Is the “stress” of owning a dog worth it?

[Supernova23]

Life long dog owner. Historically a multi dog owner but my current pooch wouldn’t tolerate a newby, so just have the one.

I’ve had dogs at various ends of the spectrum from extremely friendly to all and sundry, to not particularly friendly apart from a select few.

Dog walking is now like an Olympic sport. Your mission is to avoid other dogs if your dog is overly friendly or reactive, as you don’t want to upset other dog owners. You also have to avoid bikes/runners/livestock and make sure you are following the exact right of way as you wouldn’t wish to upset any farmers.

The absolute look of horror now if a dog behaves like a dog. If you have your dog off the lead someone will accuse you of having it out of control. If your dog barks it’s out of control. If it does something “wrong” you haven’t trained it. Basically you never win. My mum actually goes for walks without her dog now if she wants a relaxing walk LOL. We have far too many people and dogs on this little island now.

The leeway you get if you own particular breeds. Cockerpoo or Labrador or “nice breed” barks at something, that’s cute. Bull breed barks at something, it’s the devil incarnate.

Then the responsibility side. It’s like having a child in that you can’t do anything spontaneously. Weekend away last minute? Nope, the dog. Work needs doing on the house? What about the dog? Shifts at work….revolve around the dog. Night out? Nope, the dog. If the dog barks more than twice, is it upsetting the neighbours? Holidays….the cost of kennelling the dog costs as much as the holiday.

Also the mess. Mine sheds profusely. It’s a constant battle keeping on top of the hair and grime. My walls are black from the mud in the winter. The smell in the garden from the urine which can be really hard to keep on top of.

I adore my dog but after she goes, I think she will be my last. I just feel like dog ownership has changed so much in the last 20 years or so. It’s like they have replaced children and a lot of dog owners are completely bonkers and forgot they have a massive predator with instincts at the end of a lead. Anyway, anyone else feel the same?

We’re on our third dog and I can’t relate to a single word of the OP. Our house is clean, our garden too. Our dogs have fitted in around us and not given us any issues.

We have a 6 month old pup and he’s been with us since he was 9 weeks. We’ve never had to get up in the night with him and he sleeps downstairs until someone gets up. He thinks everyone/thing is his friend at the moment, so if we see small kids or staffie type dogs, we’ll give them a wide berth.

I’ll be back to cats when I eventually lose my girl. I miss having cats and they are soooo much easier. I’ll be gutted when she goes but I’m so looking forward to getting cats again!

Staffies shed just as much as Labs. I’ve had both!

I think you are probably right.

Noooooooooooooo! Thanks for shattering my dreams OP lol 🤣Then I’m doomed! I accept my fate. The love and companionship they bring is worth it.

When we moved away from the UK one of the main extra benefits was being able to get rid of the dog for me.
We have a large family and the dog was just one extra thing on the to do list I was happy to not have.
I do like dogs but I'd never own another one in a million years.

I sadly lost my boy 9 years ago. I miss him dearly, but no, I would never have another dog. I have cats now and it's so much easier to live a life, people will drop in to feed the cats and let them in and out, have a cuddle etc.

My family wouldn't/couldn't look after my dog. I adored him, but he was a lot of work.

Grateful for sane dog owners like you. Because yes wtf is that all about.

@Supernova23 can I ask do Staffies bark? and do they suffer with separation anxiety?
Or does it depend on the individual dog. (Thank you).
Our lab rarely barks, I’m not a fan of constant yapping at every single sound or movement.

How many potential dog owners would change their minds about having a furry friend if they had to go through a months trial first? In winter. With a lot of rain. And mud.
Love my doggy life but you need to be committed (in both senses)

I always have cats . I love them ! I like dogs too but there does seem to be too many these days . Especially ones that people think are children and let clamber about on furniture and tables in pubs and coffee shops when they go out for dog coffee in their dog jumpers.

They are hard work, it's true. I've just washed the walls that had been wagged all over. But, I wouldn't be without them.

I also think having a small dog that yiu can run under rhe tap

... must be a different story from having large ones. But I do love a large dog.

My dog is one of the best things about my life. Of all the stresses he gives me the least!

I have two currently. The only 'stress' is when it's pouring out as one of my dogs hates it!
I don't have any of the issues you talk about. One if mine can be a bit jumpy (even at 14), so I keep him on the lead of other people are around. They are friendly, though one (the off lead one) isn't that interested in people or other dogs after a quick sniff and is extremely obedient.
I've had other dogs run up but as mine are chilled it's not an issue, even though I think the owners should pay more attention. I've had other dogs that bark and snarl (mostly small dogs) but the owners keep them on a leash and keep them back.
Yes you can't leave them for the weekend - it just takes a bit of planning. I can leave mine for the evening - they do not bark incessantly and do not have separation anxiety- I've never had a dog who suffers from this.
I use Trustedhousesitters instead of kennelling- only costs the annual fee (£149). As for work - unless employing a dog walker, I would not have a dog if I worked away from home.
Basically, if your dog is well trained then there shouldn't be any issues. The other bits (walking, annual shots, cost of feed, shedding), well that's a pretty fare trade off for what they bring to one's life surely?

Imo it is definitely worth it.

My ddog is small and portable though, maybe it's more stressful if you have larger dogs.

We got conned into having a dog - an elderly relative could no longer cope with it.
We are at the stage of no longer having children at school so I was looking forward to impromptu trips away, visiting my older children and other family but have to arrange to have it looked after.
It costs a fortune with vet fees etc. Can't go in the garden without having to look out for piles of sh*t (although does keep the local cats out).

We
Lost our beloved Lab 3 months ago but I would not get another dog for the reasons you describe OP - dog ownerships has become stressful because of the number of dogs that are around these days. I live in a seaside town and a walk along the beach or prom is not relaxing anymore because of so many dogs and owners who don't seem to be able to control them.

its not worth it

The way you consistently refer to your dog as ‘it’ makes me really sad. I hope it’s just MN bravado and you love ‘it’ more in RL.