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.

We adore our dog.

But, if we were more sensible we wouldn’t have bought her as we both work. She has a dog walker every day, but it’s still unfair for her to be stuck at home while we are at work

I do regret getting dogs. With being tired from work and kids and not feeling "on top" of the house - or anything really - I feel resentful when I have to clear dog mess or sick and I also don't like the smell.

No regrets. He enhances our lives and really is a member of our family. I'm a single parent and at times I suppose that could be lonely but I am not because of him. Wouldn't be without him.

Never once. I have grown up with border collies and my life has been enhanced massively despite the soul destroying grief when it has been time to say goodbye.

It's funny but I was only saying to DH earlier that I feel sorry for folk who don't have dog in their lives as they bring so much joy, which is daft I know because if you don't miss what you don't have.

There is not a day that my girl doesn't make me laugh or smile and for the last few months that has been beyond price.

No regrets, walking him has been one of the highlights of lockdown. I think some people " humanise" dogs, they dont have to be tying, there are such things as kennels.

Thank you! I think the tie thing doesn't bother me much. I work from home the vast majority of the time (even normally I mean). We only holiday in the UK. And I'm probably the least spontaneous person alive.

I live rurally and am not house proud at all, but I don't like the idea of dog poo in the house (but does anyone?!) so would hope toilet training wouldn't take too long. That's probably my biggest qualm is dog poo hygiene/smell in the house as it's all carpets. Rubbish carpets, but not engrained with dog poo yet...

We aren't rich by any means but have enough spare that I'm confident we could feed, maintain, insure and thoroughly spoil a pet. I just don't want to get into it and then wish I hadn't done it to myself as I know I could never 'rehome'.

@LEELULUMPKIN

It's funny but I was only saying to DH earlier that I feel sorry for folk who don't have dog in their lives as they bring so much joy, which is daft I know because if you don't miss what you don't have.

There is not a day that my girl doesn't make me laugh or smile and for the last few months that has been beyond price.

This is so lovely. We had a border collie, growing up. He was the loveliest, most devoted boy.

Sometimes I regret the timing of getting one of our dogs but it is a hindsight thing that we couldnt have predicted and Id never give him up.
The most important thing is to make sure the dog is properly trained and socialised. The bigger the effort, the greater the reward. Then you don't have mess in the house, you can take them to lots of dog friendly places with no stress and its much easier to find people to watch them if needed.
Saying goodbye when the times comes is just devastating and makes you wonder if you can go through it again - but I will always have dogs in my life.

Sometimes. Often but not always. We didn’t pick him, he picked us.

He’s funny and affectionate. He’s nice when one of us is working away and makes the house feel less empty. He’s a very good guard dog and would definitely put off unwanted guests.

He moults white hair continually. Everywhere.
If my husband is away he doesn’t get his 10 mile run, so is a bit petulant and needy. He’s attention seeking.
He doesn’t like other dogs or children very much.
He’s a thief and food preparation is a nightmare. He’d eat anything if left unsupervised.
He has to be walked or run three times a day come rain or shine.
He’s expensive.
He cannot be left at home on his own.

I wouldn't say I regret getting our dogs, as they've given us such joy and brilliant memories over the years, but I certainly will not be rushing to get any more once our current dogs have passed. When it was just me, dh and our dogs, our lives kind of revolved around the dogs, and that was fine, we had lots of free time, money and enthusiasm to devote to them, 2 kids and 2 career changes later, and there's barely enough time in the day to keep on top of the basics, and walking the dogs (what used to be a huge pleasure/hobby of ours) is now just another chore that has to be done at the end of the day. Our lives really are too busy for dogs right now, but we made the decision to get them over a decade ago, (when our lives were alot different!) and promised to care for them for the rest of their lives, which is what we will do. They're 13 & 12 now, and luckily, very laid back, sleepy dogs these days, so we can go out and leave them for 6 hours once or twice a week, no issues, but spontaneous weekends away, or longer day trips just cannot happen once there's a dog in the house, and I do sometimes resent that. Our last lot of kennel fees when we went abroad cost more than our flights... which is always a shock, and basically means we take one less holiday a year, as it just adds too much to the cost each time. The kids adore them and don't know life without them, and it is lovely watching them interact. Right now I say we wouldn't get a dog ever again... maybe I'll change my mind once the kids have grown up and moved out and I have "space" in my life again to give. Dogs are hard work, and require a complete different lifestyle to a dog-less one. They are lovely though!

I’ve never had a dog before, but I can honestly say she is the best thing for our family. She has been amazing for my grumpy/stressed teenage ds, cured my youngest of a phobia of dogs & bought joy to us all. Cockapoo-non shedding, non smelly & a gorgeous family dog.

We have recently got a puppy and can honestly say he’s changed our family for the better. Yes we are back to early mornings & toilet training but we are spending more time outside walking as a family. Our eldest daughter has wanted one for years and she is over the moon. Our youngest never wants to go out but she loves taking the dog out. He’s settled so well. Our kids aren’t leaving home for at least 15 years based on their current age so we have restrictions anyway. We have support network if we need it but honestly, he’s such a great addition. It took me 12 months to agree but I’m glad we did.

