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.

Yes and no.

We have a wonderful, slightly loopy, rescue staffie. No regrets having her in our daily life. She's cuddly and funny and gets me out for lots of walks. We can't be spontaneous and just go out for an evening or have a weekend away, but that's not really a big deal.

However, pre-COVID we had decided to move back from NZ to the UK, with the dog, and there are now no flights available for pets. I've resigned, sold our house, and all our belongings have been shipped. We're now trying to decide whether we stay in NZ with the dog (which due to ds's age and school level probably means staying forever) or rehome her so we can leave. It's heartbreaking and life would definitely be easier if we didn't have her.

Well we are on our third dog now and have zero regrets! She is absolutely lovely (her birthday today). Extra hugs and walkies ,and a Chocolate cake (for us not her!) I spent my whole childhood longing for a dog, and now we have one it is lovely to see how much they bring to the family .I would just say "go for it" As far as days out go ,some training and you could take them with you ,She loves a change of scene .We have a friend who will look after her ,or a very good kennel nearby with one to one ball play ,roast chicken meals et al for holidays as well.

Forgot to mention I think a lot of why we wouldn't also get another dog is that for the first two years ours had many bouts of illnesses which took ages to diagnose. Inbetween that he was unlucky and had injuries and accidents. This combination resulted in often monthly trips to the vets, inpatient admissions and emergency operations. It's pot luck and some dogs are easy going and others like mine required a lot of effort to simply keep him well and healthy.

I used to be terrified- I mean totally phobic if dogs. I hated walking on my own in case I saw one.What changed for me was when my youngest turned 18 and wanted a puppy- as did everyone else.i worked part time- so was at home on and off during day- we all waited for the right time to get a dog.I researched and researched- we found an excellent breeder and even though I was so worried, it was the best thing ever.I am totally over my fear of dogs- this has been amazing for me- so much so we got another -this time- rescue dog.I could go out for hours walking on my own with them.Opened up a whole new world for me.they are constant companions.The puppy we got for my DD turned out to be mine all mine! I could not let him go 😂 I can now go up to any dog and I am a different person - no longer terrified in case there’s a dog!

I utterly adore my two dogs. They are so loving. I love walking and we go out for hours together every day, come rain, come shine. There's no way I'd walk for hours on my own. Walking locally means I have met most people in my village which is wonderful. I always take them on holiday with me, can't leave them at home! I'd miss them too much! I'd have more if I could fit them in!

No, I don't regret getting our dog.
He brings so much into our lives and we really enjoy having him.
He was very hard work for the first two years, but now he's a dream.
We go hiking a lot and he comes with us.
He makes every hike far more entertaining and enjoyable and he fits in with our life amazingly.
One thing I would say is that if you're not keen on going for lots of walks, don't get one.

We've got two dogs, wouldn't change then for the world. It took some getting used to having a puppy to begin with (they're 2 and 3 in now) and they are hard work and a tie (as in you can't just go away for the weekend short notice which I'm sure you know). There is a dog hair all over the place and things get broken due to I've of our dogs being clumsy. They wake us up at 6.30am wanting us to get up then go to sleep when we're downstairs 😂 but we love them to pieces and the companionship they give us is priceless. Only get a dog if you are prepared for the work and costs that comes with them which I'm sure you are - if you do want one and it's the right choice for you, you'll never look back. The love the give you is just wonderful and I'd never be without one now ❤️

So I didn't want the dog. DS getting older - teen- me getting my independence back, but I was talked into it. Dog is now 2 and is gorgeous, well-behaved and huge.

If you'd asked me before lockdown I'd have said yes to the regret. But he has been a wonderful companion now my main objections have gone - i) trying to ensure he had enough human time when we were at work - now we're all at home I think he could do with some non human time and ii) DH who wanted the dog and is the primary carer, disappearing off for many weekends of hill walking or whatever leaving said dog for me and allegedly DS to look after - well at the minute he ain't going nowhere.

I never wanted a dog but we ended up getting one a couple of weeks into lockdown. She's honestly kept us all going. She is a toy poodle so doesn't need hours of exercise and she loves cuddles. We feel like we have just about cracked the house training and can focus on basic commands now.
Downsides is that she is a breed that will never be that great being left alone, so we will have to manage that going forward. I'm a SAHM and DH thinks he will be WFH a lot more in the future so it will be ok during the week. And my parents/Dh parents will be fine to look after her when we go on holiday. I guess we will do more dog friendly stuff. And we will have to hope she can manage for say 2 hours alone if we build up to it just so I can manage things like swimming lessons on week nights.

Not for a second! I am a cat person but my daughter is allergic so we ended up getting a dog instead. He's a rescue labrador cross, was about 7mo when we got him two years ago and he is BRILLIANT. I properly love him. He has the sweetest nature, is incredibly eager to please, is fantastic with my daughter and makes me feel safer when I'm home alone. Plus the commitment to twice daily walks has been very good for us.

He's massive, leaves hair everywhere, and barks when he thinks there's a cat in the garden but he brings so much joy to our lives. I'm so glad we found him.

I have a 6 year old cavalier King Charles and she’s a great dog. I certainly don’t regret getting her. She’s very easy going, friendly, portable and I never have to worry about her behaviour with kids or strangers. She fits in with our life and not the other way around.

But I’ve had friends whose dogs are far from easy going and friendly. Lots of work, can’t cope with being left alone for even 5mins, anxious and timid, aggressive with other animals or strangers (this is is two different dogs btw) and I would HATE to own a dog with those traits and would certainly regret getting it.

