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Original poster

Anyone regret getting a dog?

110 replies

BarchesterTowers · 01/01/2020 15:57

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?

OP posts:
Foxglove85 · 01/01/2020 19:12

Don’t regret getting a dog as such, but regret the research we did and circumstances in which we chose our dog. We love the walks, cuddles and can tolerate the dog hair, but he is a nervous, reactive and strong dog. I don’t trust him with other animals or people outside our family, and I have a horrible sinking feeling that he’ll do something stupid one day. It makes for a very stressful existence - constantly filtering his world for him.

I love him completely and we’ve had blood tests, behaviourists and training galore but he quickly finds something new to be scared of.

Never go for the ‘shy’ puppy in the litter, don’t just meet the mum and dad and think you’ve ticked that off - think about how they’re behaving. Are you able to stroke them? Are they calm? Do they have any dog aggression issues? Did they bark/show signs of nervousness when you arrived at the house? All things we didn’t consider but all of which would have sent huge alarm bells ringing in our case.

Beamur · 01/01/2020 19:20

I've found both of my dogs quite hard work. Both rescues and both quite traumatised by their experiences before coming to me.
Previous dog was high energy, poor recall and loved a scrap. Walking her was stressful. Indoors she was lovely.
Current dog is very timid, scares easily but is very sweet and easy to be around. I do worry at how much she enjoys life as so much seems to stress her.
Not sure I will be in a rush to get another. Current dog is elderly and declining and at the risk of sounding cold hearted I won't miss how restricting having her has been. I can't take her new places as she gets very stressed and panicky.

RaininSummer · 01/01/2020 19:23

No regrets but I know that I won't /can't go abroad or our for a whole day without a lot of hassle or expense .

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RhymingRabbit3 · 01/01/2020 19:23

My cousins had a puppy and returned it to the breeder because he kept biting their kids. They later got a different puppy, having done some research into suitable breeds and finding a reputable breeder which is working out much better.

My aunt had a dog who is badly behaved, through her own lack of training admittedly. Rescued a second dog and returned it within 2 weeks because it was too much for her. Then rescued another dog, had it for about 2 years and then had to rehome it because she couldnt cope with two.

My parents in law had a rescue dog whose behaviour was really quite poor - would run away given any opportunity, had no recall skills, would break into cupboards and bins. Despite it being a "clever" breed they were never able to train out the learned behaviours.

I have learnt from this that you need to

  • research appropriate breeds
  • get a puppy and train it fully and properly
  • know your limitations
OneForMeToo · 01/01/2020 19:29

Honestly yes I did and as terrible as it sounds I was relieved when it died. My dh made many promises as to what he would do and it’s care when really it fell to me and my animal preference is fish just change water/chuck food in type on animal.

I love a quick walk of a friends dog and a fuss but owning one is very very different.

Topseyt · 01/01/2020 19:30

No regrets here, but you do have to realise that they are a big commitment and a tie for many years.

I had a lovely yellow labrador for 15 years. We had him from when he was an eight week old puppy and we only had to say goodbye to him last November (so just a couple of months ago, it is still pretty raw). It was a wonderful 15 years, and he was my best friend. Hard work at times, especially the puppy stage, but great and I am so glad he shared our lives.

We still have a cocker spaniel. She is 14 now too, so quite elderly herself now.

You put in the work, you will reap the rewards.

wannabebetter · 01/01/2020 19:32

It would like be regretting having a child for me - love her so utterly!! However she was a massive arsehole puppy and DH (who'd never had a dog before & assumed she would live outside Hmm) really wanted rid as couldn't hack the chewy, bitey, destructive phase. I had got as far as ringing a rescue centre & packing all her things (while DS & I cried our eyes out) and then he decided to say goodbye and she was so affectionate he burst into tears and changed his mind!!! Now absolutely part of the family and has DH wrapped around her little paw!! She's 6 now & we cannot allow ourselves to contemplate life without her

StinkyWizleteets · 01/01/2020 19:39

Yes. Had her 6.5 years and she’s getting more intolerable rather than less. Do love her but hate her in equal measures. Had dogs for over 30 years. And this is the first time I’ve considered rehoming. Just can’t bring myself to do it in the end

AlaskaElfForGin · 01/01/2020 19:45

I did when he was about 16 weeks old. I swear to god I can't even describe what an utter utter twat he was. So cute to look at but god almighty he was hard work. BUT it's totally worth it IMO. If you're willing to put the work in (and if you're not, don't get a dog), they can change your life so much for the better. Ours is 7 now and we all love him so much, I can't even think ahead to when we lose him. He's the very best of dogs. Smile

Tumbleweed101 · 01/01/2020 19:49

Life would be easier without him - less mess, vomit, poo, barking, mud etc. But he's 'my' dog, the other dogs I've had in my life have been family dogs or my partners dog. I love this one so much and he cuddles me and looks for me and follows me which is exactly what I wanted when I decided to get him.

