AIBU to think that a dog is too much commitment?

Not always true . I’m a very happy dog owner even when he has me up half the night and he has never been left with family or a dog sitter . In 14 yrs we have never needed outside help with him .

I am a less than perfect dog owner, I took on an elderly dog, she is great and fit's in with our life fine. She likes to visit other people when we go away, they tend to be more generous with the snacks for a start and don't expect her to walk further when she puts the brakes on. She actually looks disappointed when we go to pick her up

YANBU. I got cats when we settled, because the children always wanted a cat, and I figured at least they're relatively independent. But they still need a lot of looking after, general admin (getting food, washing bowls emptying litter, checking for ticks, brushing, cleaning up when the little sod of a boy cat is cross and wees on the bathmat etc.)

And we've got them for at least 12 years (normal life-span of the breed), so they'll be popping off about the same time the kids go to uni/move out, but until then, every time we're going away I have to find someone to pop in and feed them, then deal with their matts when we get back (they won't let anyone but me and DSes groom them) etc. It's a hassle, and I won't be getting more. They're lovely, but they're work.

We did look after a dog for a bit too (cats and DS2 stayed upstairs the whole week), and it was just too much on top of everything else. Dog was clingy (lovely, but clingy), needed multiple walks a day poop scooping, and prodigious amounts of feeding.

Don't do it unless you want to OP. You'll grow to resent it.

The happy owners I know have family living close by who can take the dog for days/weeks as needed. If you don't have that, stick to your gut feeling.

I think if you are truly opposed to the idea, even if the rest of the family is on board, you shouldn't do it. If you're on the fence and curious about whether you would enjoy dog ownership, I agree with PPs that some sort of foster arrangement could give you a good idea about what having a dog is really like.

My dogs have added so much to my life. Of course, there are downsides as others on this thread have mentioned. It can be tricky to arrange things sometimes, with a busy family life, a job, etc. and meet everyone's at times competing needs (the dog's included). But for me the joy of having a dog far outweighs the drawbacks. That's me, though. Many people would weigh up the pros and cons, and come to a different but perfectly reasonable conclusion.

I would have thought foster carers would need to be more experienced with dogs.
Cinnamon Trust might be easier option- looking after dogs when their owners are unable to, or join Borrowmydoggy and look after someone's dog when they are on holiday.

We've got a retired greyhound. He's about as low maintenance as a dog gets. He's still a MASSIVE commitment. I love him and wouldn't change him but having a dog is a tie.

You're 100% right to stick to your guns OP. I'd second the suggestion of cinnamon trust above. I used to walk a lovely dog for an old older lady nearby. Him and my dog became best friends and he became part of our family but without any commitment

Foster.
Rescues are crying out for foster carers.

Or get a senior dog.

You can count your DC out, the novelty will wear off quick.
Your DH isn’t being too unreasonable if it’s a senior dog. 1 walk would generally do- maybe!

He is being unreasonable to expect you to do it all though. Vets, grooming, picking up poop, etc

Could you be a foster family to a dog? Dog's Trust are always on the look out for foster families. No outlay for yourselves, food, vets etc paid for by Dog's Trust, and they move on, so you get a chance to see if it's for you long term.

I absolutely adore my dogs. I have 3 and one is elderly and I'm sure she has doggy dementia. My children are all grown up and my dogs are probably my surrogate children 🤣.
However, its thinking about holidays or weekends away takes planning when you have dogs. We use trusted home boarders but it can be expensive with 3, and not a kick in the backside of the cost of the holiday.
When my dogs cross rainbow Bridge, I know I'm going to be distraught. We did decide that our 3 year old will be our last dog.

Have you considered Borrow my Doggy? You can participate in sharing a dog without all the actual stress of owning one full time?

Don't do it. Biggest regret of my life.

You and DH would have to be 100% on board with the idea. You'd be lucky to have a dog live to 20! I say that as someone who has always had dogs since I was 13. Always 2 at one point 3,we did have 2 small breed and one border collie live to almost 18, but that is rare.. I got called some really horrible names on here a couple of years ago, someone asked the truth about owning a dog, I told it. But it suits us and our lifestyle,we're retired not interested in going on holiday,we live on the edge of a village near the sea and countryside. We lost our dear little boy Jan 23, thought long and hard, tried countless rescues,most had serious behaviour issues,no other dogs (we have an 8 year old border collie) cats, other pets, children, even visiting. Youngest DGD is 18 months.reactive to other dogs,bikes,cars, people.we went for a farm bred puppy where we used to live. She's 8 months old now.

Don't do it. I've made the decision that I can't get a dog. My anxiety is bad enough without adding a dog to the mix (chocolate, raisins, other dogs etc). No more spontaneous days out in good weather.
I go litter picking instead. The dog owners always say hello and I get to pat their dogs.

In the circumstances you describe, probably too much. Sorry and I realise it will disappoint your DC.

This. You are being very sensible about this. Stand firm, it’s too much commitment for your stage of life. And consider the financial side to.

We succumbed last year the only complaint I have is how much it cost to put him in kennels when we go on holiday can easily add a grand to a trip. If you have someone to look after them do it.

My god PLEASE don’t do this to yourself. It’s the worst mistake I’ve ever made. He’s two now, weighs 7 stone and insists on sitting on my knee. I presently actually have fleas and we haven’t been able to go away for two years and if we do we have to factor in £35 a day for kennels. Stand firm. Yes they better your life in immeasurable ways but NO

@Daveismyhero most kids these days are not like that. love my kids. They love the dogs, but life abd young people are not the mini-adults we were back in the day…. In my honest opinion anyway 😬😁

I think it depends on your kids really and how committed they'll be. I got my first dog at 14 and did everything for him. I was up to walk and feed him every single day before school in any weather. Came home to walk him after school before socialising. If I had plans on a weekend I set my alarm early to walk him before. I was never forced but it never felt like a chore to me, even at 14, 16 and 18 years old that dog was the most important thing in my life. He came with me when I went to uni and when I moved out. I had him for 12 years. If your kids can't offer that level of commitment and you don't want to take the full responsibility I'd say don't get one

Never ever. I grew up with one and although much loved it put me off from ever having one. Children are enough work as it is, don't need to be running around a dog too!

Total and bind.

Done it before but not again.
Lovely but life changing and no freedom to just do what you want.
My mum always brings her dog to our house so because our other pets don't get on with it they get moved somewhere else in house when there.
Why can't she leave it at home for an afternoon.
Recently we went out and couldn't get a coffee as dog wasn't allowed in place.
Dog comes first.

I love my dogs, and have had dogs as an adult since 1985. But the two I have are my last ones. Massive commitment, daily poo picking, daily walks, daily hoovering, expense, and holiday planning are so much harder.

Saying that, the dogs have completely enriched my life, but no more.