I don’t regret my dog for one moment. She is the constant companion of DS, when I left my abusive ex and lived alone she was my shoulder to cry on. I dread the day she passes.

She is a big commitment, I pay a lot of money for dog care during the day and holidays are taken in the UK so she can come with us, for example. Food, insurance, vet check ups, flea treatment and worming adds up too. But she is just the best and brings so much joy to our lives. We’re looking into getting another soon.

We rescued Bella a couple of years ago, she's a lovely dog and we love her. I don't regret getting her but acknowledge that life isn't as simple because you have to factor in the dog to every holiday, trip out etc and you have to be prepared for the expense. I've spent over £500 on vet's bills in the past fortnight and only some of that will be refunded through insurance which is of course another monthly expense.

I adore my dog. Even though he sheds so much hair. We travel loads but just make it work.

I don't think I'll ever get another puppy though. They're hard work. But my dog is like one of my children, I can't imagine life without him.

I do regret it some times, but I got him a year after my husband died, I had a knee replacement, I have rheumatoid arthritis, and I wasn't getting the exercise I needed and was putting on weight, so I got a Springer spaniel. At first I thought I had ruined my life! But he is calmer now and when I review the pros and cons, my life is much better with him in it, I am far healthier, physically and mentally, than I would be without him.

I like the post that compared it to having children - my dog is a total pain in the arse and I curse him frequently, but so totally worth it.
I wouldn’t be without mine. He isn’t the easiest dog (requires A LOT of exercise, is incredibly needy, doesn’t like strangers, is unpredictable with other dogs, has shaky recall) but he brings us joy every single day, and that isn’t an exaggeration. He makes us laugh, he is always pleased to see us and loves us unconditionally.
I often say if I had my time again, I’m not convinced I’d have children. I’d definitely always have dogs. I wish I could afford more.

We loved our dog, we had him from a pup till he was PTS at 13, we had cats & the dog, before we had our children. We never regretted him but I doubt whether we would have another.

I would agree they are a tie, you can’t go out for a whole day & leave them at home, holidays can also be a problem, unless you take them with you.

The puppy days are hard work, getting the dog housetrained, the chewing, and destruction, and biting. Then when they are old you are getting up during the night to let them out etc. It is worth it and you do get through it.

For us the loss of our dog was the worst thing we were absolutely devastated, when we left the vets I said to DH, if I ever talk about getting another dog, please remind me of today.

We have never got another dog, and I cannot imagine doing so now. People usually fall into two camps either replace the dog very quickly or not at all. We now have no pets after our last cat died 3 years ago.

Our children are 18 & 17, so it is nice after so many years of pet ownership not to have the responsibility of caring for the animals and as much as we miss them I can’t see us getting anymore. Also our circumstances are very different healthwise from what they were when we got our dog.

I think you are being very responsible, for asking for advice & experiences, to many people buy a pup on a whim, without thinking it through properly. It is a very big decision to make. Good luck OP.

I don’t regret my first dog, I regret my second dog as she has behavioural issues that are hard to manage, I love her but it’s not a good fit. But I have some friends up in the countryside interested in spending time with her and seeing whether she could go live with them where she’ll have access to fields and someone In The house 24/7. I’d never usually consider something like this but when she’s up there she has an amazing time and I’m pretty sure she loves them more than me. Lots of things to consider tbh

Getting a dog is the best thing I've ever done. The joy he's brought to our home on a daily basis more than makes up for the little inconveniences. He's better than any holiday We don't have DC which might make a difference?

I had dogs when my son was young so he got used to them. As a single parent I knew the future was likely to be changeable especially with work. So I rescued older dogs that obviously only had fewer years left. And the bonus is you can get one that ‘s housetrained.

The only bit I found taxing was how the freedom to walk dogs has declined . So many people own dogs now and many seem to be reactive. It was stressful having to recall mine every five minutes when you saw a dog on a lead and it felt wrong not letting him have time off the lead.
So I’d probably get another only if I lived somewhere with a lowEr population density.

Some of the time yes. I was young no kids and a partner when i got her. Shes 11 now and im single with kids and it really is hard work. She moults so much fills a hoover compartment every day and literally poos 4 times a day. I will never miss the hairs or the spoiled grass or the scratched door handles. She is a good dog otherwise and its not like she can help the hairs weve had some good times over the years and i do love her she makes the house feel safe being a single parent. Ive just been in tears on many many ocassions over the years because i couldnt cope

And they are not cheap either. She costs around 100 p/m with food insurance and vet fees rounded in
Thats excluded if you need a regular groomer

I do not for a second regret having a dog. Having our beautiful boy has brought me and my husband closer, made our house more of a home and we love him to pieces. He is such a character, makes us smile and gives us so much back.

We made sure as much as possible that the breed fitted our lifestyle in terms of size, personality and exercise needs. Have an amazing dog sitter that we introduced him to when he was very young. We tried two different training schools, he learned the basics but will never be a show dog! (Likes to play too much).

If you have the time, energy, money and lifestyle to give a loving home to a dog then go for it :) there will be teething issues but it's an amazing experience

A lot of people are dog mad here. We have two and I wish we didn't.

Not at all. I did get post puppy depression (it’s a thing, google it 🙈) and wanted to send him back briefly. It’s been hard. At times wondered why I’d done it. Yes of course life was easier (and cleaner) before. But he’s my best mate, doesn’t answer back like kids and loves me unconditionally. I’d love another but the cost of daycare for 2 isn’t doable.