To ask for reasons NOT to get a dog?

[Waheymum]

I'm pregnant with my & DH's second child, first is a toddler. DH desperately wants a dog. I'm left with almost all childcare because he works irregular hours, and this wouldn't change if he had a dog so I'd be left looking after two children and a dog. I take DC1 out to groups/soft play/etc most days so it's not like I'm sitting around at home to look after a dog. On top of this, I just don't want one: I'm not ready to commit to a dog, they're a lot of work, I couldn't just take a dog out with my DCs to kids' activities.

AIBU not to want a dog at this time, and could you relay some experiences/stories that explain why it's a bad idea?

Ok, thank you for your outrage 😂

🤣 I should point out that I do a lot of voluntary work for a dog rescue centre. I see the damage caused by this kind of cruel and irresponsible dog ownership on a weekly basis. There are thousands of people giving up their time to rescue dogs from this trauma who would be equally as furious. I make no apology for calling her stupid, cruel and irresponsible but I do apologise to you for taking out my anger on you. Sorry!

Hard no, OP.
You will end up it's primary carer and that is all you need to know really. But also,
Expensive
Smelly
Time consuming
Restrict all plans for holidays, days out, evenings out, etc

You’ve justified why not already to be honest.

Saying this as someone who loves dogs, they need a lot of attention, they need walking come rain or shine, depending on their age there is toileting and behaviour to teach them, some don’t like noisy/jumpy children, some may be aggressive with other dogs, they can be expensive if they need specific care or food.

If your partner is not around he isn’t there to look after it so isn’t going to get the benefit of a dog and you will get all the hard work

I've never wanted a dog. Reading the comments on this thread has made me start to wonder why anyone would ever want one!

If you get a dog you have to pick up its poo every day for the next 10-15 years. Every Single Day.

That would be enough for me!

Also, even more importantly, you are pregnant. Babies and dogs do not mix. You have to supervise the dog constantly,

Well they don't really restrict plans because owners expect to take them everywhere these days and get very offended when they can't.

The rest of the world has to adapt to dog owners, not the other way round.

just to say, I 100% agree with you.

I am heavily involved in my local Golden Retriever club (and rescue). Probably 95%+ of dogs we get in have bitten a child. And almost all of the incidents are either puppy 'biting', breed 'biting' (i.e. golden retrievers being golden retrievers and not biting but mouthing as the breed was bred to do) or failure by the parent to properly supervise their children around the dogs (i.e. dog clearly give/gave warning signs, child/adult ignored it, child got bit).

I also breed. And the above is why I have a hard and fast rule of never selling a puppy to someone who frequently has child visitors, or has children under 10. Dogs deserve better than to suffer through homes that cannot give them what they need. It's a policy a lot of people on mumsnet have slammed me for, and I've been called every name under the sun when people enquire and I say no when I realise they have children, but it's not a policy I would ever change. Dogs going to homes with babies or toddlers or young children is, very often, a risk that should never be taken.

Walking the dog come rain or shine, no matter how you feel.
More cleaning.
Mucky paws and wet dog smell in winter.
Expensive vet bills.
No spontaneous events unless it’s brief enough to leave dog home or is somewhere you can take them.

I grew up with dogs but I’d never have one myself. They take up too much of your time and money.

There's not much more to add to what you have already said.
I work with dogs and i love dogs ,mine are all getting old now and 2 of them won't be here for that much longer and although i will be heartbroken and will miss them i am looking forward to a time when i will be dog free,they are a massive responsibility and as someone else said a chore sometimes.
I had dogs with young children but they were here before the children ,life is so busy when they are tiny why add to the work load with a pup ?

‘I'm pregnant with my & DH's second child, first is a toddler. DH desperately wants a dog. I'm left with almost all childcare because he works irregular hours, and this wouldn't change if he had a dog so I'd be left looking after two children and a dog.’

Why are you asking us when you’ve just answered your own question?

The hair! My God, the hair! It's everywhere! Killed our washing machine because it got into bits of the machine we can't get to to clean. And that's the hair from our clothes - dog washing goes in a mesh bag to prevent hair clogs.

That's my biggest gripe of dog ownership anyway.

Smelly
Noisy
Chews things
Expensive - food, vetinary care
Needs to be walked and trained
Shit needs dealing with
Restricts holidays and lifestyle
Long term committment
Possible allergies

JUSTSAY NO!!!!!

I always wanted a dog but having 3 children was enough when they were younger.
My boys are now older teens so I rescued a dog. I'm so glad we waited.
Though, having a dog is great. So loving and he is my best friend.

Are these helping, OP?

dont do it. They take over your life. ATM your two children should be the centre of your world. He’s an idiot.

I might be the worst person to answer here because we are in the process of looking to rehome one of our dogs because he has significant behaviour issues, but I promise other than that I love dogs and have always had them, but this sounds like the worst time for you to get a dog!
Puppy training is awful, I can't imagine toilet training a puppy on top of being up however many times with a newborn: our youngest dog had me up at 04 30 for about a month! Also the stress of the bite stage, not the dogs fault but your children are tiny and keeping them seperate would be another layer of stress. Plus with a newborn and a puppy it would be like trying to get them both into a routine which complements each other amazingly, the chances of that are tiny! When I had my youngest my dog was old and so chill it wasn't an issue, would happily wait for a nice afternoon walk when it suited my baby instead of the lunchtime etc, but a puppy isn't like that. Also don't exclude the mess: I hoover and mop every morning before the kids come down and before I go to bed as a bare minimum, do you really want to commit to thst before they are able to go on the rug etc? And if the dog vomits on the carpet, will you realistically have time to sort out cleaning it up before popping baby down for a bit of tummy time?

Nope, nope, nope. You are right. We have two dogs and although they were fully trained by the time our two children came along I still got incredible frustrated by them. I absolutely love them to bits but the thought of another living thing needing you is HARD. I'd have a screaming newborn, tantruming toddler and the thing that would set me off would be one of the dogs staring at me, looking for their tea an hour early. We're thinking of a third dog, but not until the kids are a bit older. Please stand your ground, it's not fair on you and a puppy/dog xx

No reputable breeder will sell you a dog until your youngest is at least 5.
They smell
You cant go on holiday as eaaiky
You need to either have someone at home neatly all of the time or pay loads for a dog sitter.

They smells, boarding kennels make holidays even more expensive, you have to go out walking even in the rain, you may not be able to leave it all day for a day out, did I mention they also smell? It's just another job and I don't need more stuff to do and look after. That's my reasons anyway.

Sorry I just repeated everyone else's answers ha ha.

You have to pick up their poo. That's enough reason not to have a dog.

My dog has just been poorly with a virus. £80 at the vets and 10 days of D & V.

Just say no the extra work will fall on you- strange to want a dog when you have a child coming

they are loads of hair / you can’t have them around a newborn /lots get separation anxiety so that’s extra money for dog daycare/ it’s not good to get another bring a baby home/ vet fees have got ridiculous

how’s that? I have two but am in different positio.