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?

@Wolfiefan
I remember you on my puppy support thread, telling me it would get better
You helped me keep me sanity.....thanks

This is the first time in 45 years I haven't had a dog and it's been like this for 11 years now when my beloved home-bred BC reached her limit of endurance with arthritis. I still open my front door and wedge my knee in case she runs out and gets hurt, just as I still check for enough dog food before shopping. I am really sitting on the fence over having another when my dog-hating 20 year old cat passes; they never knew each other as he (cat)was a rescue.

I could only contemplate a highly intelligent and trainable breed like a BC, but at 66 I don't know if I could give a pup enough exercise any more.. I can honestly say we never had had bitey, destructive puppies as they are such an easy breed to train. Our only problem was our stud dog who had a deep and abiding hatred for one boy that he never outgrew, which wasn't surprising as I caught the brat kicking him and standing on him; however he was so obedient that I only had to call him 'off' once and no damage was ever done.

It's not as easy decision and won't be taken lightly. There is never a problem with him being left as either of my children would have another BC like a shot.

Nope. She was a high needs and vulnerable rescue so it’s not been an easy ride by any means, but a look at her little fuzzy face makes my heart dance.

Puppies are hard work. I read about the puppy blues at the time, I definately had it. I thought WHAT HAVE I DONE! Bitey naughty little things. But he's 8 months now. He is still learning, still a terror at times but so so much better and I adore him. Don't underestimate how much of a tie they are. However, the love and cuddles and joy outweigh that for me

I've had days I've wavered, today has been one and ours was an adult rescue so no arsehole puppy stage. While out for new years he broke into a locked room and ate things he shouldn't, somehow snagged an ear somehow and shook blood over freshly decorated room. A very sleepless night checking he was ok followed, I'm shattered and his poo was revolting today.

But worry for him was my main concern, especially as you can only blame yourself. Literally every annoying thing they do is down to your training and planning, or lack of! Doesn't mean it's not frustrating though

Yes, I do. It was a big mistake.

I did, briefly, in the Puppy Stage, but that passed quickly.

Now we’ve lost her, no, not one regret. She was my mate, my inspiration to get out in all weathers, my Best Girl and I miss her so very much.

A tiny part of me says “never again” because of the sadness I feel right now, but I know in time that cowardly tiny part will be over-ridden and we will have another dog, a different dog, not a replacement but a continuation of what she taught us we had room for in our family.

Right, practicalities:
Good daycare or kennelling for work or holidays without them.
Training - to ensure that if you are going where dogs are allowed they don’t make a holy show of you.
A decent vacuum cleaner.

What's a BC?

I love our dog dearly.
I wouldn’t get another when we lose her.

I did during the horrible puppy and adolescent period.

Now he is an adult he is much loved and we can't imagine life without him.

However, it has been very hard and he has had many accidents and illnesses which contributed to the stressful periods. We won't be getting another dog after BiteyDog for a very long time.

I loved my gorgeous dog, had him from a pup till he was PTS at 13yrs, never once regretted having him.

I have 2 dogs and I love them both so much! I don't regret them at all. They are hard work and you need to have the time for them, be prepared to walk them or at least hire a dog walker, pay for food/vets/insurance/toys/beds etc! Our 2 cost us about £120 a month in total. They are so rewarding though and so lovely to cuddle up to and they are always so happy to see me 😃 I would never not have a dog in my life.

Yes.

I love ours, and could never consider giving him away, but he's caused such huge restrictions on our life, at a time when our teenagers are of an age where they're off doing their own thing, we're left with what is effectively a toddler

I won't leave him for any more than 3-4 hours max, so daytime shopping trips, going to the cinema then for dinner afterwards, spontaneous weekends away, or even just nights out with friends, are all out unless we arrange for him to go to the dog minders.

I adore him but I'll never get another one, ever.

Never regretted a single second with my girl...she died last year and not a day goes by that I don't think of her.

Of course, she was seriously naughty as a puppy, but I knew and expected that (I've had dogs my whole life) and omg the 'bitey' phase 😱 was a nightmare, but it passes 🤷‍♀️ (my poor bum, feet and hands 😂)

Shoes...she chewed a few 🤦‍♀️😢😩 And remotes, cardigans, socks...actually anything left out at her height! But we made it through and the love...oh my goodness...the love that dog gave 💕💕💕💕 She was simply one big heart full of love. I miss her 😢

So no, no regrets at all. Just the very best of memories 🥰

BC = Border Collie. ;)

I think rescues and shelters full of dogs would tell you that yes a lot of people regret getting dogs.

