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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for reasons NOT to get a dog?

254 replies

Waheymum · 21/02/2026 05:33

I'm pregnant with my & DH's second child, first is a toddler. DH desperately wants a dog. I'm left with almost all childcare because he works irregular hours, and this wouldn't change if he had a dog so I'd be left looking after two children and a dog. I take DC1 out to groups/soft play/etc most days so it's not like I'm sitting around at home to look after a dog. On top of this, I just don't want one: I'm not ready to commit to a dog, they're a lot of work, I couldn't just take a dog out with my DCs to kids' activities.

AIBU not to want a dog at this time, and could you relay some experiences/stories that explain why it's a bad idea?

OP posts:
Pinkychilla · 21/02/2026 05:49

Definately say no OP you said you dont even want a dog and your husbamd wont even be around to help!

My friend got a dog when she had a baby and a toddler with the idea she was on mat leave to train it , however tuned into a distaster as she was forever having to seperate the dog from the children as he was a nippy puppy, he would chews thier toys and she found it impossible to walk on her own as the toddler didnt want to walk as far and baby wasnt happy in to be put down in the pram, having to walk it in rain with a unhappy toddler and baby, constant mess from dog hair and mud having to clean up poo in garden so toddler didnt step in it, like your worried about she could no longer just spend the day out had to plan her day around getting back for the dog, she was tired anyway from having a baby and toddler and this was added stress she didnt need and of course husband worked away a lot nearly ruined thier releationship as he wanted to keep dog, it wasnt fair on her or the dog, the dog ended up going to a family friend in the end but she always says how the dog ruined some of her mat leave leaving her stressed all the time when she was supposed to be bonding with her baby.

Iocanepowder · 21/02/2026 05:39

I think you’ve answered your own question op. You don’t have to justify yourself.

We have 2 young kids and we don’t want dogs because:

A lot of them smell or wreck the house or chew things

We don’t have time to walk it. We don’t want to pay for a dog walker.

I still wouldn’t feel safe as a female walking it in the dark on my own.

They cost a hell of a lof of money and we have better things to spend the money on.

We want freedom to go out or go on trips. I often go away for a weekend to see my family or friends who don’t live nearby.

I would be worried about dogs with young children as they kids can unintentionally annoy the dog and it can snap. I’ve seen it before with DS.

EleanorReally · 21/02/2026 05:39

the commitment - no going out for more than 4 hours
training a puppy is very hard
the unknown with young children in the house

MinnieMountain · 21/02/2026 05:38

What you've posted sounds like plenty.

Also- the cost of kennels if you go away.