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.

Oh I should add that as puppies they chewed everything! Kitchen cupboards/drawers, shoes (including my wedding shoes 2 days before the wedding - they liked a good heel). Plaster board! Carpets. Yep, we don’t have carpets downstairs anymore due to chewing and also, hardwood floors are much easier to clean. The dogs aren’t allowed upstairs or on sofas but as they are getting older, they seem the think the rules don’t apply to them any more!

I have 2 dogs and love them deeply but they are a huge commitment and it does make life hard. Going away is particularly difficult, I don't like leaving them with anyone. My elderly dad has the older one but I just constantly worry as I once went to pick her up and there was no water down. My younger dog went to a dog sitter last year, her boarding looks idyllic on all her fb posts but he came back riddled with fleas and his separation anxiety was ten times worse than normal so I just ended up feeling guilty and won't leave him again. I suppose the bottom line is I don't trust anyone to look after them like I do. I do not regret getting them but I think they do affect every aspect of my life and the freedom to do what I want. I think it's probably a lot easier if you have close family or friends who you trust to leave them with.

I took on a gorgeous 5year old late last year. I love her so much and the feeling seems to be mutual (I do not enjoy tripping over her multiple times a day as she is like my shadow).
Dh, 3 dc, 2rabbits and a dog......(she is probably my favourite). But I have made the decision that I will never take on any more lives the responsibility of more people and animals feels to much for me.

Every post that talks about the joys makes me yearn a bit.

We'd be going for a medium to small dog I think. I'm physically slight and think I'd feel a bit intimidated looking after a big bouncy dog (as lovely as they are) for my first dog-owning experience.

Has anyone volunteered with the Cinnamon Trust?

I was wondering about walking or even fostering through them and seeing how we get on.

@Saladmakesmesad

She is currently sitting on the window ledge watching our resident hedgehog have his midnight feast of her food! She stands guard over it and barks away any random cats that encroach on the hogs territory!

As I said, makes me laugh every single day and she is brilliant with our DS who has severe learning difficulties, they are best pals.

@Saladmakesmesad
Have you heard of Borrow my doggy? That might be what you are looking for and is very localised.

@Babyroobs you need to find a good dog sitter.
Totally don't regret getting a dog, she's amazing.

Yes and no.

I love her to pieces. Love her.

But I had a perfect dog. I wanted him to have a friend.

He is perfect.

She is 8 months old, yappy, snappy and pisses on EVERYTHING.

He got toilet training immediately.

She is... just... I didn't know, she just doenst get it.

My laminate floors are all ruined. And I mean ruined from months of piss puddles.

It's going to cost me a fortune to replace.

Could I get rid of her? Never

If I could go back in time and never go meet her I might consider it

I love our dog. Would not be without him has helped my son with ASD no end at times. The dog recognises when his about to have a meltdown and tries to get in their first. However I have family that are the other end of the country. Life before dog meant we could jump in the car and go visit them in their seaside town on a whim. With dog it's not so easy as we have to either find someone to look after him or check if a somewhere with a vacancy will allow guests with a dog. The only time however I contemplate life without another dog after him is when he has an accident and does a poo on the carpet in the night because he will not bark (I think that's because he knows it scares my autistic child) and that's not a welcome surprise as it tends to happen on a day we are running late as it is.

Depends on the dog I think
Previous ddog didn't travel well and didn't really like going to pubs and just wasn't chill
And yes we loved him dearly but we had to make other arrangements
Our dog now is basically a furry human. Who comes ever where we do. Very chill and just fits in. So we don't ever think what do we with the dog whilst we do such and such. And it works both ways because we know she's easy like that, we go places where dogs are allowed more and plan around to include her

Absolutely love my dog to bits! never regret getting her she really is the best thing ever, however my mum has her whenever I go away so I don't have to worry when I wana go on holiday ect.

My dogs have enhanced my life no end. They cost so much money- insurance, special food, grooming.... but my goodness I really don’t know what I’d do without them.
I won’t put them in kennels or anything so we are tied to them completely and it really doesn’t bother me. My kids have grown up with them, it’s like I’ve got 4 kids- 2 with fur and 2 without. I know that’s twee, but it is absolutely how I feel.

