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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to ask for some positive dog relationships please..

168 replies

Youcanringmybell · 07/01/2014 21:43

I would like to hear about some positive dog stories please.

I have read so much recently about how people get dogs and then get bored of them, the dog becomes aggressive because the owner cannot care for them properly or that not many people cope. I have also read about on irresponsible people buying puppies..not about all the puppies that are bought with love and only the best intentions.

I have recently got a new puppy and took a long while to consider it and was over the moon with the puppy. But since getting her I have been told by different people that her breed will turn nasty, will destroy my home and I will soon get 'bored' of her or she will try me
People are so negative about it all and are making me feel like I made a huge mistake.

So have any of you get a puppy, and keep it all their life and actually enjoy it? I had a puppy from 6mths to 17 years some time ago and he was lovely and barely any trouble once out of puppy hood.

OP posts:

dreamingofsun · 07/01/2014 21:48

i was talking to someone today who's got a puppy and sympathising with them as mine was a bit of a nightmare - eating everything and weeing/pooing on the floor and just being a bit mad - so you have my sympathy.

now that she is a bit older i would not be without her. sometimes i think i love her more than my kids...... she is so happy, and devoted and walking is really good for my health.

have you taken them to a dog training class (aka owner training)? aggressive dogs are ones that haven't been brought up properly

Kasterborous · 07/01/2014 21:49

We had our lovely Labrador Molly from when she was six weeks old until she died a month before she turned 13. She went through three house moves with us, and she was there with her doggy understanding when we went through six miscarriages. She was very patient when our DD came along despite her being an old girl by then. We loved her all her life she brought us much joy and comfort and we miss her everyday. Oh and I met my best friend because of her as we would see each other when walking our dogs and became best friends.

LadyRabbit · 07/01/2014 21:52

I have two dogs, one rescue, one from a puppy. Both are a fun but boisterous breed. They are the life and soul of this family and I cannot imagine what life would be like without them. They nursed me through miscarriage after miscarriage with doggy devotion and uncanny instinct, and then curled up either side of my huge belly and now let my mental toddler throw toys and hurl himself about around them and are gentle and loving all the time. I think of them as my 'first born' furries and while they are labour intensive and costly when they get sick (£75 for a dew claw removal?!), they are more than worth it. IMO a house is not a home without a dog. (Or cat, would have one too but DH is allergic.)

Feeling a bit weepy writing this especially after reading the v sad thread on here posted by a lovely vet who is clearly heartbroken.

Original poster

Youcanringmybell · 07/01/2014 21:52

Oh thanks - already I feel better. I was beginning to feel ashamed or worried about the fact that I had a new puppy.
dreaming - she is only 8 weeks but am looking for a local class for after her second vaccination
I have done lots of research and am now on breed specific forums to seek advice from experienced breeders/ owners. I plan to do everything right!

So please you are happy with your dogs and they are your family

OP posts:

LadyRabbit · 07/01/2014 21:52

Wow, Kasterborous mine was an uncanny x post!

LEMoncehadacatcalledSANTA · 07/01/2014 21:53

I have had four dogs as an adult (two are sat on the sofa with me now) and three as a child, all different, all lovely in their own ways. Some from a puppy, some rescues. Dogs are hard work but they are part of your life so it doens't actually feel like tht

Original poster

Youcanringmybell · 07/01/2014 21:53

Yes I read that thread too...and it made me feel like that would be me one day, out of my depth .....I wouldn't do it but all I have heard is negativity (except on dog forums).

OP posts:

Amandine29 · 07/01/2014 21:53

What breed is it? I'm guessing something like a staffie? Well just before I was born my family rescued took a staffie puppy from a man who was using him for dog fighting. I grew up with that dog and despite his background he was the loveliest thing. I now have a one year old collie. He was also a rescue and he is brilliant.

Don't let other people rain on your parade. As long as you take the right approach with training etc your puppy should turn into a lovely dog.

LEMoncehadacatcalledSANTA · 07/01/2014 21:55

What sort of dog do you have? do your vets do puppy classes? so they can go after their first jab and socialise with other pups - this is really important.

Original poster

Youcanringmybell · 07/01/2014 21:55

Not a staffie - a jack russell. I have mostly had this reaction.

But from my research it seems to all be in the training and in loving the dog to keep her loving and friendly.

