Anyone regret getting a dog?

[BarchesterTowers]

I’m sitting here with the dog we’ve had visiting for a few weeks. He’s been on the beach, I’m loving having him here. Anyone regret having got one?

Have you read the doghouse threads.

There are a few people who have talked about returning to the breeder for issues etc.

There are also lots of threads about choosing the right dog for you - breed /age etc. It’s very helpful

No. Not a dog. But puppy regret is very common. Puppies are bitey arseholes with no manners. I should know. We have one!!
Having a dog on loan can be lovely but what about everyday life? If you’re working? Busy? Can you not leave the dog for hours? Ever? Can you afford bills and insurance etc? Grooming? They’re a massive commitment.
If you are up for all that then enjoy!

No regrets here. We have a rescue collie cross and she’s amazing.

I have also found a lovely dog walker/sitter who has her when I have meetings in town (mainly work from home).

Occasionally because we have no one to ever leave her with if we ever want to go out for a day etc.

My only regret with regards to my dog is bringing something into my life that I love so much which only has a life span of 12 or so years.

Agree with bowchicawowow

I had serious puppy regret! She was a bitey, pissing, shitting, wall eating arsehole.
I can honestly say if the breeder popped round I would have handed her over and ran
Dog owning wasn’t new to me as we lost our lovely boy 6 months before we got her.
Oh my goodness the puppy months are the PITS!

She’s 14 months now and only an occasional arsehole.
She’s amazingly clever, sweet and loving. I rather like her

Sometimes, we won't leave them with anyone so UK hols only

My parents have. They love the dog and would never give him away but it means they can never go anywhere and leave him for more than a couple of hours. It's like having another child really.

He is nearly 14 years old so coming to the end of his life. They say they wouldn't get another.

We got a rescue 7 years ago next year and she has been the biggest challenge of our relationship. She was a rescue and came with
EVERY issue you can imagine..... separation anxiety, barking and lunging at EVERYTHING. I’m not exaggerating. We made the commitment though and she’s still here with us 7 years later. Has she challenged us and are there times I wish she was different? Yes absolutely. Do I regret it? Not a jot as she has also bought us so much joy and support through hard times.

My advice is - do your research. Make sure you see parents if you are getting a puppy, check out the breeds that suit you. If you are going down the rescue route, make sure you know everything about the dog. We didn’t, and that’s how we have ended up with such a challenging dog.

We inherited a dog when my MIL died and whilst she is fabulous and I don't regret us having her, I would not have chosen to get a dog as we both work FT and she is a high energy breed so it costs us a significant amount of money in day care/dog walking/dog food.

@ChestyNutsRoastingOnAnOpenFire I’m looking forward to mine being an occasional arsehole. I fear I have a long wait!

Oh god..we're picking up our pup tomorrow and now I'm getting very scared...

I have moments every day but there is nothing cuter than the sound of a puppy snoring. We’ve had her 4 weeks, definitely a bitey arsehole I am convinced she will be lovely one day.

Not a single regret here except that he'll be gone from our lives in the next five years and we'll miss him terribly.

No. Have always had dogs, first birthday present from my grandfather was a dog that was really for him! But I am experienced, have always been very careful to choose a dog that suits me, (terriers, every time) and since I have always had one, my life has always run to take account of their needs. I was without a dog for a couple of years when my children were very young and I didn't think I had the time to start training a puppy. I was so fed up, husband bought me a puppy! Currently have three, one is a rescue that came to us with serious aggression problems and I confess, I did have a little cry once or twice and wonder what the hell we had done, agreeing to take her on. But she is a sweetie now and we love her to bits. Dogs come with lots of downsides, which I am sure you will know all about but getting all the love, all day, from an animal that is so high on living, has been nothing but a positive in my life.

We have a 12 year old dog. She’s been the most precious addition to our family. Although I’ve never regretted having her, they are restricting regarding holidays, days out etc. It’s kind of like having another baby really.

No never. Love them, they are family.

My dog is one of the best things to have come into my life. I was very depressed when we got him 7 years ago and without sounding over the top he has brought joy into my life. My only regret is the same as bowchicawowwow, I absolutely dread that day. I am also a dog walker so a bit biased but imo dogs are one of life’s greatest joys.

No we don’t regret getting her, she’s a hugely important part of our family. But the commitment, costs, and the restrictions on your lifestyle should never be underestimated.
No spontaneous days out - unless they are dog friendly.
Holidays have to be meticulously planned months ahead, and if you aren’t taking the dog then finding good quality care is a minefield, oh and very expensive! We don’t find holidaying with the dog particularly relaxing - much as we love her!
If you work you will need walkers/ daycare. I spend £60 a week on doggy daycare.

No regrets with my rescue Staffy. She has cost a fortune with eating things she isn’t supposed to though! (Not that we keep things out she is just smarter than I realised)

My parents took in a rescue dog (took her off the streets) who a couple years on still isn’t house trained so I think they have some regrets but would never admit it

I would never, ever get a puppy again, too much work for me.
We do however have 6 ex racing greyhounds who suit our lifestyle perfectly.
I could never regret any of them, but they are very restricting when it comes to travel.

I don't regret the ones I have, but I don't think I'll be getting another one when these are gone, because DD will be grown and gone and I'll want to do other things, possibly when I retire I'd get an older rescue dog. Same goes for the horse. DDs ponies are long sold and she shared my horse when she was big enough, he's retired now but probably got another 10 years in him being an expensive field ornament, not that he owes me anything, he'll be with me unless I'm not here. One dog I expect to lose in a year or two due to her age, the other maybe 8-10 years, but she'd be easy to get looked after being just one small dog, my mum would have her - asking someone to look after 2 dogs (one of which is elderly and can be a bit strange at times) and a horse is a big ask and costs more than a holiday itself!
I only had the younger dog as a puppy, and yes she was an arsehole, this gradually declined until she was about 5, when I realised the training had paid off and she did actually listen. The horse was a youngster and a bitey, bargey, reary arsehole as well for about 2 years, then he settled down to be a nice horse.
I guess I'd have a dog or horse again in the future - but older ones because the young of anything are arseholes until you reach them otherwise and I'm not sure I want to do that again 🤣

*teach

I occasiinky regret getting g a dog, we have had him three years ow and would never ever get rid of him, but I have said many times if I could turn back time I'd not get a dog.

I love him and he is part of the family, but it's just those times when you wanna be lazy but still have to get up and walk the dog, or you want to do last minute get aways but need to consider and factor in the cost of dog sitters. Even simple things like last night going out for nye we had to arrange for someone to come down and let the dog out for a bit, as we didn't want him stuck in or out for 8 hours.