To ask if there's any good reason to *not* get a dog?

[homeworkinghubbard]

I've been thinking about getting a dog for ages, and I just want to ask you all if your collective wisdom might come up with any reasons for not getting one. We had loads of cats when I was younger, but I've never lived with a dog before.

I'm either at home or occasionally (a few hours, once a week) in a nearby office so I'm mostly about and have time to train it, my youngest child is 5, we've got a garden, we don't travel much and generally just within the uk, thinking about a greyhound-type for quietness and gentleness... is there anything I haven't considered? Is it very expensive? And if we did get one, are there any good breeders or is it only moral to go for a rescue?

Thank you for some cooler heads!

[Rantymare]

Very true Ginger.

[Ginger782]

@JanetBrown2015 sometimes adults abuse children too....why take the risk of allowing your kids to be anywhere near any adults? Your statement above is absolutely ridiculous. If you aren't sensible enough to keep your kids safe around animals you probably shouldn't have kids because you won't be capable of keeping them safe from all other risks.

[JanetBrown2015]

I detest them so can think of about 100 reasons you shouldn't get them. Sometimes they even kill your child. Why take the risk?

[Rantymare]

To be fair, some of these things depend on the dog. One of my dogs is incredibly lazy and doesn't care for exercise at all. If you don't mind picking up poo from your garden, she can be let out and although I do walk her daily I know she wouldn't be bothered, or go nuts if I didn't. She prefers lazing about and playing/chewing her toys in the house. Some dogs shed some don't. Some need a lot of attention some not so much.

The biggest thing for me, is the expense when they're ill. I've two elderly rescues, insurance does sometimes cover but is expensive itself. My friend had a dog really hurt itself in an accident and wasn't covered, her choice was have him put down, or pay out over £3000.

Mine are on meds, that's £60 a month at least. Operations are £££ if they need it in future which they may.

Meds give them dicky tummies which , I won't go into detail but often my house smells long after I've cleaned up. Mine are all rescues from rough starts and I couldn't be without them,, but I am mindful of how sometimes life would be much simpler if I didn't have them.

[nannybeach]

There is a site you can "borrow" a dog, to walk cut your teeth, see how it goes. I ve had dogs since I was a kid, the reasons I would say frankly NOT to get a dog, is; if you are out at work all day. if you are not commited, the whole family isnt on board, I have 2 and say to people its like having a baby, (if you get a puppy) away from its Mum and siblings, likely to cry especially at night, pees,poos,chews, but no cot or nappy, for at least a few months, it is your main focus. Mine have never been particularly expensive, they have annual injections,wormers a couple of times a year, eat supermarket own brand food, I have a border collie who is 2 next week and a toy, costs me less than £5 a week to feed the 2 of them.The specialist flea/worm treatment is about £20 a month. My toy has had teeth removed cleaned which cost about £300, but that is twice in his 11 years.it depends on the breed, size, temprament, people have claimed to me their puppy has NEVER chewed or had an "accident" indoors, like having kids, you learn as you go along. I had 1 adult rescue dog (from the owner) who was brilliant, 2 from large organisations who were distasters, (mostly aggression) but have met lots of people who have rescues which are perfectly happy.

[Gooseygoosey12345]

Basically they are massive shits who will do your head in from time to time but they are completely irreplaceable and I couldn't not have one. Your house doesn't need to smell if you keep it, and your dog, clean. As long as you put in the time and work out the actual cost inc. jabs, training if you're inexperienced, food, bedding etc then you should be fine. You just have to be prepared for another life to look after.

[AceholeRimmer]

Friend with dogs are always at the vets
Expensive
Messy
Needy
Smelly

I still want one after the small kids stage I see loads of people walking dogs around here and I want that! For now though I'm sticking to my easy cats who are clean, independent and never need the vets.

