To ask if you regret getting a dog?

[Saladmakesmesad]

The plan has always been to get a dog when the kids weren't little anymore, and they're not little anymore. I grew up with dogs and know all the usual things people say (adopt don't shop, dogs are for life, don't get one during coronavirus, research the breed, all dogs are different, get insurance, don't leave it home alone for ages etc). I'm not trying to be dismissive I'm saying I've researched it a lot and am absolutely not rushing into anything at all. I want a dog very, very much and have done for years, but that doesn't mean I don't realise what a big undertaking it is.

But... when I talk to dog owners, they seem to be quite negative. Several told me recently that if they could go back, they wouldn't get their dog, as much as they love them. Another said once her dog dies, she won't be replacing her. Another said her dog recently died and life is much easier now, as sad as she is.

So, overall and even acknowledging that you love them, do you regret getting a dog? If so, why?

YABU: I do NOT regret getting my dog.
YANBU: I DO regret getting my dog.

I do a bit, I do love her and she does improve my life but is very expensive in terms of dog walker etc- my circumstances have changed since I got her. She’s also batshit crazy (spaniel) and while gorgeous and lovely I think a more mellow dog would have been sensible

I've shared my life with a dog since the mid-80s (not the same dog, obvs!) and the current one is almost 15, doddery, stone-deaf and almost blind.

I know we won't have her for much longer and it breaks my heart.

I'm seriously considering not getting another one, not because I don't want one, but because I think that, at nearly 65, I may be getting too old. I have quite bad arthritis and grooming my girl is excruciating. I also can't walk far these days, which is fine with an old dog who only wants a plod round the block, but no good at all with a younger one.

I may reconsider when I know if they're going to suggest any treatment for my incredibly painful knee. And an older dog from a breed that doesn't need much exercise or grooming is an entirely different kettle of fish from another lakeland terrier puppy, so maybe a rescue whippet might suit.

I don't think saying you might not get another dog is the same as regretting having one at all. It probably means the owners are in a different place than few years ago and possibly not ready for another long-term commitment. That is totally fine.

Yes, I completely agree. The reason we are not planning to get another dog (though there has been a serious head versus heart battle going on) is because we are no longer at the right time of life - our parents are now aged and infirm so it's likely in the next few years they will need increasing care and support, and juggling the needs of a dog with that would make an already difficult time even harder. It has nothing to do with regretting our previous dog. If we could turn back the clock 10 years we would get one in a heartbeat.

We got our puppy when the kids were 7 and 10. Great ages as old enough to be responsible and give him space.
Really lucky that he was an easy puppy with toilet and crate training. He did have a chewy phase which eventually stopped. He does moult everywhere so I hoover a lot more. Doesn’t bother me, my DS also brings lots of mud into the house and me/DD have long hair that moults everywhere too!
Everyone says dogs are a tie, but I could leave him at home and go shopping but not leave the kids! Now kids are older, I can leave them all at home or take them all and we share looking after the dog.
If you want to have trips away, days out without the dog, just make sure you have the money for it and get your dog used to a dog boarder early on. Mine is used to his dog walker/boarder, doggy day care and kennels. I work (in normal times) from home and office so he’s used to not seeing us all of the time.
Not sure if it was training or luck (I did 3 puppy courses as he’s my first dog) but he’s a really lovely natured, beautiful dog that the kids say is their best friend.
We all love him so much, we definitely wouldn’t be without him. Things that other people see as a tie aren’t, you just have ways around them, same as when you’re invited to a childfree wedding!!

No way, my dog’s a little ray of sunshine, she’s one of the family. I’d like to get more, it’s just lovely having her about.

Much as I adore our dog, she’s not a tie. She either goes on holiday with us - lots of hotels and holiday lets are dog friendly - or she goes into kennels.

I'm just starting to think about a second dog, to the extent that I'm in contact with the ex-racing greyhound people. The Patterdale may struggle a bit at first, but I want another big dog. I don't think I can cope with another puppy, (plus Patterdale not good with small dogs) but I think an adult dog might work.

Am nearly 60, so when these go I will hopefully be retired, and then I can have another small breed pup. But I am aware that I need to make provision for what happens to dog if something happens to me...

Those who say their dog was really easy to housetrain and is a joy to have, I would love to know the breed to see if there is a common denominator!

Jack Russell @Fruitpastillesaredgood. Ours is the happiest, most loving little sweetheart with 95% reliable recall.

Oh so cute!! I had one when I was a child.

We have a "Sprocker" working cocker and Springer spaniel mix. She was very easy to house train, we could probably count the number of accidents on one hand and they were all our fault.
She's also a joy to have, yes she was a bit bitey to start and had to be managed with the 5 year old in that respect. She's chewed the odd thing, but rarely, again not her fault if she's left unattended as a baby in a room with shoes left out.
She loves humans and dogs and is such a waggle butt.
When in season we thought she would be a nightmare being kept in with no walks. She was actually really chilled out. We also found out she can wait til very late in the evening for her walk and not do anything other than follow us around, play if we instigate, and sleep.
She doesn't wake early. She doesn't pester for anything other than a cuddle sometimes.
She's only just turned 12 months, her recall is great, she walks off lead most of thr time, she knows and listens to walk to heel off lead if we ask and stops and sits at the road and waits to be told to cross.
A lot of the time though I do think you get out what you put in. She never gets her dinner without "working" for it, even if that's just to lie and wait til she's been given the ok.

