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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:
nat22 · 25/02/2009 20:29

unconditional love

teaches your children how to look after and love an animal who responds with constant affection

of course DH and I walk her more than the DC but at 14 and 11 they have a rota that works for after school walks; family walks not as common as they were but still happen -some of the best conversations occur with DC when walking

DH has been a changed man - uses the dog walking to relax and destress

Yes vets and insurance expensive but well worth it. Good friends have her when we're away and use a dog walker when working....but doesn't sound like you need to

No regrets ...have you thought about a lab?

Tiggiwinkle · 25/02/2009 20:32

We have 3 dogs and although they are hard work we would not be without them!

Pros?

A happy greeting whenever you get home.

Companionship. Ours are always somewhere close by so you never feel alone.

Children learn how to care for and look out for something other than themselves.

Security. No-one could get into our house without them letting us know!

They make you take some exercise.

I'll try and think of some more!

Original poster
mollyroger · 25/02/2009 20:33

if we had a bigger house, a lab would have been first choice.....

What you have said about your DH is exactly why DH wants one I think. He works from home 3 days a week and gets no excercise and feels a dog would give him a new purpose in life.
(I think he secretly regrets having the snip lol)

OP posts:
flowerybeanbag · 25/02/2009 20:34

I work from home as well, and I take the dog out every day - it makes sure I get out of the house, take a break from work and get some fresh air.

Original poster
mollyroger · 25/02/2009 20:34

I think it would transform our boys's life too. Especially the younger one, who hasn't found his lace in the world yet, IYKWIM. A dog would be his bestest friend and confidante

OP posts:
Original poster
mollyroger · 25/02/2009 20:35

place in the world...sorry!

OP posts:
Haribosmummy · 25/02/2009 20:35

they love you when everyone else thinks you are pants
they miss you when you are gone for 5 minutes
they welcome you home like you've been missing for years
they never disagree with you
they are always happy to do whatever you want
they are the best friend you could ever wish for.

they are hard work and need proper training
you have to remember they think differently to you and need to be treated as a dog
they need exercise, come what may
they need love and care and attention. No fobbing off. YOu can't TELL them you love them - you have to SHOW them.
they do smell as they get older.
they jump in muddy puddles / roll in goose poo / other odd smelling stuff.
they eat all manner of crap
they have weird phobias

If you are the main carer, only get a dog if you TRULY want one. I adore dogs and wouldn't be without mine, but that's my choice.

I will add that my description is based on labradors!

ohdearwhatamess · 25/02/2009 20:58

I've got one springer (used to have 2 ).

Pros:
Total, unconditional love and affection.
Enthusiastic greeting whenever you come home.
Great for teaching children about sharing, responsibility for others, etc
Company if you are home alone (I don't worry about dh being away)
Get fit with all the extra walking
Great cameraderie with other dog walkers
No food is wasted

Cons:
Dog hair and mud
Occasional vomit inside (but I have a springer who hoovers up all dead animals he comes across on walks - most aren't that bad)
Some bark (not mine, thank goodness)
Can't go out for any length of time (4 hours max)
Can be tricky when non dog lovers visit, or you have workmen in doing things
Stealing of food (springer thing)

I wouldn't be without mine for anything. On the occasional day when I've been at home without him the house feels too quiet and still and empty.

Mutt · 25/02/2009 21:07

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Loopymumsy · 25/02/2009 21:07

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Mutt · 25/02/2009 21:09

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captainpeacock · 25/02/2009 21:19

We home dogs while families are on holiday. Suits us well. We don't have to have one if we are doing anything else, have no vet bills, food bills and get paid for it. I would really love to have a full time dog but in reality it wouldn't fit in, this way it works out well.

Loopymumsy · 25/02/2009 21:52

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newpup · 25/02/2009 22:36

My gorgeaus girl (yellow lab) is 9 months now and I would not be without her.

Cons - puppies are hard work
Vets bills, cost of food/flea treatment/worming tablets etc.
Organising care for holidays /weekends away.
Can not just go out for the day without arranging doggy care
Muddy paws
Some dogs do smell
walks every day no matter what.
poo duty

Pros - You will grow to love it quickly
Your children will love it immediately
The exercise is good for you
You have a loyal, loving companion
You will have a best friend no matter what
The dog will forgive you anything

I love my girl and yes she had been hard work and she does smell a bit but I would not be without her.

