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Original poster

Talk to me about why we should/shouldn't get a dog.

56 replies

mollyroger · 24/02/2009 19:42

.....
?
I have 2 boys 8 and 11. I grew up with dogs. But haven't had one of my own. the boys are desperate for one (including dh!)

I am really coming round to the idea.

Talk me into/out of the idea

But please don't come and rant about dog poo or vicious hounds attacking your children. I know all that and I agree!

OP posts:
rubyslippers · 24/02/2009 19:43

walking every day in all weathers

expense

kennelling when on holiday

compo · 24/02/2009 19:45

do you work full time/ part time?

ConnorTraceptive · 24/02/2009 19:46

dog hair
the house will smell of dog
No spur of the moment nights or weekends away
Cost

fruitshootsandheaves · 24/02/2009 19:46

I never had dogs as a child and the first thing I did when I moved in with dh was to go out and get a dog and we have had dogs ever since.
I love my dogs in fact the only hobbies I have apart from mumsnetting are my dog agility and obedience clubs. My Dc's love to show their friends the tricks the dogs can do.
They can be hard work and are a big commitment, especially when you want to go away, but I wouldn't be without them.

MissisBoot · 24/02/2009 19:47

are you outdoorsy people?

would your dc's walk the dog?

who would be the one looking after it?

do you go on holiday abroad a lot? who would look after it then?

Original poster
mollyroger · 24/02/2009 19:48

I work 9-2 four days a week. DH currently works 2 days a week.

Kennelling wouldn't be neccessary as we mostly camp. Dog would have to get used to life on a canal boat as we spend time on ours in the hols etc.

Walking every day - well, I walk every day in all weathers anyway

OP posts:
Geepers · 24/02/2009 19:49

Dog hair everywhere

Muddy, dirty floors, constantly

Never being able to leave the front door open

Cost, to buy, insurance, vaccinations, food, flea treatments, toys, bedding, chewies etc etc.

Barking

Dog poo

The list is endless. I see nothing nice about dogs to be honest. They all stink, they all shit, and most leave hair everywhere.

Original poster
mollyroger · 24/02/2009 19:49

cost is an issue. It will cost us £100 or so for rescue dog but will have all jabs etc already/be neutered etc. We could afford £5 a month pet insurance. Food - well, I must confess I have no idea how much dog food is!

OP posts:
BCNS · 24/02/2009 19:50

holiday issues and extra expense
vet/insurance/ jabs and worming
the dog poo pick up ( it is a gross bit )
dirty paws on floors and dog hair.
training and the time it takes
puppy house training,chewing, mouthing nipping and socialisation.
enough time to excerise enough.
the compainionship
the joy of getting the training right
always having a friend
barking..good and bad
having the time so dog isn't alone all day and building this up from young.
wreck of a garden

btw I'm a happy dog owner and wouldn't be without!!

rubyslippers · 24/02/2009 19:50

i think cost is an issue

Original poster
mollyroger · 24/02/2009 19:52

we are rather an untidy house but I am capapble of running a hoover around to cope with dog hairs.
Do all dogs smell? Really smell?

We never leave front door open anyway. We have a stable door back door whcih we use more often. garden is secure.

Barking. Hmmmm. It does drive me mad when other dogs are barking all day. Or hoooowwwl.

OP posts:
Cies · 24/02/2009 19:54

We're new dog owners - adopted a rescue dog two weeks ago.

So far my negatives would be:

cost - vet's bills, food etc.
being tied to getting home for a particular time to let the dog out/take it for a walk

The positives are:
companionship
training going well
being forced to do lots of exercise
meeting new people as you go out walking

Original poster
mollyroger · 24/02/2009 19:55

Pros:
We are in more than most (p/t working)

We have plenty of places very near to excercise a dog.

the boys are the 'right' age. They respect animals and would give it so much love and attention. ds2 has slight social issues and would love a dog to befriend as his 'particular' friend.

We have a large car/people carrier

We are outdoorsy and camp/walk a lot.

Cons: modest house
Very modest income.

OP posts:
Original poster
mollyroger · 24/02/2009 19:56

cies - how long did the 'adoption' process take? I have been researching and I know it might take months to match us up with the 'right' sort of dog. and vice versa

OP posts:
Tortoise · 24/02/2009 20:03

I have had a dog (greyhound)for a year now.
Generally we love having him.