@FruitPastillesaregood

Those who say their dog was really easy to housetrain and is a joy to have, I would love to know the breed to see if there is a common denominator!

I think it’s generally the more willing to please breeds speaking from my experiences, collies/GSD/gundogs to an extent

At the moment we have a giant breed and he is a dream in every way however people assume he must be hard work because of his size. I’ve found small dogs harder because they are full of energy and can get into everything plus people tolerate bad behaviour from small dogs.

All of my dogs have housetrained within a week or two!

I love my dogs.
Yes, sometimes they are a pain in the A*, sometimes it feels like we can't do anything spontaneously (dog needs food / walk first), they still need a walk in the wet and cold.
I often think life would be easier without them... but then they notch me with their wet noses, they look at me with their big eyes and all wobbles are forgotten!

I never regret my dogs, I actually prefer them to some people!

I can maybe see other people's point though if the dog is challenging, dogs can be hard work. If it's a rescue, it's about you being compatible with the dog, and it suiting the lifestyle that you have.

Yes Bergerdog we have a big dog as DH reckons their brains are bigger. Don't know what truth there is in that but rookiedog- a mixed breed so detested on here nominally a golden doodle but we're fairly sure there's setter in there as well - is very well behavedexcept when he sees a squirrel and not happy as a lot of smaller dogs are. Also because of his size we never allowed him to jump on anyone as it might be worrying for them whereas a lot of smaller dogs aren't properly trained not to do that so I often end up with muddy trousers if they smell the treats in my pockets.

Some friends are getting dogs and they say they want one with the same temperament as rookiedog only smaller. Sadly don't think that's possible.

@rookiemere, if your husband reckons canine intelligence is proportionate to size, he’s obviously never met a terrier.

Nope not one bit. He's my best friend, the friendliest, easiest dog. We've had it lucky considering he's a crazy spaniel!

My boy is my pride and joy. I could watch him interacting with the world for hours (and I often do).

@lynsey91

DH had 2 dogs when we met. Married 40 years and have had dogs all our married life.

We did have a gap of just over a year without a dog because we were both so upset at the death of one of the dogs. We had him from a puppy whereas the others had all been rescues and his death seemed to hit us harder.

We just missed having a dog so much though and our house just didn't feel right so we got another.

We have 2 now. One we got as a puppy and he was house trained in 3 days. Completely house trained, no accidents whatsoever. He never chewed anything.

The other we rescued when he was 7 months. He had been badly ill treated and never socialised at all. He was kept locked in a shed and only given food and water twice a week.

We have had him 6 years and he has, honestly, been a nightmare. He has chewed so many things. He is scared of everything because of not being socialised. So on walks he barks at people, cats, cars, motorbikes, push bikes, other dogs. He is not keen on many people and will bark at most especially if they are wearing a hat or high vis jacket.

I still would not be without him though.

They are a fairly large breed but they don't moult. Also they don't smell. They definitely don't as my MIL would definitely have said. She used to say our house smelt of cat when we had a cat and in fact has commented that our dogs don't smell.

They are a tie. We never leave them for more than 4 hours so have to arrange for someone to come and be with them or else they go to a friend. They also go there when we go on holiday.

They bring us much happiness and laughter and love and I know when they are no longer around (hopefully not for many years) we will get another

💐💐💐 and so much respect for you saving this puppy and sticking with him, do you mind me asking what breed he is?

I love my dog, we had 2 but unfortunately one passed away 4 months ago. I miss her incredibly. My remaining dog brightens my life immeasurably. He is fantastic with my two children, He is absolutely no bother, good off lead, quiet and loving. All that being said we will not be getting any further pets. Assuming he has a good long life we would have had dogs for 20 years. Thats 20 years of always having to consider the dog if we fancy a day out. 20 years of being restricted by dog friendly venues of dog care availability. I don't regret having my pets i cherish their company and the enrichment they bring to my life but when the time comes i will not be rushing to restrain my life again with another pet. At that point the children will of flown and i will be looking forward to spontaneous weekends away and the ability to travel without hindrance.

I regret getting my dog because I love him so much I fear the pain when he dies - I know that sounds odd, we are all besotted with him.

I love my dog so much and have no regrets! He's a really well behaved, low maintenance dog that all of our family love to spend time around.

I think our life is made a lot easier by the fact we have friends and family that really enjoying taking care of him if we fancy going on a holiday or mini-break last minute.

No regrets. My dogs are a massive part of my life.

I do! He’s a lovely dog, very good natured but I resent him and feel guilty about it. I resent that I had to hoover 3 times yesterday (and I’m no clean freak) as he’s shedding and I’m allergic so I want to scratch my eyes out when I come downstairs and my previously almost non-existent asthma is worse than it’s ever been - I’m now on preventer inhalers morning and night and reliever inhalers when I’m around him to much. He also eats EVERYTHING he can so on walks he’s constantly eating grass and stones then vomits it on the only non laminate part of the flooring. Everyone loves him and he is a good dog but it’s hard living in my own home.

He'll no. I adore my dogs and they give nothing but live to my household.