@ChestyNutsRoastingOnAnOpenFire That’s lovely. Thanks. The puppy stage for me first time was awful. She had separation anxiety and couldn’t be left at all. And the biting. Dear Lord the biting. I remember being in tears.
But she’s 3 now and my best friend. (Though she hates me right now as we have pup. )

Yes, she was one in September and my daughters dog, dd does the care minimum with her so its basically mine. She's yappy and very protective so goes mad when anyone pops round. If the kids suddenly move my way she nips them. Don't get me wrong she's a sweet little dog and is very affectionate but I just wish dd didn't get her.

This is our 3rd dog and we have never had a single regret ! I love dogs and always have ,lots of pics when little with friends dogs .Had our first dog when I was 32 ,and it is a terrific privilege to have a creature of a different species. And also shows children how to care for a pet /empathy and so on.We were heartbroken when we lost both ,and so were the children but again shows life and death really .

I love ours, and could never consider giving him away, but he's caused such huge restrictions on our life, at a time when our teenagers are of an age where they're off doing their own thing, we're left with what is effectively a toddler

Yes! This, absolutely.

We have 2 dogs. One we got as a 9 week old puppy and he honestly has never been any trouble. Clean in less than a week and never really bitey. Also have never chewed anything. We still have the toy lamb his breeder gave us 7 years ago and it looks new!

The other one was a rescue at 7 months. He had been abused and never socialised at all. He had been kept confined in a barn, never seen trees, grass, birds, cats etc.

Because he was never socialised and never saw anything really other than the arsehole who owned him and the inside of a barn he is terrified of everything. His way of coping with this is to bark at everything and everyone. He is fairly large so looks quite scary although he has never tried to bite anyone or even growled at other dogs, people etc.

We have had him 6 years and although he is a bit better he is still a nightmare to walk and can be a pain indoors as he will destroy anything if it is left within his reach.

I have had quite a bit of abuse from people especially other dog walkers because he barks loudly at them. I always try and avoid other dog walkers and keep him close to me but still people shout at me and say I shouldn't be walking a vicious dog!

We moved just to be somewhere quieter so that we could hopefully walk him without meeting 20 other dog walkers in even a short walk. Only 1 dog sitter is willing to look after him and she lives a 2 hour drive from us so we can never both go out for more than 3 or 4 hours at a time and holidays are a rarity

I have shed many many tears over him but would never ever get rid of him.

no regrets, although the £115 a week I spend on daycare on top of extras if we want to go out for the day or go on holiday is painful

Wouldn't be without him, a dog really makes a house a mucky, hairy home, it is lovely always having someone else there. When dh takes him out the house feels very empty. We got him nearly 7 years ago when ds was 9 and they have a great relationship now (bitey puppy and adolescent stage not so much). Love a long walk on a dry cool or frosty day.

But they are so restrictive, and the novelty of wet, dark, winter walks wears off after a few years but still need to be done. Also much more expensive than I expected, our labrador costs around £200/month.

I've already told dh we aren't getting another and I'll use the money for a cleaner instead.

No regrets for me. We got our springer/cocker cross when he was 11 weeks old and he was super easy to train, so friendly and loving. He is now 4 and my best friend, unconditional love and silliness from him, makes me laugh every day, so gentle with my friends children and family kids. We researched the breed and went and saw him in his original environment, he came from a lovely family who owned his mum and dad who had lovely temperaments. Could see all the dogs were well looked after and loved so we went for it, best thing we ever did. X

Well, life would certainly be easier without a dog. Sometimes I have a fleeting thought of "god, why did we do this to ourselves?" when we're trying to figure out ridiculous dog-logistics to be able to live our lives (we don't drive, so getting him into kennels/daycare is bloody difficult!). I also don't know if I'll ever get another dog after we eventually lose him.

BUT - I love him so much that I could never, ever give him up. He's my best bud, I love having him around all the time. It's not actually regret, just annoyance.