To ask you to tel me all the shit things about having a dog?

[ProserpinaProserpina]

Two preschool DCs, small house, large garden. I’m desperate for a dog. DH works from home in a workshop in the garden. Dog would spend most of the day with him. We’ve both had dogs before and live an active, outdoorsy lifestyle. I can’t think of any occasions that we go out to anywhere that a dog couldn’t come, and there is very rarely not someone home. I work 3 days per week but like I say, husband is around. I’m happy to do evening walks as required, dog could have the run of the garden all day every day, and DH has a very flexible (read: easy) schedule which would allow the dog to be walked as much as needed.

DH is happy with whatever and does absolutely adore dogs but is more pragmatic than me. He’s very much of the ‘if you want a dog, we’ll get one but it won’t be easy’ attitude which I’m a bit worried might bite me on that arse when things are difficult.

So please, tell me all the shit things about having a dog and why it’s a terrible idea to have a dog and children so that I can make a truly informed decision (ie. Not do it).

Sounds like the perfect set up. Get a dog. The puppy stage is a pain the training, the bitieness etc but other than that there are no downsides imo.

Surely if you've had dogs before you know all about what it's like having a dog?

Difficult to plan impromptu family days out without someone to come let the dog out.

Kennels for holidays.

If you get a puppy they destroy nice things.

Nothing.Dogs are amazing!!

I'm desperate for a dog as well though but in my opinion the upsides massively outweigh the downsides!

Teenage dogs can be like having a 20kg clothes moth.

Just a quick mouthing or scratch and boom - holes.

When they die. The rest is awesome

@Chesneyhawkes1 I was just going to write exactly the same thing.

They are very expensive both to buy and insure. With young children a lot of rescues won't consider you so it will more likely need to be a puppy that will take time to train and will likely destroy some things. They are totally worth it though.

I have two dogs one is non shedding the other one sheds like nothing on this earth hairs just drop off him constantly despite regularly brushing. This is IMO the only big downside and I’m saying this a someone who would never be described as obsessively house proud.
They are obviously a tie but they bring me so much pleasure that it doesn’t matter.

Worst thing we ever did

It's like having a toddler for 15 years. One that you can't always take on holiday.

Well, the biggest shit thing is probably the shit thing, really.

Places you can’t take a dog, in our recent experience: school concerts, school trips, hospital appointments, emergency dentist, elderly parent nursing home, overseas holiday, all-day visit to anyone with hygiene standards or allergy.

With young children around, you can't let your guard down (there has been bites in the family).

They die :(

You love them so much, you feel guilty about leaving them - I couldn’t travel overnight without her hairy self. No jetset travel to far flung places - long drives via eurotunnel only.

Don’t do it with 2 preschool kids. Puppy hood will be utter hell with a land shark thren teenage arsehole. Leave it till they are able to cope with being bitten all the time , nit leaving stuff out to be eaten etc ( both toys and clothes but also mine pies choc and other dog dangerous foods )

You probably already know what they are, having owned a dog:

poo
pee
hair
smells
mud
chewing
safety with kids
training them well
finding reliable and affordable care for holidays
having to be back at certain times, because not leaving them too long
worry if they become ill
cost of insurance and vet's fees
coming to terms with losing them

Having said all that, I love my three madly…

They don't live long enough.

That's the worst thing.

They smell. Even the nicest cleanest dog smells of dog. And dog poo smells absolutely vile! And they shed everywhere. And dog food stinks. To be fair I do have a very acute sense of smell...

Unexpressed anal glands.

You’ll struggle to get a dog from a rescue with preschool kids. Don’t get a puppy, most are puppy farms or irresponsible breeders.

You have to pick their shit up

You can’t have spontaneous days out unless you have a plan to include them

Organising their care when you’re on holiday

Walking in the pissing rain and/or freezing cold

It’s really, really sad when they die. Which they will in your lifetime

I have 4 dogs and the shit things are

I'm always hoovering
Bought an air purifier due to dust and hair (it really did help)
Dog shit in the back garden needs clearing
Expensive
Mud in the house this time of the year
Walking them in the rain then coming home, both of you wet and mucky

But I'd not change a thing!

Puppy stage they can be bitey- not great with small children, they don’t understand
Having to have eyes in the back of your head when you have a dog and kids
Arranging care if you want to have a long day out/night away
Picking up shit
They smell
Vets aren’t cheap
They inevitably die and it’s heartbreaking

I would love a dog but I think I’ll wait until my dc are much older purely because pets are a lot of work and so are small children