Two of my children are adults and the other two are growing up fast so I decided it was a good time to get him for company. He's calming down from the puppy stage now and I'm glimpsing the lovely dog he'll be once he fully matures and finishes his training. So far I don't regret getting him and I was prepared for the hard work first year after having had puppies in the past.

namina · 01/01/2020 19:52

No regrets here for my previous dog and now puppy. Rabbits on the other hand 🙄hard work

GloGirl · 01/01/2020 19:55

Sort of. I love my dog and its like an arm, he is so much an extension of me. I would give him the last bite of my sandwich I love him so much.

But God is he expensive. £30 a night if we ever need to go somewhere without him to get him boarded. Dog walker every week, vets bills, treats, grooming.

A bit like your own kids you love them and would never give them back, but would need to consider finances if you ever have another. We worked out it costs us £200 a month and with that I could own a car, foreign holiday for the family, once a week date night etc.

I dont regret it but when I am economising because we are low on money I wonder what quality of life I've given up for him.

He is worth it though.

ByeMF · 01/01/2020 19:59

Only on very wet days. Or when I'm feeling really poorly and still have to do the walks. It's hard work, holidays cost a bloody fortune but I would never be without the dog.

FabulouslyGlamorousReindeer · 01/01/2020 20:02

We got a rescue collie 3 years ago, she's gorgeous, sweet tempered and you couldn't ask for a better dog, but ... I wish I hadn't got her. The mess she makes drives me daft, there is literally hair everywhere. Constantly! Paw prints after she comes in and now she's got spay incontinence and dribbles in her bed all the time (despite the fucking expensive medication) - so that needs washing every day .. covering the washing machine, and subsequently all our clothes in dog hair!!

Please don't tell her!! I love her very much .. but the fucking mess 😡

Sexnotgender · 01/01/2020 20:07

Would life be easier my dogs? Absolutely!

Do I regret them? Not a jot.

I do however have 2 lazy ass greyhounds 😂

My husband wanted a puppy 😱 I said absolutely not. So glad we didn’t get one and got a second greyhound instead.

RickOShay · 01/01/2020 20:17

I love my dog completely and he has brought so much to my life. He’s nearly 12 now, and if I had one wish it would be that he could live as long as I do.
What’s that saying? ‘The more people I meet, the more I love my dog’ Grin
I agree completely with @RhodaCamel.
Dogs are nicer beings than humans. Far far nicer.

Dowser · 01/01/2020 20:47

Me too bow wow wow
Can’t go through that again

ec1993 · 01/01/2020 20:47

@OneForMeToo relieved when "it" died?! Jesus.

carly2803 · 01/01/2020 20:50

no, i love them to bits

but i absolutely would never have another puppy again!

OneForMeToo · 01/01/2020 20:56

Well yeah I’m not going to name him/her on here. It is a reasonable work to use when being non identifying.

Bonkersblond · 01/01/2020 21:00

Absolutely no regrets, on our second dog, both from puppies but 2nd dog came 15 years after 1st dog, DH & DC want another puppy, absolutely no way, I can still remember puppy stage and she’s 5 this year but she’s the icing on the cake for our family!

ec1993 · 01/01/2020 21:15

It was the relieved when it died that got me the most. Just I thought the "it" was another insult to the poor thing @OneForMeToo

OneForMeToo · 01/01/2020 21:22

Of course you can be relieved. Like when a suffering elderly parent dies you can be relived they are not suffering anymore or that you honestly are not having to provide 24/7 care.

TheDoctorDances · 01/01/2020 21:48

He's still chewing at 10 years old. He stinks despite his shampoo costing ten times as much as mine. He sheds and barks at visitors.

I wouldn't change a thing, I just wish he wasn't so anxious. What the hell did they do to your in your first home, boy? The home which gave you all those scars?

squee123 · 01/01/2020 22:48

@FabulouslyGlamorousReindeer what you need is a horse rug wash bag. Pop the bedding in there vefore it goes in the wash and it contains all the hair, thus saving your washing machine Smile