Cies · 26/02/2009 08:04

Sorry Mollyroger, haven't revisited the thread recently.

My situation is different because I live in Spain, where there is an abundance of abandoned dogs and not enough people to take them on. So we rang up the dog sanctuary on the Tuesday, visited on the Wednesday and took her home on the Thursday. I know the process is longer and more rigurous in UK.

OzJo · 27/02/2009 04:45

One or two dogs?
We have never had dogs, so DP and myself are a bit clueless, but know the basics, our kids are 6 and nearly 4. We have a decent size back garden, not massive but has run around room, plus places close by for walks. We're both nurses, so often do opposite shifts, so the house isn't empty for long periods.....It just strikes me as a good thing to have 2 so they would always be company for each other? Or is this daft?

ohdearwhatamess · 27/02/2009 09:33

One only, imho, unless you are very experienced with dogs.

WE made that mistake. Got one springer, got another soon after partly as a companion for the first (thinking it would be nice for him to have a friend to run around with). Things were fine for a few weeks, then the original one realised that the 2nd one was staying for good, and all hell broke loose. He attacked him frequently (and visciously). We had to keep them apart (different rooms, stairgates across the doors). We couldn't have people round to the house. Doing simple things like taking the 2nd one training or to the vets was a logistical nightmare (number 1 wasn't happy about him coming back into the house).

WE got lots of help from a behaviourist, and the first one learnt to live with the 2nd, but they were never friends. WE made lots of mistakes, and should have rehomed one or other early on, but it is very hard once you're attached to them.

I know lots of people do have 2 or more, and it is fine, though. In your shoes I think I'd only get 2 if you were rehoming a pair of older dogs who'd spent all their lives together.

Original poster
mollyroger · 27/02/2009 15:50

What is all this talk of more than one dog no, no, I know my limits. It would be one dog. And probably NOT a puppy.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 27/02/2009 15:52

They're stinky. It rains here a lot, do you love the smell of wet dog?

Original poster
mollyroger · 27/02/2009 15:58

well, it can't be worse than our bathroom with 3 males, or the smell of wet boys...can it?

Besides, lurchers have shorter hair so smell a little less doggone awful, apparently

OP posts:
ahundredtimes · 27/02/2009 15:59

Aha - have found you! Don't ever say I don't care again.

I think everything everyone else has said.

It is an extra thing tbh, on top of everything else. The walking, the thinking, the housing, the next thing to take into account.

Now it's a habit, I've come to like the morning walk tbh. I dread it until I'm doing it, and I feel better and fitter and it's very good for mental health too.

You can't be impulsive anymore - but to be honest, I don't think we have been impulsive since dc born. Also have found quite quickly dog sitters, dog walkers etc which make things possible.

DS1 regularly walks him at weekends, and loves that.

I really like having a dog, and that makes up for the hair, shit etc etc

BUT get dh to sign a contract which says he is poo meister and guarantees he will walk the dog once a day. I did this with dh - I learnt the hard way with DC that a written contract is necessary

Original poster
mollyroger · 27/02/2009 16:01

ROFL - I have already drawn up a sample contract, 100 - great minds and all that!

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 27/02/2009 16:01

'well, it can't be worse than our bathroom with 3 males, or the smell of wet boys...can it?'

Why add to it with the smell of dog?

ahundredtimes · 27/02/2009 16:03

Y Y very important. My god, if only someone had told me when ds1 was born, how different it might have been

But you're ahead if he's the one that really wants a dog, it can become 'his dog'

Lurchers are lovely.

What's stopping you? Whatever it is that's stopping you, will be the truth so you might as well work out now how much you mind that truth in the balance of things.

ahundredtimes · 27/02/2009 16:08

Probably the best thing is the knock-on effect it's had for us all, as we're all quite lazy, but now we have a reason to all go for long walks at the weekend. And even though we used to a bit, I've noticed that dc don't moan about it anymore because there is a purpose - as opposed to a walk being some sadistic urge of mine.

So that's nice. But you might all be raring to go, yomping, sporty types who do it anyway in tracksuits and things, in which case, might as well take a dog with you