[Casschops]

I can't find reason for not getting one yes they are furry and need walking. I have two big dogs and small boy you will be healthier, meet new people and have the glorious pleasure of being unconditionally adored. What is there to lose?🐕

[user1480459555]

2rebecca - "not get a dog get a life"! Should that not also apply to children? If you really wanted a life you would never have children.

I trained a 9 week old puppy to be clean in 1 WEEK. Actually it was less than a whole week. How old are children before they come out of nappies?

msgrinch - my house DOES NOT smell of dog. Yes most houses that have dogs do smell but some breeds just do not smell. My dogs don't even smell when wet. I can assure you there is nothing wrong with my nose or sense of smell and I can smell dogs in friends' houses EXCEPT the ones that have the same breed as me.

If my house smelt my mother in law would go to town telling me. She has grudgingly admitted it does not smell.

Not all dogs shed either. If people read up about dog breeds they could get one that suited them and not get rid because they smell, moult, need training etc etc etc etc

[fannydaggerz]

Not all dogs smell providing they are bathed regularly. Hoovering and a plug in air freshener can work wonders. Dogs with very short coats tend to not make the house smell of dog, it's usually if they're wet.

Dogs can be expensive, food, vet, insurance, classes, etc and that's not including the price of the dog.

I have 4, we have a dog walker who walks them for me when I'm at work/uni. We also buy food in bulk to try and spread costs down.

My house doesn't smell of dog but I know it can if they get wet which is why they are bathed once a week.

[SoupDragon]

I love my dog. I hate being a dog owner.

[heron98]

My sister got a dog a couple of years ago. We never had a dog growing up so she had no idea what it was like, but her husband had and was keen.

I think she's been shocked about how hard it is. Her life is made infinitely more stressful by having to rush home to walk the dog. Her house is covered in hair. The dog they got turned out to be quite nervous, so all the lovely country walks they imagined with him haven't really happened as he has to be on a lead at all times.

She loves him and I can see the plus sides, but for me it's just such an imposition I wouldn't want to take it on.

[Runssometimes]

They are expensive - my lab costs c.£100 a month. They shed. You'll have to know that you'll be able to commit for up to 15 years. The time needed. A garden isn't enough, you'll still need to walk it and play with it. Unexpected vets bills can be an issue too - choose insurance carefully. However I love my dog and wouldn't be without him. You are being very sensible to really think it through though. Also do consider a rescue- there are breed specific rescues for greyhounds and lurchers. If you are getting a pup be very careful about where you get it from so it's not "farmed" but otherwise I'd say, be certain. A dog can be an amazing addition to a family.

[msgrinch]

Smell vile (yes dog owners, your house stinks no matter how much you say it doesn't, every dog owners house I've been in stinks of dog).

Kennel fees, walking etc

Vet bills if need something not covered by insurance.

Food issues; one of my mother's dogs has alot of intolerances, food costs her roughly £160 a month for the animal.

[2rebecca]

All the bleating on about unconditional love sounds really needy to me. Why should humans keep pack animals singly in houses to pander to their own egos? Don't get a"pet" get a life.

[Babyroobs]

Mine rolls in fox poo and goose poo. She is attention seeking and follows me everywhere. If I shut her out she whines and cries.

[SoupDragon]

My dog will never be toilet trained so it's kind of different to the kids. I'll spend more time cleaning up dog shit for my one dog than I spent cleaning up 3 children in total. I never had to hold a bag of warm child shit either.

[Lokisglowstickofdestiny]

Poo picking and the smell. I've never been in a home with a dog that didn't smell. Most of the time the owners are oblivious and I'm too polite to mention it. Oh and certain breeds have that slobbery, drooling thing going on.

[Sparklingbrook]

I am not sure you can compare kids and dogs I have never cleared up my children's poo from my home.

You have to somehow get the dog poo into the poo bag...

