Thinking of getting a dog for emotional well-being

[Cokeacola]

But I’m also concerned about what stress a dog could also bring

what has been your experience of having a dog ?

I'm thinking Labrador, springer or beagle

We got a 6 month old Heinz 57 rescue 4 years ago and there were some bits which were incredibly easy and I'm so grateful for and bits that were and still are incredibly stressful. I feel lucky that I was mentally well enough to deal with the very stressful bits. If I'd been in a fragile place, it would have been a disaster. Retired, elderly greyhound for me next time!

Get a whippet!
mine has saved my emotional well-being many times over. Don’t get a high maintenance dog. Whippets don’t bark, don’t smell, don’t have loads of fur. You can pick them up and take them on the bus/ tube. You can walk them round the. block and they’ll sleep (in a fascinating position of their choosing) all day. They don’t have any congenital conditions or breed problems. They are beautiful, and when one lays his head on your lap and exhales as if to say ’here is home and where I belong’ you feel it’s all ok. Sometimes my family all sit and look at him because we all love him …

Get a cat...

Wow, I think any of the breeds you mention would cause more anxiety rather than less. Puppies are stress inducing maniacs, perhaps an older rescue whose behaviour would suit what you needed would be appropriate?

My pug is a lovely companion, he is not particularly stressful now hes over the puppy stage however recently he needed major surgery after an incident, I was distraught and so stressed by it all. He also had awful separation anxiety and it took us 2 years to be able to leave him alone.

My other dog is a puppy and nothing but stress at the moment. I have never felt so tired and uptight.

Are you coming back to the thread, OP?

People are being very negative, and I think it’s because you say you’re looking to get one to improve your mental health and well-being - and it’s such a risk to do something like this, in aid of that.

We have two dogs - an 8YO and a 12 week old puppy.

I was so far removed from the puppy days that I had forgotten how challenging it is owning a puppy.

The toilet training. We take her out every half hour, but we’re still cleaning up accidents inside every day.

We’ve all lost expensive / treasured items to her chewing, even though we’re all so careful to keep everything out of reach.

DH and I have rostered either one of us to WFH every day - she can’t be left alone for any length of time yet.

Our 8YO is easy, but with the arrival of the puppy, it only reminds me of how difficult it was with her, too. And it’s a long transition.

Both Labradors, in case you’re taking a note of breeds.

You’re taking a big risk that this is going to work out the way you want it to.

@0o0o0o0 my cat causes me even more stress than the dog! Didn't get the memo that his job is to keep the house rodent free, not to bring them in unharmed and let them go. I'm about to lock the catflap forever and buy a cat doorbell instead.

I agree with this, kind of wish we'd stuck to cats, they are lovely and brilliant for reducing stress. Couple of stressy months when they are tiny and try to pull curtains down etc but totally lovely by about 4 months.

Definitely this

I have a border collie. He's the best thing I've ever done. In saying this, I've always been active, love being outside and generally enjoy a quiet. Yes, get a dog but please make sure you have the capacity to look after it. It's really not fair on the dog otherwise.

Get a cat. Less stress. My cats are great. Act like dogs. Endless affection and cuddles.

I love dogs, but they don't just wander into your life mature and well behaved.

They're all different but generally puppies are a pain in the arse. They bite you, scratch you, piddle everywhere, keep you up at night etc. It takes months of hard work turn them into something manageable so unless you have the time and patience for that I would park it for now.

As for kids walking them, it would very much depend on their age and the dog's behaviour/training. To be honest, ours made all sorts of declarations about wanting to walk a dog but were rarely up for it so I wouldn't depend on them!

Also when cats purr it reduces stress levels.

Do not do beagle. My parents got me my first dog (beagle) when I was 8. He was lovely, and back in those days (the 60s) it was fine for me to walk him alone - BUT - the beagle nose leads the beagle. Beagle brain follows nose. Beagle goes selectively deaf if there's an interesting scent. I came home many times minus beagle, who had caught a whiff of something more interesting than me. Recall did not exist once nose was engaged. I cried my eyes out so many times thinking he was gone and never coming home - he always did, though - fairly often stinking of dead fish or whatever he'd found to roll in. Beagles are great dogs, but they create more stress than they alleviate!

Get a cat?

My little pug rescue is sleeping soundly next to me and i have to admit having a dog has been amazing, far better than i imagined, but i have 1 teen DS and work mainly from home. It‘s only fair to get a puppy/dog knowing you already have the time and love that they need and deserve. Because once you have them then finding time just isn’t good enough and will just cause a stressful environment for everyone. My DS takes her for walks, we live in the country side so pretty safe, she‘s 2.5 so not a puppy and super tiny too. We had to deal with the sudden death of our first pet not so long ago and this was hugely emotional for everyone. So there really are lots of lifestyle ‚things‘ to take into consideration. Cost, Walks/Training…Weekends, spontaneous parties, visitors… kids, holidays. I think leaving dogs on their own for a few hours is fine and good for them as long as they are in the safe/familiar surroundings. They are 100% part of a family not an addition. But i hope whatever you choose you end up with the best little companion for you and your family!!!! 🐶🌟

Suggest either a low energy breed or an older rescue- the puppy phase can be overwhelming and all dogs need regular training and commitment to help them thrive

There are lots of cat breeds with big personalities but less needs after kitten stage

Getting a dog to reduce stress is like having a baby because they'll love you. And yes, I've heard the latter from teens wanting to be mums.

In each case you chose to have so you owe them big time and forever because they did not ask to be with you.

Think very hard about this. The puppy stage can be brutal - pop over to the Doghouse threads. Dogs are expensive.

Don't go for a high-energy working breed, as said upthread, whippets are good.

My dog has been great for my mental well-being but getting a dog is a bit like having a baby, you just don't know what you're going to get!

Those dog breeds are all active, working dog breeds and will need a lot of exercise and training.

My dd walked our dogs from age 12yo.

Please don't get a dog. For the dog's sake.

What can you offer a dog ?

I think you're getting a really hard time from some posters - there is nothing in your OP to suggest you don't have the time or commitment for a dog. I have Labradors and they are the most wonderful companions. My eldest lab came and put her head on my shoulder and her paw in my lap when I was crying when a family member was critically ill. They can be so in tune to your feelings.

If you get a puppy you need to be prepared for a tough first year, but you definitely do get out what you put in. Training rigorously in the early months pays dividends. Labradors are very loving and affectionate. I hope you are okay OP, and that you make the decision that is right for you and your family.

Spaniels are quite hard work. Lovely affectionate dogs though. You'd have to make sure you choose a dog that is not too demanding and neurotic because that's not very relaxing for you.
My spaniel is always wanting a walk or to play (even if he just went out) and that can be a bit much. I also have a cockerpoo and she's quite lazy and pretty chilled out so that might be a better choice.
How about a dachshund? I think they are lovely dogs and a bit lower maintenance than spaniels, labs and beagles.

My 12 yr old can take one dog out for a short walk by herself, and has been able to do so for over a year.

I have a Labrador and he is the absolute light of my life. He brings me so much love and joy, however the first year he brought nothing but stress and hard work. So my advice is to get a rescue that’s older, preferably 3 years old. By then it will have calmed down and any obvious health issues should have shown themselves.