To be terrified of getting a dog?!

[Pullyers]

To be clear I LOVE dogs, I'm not terrified of actual dogs. I'm just terrified of the change to our life. I can see so many positives and we have all the basics covered ie I don't work, can afford it, v suitable lifestyle etc. Just something in the back of my mind a bit like terror! What if getting a dog feels like a mistake, we couldn't rehome it obviously so would just have to suck it up. Is this apprehension normal? Any advice?!

There are plenty of cat safe lurchers out there - I have three cats myself, and two lurchers, plus two lovely foster pups right now

Hair on furniture, food stolen off the table, out of the bin!!! Your children friends being frightened of dogs!! (irritating!)

It is normal to be nervous. Also (be warned) its normal to feel like you've made a huge mistake for the first few weeks with a puppy! But you'll be fine. Takes a little while to get into a routine and before you know it you wont remember what it was like not to have a dog. We will need pictures of course!

Thank you. I understand exactly where you're coming from. I'm committed, just scared! I am not house proud / rescue cats peed and pooped everywhere for months on end but I wouldn't give up on them because they had gone back and forth to rescue with this issue. Pretty much resolved now but lots of hard work and frustration.

DH and I often talk about this. We both thought wtf have we done at the beginning. DH comments that he feels really guilty because at first he thought I had done the worst thing ever getting BiteyDog but now he thinks it was the best thing I ever did and he adores him.

Just remember , IT WILL BE YOU DOING ALL THE WORK!!! xxxxxx

I have a lurcher and a cat. He has pretty much zero prey drive and if anything is a bit scared of the cat!

Thanks everyone, finding the experiences etc really useful and lots to think about. We only holiday in uk so dog would come along - caravan, tent etc. We've got friends with dogs who we sit when they go away so they would happily return the favour. Cost of neutering, flea, raw food etc not an issue. I just wish I didn't feel so anxious / fearful about making the leap.

If you have a “gut fear” then I really don’t think a dog is for you, apprehension, yes, concerns yes, but the words you use “terrified” etc seem extreme so I don’t think it’s right for you to have a dog.

As far as labs go the one thing you need to do is train them to walk nicely on a lead and come when called. There is a window around 10 or 12 weeks where this is the easiest it will ever be and you need to do it early because once they learn that you will tolerate pulling, you're fucked.

Aprilwe always have lurchers too, and that is a gorgeous photo

Thanks. Maybe you're right. I do this about everything and I'm having a hard time with anxiety at the moment, just changed medication. So it is normal for me to feel gut fear etc rather than apprehension.

We spoke about getting a dog for about 2 years before getting one. We looked into breeds and insurance etc. We only got him when we were 100 percent sure and it's been fantastic having him. He's a Labrador and is the funniest, most loving, daftest big pile of gentle gorgeousness. He's very biddable, even with the children.

I think it's good to be apprehensive. Most people I knew in RL seemed to sail through the puppy stage but I found it bloody hard and depressing. It was only when I came on here and found other people who really wanted a dog but equally were struggling did I realise it wasn't an uncommon feeling.

Aww. Yes, we've been talking about this for 3 years now!

I've read lots about puppy blues! At least puppy stage is time limited if it is bad!

Think carefully about breed. We have a working cocker. She is stunningly beautiful, clever and very affectionate, but needs at least 2 walks a day, plus training/mental stimulation, playing with and cuddles.

We adore her, but she is a full time job in herself.

Please don't get a dog and leave it alone for hours. They need company. If you go out to work one of you should stay home in the evening and the dog should have a walker or day care. Best if someone is home for lunch or can take dog to work. Serious committment
A puppy is really hard work. A cat is easier. An older dog maybe better

I sound really negative, sorry. We can see how much joy a dog will bring, how much fun for the children, better incentive for me to get fitter, social side, possibly helpful for my anxiety etc etc. I just have a niggling fear as well.

Whether to get a dog was a much more difficult decision than whether to have children in our house!! We decided to get one and I’ve not regretted it since

I did say at the beginning that I don't work so the dog wouldn't need to be left or to have a dog walker.

All our dogs have adored camping and caravanning, and so many places now welcome them. I would take a careful look at all sorts of breeds and types before making a decision, as they can vary greatly. For what it’s worth, we have found rehomed dogs far harder to live with than puppies, mainly because you can train a puppy easily, it takes much more effort to retrain an older dog. Plus if you have children, puppies grow up with them and instantly accept them. Whatever you get, train it not to bark all the time. You’ll stay friends with your neighbours and campsites will love you. Can’t stand dogs that are allowed to bark bark bark.........

My three have brightened my life enormously

Gorgeous pics!!!

We have 100 percent decided on a lab puppy from a breeder who tests hips / elbows and eyes of both parents and who raises them in the home.

We waited for the perceived right time (which never came) then got our boy straight after being burgled (policeman recommended a dog over any alarm system) and wondered why we hadn't got one sooner! Just looking for a sister/girlfriend for him currently (not sure what he will make of her, hence two options - his is neutered I would add!)