[Fleshy]

I bet the posters going on about shit have had kids, where you have to get all up in someone's genitals to clean the shit off them, often over their bodies and hair and your home as well. Disgusting. Dog shit is on the end of a shovel or poo bag, unless you choose to get a puppy which I would not recommend to anyone especially novices.
Don't support breeders.
Dogs=True unconditional love, guaranteed heartbreak.

[BitchQueen90]

I don't have a dog and don't fancy the idea of ever owning a pet. Too much added expense and way too much of a commitment for me. My parents have a dog and every time they go out they have to consider the dog, how long he can be left alone before they have to rush back.

[Barrytheunicorn]

The training, if you want a nice sociable dog, with good recall you can't just hope it happens you have to put a lot of time and effort into it.

The walks nice in summer an utter ball ache in the rain and cold

Picking up dog crap while you're on a walk and having to carry it round with you until you find a bin

The initial pooing outside training, especially if you have children who go in the garden so want your dog to poo in a certain spot.

If you don't manage poo in a certain spot finding 'surprises' in your slippers while you're pegging your washing out, even when you think you've got rid of it all.

The vet bills that always manage to come in just below the insurance excess

The cost of insurance, food and treats they can cost a decent amount

Being tied to days out and places you can take your dog or having to arrange kennels for holidays

The chewing especially puppies they chew everything and anything

That's everything I can think of.

My mum and dad always had dogs while I was growing up and still do and while I love/d them I couldn't have one myself.
I'm constantly borrowing my mums dog to take on walks as it gets me out but I'm glad that I don't have full responsibility for a dog.

I think you have to REALLY want a dog before buying one because otherwise the novelty would wear of quickly, which is probably why there are so many dog rehoming centres.

There's a page on Facebook called walk my dog or something like that where you can walk and pet sit dogs who belong to people locally. It saves them paying people to walk their dogs and lets people walk dogs and not have responsibility for ownership, you could try that first to see how you find it if you're unsure.

I feel like my post is negative it's not intended to the positives are that they do become part of your family, have their own personality and are lovely company

[user1480459555]

Not all dogs shed fur - my dogs don't. Not all dogs smell. My don't and, no, it's not because I have got used to it. Firstly my mother in law would definitely tell me if it did smell and would take great pleasure in doing so. Secondly a lot of my friends have dogs and most of their houses do smell, the ones that have the same breed as me do not smell.

I have had afghan hounds for around 40 years and have never had one that got fleas, possibly because of the long hair. I haven't used flea prevention for years and even with owning cats my dogs have not got fleas.

I feed my dogs raw and they may occasionally burp but they very very rarely fart.

Most of my dogs have been rescues so house trained when I got them but my present dogs I got when puppies and house trained one of them in a week (he was 9 weeks when I got him) and the other, who was 7 months when I got him, I trained in about 2 weeks. So no, they do not pee and poo all over the house.

Yes you do have to walk them in torrential rain, snow etc unless you have a dog that doesn't like any of those things and plenty of dogs do refuse to walk when it's raining or snowing. I have never had a set routine for my dogs so they don't expect a walk at a set time meaning I can have a lie in if I want. If it's a hot day though I walk them around 6am and 9pm so it is reasonably cool.

The main drawback is that they are a tie but with planning you can get round that. Me and OH never leave our dogs for more than 4 hours. Sometimes they go to doggy day care, sometimes our nephew comes and sits with them or at least comes and lets them out and spends a bit of time with them, sometimes a neighbour calls in.

The absolute worst thing is when they die. You cannot be prepared for how upset you will be. I did vow after one dog that I was particularly attached died that we were not having any more but the house was just so empty and (I agree with a previous poster) not a home that we got another

[aquashiv]

Dog shit. So ensure you think big dog big shit.
The puppy stage is hard work t was a lot of work training and care. Wor th it though.

[Figmentofmyimagination]

They live a long time - 15 years plus on average - so you need to be in it for the longhaul - unless you rehome - have you looked at eg the charities that take in pets when their owners go into residential care?