To wonder how hard dog ownership is?

[superstarheartbreaker]

I love dogs but I don't know if I would be a good dog owner. Sticking points would be:
I work all day. Surely it's not fair to leave a dog at home?
I like going on holiday. Kennels are expensive.
Most shops don't allow dogs.
Vets are expensive.
Dog training seems tough.

Plus points are:
Having a dog encourages exercise/ walking.
Companionship for only child dd and myself.

I like spaniels and red setters but I know spaniels are very hectic.

I am going against the grain here and say that you might be suitable for a dog, but it really depends on your finances. How long a day do you work? If it is 9-5 or similar, then you will need to pay a dog walker to walk your dog in the middle of the day. Do you have a social life where you are out in the evenings? If you are out all day, you will need to spend the evenings with your dog. The dog will need company after being alone all day.

You can go on holiday and put the dog in kennels. Yes, they are expensive. If you can afford that, that's okay.

Vets are expensive, so get dog insurance. Having a dog is in general not cheap.

Dog training is a new skill. It isn't that hard but you do need to know how to do it. If you get a dog, read up and sign up for obedience classes. If you adopt an older dog, you know more about the dog's personality and you may find that they have learnt obedience already.

Dogs really are a lifestyle choice. If you like that lifestyle, then you will love having a dog. If you don't, then you won't be happy and a dog needs to be loved to be happy.

If I were you, I'd contact some local dog shelters and talk to them about your lifestyle and what you are looking for. I think they will give you good advice.

I would tell you not to get a dog.

The argument's I have over my dog are unreal, I have fallen out with my partners family about the dog, argued about the dog at the park, with my partner, with my mother, everyone!

Kennels cost 13 a day here, double over christmas, can't imagine the guilt of leaving her there anyway. I went christmas shopping (spent the whole time stressed out worrying about the dog at home - shes a rescue and has a habit of howling the whole time I am gone, trying to work on it) came home she had ripped all the christmas presents apart, been up on the kitchen side eating cakes from the side and had her paws in the fish tank ( no casualties )

Then theres when they are ill, I worry about mine like my own child. It costs lots of money when they are ill and in the 6 months I have had my dog her vet bills have been 600 ish already, that doesnt include flea treatment, worming, food, toys, essentials. Theres vaccinations every year too. Then there's times when the dog randomly stops eating - the stress of it is ridiculous! Sitting there on the floor feeding her piece by piece like a baby.

My dog is a beautiful dog who is so good with children BUT it means I can't leave my three year old out of sight with the dog at any time - if I am cooking / washing up / whatever I'm walking back into the room they are in every 10 seconds to check on them.

My dog NEEDS two hours walk a day - shes a young bouncy type dog who is an angel when walked but if I miss a day I pay for it in yapping and general madness. Luckily we always have someone at home - but I can't imagine what it would be like for her to be alone all day by herself while we were working.

The plus side of my dog: she is the most loving and affectionate dog I have ever known. When someone tried to break into my house she jumped over the stair gate upstairs and was at the back door going absolutely crazy - the left and did next doors house instead but luckily because of her compulsion to 'guard' she growled for the whole time they were around the guy was caught because I called the police and knew something was wrong. She tells me if someone is next to my car out the front and basically shes like a little security guard who looks after us when my partner isn't here

Its a huge responsibility but so worth it - just remember you have to make it's like amazing aswell!

Good luck!
x

Am I the only person with non lazy lurchers

I guess it all depends on the mix. You have to literally drag ours outside when it's very cold or raining. I guess when you're all cosy on a bed asleep the last thing you want is to be cold and/or wet.

The number of cons is more than number of pros. I had a similar list but you need to weigh them. For me companionship alone overruled all the cons.

If you get a puppy, the first few months are damn hard but those puppy eyes can get away with murder. It was tiring with the amount of care needed but I don't have kids and had no experience of someone depending on me so much. Now that our dog is older (18months), he is no trouble. He knows my routine and has adjusted his walking/sleeping time to match mine, but I work from home and always with him. Please look into breeds, companion breeds need less exercise but they need their family and are not happy being left alone for a long time.

Exercise wise, I didn't exercise before getting our dog. The adult dog of his breed needs about 1.5hours a day. They don't need 1.5hours as soon as they enter your home if you get a puppy. You start small and build up puppy's and your own stamina. We started with 5-10 mins to 20mins to an hour and now I can go out for about 1.5 hours no problem. Now I feel uneasy myself if I don't go out with my dog every day. You wouldn't want to skip it yourself - the happiness on my dog's face is priceless.

It is hard work and might cost a little or too much. My local day care (no kennel policy) charge £10 for 1/2 day. Pretty good deal in comparison to a dog walker who would charge the same for an hour's service. May be look into people offering home boarding nearby who can offer such an arrangement. My dog has been going to daycare since he was 3.5 months old and loves it there. It is the biggest expensive for me. I didn't consider this cost when getting a dog. Treats and chews are another expense.

Expenses aside, it is a responsibility. A dog will quickly become a family member with his own personality - mostly good things but may have one or two bad behaviours. I have tried with training but need to accept the current situation/behaviour . You might need to adjust or change a few things in your household. Our dog is not a pet per se, he is my little child and my best friend.

Hope it helps.