He doesn't smell/house doesn't smell.

Muddy footprints on floors/carpets drives me mad!

Even after a walk he will poo in the garden.

Vet bills/vaccinations/worming(£8 for one tablet!).

I have pet insurance for him but so far not worthwhile because the excess is £80. Latest bill so far is just under £80 (dopey animal ran full greyhound speed into a barbed wire fence).

He is a great companion when i am home alone and in the evenings.

Kids get to go on great adventure walks with him. Something i didn't do much before we got him.

Finding somewhere for him when we go away is expensive.

Agree with barking being a bad point but not a problem with greyhounds.

Overall we love having a dog. I think if i was able to go back a year i would tell myself to wait a few more years until kids were a bit older.

He is also a terrible food thief!

Original poster
mollyroger · 24/02/2009 20:06

ohhh Tortoise! Greyhound/lurcher is top of DH's wish list

OP posts:
sleepwhenidie · 24/02/2009 20:11

Whenever DH and I consider getting a dog we only have to think of his parents' situation which up until recently was that they had two elderly dogs that because of their elderly disposition and medical/physical needs, could not be left at a kennel or with other people, nor left at home for more than about 3 hours at a stretch(without toilet accidents and the stress that caused one of the dogs) guaranteed. They did not go abroad together for three years because of them and it really affected their lifestyle - they did not resent this as they loved the dogs, but having witnessed it, those dogs were more of a commitment than a new baby or an elderly relative, too much for us to contemplate taking on, though of course others may think it is fine.

Tortoise · 24/02/2009 20:15

Good choice from your DH.
If you decide to go for a greyhound, look up your nearest greyhound rescue/retired greyhound trust re-homing place. They have so many unwanted retired greyhounds looking for their forever home.

Just over a week after someone made a home visit, we got Mickey. He is the laziest creature ever and spends most of his day lounging on the sofa. He is really great with the kids too. And no trouble with other dogs. Cats are a different matter though lol. oh and rabbits/guinea pigs! He had our guinea pig in his mouth once when DD2 opened the hutch when he was in the garden. Luckily didn't hurt it.

Original poster
mollyroger · 24/02/2009 20:17

ah. well. There is a slight issue in that we have an elderly cat. But been looking on the local lurcher rehome site and there are some out there who are child and cat friendly....

OP posts:
duckyfuzz · 24/02/2009 20:21

my sister gave my twins a puupy when her dog had puppies...the DTs were about 18 months and I can safely say the puppy was far harder work than them! She is lovely and no trouble at all, but hard work none the less. My sister very kindly took her back at Christmas which has made life so much easier I wonder how we made it through the 3.5 years we had her!

Tortoise · 24/02/2009 20:21

Yes some are cat friendly. Some will get used to cats.
Mickey has got used to the rabbit more over the year. He used to go mad at the hutch. Now he walks passed and ignores it.

Original poster
mollyroger · 25/02/2009 20:15

ok, DH really REALLY wants one. (A lurcher) and I am bing swept along. there are loads of cons, so can some of you tell me how fab your life is with a dog now please?

OP posts:
BarcodeZebra · 25/02/2009 20:25

I had mine for 18+ years and she was the most gentle placid companion I could have hoped for. she was absolutely my best friend and gave me a reason to get up and go out every day when my first wife left me.

I have no regrets whatsoever about having her for all that time and I miss her profoundly even though she died over four years ago.

Having said all that I can't describe the sense of relief that I feel every day that I no longer own a dog and dn't have to vacuum every day and pick up warm shit when I'm out walking her. Everything everyone has said above is also true not to mention the environmental impact of pointlessly shipping tins of meat around the globe (when we can't even manage to feed all the people on the planet).

Finally, if you are not prepared to pick up after your dog EVERY time (even when they have diarrhoea) then don't get one.

flowerybeanbag · 25/02/2009 20:27

Get one. They light up your life, relieve stress, love you, miss you, welcome you home, play with you, get you fit and can be full of personality and mischief just like DC.

Look at mine on my profile for inspiration, although he is nothing like a lurcher!

Original poster
mollyroger · 25/02/2009 20:27

DH swears blind he will be poop meister!

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