I mean at this present moment I do - he's currently throwing his ball onto me to have him play with him at 11:30pm and does not see that this is unreasonable. He will soon settle in a doorway and refuse to move should you wish to use that doorway, so you'll have to sort of climb over him (45kg extra large bread dog)

I think it's important if you're going to get a dog that you accept that to them, you are their whole world. I definitely believe dogs need to be treat as a family member because they're going to be with you (hopefully) for the rest of their whole lives and that's a big responsibility to take on. You need to be prepared to give them the best life you can give them. For me, the daily joy mine brings to my life outweighs any challenges, and I will always have one. When he goes, he'll take a massive chunk of me with him.

I don't regret it as such but I won't have another one. Guinea pigs, rabbits and horses but no more dogs for me.

I had my arm twisted by DDs and DH to get a puppy last year. I've never thought of myself as a dog person at all but I love our dog to bits and feel that she's enhanced our lives in so many ways with her good nature and affection. She's been particularly great for my 7 year old DD who has really blossomed in confidence through being key to the puppy training programme.

The one thing I would say is that the early puppy months were SO hard - we have stair carpet that's ruined and a few more grey hairs from having to train her not to jump up at everyone. It felt we'd adopted this manic, naughty and unpredictable bundle! There was a point, when she was 3-6 months old when I had quite regular fears that we'd made a terrible mistake which we would regret throughout her lifetime. Those fears, I'm so pleased to say, passed and we now feel like the luckiest dog owners to have this wonderful bundle of happiness in our lives. To see her so joyful on our walks or when we're using the ball thrower just makes our day - all of us!

I have never regretted having a dog. Losing them is dreadful and every time I have lost a dog I have said 'no more'. Never lasted long and as my name reveals, I am on my fifth Sheltie.

I feel my home is not complete without a dog, not am I.

Not for a.second. i love mine to bits. My only worry is the pain i iknow I will feel when he dies

We adopted a lurcher last year, our first dog as "adults" despite both coming from doggy homes. We completely underestimated how hard work it would be. I think part of that is the dog - she's incredibly hard work (reactive, needy etc). So in many ways I do regret getting her. I miss the ease of life before. But she brings me so much warmth and joy and has certainly helped me to get out more walking, meet a few people, and is a constant source of entertainment (and worry, and stress).
So like other posters - do I regret it? I cant say. There have been some incredibly hard times but also some wonderful ones.
I guess - do you live a very social life, often make plans off the cuff and like to spend time away from home? If the answer is yes - I'd err away from getting a dog. If you're more of a homebody, and make infrequent trips etc - then they can being you so much joy.

Yes. 100%. Doesn't mean I don't love having them, or that I don't take good care of them, or that they are not a part of the family, but they restrict us greatly. No spontaneous going away for the weekend, picking up after then, etc. I wouldn't do it again.

Life is easier without dogs...children and husbands but I’d not be without any of them. They bring so much to my life, I don’t know how to repay them.

They are a huge commitment in terms of cost and time. We have three and between insurance, vets bills d food cost about £300 a month and they are small/medium breeds. We walk them a good 4-6 miles a day everyday. They have various non-insurable health issues. They are getting older now so mess them floor occasionally and we expect that will become more common as the years go on.

We have D.C. aged 8 and 7 who came after the dogs but they all get on well. They’ve been the kids rocks through the last 12 weeks. When the kids were younger, it was hard. Really hard. Family suggested we look at rehoming them at times. It never crossed our minds even when the D.C. were babies.

Three is a handful at times so don’t know if we’d have three again but we’ll always have at least two. We are up at 6am every morning to feed and exercise. Some days you want to sleep in but the dogs come first. Days out are short of they’re not with us, as are nights out as we don’t like to leave them more than four hours on their own. I work from home so they always have company in the week.

We do home from home boarding so we do manage to go away still. They love it there and treat the place like their second home.

The dogs are 12 and 11 this year but still play around like pups. They are extremely happy.

For all the hard work, I don’t want to ever think of our lives without them as they’ve bought so much to ours.

i think it's important if you're going to get a dog that you accept that to them, you are their whole world

This! I always say that to people that moan about their dogs. We have other things in our lives but we are their everything.

Not now but I did. He was so hard . Chewed everything , barks loads (still does) and hated being left but he's fine now really quite easy except the barking which I guess is a dogs job!! I always tell people to be prepared. I've lost count of the amount of people I've told and they have said I'm negative only to re home the dog a year later 🤦‍♀️

We had three at one point which wasn’t planned. One we had as a puppy and two we ‘inherited’. We enjoyed having them around, but as each in turn reached the end of its road they were not replaced. At first it was odd not having a dog around the place, but we got used to it and agreed that we were not getting any more. Been there, done that.

One of mine, absolutely not, he's a dream. The other one. Yes, I did regret getting her, intensely actually, for a while. It was awful, I felt terrible about it. They're both gundogs, of a similar breed, but they're totally different personalities. She's needy, excitable, stubborn, loud, and dominant, and proved very hard to train (and it's not a case of novice owners, my family had the breed throughout my childhood, I know what they're like). She's cost us an absolute fortune in vets' fees, too. She's 5 now and has calmed down (marginally), and I absolutely adore her, although she still drives me mad some days. We've worked really hard with her, and she's the most amazing family dog, watching her with my DS is wonderful (yes, we are very careful and would never leave them unsupervised) and lots of people comment on what an obedient dog she is, whilst still acknowledging that she's completely barmy. We nearly lost her 18 months ago and it was absolutely heartbreaking. I wouldn't be without her now. The first 3 years were fucking hard work, though, and I wouldn't voluntarily live through them again.