OP posts:

Original poster

Youcanringmybell · 07/01/2014 21:56

lemYes we are starting puppy parties next week

OP posts:

Kasterborous · 07/01/2014 21:57

It was wasn't it LadyRabbit!

LadyRabbit · 07/01/2014 21:58

Mine are JRTs too. They just need TONS of exercise - don't let their small size deceive you! Run 'em ragged and you can save your home and furniture (but maybe not shoes, sadly). They're the only breed I've ever had since childhood and I would never have any other. JRTs are the BEST!

PersonalClown · 07/01/2014 21:58

I got both of my babies as puppies. I love the puppy stage. I actually like putting in the effort to train and teach them.

I have a Staffy and a Labradoodle. They can be utter bastards and the fur just collects like some weird cross between dust bunnies and Tribbles but I adore them.

They are both just over 4 years old now and are both asleep on the sofa next to me.

Original poster

Youcanringmybell · 07/01/2014 21:59

ladyrabbit - thank you!! So relieved. I plan on running her ragged once old enough I wanted an active breed, able to keep up with the children and keep me active in the evenings. We have lovely walks where I live and she can benefit from them.

Everyone think JRT's are going to savage my children

OP posts:

Original poster

Youcanringmybell · 07/01/2014 22:01

personal Sounds perfect - positive stories make me feel like I am doing something great not that I have made a dreadful mistake.

OP posts:

Awks · 07/01/2014 22:02

We lost our dog in May - had him for 12 years and loved him. He'd been with us all through our family being babies, growing etc and was an amazing friend. We got our new pup in august and he is also growing into a brilliant dog. Pups are quite hard work but ours is now 6 months and is lovely. Kind, gentle, funny, affectionate annoying. I didnt like life without a dog as much as life with one. But he's a bastard moulty git, this one.

Original poster

Youcanringmybell · 07/01/2014 22:03

amandine29 - Thanks for the lovely stories and not letting others rain on my parade. I was feeling rather deflated about all the failure stories. No one tells you of all the wonderful years that they spend with their dogs!

OP posts:

lyrasdaemo · 07/01/2014 22:03

I had a rescue dog from 18 months until he was 13. We miss him so much! He got me through so much shit, house moves,country moves, exp. He was fantastic with dd as a baby and she pats his picture...am welling up

Original poster

Youcanringmybell · 07/01/2014 22:04

Awks - what breed? So pleased you decided on another dog

OP posts:

LEMoncehadacatcalledSANTA · 07/01/2014 22:04

Two JRTs here too they are great - they are really easy going and happy little dogs. One of mine is an utter bastard wth other dogs though so definately socialise as much as you can. oh and we don't let them sleep in our beds at all, oh no They are small dogs with a big dogs personality, so you get everything in a small package. Mine need loads of exercise though and if i skimp on their walks they are unsettled.

TheWitTank · 07/01/2014 22:04

I adore my dog! I've had her since she was 8 weeks old (now 6) and she is wonderful. Put the time in and you will have a fantastic relationship with your dog. Yes, it can be hard. I feel it is vital dogs are walked EVERY day at least once. Boredom and too much energy accounts for a lot of frustration/behaviour issues. I find a lot of negative stories come from owners who have not bothered to put any training in (they somehow expect the dog to know automatically what to do) and do not bother to walk their dogs (beyond chucking them out in the garden). My dog is walked three times a day, all weathers, if I am poorly (I dragged my swine flu ridden carcass out a few years back!). Consequently, she is calm, happy and well behaved, has never once weed on my floor, snapped or chewed anything up. Don't let people drag you down, prove them wrong! Good luck and enjoy your dog

littlewhitebag · 07/01/2014 22:05

We got our lab at 7 weeks. In the being she was a nightmare -nipping, jumping, hard to walk, no recall etc. At one point i considered returning her as we were a our wits end. She is now 21 months and she is the most perfect pet ever. We started obedience classes when she was 6 months and it was life changing. I now know that you need to train, train then train again and the results will be amazing. I love her so much and would not be without her.

Kaffiene · 07/01/2014 22:05

My JRT is like my shadow. He will be 9 this year, has travelled all over Europe. He was hard work until he was about 18 months old but now is a lovely mix of happy to coming running most days but chill at the weekends doing family stuff. He is excellent around children. Obviously I am always vigilant but don't have to worry about nipping or stealing food from small toddlers for example.
You do need to socialise and train them from a young age (and all their lives!) but the rewards are enormous. Enjoy!

katatonic · 07/01/2014 22:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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