops]

and why are the 'for's blue?

[Disenchanted3]

If you want to leave the dog outside a shop don't get an expensive breed. I have to have someone with me or smuggle the dog in the shops as I can't leave her outside!

Thats about it!

[stleger]

They want to go walkies when you don't - but you are glad you did. They eat furniture (that is possibly only naughty ones like mine). They run away after well behaved dogs to make you look silly. They are great though!

[franklymydear]

You have to find somewhere for them to go if you want to go on holiday and kennels are expensive

you have to pick up poo again

you have to do walks even if you're not in the mood and it's pissing down inside

the kids stop taking an interest in them apart from short bursts

puppies need training

they moult (some breeds)

they eat their own shit (some breeds)

they sniff you in the crotch

have the potential to knock over your childrne

other families can look at you like you're the devil because you dare to walk down the street with a dog

[JustWannaSay]

If you go on holiday in the UK and take them with you, you have to find places that will let them in when it rains (dog-friendly pubs for meals, etc), but there are lots of websites that list these so you can make provision in advance.

The worst for me is feeling guilty when I don't have time/energy to take mine out (as still in the midst of the early pg tiredness phase - ugh).

You can't have a weekend away in a hotel or even a night staying over at friends without making plans for them to be looked after. And long days out can be difficult unless you have one that will not mess up or wreck your house while you are gone.

Basically it is just another consideration when you are out and about and another demand on your time and energy, but they give so much love back and I feel very secure in my house and when out walking knowing that I have my dog by my side.

[raggedtrouseredphilanthropist]

I recently lost my dog But I have noticed big differences in my lifestyle since.

I can stay out all day (and all night) if necessary, without coming home.

I have so much freedom to stay round peoples and go out for the day - eg camping at the beach. I would have taken the dog, but then we couldnt have spent the morning swimming.
And taking ds to the shops and not needing an extra hand to hold the lead, and clearing up poo, and chasing the dog AND ds as they run in opposite directions...

It has made a massive difference to me, especially during the summer hols, to be able to just go!

My dog was old and had separation anxiety though, so I would only leave him for a few hours, otherwise I would take him with me everywhere. Mind you, having said that, I DO intend to get another in the near future.

I miss:

the 'having' to go on walks - its a great excuse to get out.
the company in the evenings.
the security of having a dog in the house at night (even though he was mostly deaf, he made me feel safe)
having to clear up the food ds drops!
just him

imo they are worth the extra hassle..

[TheChilliMooseSpeakstheTruth]

Some people don't like visiting houses with dogs. (I find this is a plus point though!)

They can smell and do make a mess. And dog sick stains light carpets

They will start hassling you right in the middle of your favourite TV programme.

They have to go out for a wee before you go to bed, even if is raining and you end up having to stand out in the rain in your nightwear in order to encourage them outside.

They fart.

[raggedtrouseredphilanthropist]

oh yes, the shedding! a month after I lost him, I STILL find his hairs in the house! never thought I would be pleased to see a dog hair...

[spugs]

If you have the kind of lifestyle where you can take a dog most places you go then it doesn't make that much difference. We're very outdoorsy and spend our summers camping in the uk. The majority of things we do are things you can do with dogs and places are getting much better at having them in or providing care for them eg. lego land has kennels!

Saying that though I was at a friends wedding yesterday which was a no dogs affair and had to make my mam look after them . If I don't have someone to have them then I don't go and its as simple as that.

Other cons are the general bodily functions! If you have friends that you stay with and they dont like dogs in their house ( our friends we stay with lots have 3 working collies ).
The whole puppy stage gets fairly annoying as well, cleaning up large amounts of wee and poo. Standing outside in the rain waiting for them to go. Watching them shred every piece of paper they can get hold of .

But they are brilliant, Ive ended up with 2 and I wouldnt swap them for anything. I like the walking, enjoy the training, love the companionship and loyalty.

Plus you can get low shedding breeds

[stleger]

Wasn't there a troll thread about someone who wanted to take a yorkie to a wedding in a handbag and the bridezilla said no? If not, there should have been.

[Dawnybabe]

Dogs are easily trained and don't answer you back.

You can go out for a few hours and leave the dog at home.

A dog will lay at your feet and gaze up at you with adoring eyes without asking anything in return.

A dog always wants a long walk in the countryside without whining to come home half way through.

A dog is always good company.

So what if you have to pick up poo occasionally and get a few hairs in your house. Don't you have a hoover?

If you've already got kids, a dog will be a breeze by comparison.

[spugs]

I would have taken my 2 if i was allowed, and one of them does fit in a handbag .

[trellism]

Picking up poo
Having children scream and run away from your perfectly well behaved dog
Having parents pull their child away from your perfectly well behaved dog in a panic
Crotch sniffing - yours, your mum's, your dog-phobic distinguished visitor...
Barking madly at the milkman and ignoring the one actual genuine burglar
SHEDDING
Claws on your wooden floors
Being unable to understand the notion of Fetch when played outdoors when he is perfectly able to do it indoors
Dry humping of legs and other dogs
Farting
Cocking a leg at EVERY SINGLE lampost, tree, bollard...

Perhaps this is just the disadvantages of one particular doggie

[beanieb]

Fleas!

