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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

And so it begins (lockdown puppies)

310 replies

Sailawaysailaway · 06/03/2021 12:36

I’ve seen two posts this week on local Facebook/Nextdoor groups of

“Does anyone fancy walking my dog. Back to work for us etc etc”.

Quite obviously asking for someone to walk for them for free, not asking for a dog walker

I have been quite a defender on posts about lockdown dogs etc, hoping that the majority of people wouldn’t be so stupid as to get a dog with no forward planning at all - but I’m now seeing my hope was misplaced.

Not quite sure what my Aibu is - but seen yet another post today (by a teacher no less - so they were always going back to the “office”) and it’s pissed me off.

So I suppose Aibu to say - don’t get a dog if you have no plan on how to look after it when you go back to work.

OP posts:
Strangeways19 · 08/03/2021 08:59

A lot of lockdown puppies haven't been socialised properly either due to lockdown measures.
This can create unnecessary aggression, not knowing how to relate to other people or dogs, lack of training. Grooming is also a necessity for certain dogs that won't necessarily have had grooming salon experiences which are so necessary for socialising.
I agree that there may be a lot of pets put up for adoption after this lockdown. The government should have done more to control puppy buying in this period to avoidba rehoming crisis

forinborin · 08/03/2021 09:08

@Labobo

I've never had a dog. Can they truly not be left alone during the day? Does every household with a dog have a SAH person?
Only in the UK. The rest of the world manages fine.
chaosmaker · 08/03/2021 09:09

I never understood why they stopped dog licences.

mimichou · 08/03/2021 09:15

i am a dog owner and i suffer from chronic illness shortly after i owned a dog and delivered a baby. i was so worried of not being able to look after dog that i did consider rehoming him. do i want my dog to be alone all of the time while i am in hospital or send my dog to a holiday home whilst i am getting treatment? not sure about that. i rather he finds someone who truly loves him than me who's just sending him from one daycare to another. i even feel sorry for my kid because i'm trying my best but i'm struggling.

so i feel that if the rehoming has a real valid reason, yes it's for the betterment of everyone. but no, i do not agree that people should buy dogs just because LOCKDOWNS and then rehome them cos BUSY. dogsitters are super helpful when it comes to this. i use one regularly and yes the costs add up. who said that puppies are cheap. i threw in 3k merely to get him to behave like a citizen dog!

said dog is still with me cos i cannot bear to part with him but due to the lack of socialisation from he was a year old onwards, things really went TITS UP. people were really distancing themselves so it's not like dogs could play together. dog parks are closed. covid plus strict lockdowns really impacted my dog in a bad way. plus, my home was broken into twice while i was inside the house with dog and kid, so it made things worse.

now i am scheduling training sessions for him because no way he's going to reenter society with that kind of anxiety-induced aggression !

people should be aware that having a dog is like having half a kid. i endured a few months of difficulties whilst i was sick plus having a dog. wasn't funny. but we all love him ◡̈

Donkeydonut · 08/03/2021 09:30

people should be aware that having a dog is like having half a kid. i endured a few months of difficulties whilst i was sick plus having a dog. wasn't funny. but we all love him ◡̈

So true and anyone that is dismissive of people treating them like sentient beings is a bit silly and usually not very bright.

They aren’t toys to be locked up for the day.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 08/03/2021 11:05

@Mamanyt

Shelters here in the US emptied out in the early days, and now are finding that people are dumping their newly-adopted pets back with those shelters as they go back to work. A pet is FOREVER. I cannot think of anything crueler than this.
I agree - to take an animal, let it settle and form a bond with you, and then dump it like so much rubbish is HORRIBLE thing to do.
MmeLaraque · 08/03/2021 11:23

SD chatting with a dog walker acquaintance some weeks ago. He paid £350 for his puppy. The same fellow who sold that dog is now charging £2k per puppy. Dog walker has his own dog, and walks others for neighbours. The mutual conclusions? Poor dogs.

ERFFER · 08/03/2021 12:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Skandiminsk · 08/03/2021 13:06

Totally agree with you. You shouldn’t get a dog unless you’re prepared to walk it & clean up their poo.

When we got our dog, my kids were still in middle & high school, so in my planning I had to factor in ‘when the leave home for uni/live on their own etc)’ because ultimately looking after the dog would solely be my responsibility as I do not have a partner. My son moved out three years ago & my daughter will be moving overseas. YES, I can still look after my dog.

