Tell me the bad points about owning a dog

[ItchyScratch]

I do love dogs.
I had one through my youth-teens.
But never since due to lack of money/ time/ having young kids.
I’m in a better position now though.

My children (young teens) are desperate for one.
They are hitting me with all the good points about owning a dog and begging me all day long.

Please tell me all of the bad points about owning a dog so I can thoroughly consider this.

I love our old dog. Wouldn’t have it any other way. However, the one thing you need to appreciate about having a dog is it is so, so tying. We will take a break from owning a pet when our boy goes - just to have a bit of freedom. There will be so many times you are out doing something nice, you want to stay on but you have to get back for the dog. You can’t “pop in” places when you are out and about with your dog if they are not dog friendly. You can’t always do things at the last minute because you need to consider your dog. You cannot let it be something you are talked into - that’s how dogs end up in rescue. You have to really be committed to it.

well it's the poo. And this week for us the vomiting

they're needy. They smell. They bark at random strangers. Walkiong them in the winter in the rain is a bit horrid. Wet paw prints on the floor when it's wet outside.

You need to plan holidays.

But no, I can't tell you anything else. I love love love our dogs. Our kids love the dogs and they have been the best thing that have happened to our family.

I dread them dying.

Hmm let's see!
Never being alone ever!
Follows you everywhere
Watches you pee/poo/ have a bath
Watches every bite you take
Big slobbery kisses
A great welcome home when you get in
The unconditional love and affection
Actually they are all good points and I wouldn't be without my wee pixie!

I sometimes find myself wanting to get a dog, but a visit to friend’s homes where there are dogs always puts me off. The smell (not necessarily bad, but it’s there), the hair, the smell of their food. Having to plan your day around their walks and being back home for them so they aren’t left alone for too long. Nah.

Dirt, hair smell, meaning additional time on cleaning. My dog dislike other dogs and go crazy with people so dog walk is never relax for us.

But... we love each other!

Bark at anyone going past the window
Bark at anyone knocking on the door
Sit halfway up the stairs
Too much fur
Learn how to use the cat flap and break it
Learn how to open a window
Do a standing 6ft jump over a gate
Go to the local shop to find you after breaking the cat flap
Scream loudly when another dog comes too close

The farts!!!!

I don't think I have anything to add that has not been said already on this thread.

However, here's the one thing I had not thought about when considering a dog: I wanted a large dog, we got a large dog, I had realistically budgeted for all the costs and the fact that a large dog eats a lot/needs lots of food.

What had I not considered?

Lots of food IN, lots and lots of poo out.
Just sayin'.

NB Love my hound

Constant cleaning
3 walks a day - every day
Not being able to go for an impromptu day out
Barking at the postman
Jumping on sofa

It's just such a responsibility.

We have a rehomed staffy and I adore him, but he stinks. He farts all the time and I've never smelt anything like it. He also follows me around everywhere, even watches me on the toilet. He costs a lot as well. Food, insurance, kennels when we go away. I wouldn't be without him though and adopting him was one of the best things I've ever done.

Re the puppy/arsehole teenage stage - this is all easily avoided by adopting an adult dog

Here's another negative: even very shorthaired breeds leave hair everywhere.

Oh, and 'hypoallergenic' breeds do not exist. Allergies develop due to dog dander/protein which is in every skin cell they lose and in their saliva. Non-casting breeds may make less mess in the house, but are not less allergenic necessarily.

Holidays abroad is the only bad thing. We went to NY last October, 6 months after getting Maggie. My aunt and uncle who foster dogs took her. My husband was nearly in tears at the thought of leaving her and has now decided as far as possible we need to holiday in the UK or Ireland so we can take her.

@Pacif1cDogwood
Farty Staffie made me laugh.

Maggie follows us everywhere too. I call her Velcro Dog, but actually think it’s cute

Food swiping thievery can be an issue too.

I was icing fairy cakes on the kitchen table and nipped to the loo leaving my dining chair not pushed in... fortunately she just swiped the one!

@Spidey66, I have a very farty greyhound, not farty staffie.

Growing up, my dad always blamed any dodgy smells on the dog....

Sorry wrong poster! It’s @zobalina77 with the farty staffie! Made me laugh anyway.

When they die. That's the only bad thing. It's devastating.

It's like having a constant toddler. If that doesn't put you off, good luck to you!

Often people will say ‘you have to walk it in all weathers’ as the biggest negative but honestly walking our dog is the easiest thing about it.

It doesn’t matter if you get a rescue dog or a puppy they have the potential to develop very challenging behaviours and you have to be prepared to pay for a behaviourist (£80 an hour) and commit to the training. One of our dogs developed a dislike of children. The stress it caused (and still causes at times) was massive. It’s a huge responsibility and if you’re not able to cope with the behaviour you then have the very difficult decision of rehoming or putting them to sleep. Thankfully we were able to help our dog and he’s much better now but I didn’t appreciate that you’re not just a dog owner but you have to become a dog trainer too.

So the shedding, poo, mud, walking in all weathers, food and vets bills are all the easy part in my mind.

Shedding if you dont get a no-shedding breed.
An obsession with the bin.
Vet bills
Food bills
Dog walker bills
Kennels.
They smell an hour after costing more at the groomers than my hair costs at the hairdressers.
Hiding food in secret places that we discover some time later after playing the fun game of whats that bad smell?
The cats hate him.
His sad face at the window when i go out without him

We love dogs, and have had them in the past, but don’t any more now that it’s just me and dh, because....

Unless you have a very willing, dog-loving neighbour (or are willing to pay for Doggy Daycare) you can’t go out for the day, or even for much of it, anywhere you can’t take the dog.

You can’t go away at short notice anywhere you can’t take the dog, because at least anywhere around here, kennels usually need to be booked well in advance.

Your house will need a lot more cleaning! (Not that this would put me off.). Dog hair everywhere, and muddy paws.

I would still love another dog though.

If you are really unwell and too.ill to get out of bed someone still has to walk the dog.

Muddy paws over your clean kitchen floor.

If we leave EU with no deal we are worried about dogs having to have blood test and be put in quarenteen every time we go to France. They normally love to come on holiday with pet passports.

Everything else is pure joy.

After reading this thread of dogs spoiling lawns, digging up garden, popping in house and rolling in poo I have realised I love my 2 girls even more. They don't do any of those those things. They are Lhasa Apso and bark a lot at strangers. They need s lot of brushing and grooming but I knew that when we got them. There eyes are like big brown conkers looking at you and they put their heads on your knee when snuggling with you on sofa. Adorable 😍. They are clearly very well behaved too. They dance on their hind legs if they see someone eating an Ice cream cone.