[MaybeAfterBreakfast]

I wouldn't be without mine. The benefits far outweigh the negatives, but:

1. You can't go out for the whole day (4/5 hours max).
2. Dogs hate being in kennels, and decent kennels get booked up for school holidays and Christmas a year or more ahead, so you can't spontaneously go away at these times.
3. Dogs have to be walked whatever the weather, and however you feel.
4. They can cost a fortune. Not just the food, kennels fees, vet bills etc, but things like buying a bigger car to accommodate them, furniture and bedding destroyed, etc.
5. Some people with small children or allergies will not want to come to your house (that can be a blessing in some cases ).
6. They create a lot more cleaning.
7. PITA when you have builders, plumbers, etc visiting.

[spugs]

trellism - my dog also will not play fetch outside even though hes brilliant in the house

Can I add steal worn knickers from the laundry basket and run through the house with them when your husband has there good looking friends over

[oneopinionatedmother]

I think it is definitely wise to consider the minus points, who will dog sit when you're on holiday (or kennel costs), possible allergy problems, whether you are upto training a dog (previous experience etc) and whether you can devote the time to training them from puppyhood (or if you get a rescue, devote to habilitating them)

i generally have to persuade my dog she wants a walk when it rains.

my food doesn't cost much (www.anglianmeatproducts.co.uk - much cheaper than buying the same stuff via Pets at home - plus a big bag of biscuit once a month) for a small dog not a great cost

grooming cost/ time - my dog only sheds into her coat so no hoovering but i bath her once a month and do her hair (maybe 3 hours? -would cost £40 with groomer about).

adult dogs can be left for longer periods but I think working a full day with one isn't really in order (i'd planned to give up work, it didn't happen, i ended up with a very stressed dog - even for three days per wk)

Getting a dog from a good breeder with money-back guarantee with all health checks from parents can reduce the riskof getting unhealthy pup - though even the healthiest dog can throw you the occasional bill for e.g. broken bones! (x-ray, painkillers etc)

My dog hates other dogs so i have to be very careful with her (means i actually avoid most other people with dogs, normally they would help you to meet new people)

Even a small dog makes your house safer (the barkng) and more of a home.

for a small dog a dog=door can make it easy for them to go out during the night/ day when they need to go.

i think they can be a great addition to a family, but think as much as you can about breed - and expect to do all the work yourself (as already said, kids lose interest)

[Goober]

We got our first ever dog from a pup 5 years ago. Was very wary about the commitment thing.

Her first summer we went on holiday and put her in to kennels. We were all miserable without her. It spoilt the holiday because we missed her so much. Have vowed to never do it again.

In May this year she had to have an operation and was at the vets for 4 days. It was horrible. We all missed her.

I never leave her alone at home for longer than 4 hours. I never regret getting a dog. The kids and I adore her. She is spoilt.

See my profile pic.

[potoftea]

Getting a dog is a bit like becoming a mother. Nothing prepares you for how much you'll love them, and how guilty you can feel leaving them behind when you go out.

Our dog is happy just to sit at my feet which makes me feel very loved and special, (whereas I no longer have that effect on my dc). But even going off for a day trip, let alone a holiday, means I feel sad knowing he's missing us, and that takes some of the pleasure out of the trip away.

Also I feel a walk is a waste if he's not with us, so even just walking around town seems selfish without him, when I know he'd be delighted to get out.

And.....I confess that I was a dog HATER, until my ds got a puppy, but now I'm one of those people I used to redicule.

[Madmentalbint]

Having a puppy was more work than a newborn baby for me! It was exhasuting!

Lots of puddles and poos.
Lots of chewed kids toys.
Chewed doors.
Chewed skirting boards.
Puppies have teeth like needles so we had a few injuries (unintentional).
Doing little sprinkles of wee whenever excited, like over visitors shoes

He doesn't do any of those things now but he still costs a fair bit (insurance is a must!) in vet bills, flea, tick and worm treatments, food, vaccinations and bedding/toys/leads/treats. There is also ALOT of poo picking up required. I can leave my dog for 6 hours if needed but I hate doing it and try to avoid it whenever possible. And he always looks so sad if we're getting ready to go out - the guilt is terrible!

I wouldn't swap him though. He's so soppy and he always loves me - no matter what! He loves my kids and he makes us laugh.

[Blondeshavemorefun]

they steal eat food thats left out defrosting for the evenings meal

they make great hoovers after the meal

[MmeLindt]

The only disadvantages that I can see are:

• only being able to leave her around 5 hours

• not every hotel allows dogs if you want to take them on holiday with you

The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages, although I must admit that I live in Switzerland where dogs are much more tolerated. I have yet to find a cafe where I could not take my dog into (probably helped by the fact that I can fit her into my handbag).

I used to pop her in my handbag when shopping browsing the local posh deli. They are so used to designer dogs that they don't blink an eye.

[Blondeshavemorefun]

even if i found a big enough bag rucksack/suitcase

i wouldnt be able to lug let alone lift woofa

tho sure he would love to go shopping in a deli

think of all that fresh meat!!!!!

[hatwoman]

agree with potoftea. for me the biggest thing is days out. a half day, or possibly a tiny bit more is ok. but to suddenly have to factor in the dog if you want to go out for a full day is just an extra thing on your list of stuff to sort out (which is never short). weekends away satying with friends too. some friends are fine with us bringing him, some less so. some I don;t even think we should ask. what non dog-owners don;t realise is that it's harder to find a dog sitter for a day or a night than it is to find a baby-sitter.

we've used kennels a couple of times for holidays - and while I do feel guilty I don;t feel to bad.

but these are such minor things compared with the real joy of having a new member of your family. one that never argues, always loves you, and is damn cute.

[MmeLindt]

You need a shopping trolley with steps, so that he can get in himself.

Don't know that I would class him as a "designer dog" though. Can't imagine Paris Hilton with him tucked under her arm.