The teacher was irresponsible by all accounts, but then we don’t have all the facts do we?

Blondeshavemorefun · 08/03/2021 13:33

@ChardonnaysPetDragon

Well, it seems the Queen has got herself a lockdown puppy or two. At least she does WFH.
Is it a corgi
ChardonnaysPetDragon · 08/03/2021 13:50

Yes, off Pets4homes, if the tabloids are to be believed.

2 corgis.,

sunflowersandbuttercups · 08/03/2021 13:52

anyone that is dismissive of people treating them like sentient beings is a bit silly and usually not very bright.

Very well said. It's like it's a bad thing that some people want their dogs to have a great life. Bonkers.

Thelnebriati · 08/03/2021 14:02

"Honestly no. Most are fine being left for around four hours."

The ones that aren't are being got rid of on social media as their owners go back to work and don't want to come home to a trashed house.

Dogs are social animals and you have to put time and effort into training them to be left alone.

Bluesheep8 · 08/03/2021 14:22

I really doubt there are many people who have been told that they can work from home 'forever'

I've been told that. As have a lot of people I know.

bemusedmoose · 08/03/2021 18:43

Not only do i get pissed at people with no fore thought about care for dogs - but who the hell asks for random people to walk their dog!?! Firstly - that's how to never see your dog again! Dog thefts are rocketing all over the country, not just for breeding or reselling but to be used as bait for fighting dogs. Also that random person will require keys to your property to get your dog for walkies... again - who the hell gives keys to some random on facebook!?! You have to check the insurance details, public liability, references and see how they are with your dog. Seriously - dont get a dog without lots of planning and research!

BBOA · 08/03/2021 23:19

At least they are trying to sort something rather than leaving it for hours. Lots of professional dog walkers about though.

Sapho47 · 09/03/2021 04:28

@lightand

YANBU. I get your point. But also, there have been people who have been told they can work from home forever, and this may not now be the case.
I think anyone who took an emergency situation as a "fovever" situation, no matter what ideas where thrown about in work, is setting them selves up to be disappointed.
Sapho47 · 09/03/2021 04:32

@MmeLaraque

"Honestly no. Most are fine being left for around four hours."

Dogs are sociable pack animals. You wouldn't leave a child alone for four hours, so why would you leave a dog alone?

Humans are social pack animals, I bet you'd be pissed off if you never got 4 hours to yourself
Claudia84 · 09/03/2021 07:46

LOL at the idea that dogs are just looking for a bit of ‘me time’

They’re sociable pack animals, let’s say, with the level of intelligence of a human toddler. They aren’t human but they do have needs and whilst yes if properly helped to do so they will be fine on their own for a couple of hours no behavioural studies on street dogs or wolves have shown that they EVER choose to be on their own, unless they’re fearful.

Donkeydonut · 09/03/2021 10:06

@Claudia84

LOL at the idea that dogs are just looking for a bit of ‘me time’

They’re sociable pack animals, let’s say, with the level of intelligence of a human toddler. They aren’t human but they do have needs and whilst yes if properly helped to do so they will be fine on their own for a couple of hours no behavioural studies on street dogs or wolves have shown that they EVER choose to be on their own, unless they’re fearful.

Exactly right 🙌🏻
princessTiasmum · 09/03/2021 12:00

Very sad sale on preloved, due to having a baby and no space,8 year old cocker spaniel, [£50} or free to good home,
How much space does a baby take up, poor dog,hate these kinds of ads,
If i didn't have cats i would apply

Claudia84 · 09/03/2021 12:14

Sorry but she’s not looking for a good home if she’s selling on pre loved.

Claudia84 · 09/03/2021 12:14

In fact can you post the link I’ll report to spaniel aid. The thought of her going into the wrong hands makes me sick

ChardonnaysPetDragon · 09/03/2021 12:17

How much space does a baby take up, poor dog,hate these kinds of ads,

Just how much dues a spaniel take up as well? Poor dog, 8yo and kicked out.

Donkeydonut · 09/03/2021 13:13

@Claudia84

In fact can you post the link I’ll report to spaniel aid. The thought of her going into the wrong hands makes me sick
Thank you, I support spaniel aid Flowers