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

@Cluelessat33 thanks for your advice! I've now shared the scary bits key points from this thread with my DH who's found it really helpful.

Are you able to let us know who your breeder was (we're in the South East)?

DM me if that's easier - I tried to myself but I'm on a phone and it's browser only for DM I think.

Wow....that some sleeping companion

He completely takes over the bed and lies on me. A sleeping dog is heavy
Holidays is a faff also if you holiday in the UK there are certain activities such as visit a zoo you couldn't do with a dog
Wouldn't swap him though.

King sized bed 😂
She's very soft actually despite her beginnings
And as a first time dog owner, had an absolute baptism of fire.
She's now nearly 6 and not 100% bomb proof but is fab at protection, she herds the kids, very loyal, loves chase, training - which is continuous, long walks but not in the rain. Hates being wet.
Doesn't slobber unless a pork pie is close by 😂

She's a rare black malinois and beautiful, she knows it.

Sorry completely derailed the thread

Expensive for kennels when you go away
Having to walk them even when the weather is shit/it's dark etc

I had Belgians through the 1980s and 1990s, a Tervueren bitch and two Groenendael dogs. Then, the Malinois was very much considered a working dog - military especially - and very few breeders would have sold to a pet home, certainly not to a first time dog owner. We showed, competed in obedience and trained for working trials, and I wouldn’t have coped with one!

They’re fabulous dogs if you can channel their incredible brains, it’s wonderful to read a success story, well done.

I don't hate a single thing. My life is massively enhanced by having a dog. I love everything about my dog, she's amazing.

It really depends so much on your lifestyle and your actual dog.

• I worked in care for 15+years, a dog poop in a bag bothers me not one bit

• my dog is a lovely laid back older rescue who seems so grateful to have us, no problems with chewing, no destructive behavior, he's fantastic on a lead and has brilliant recall.

However, my lovely step daughter has a very expensive dog that: - gets overexcited when she greets you and pees (the dog not my stepdaughter!)

• gets overexcited with play or attention and leaps up to your face to bite you 'in fun' - not a huge problem as she's tiny and there's no power behind it, but my dog would NEVER get to do that without a Big Serious Telling Off. Plus accidental injuries are a thing.
• bullies the other family dog
• barks, chews, eats anything, causes general havoc, is an accomplished escape artist, will bite the postie...

Obviously Holiday planning, costly vet bills / insurance and looking after them if they are ill apply to whatever dog you get. If I had my sd's dog I couldn't cope! But my lovely old boy is a daily joy, to be honest.

Smell, mud, hair, neediness, cost,not being able to be spontaneous
I do love him though

Barking every time the doorbell goes or someone comes to the door.
When she's hurt (or pretending to be, vet confirmed she does this sometimes), it makes my heart ache and i feel overwhelmed with worry.
She limps sometimes with a sad face when she's fed up of walking on a long walk and wants to be carried, once we get home she's running about completely find.

Oh and when she follows me when I'm having a shower and tries to run off with my underwear and socks.

Farting all the time
Moved into a newbuild and my new carpets were ruined within 6 months
Hair everywhere
Can't go out for a full day without doggy day care
Boarding adds an extra £500 onto a week holiday
Constantly stealing my toddler's toys and guarding them...

@YourWinter she was a rescue, a private rescue. We saw the conditions and treatment of dog. Reported got no where so took her. 5 years , 2 carpets, a car inner door handle, 2 dog beds , a pvc back door, new door and window frames, behaviourist and training costs. Not starting on vets fees to get her back to health.
She's my girl, she doesn't like other dogs much and is reactive to strangers still, but I've learnt her body language. We fit together

@DillDanding

what breed is he?

@LindaShoelace

That's not a dog problem, that's a DH problem!!

but as I'm the 'fussy' one & Im the one with the problem it, I'd be making it super easy for him to do something other than dump it on the floor.

a hook really close by, a radiator rail if you have a rad near by... something ridiculously easy to do, then threaten his well being if he doesn't do it.

@aliasname

you need a mug friend like me, to come and stay at yours. Or a good dog sitter where DDog can go & stay the night.

I'm Im in a GU postcode and would help you out in return for doggy cuddles for a weekend.

My husband and daughter wanted one. We researched for 18 months to find the best breed for the family. I've never had a dog before, and I now know I hate living with one.

The hair

Dog hair everywhere.
Expensive to.put in kennels if you go away.
Walking them even though it's dark and chucking it down with rain.
But they adore you so can be great for emotional support.

Can you explain in more detail? I'm sorry it didn't work out how you planned.

@1stTimeMama thats really hard for you.
Is it anything specific you're just not getting along with or are you becoming the default walker, feeder, poop scoop etc.... if it that you're being left to do the lions share, then have a chat with DH about it and see if you can take away some of the responsibility.
If it's more a general, "I don't like having one" I'm not so sure what you can do really - maybe have a break from him/her regularly. Again, you need a convo with your husband because you do all have to be on board because it's a long time for you to be miserable.x

When you are feeling rubbish and the actual weather is rubbish and your dog is very happy to go out whatever the weather - the only downside for me but that’s a very weak complaint.

The stair gate that I hang the dog's towel on between dog drying times is literally within an arm's reach of the kitchen floor. It may be a DH problem but it is his dog and he gave me all the usual promises that he would do ALL the maintenence involved in owning a dog. No dog no picking up a towel 5 times a day. (I love the dog really)

At least he barked. I would have preferred that to coming down to two steaming piles of sloppy disgusting runny dog shit on my kitchen floor at 6.30am.

To be fair he's ill and that's rare.

Other than that it's the dog hair. The battle is real. I hoover every single day of my life, just to keep remotely on top of it.

I Loled at this a lot