When one of the dogs wasn’t well last year, it broke me. She was at deaths door and the thought of losing her completely floored me. I was an absolute mess. Couldn’t function. So I would say that is the only negative I have for owning dogs. Preparing to and the act of saying goodbye. I still regularly work myself up into a state thinking about that time and worrying over them both leaving me. I should actually seek help for this I think.

No regrets -just seeing the love between him and my 3dc makes up for any inconvenience. He gets more kisses than anyone else in the house.

Honestly yes. He's settled now (will be 1 in July) but my life would be better without him here. I enjoy him and he's spoiled, but I don't think I'll ever be able to say hand on heart it was a good idea to get him.

We did our research / would never rehome him and I would say we are good dog owners. He adores us and is happy. I just find the constant attention he requires draining.

We have a toddler and having them both cooped up during lockdown has been really hard.

I've bonded with him now and the more he chills out, the better it is. Maybe in a year I won't feel this way.

Don’t regret our rescue dog. Love him to bits. But very time consuming and tying - he needs a babysitter if we go out for more than a few hours. When I worked in office I’m only out 4.5 hours but he had dog walker or his grandma. Pet insurance, vet plan and dog walker are all expenses.

Wouldn't be without ours - he brings absolute joy to our family. The first 18 months - 2 years were the hardest work but it's all worth the training you put in. My DH had never had a dog and wasn't keen but now he says it's all worth it.

Agree, the love they give and that we all give back really does compensate for any actual or perceived negatives. We genuinely adore our lovely boy and don't regret getting him. I'd say your lifestyle sounds right for a dog op. Go for it!

Adopted a dog last year, wouldn't be without her now. Totally improved our lives for better. We exercise more, she comes out with us on day trips, and we're all generally happier with her around. Yes her puppy adolescent phase was tough going, but so worth it for the joy and love she adds to our family.

I adore my dog. We also got him when the kids were "older" and I absolutely saw the benefit to them of having a dog. I grew up with dogs and loved the,. Even now they are young adults it is a real bond with us. He is effectively my dog and has been since he arrived (I knew this would happen) - he is lovely, loving, amazing. dh who never had a pet growing up is amazed at how he feels about our dog.

But... it really severely constrains what we - and particularly I - can do. Weekends away, long day trips, holidays all have to consider the dog. I do have a dogwalker and have had lovely people come and stay in my house to mind him (he is not a dog who could go to kennels) when we were away for 2 weeks but I worried about him all the time and knew it was a bit stressful on him.

I love him and love that he is part of our family but I won't be getting another dog.

My husband had a dog when I meet him. I love the dog but I don't like the mess and responsibility that comes with it. We won't be getting another when this one dies. But he's 14 now and still going strong! I will be very upset when he dies even so.

No regrets! Best thing to happen to us for a long time. However, both work from home. Also, my dog does not shed hair which is great!

I don't regret getting our two dogs. They are Lhasa Apso and need a lot of grooming but when I see how they relax my dh after he has had a hard day at work I melt. It is as if they are smiling at each other. 13 year old foster son absolutely adores them. They always come on holiday with us. They are such loving and affectionate girls. They are always wagging their tails in welcome. I am home with them all day but they go beserk when foster son gets home from school and takes them for a walk. They are also good company for each other.

Yes I really regret getting our dog. I love him to bits but he was the wrong sort of dog at the wrong time. It has meant not having access to my back yard with young children and listening to him bark all day. Despite promising to walk him and cleaning up after him by dh it doesn't happen, and I can't walk the dog, so he never gets walked.

We adopted a rescue staff a few years ago. Oh I just adore her and she is brilliant with my daughter. She was already house trained so that was all easy. She does need a lot of cuddles, which I love. A few years later a neighbour had a litter , someone didn’t pick one of the puppies up so we had him. A cavapoo and a wonderful boy but so much hard work, it was like having a child. I adore them both so much, when my partner left people asked me if I would keep them. I wouldn’t give them up for anything. It’s a lot harder now I am on my own but the love they give you is just incredible.