Tell me what you hate about having a dog

[Worriedagainmum]

As I really want to get one for emotional support, but I know it’s such a big decision

And then he looks at you with his big basset ears and I forget about it

Don't, omg 😫

Oh I have read the full thread now and I have to add, do bear in mind that although the VAST majority of dog owners are sound, there are lots that aren't and they will make you regret it. (Lockdown puppies/"she's only playing"). You just have to be savvy.

We only lost our last babe in November and we are very experienced, involved in rescue, have fostered for 30 plus years blah blah but honestly we said never again because other people make you want to own a Walking Dead style Shiva tiger to release on them.

I think other dog owners is a big one. I feel v lucky that where I live currently most people are considerate. But the town I lived in before had a lot of underexercised working breed pet dogs who were a massive pain and made walking in parks a pain with young children. I swore off dogs until we moved because I didn't want to be a 'she's only playing' arseholes. And dog poo gives me the rage. And people who put costumes on their dogs. Or refer to themselves as their dog's mummy. And people who bring them into tearooms or gift shops. And the fact Pawsecco exists. And in the next town along there is a fucking dog bakery. I think I may be a self-hating dog owner actually. Dog are like kids. Pretty much all of them piss me off apart from my own.

@HisNameWasMike it's always the ears - you can see whether he's happy or sad from his ears. When he's told "up" to go to his bed the armchair because it's metal time for us, his ears droop all sadly. When it's pissing down and he has to go for a wee he ears go back (I don't even know how) and he gives off an air of "do I have to". When the fire is on and he's inches away from it and he all upside down with his ears splayed all over - well then, he's in his element and nothing will move him from that fire apart from a custard cream!!

same as others really, lack of spontaneity, the MUD EVERYWHERE in winter and general grubbiness they introduce to the house, mine likes to wipe beard slaver on the glass coffee table and eye bogies up the wall. Dog vomit is also the worst (I will never forget the morning I came down to a truly apocalyptic scene in the kitchen when the pup had a virus/ate something manky and the aftermath was truly astonishing in). But the worst thing, as others have said, is that their lives are too short and they go from young and vibrant and so full of life to old and tired too fast, and then break your heart when they die.

We have an anxious reactive dog.
It makes having people people over difficult.
He is noisy and disruptive.

It also makes walking with him rather unpleasant.

Literally everything. There is not a single benefit to my life for having a dog in it.

then why do you have one?

They suddenly age. And then you know it is the last summer/Christmas and whatever you do, it always feels such a betrayal at the end.

I love my dog . But she moults alot . Now she is quite old ie 13 . So she is slightly incontinent . But she is still my main hobby !

In bed, clinging on to the edge of the mattress by your arse cheeks as the dog has decided to spread themselves out diagonally across the bed.

Walking her no matter what the weather. I love it when it's dry even when it's cold but on cold and wet mornings and evenings I despise it. My dog needs a food 2 x 1 hour walks per day or she's climbing the walls so I do it regardless but I definitely don't enjoy it!
My cat is much more self sufficient and walks herself

Sounds like you have a Dh problem rather than a dog problem.
It sounds as though the poor dog isn’t being excercised, if there’s all this random poo it’s having to do in the house and ten piles of “steaming poo” in the garden, plus the howling when you go to bed is probably because it’s distressed if it hasn’t been allowed to relieve itself.
I’ve had dogs all my life and if you take them out on a regular walk, they will poo outside where you can pick it up and dispose of it easily but otherwise you’re going to have this poo all over the place and with kids as well…. Not the best!

Nothing really. He’s brilliant. If I could change one thing it would be that he would cooperate at The Groomers. I have to clip him myself and it’s exhausting. Also he won’t let me or the vet near his claws so I spend a lot of time thinking about them, worrying if they’re too long, trying to assess if the length is bothering him, trying to examine his few flaws. Never in my life could have imagined how obsessed I could be with a dog’s nails!

Dew claws not few flaws!

Without a doubt, the hair. It gets everywhere no matter how much you brush or hoover and seeing it messes with my inner peace sometimes 😂

Cockapoos do seem to be incredible dogs IME.

At Christmas we were browsing in a very expensive interiors/gift shop in a busy part of town. The door was left open onto a busy road with customers walking in and out.

As we left we noticed for the first time that the owner's beautiful Cockapoo was just lying calmly by the door staring out. We all stroked it and it hardly noticed, and we were amazed at the number of expensive objects lying around that it could smash. It was just one year old too.

We've got two cats at the moment, and if we ever get a dog it would have to be either a Cockapoo or a Cavapoo now.

Fireworks. Having your dog so petrified and then the aftermath. She won't go outside in the dark in the evening now because of the wankers who let off fireworks randomly from two weeks before bonfirenight to a week after NY.

Other than that, and being barky with visitors (lockdown pup) but that is improving, she is lovely. Although I have been up since 5.30 because she did her little woofly whiny bark which interpreted as 'I need a poo' but actually meant 'I've smelled a fox/cat and need to go and bark and protect the garden.

Not being able to leave them and also lack of spontaneity is a deffo disadvantage. The hair, mud, poo thing doesn't bother me. We feed raw so poos are easy to deal with. It's just the overwhelming sense of responsibility and that can get a bit much. The fact I am desperately searching for somewhere firework free to take her at NY says it all and I've had a week of panic attacks and anxiety due to the recent NY fireworks.

Messy, smelly,tying, prefers my husband. When I was younger I always wanted a dog but now I can see the downsides no. My husband wants another one he can get to fuck , LABRADORS STINK !!!!

Our lovely dog, we had from a pup til pts at 13, loved him to bits, he was the most loyal, lovable dog you could ever imagine, absolutely gorgeous. Broke our hearts when we lost him.

Would we get another, no way. Such a tie, we still love dogs, but I know we wouldn’t get another, they are a massive responsibility.

@ArmyofMunn I would certainly recommend them to people who are looking at dogs. They love a walk but are equally happy at home, they are gentle, clever, friendly, easy to train.

I adore my lab springer cross, but having my new dog highlights just how hard she was. I got her when I had no children and had more time on my hands. I probably wouldn't get a similar dog until I was in a similar situation, because now, with a small child it's jyst not possible to dedicate the huge amount of hours that were needed to make her the fantastic dog she now is.

😂ours does this too - and we don’t like to disturb him!😂

@GenerallyGreenerGrass I don’t disagree with you but he does walk it. Unfortunately it can’t actually walk very far. It’s got quite a lot of health issues and it’s a 14 year old cocker so I think that’s probably why

You mention you want a dog for emotional support.

We have a six month puppy. He’s Hard Work. Puppy blues are a real thing - it can be relentless, a cross between an overactive toddler and the Duracell bunny!

Dogs take a lot of training , it’s ongoing. Our dog is getting a lot easier (and more enjoyable now), but it’s still hard work. They are great, but it’s not plain sailing.

@CoolSlinky
She stands at the side of the bed waiting not very patiently for me to lie on my side.
Once I'm in the correct position she jumps up.
Does circling them settles down.
Then spreads herself out whilst snoring contentedly.
I've not had a full nights sleep in 5 years. And the more I read about Belgian malinois, pray for me 😂