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Original poster

How much hassle is that doggy in the window?

27 replies

shimmy21 · 17/05/2005 19:40

I want a dog. I want a dog. I want a dog.

Reasons: Grew up with them and want my dss to have the same fun that I did. The boys love animals and desperately want one. (so do I)

Reasons not to: Cost, hassle, mess, dh not keen and I am out (at work) from 9 to 2.30 ish most days but can sometimes work from home.

Am I out longer than would be fair on a small (Cavalier perhaps?) mutt?

Doggy people be honest what do you think?
Not doggy people please dissuade me!

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 17/05/2005 19:41

Who'll look after the dog when you go on holiday or away for the weekend?

Whizzz · 17/05/2005 19:42

I am a non doggy person.
I think its great when dog walkers pick up their doggy poo BUT then they walk along swinging it in a plastic bag. EEErrrrrgggghhhhh

At least dirty nappies are wrapped up

Think of carrying that bag of poo (and its always a see through bag !)

Original poster
shimmy21 · 17/05/2005 19:42

well I guess it would be the kennels or my parents but they think I'm mad (although have had dogs themselves for years) but another expense, I know.

OP posts:
Original poster
shimmy21 · 17/05/2005 19:44

yup the doogy poo is another factor I hadn't thought of (people didn't pick it up when I was a kid )

OP posts:
WigWamBam · 17/05/2005 19:46

And the neighbours complaining about the dog barking while you're at work ...

Original poster
shimmy21 · 17/05/2005 19:48

the neighbours have dogs and work

OP posts:
MarsLady · 17/05/2005 19:49

the one with the wa....gully tail?

serenity · 17/05/2005 19:51

They smell, they chew, they poop everywhere, you can't go anywhere without arranging sitters - oh hang on that's kids isn't it

Seriously, I know I'm not a dog lover (they are far too dependant, give me a standoffish cat anyday) but it would be like having a permanent two year old in the house for 20+ years!

Don't do it!!! (unless you really want to of course

Nemo1977 · 17/05/2005 19:57

cost isnt too bad week to week more injections etc at first.
you do need to consider if u r away etc who will have dog. Being out is ok if you can get an older dog from rescue home who is over the puppy year. They are quciker to train and get used to your house etc.

Doggy poo doesnt bother me and we have the garden so that dog can only go on patio area which i regulary wash down with power washer n bleach. When out most places have bins.

Puppies are very hard work. We were given a springer spaniel last year and she was a nightmare, ate everything, pood n weed everywhere despite trying to train her and she was hyper. However we also have a cross terrier who is the best dog ever. So patient and great with ds even when he is swinging of her tail. I have found most terriers i have come across to have a similair nature so would gladly go for the same again.

Do you have a friend who you could 'borrow' their dog for a few days to see how it works withing your family.

I would never be without a dog now as i love them but so does ds. Our dog is his best friend and i also think it helps with teaching responsibility as every night he does the dogs dinner [with me of course].

Original poster
shimmy21 · 17/05/2005 20:01

Oh goody - a positive!

Nemo - but what about the hours I'm out. Are they too long for a dog do you think?

OP posts:
emmatmg · 17/05/2005 20:03

How about..............not being able to throw the dog's ball in the park because of bloody staffordshire bull terriors. The ones that get your dog by the throat, and then chase it all the way home when it gets free while you just hope and pray the the bloody thing doesn't come back and get you or your children that are having a nice walk in the park. The bloody thing was one a lead but was so aggressive towards our dog as she ran passed that he dragged his owner along and he couldn't hold on to it.

Or the ones that attack your dog outside the paper shop becuse the idiot owners don't have them on leads.

Both these thing have happened to us in the last few weeks, sunday was the latest incident. We have got a dog(just a little cross breed, wippet type thing), and love having her most of the time but the utter terror of watching both these things have really scared me(and my Ds's) and I don't think I'd have another dog incase the attacking dog turned on us.

charleepeters · 17/05/2005 20:04

although i love my darling doggy to peices i have tried everything and she wont stop chewing grrrr she now sadly has to be muzzled whenwe are out/sleeping but shes great with ds and is housetrained and reasonbly well trained but does have sooooooooooooo much energy

Nemo1977 · 17/05/2005 20:05

shimmy i dont think so as long as dog is walked b4 and after. IF you can get a good mild tempered dog then they will be fine. One of the things we did when finding our dog was some of the test things they do for hearing dogs as you can tell how easy they will be to train.

Included stuff like if u turn them on their back whether they ttrust to stay there or if they squirm. Dont know why but something about that shows their training potential...the spaniel we had well..we couldnt even get her onto her back...pmsl

bubblerock · 17/05/2005 20:09

Nemo - not a springer!! Mine have always been total headcases - mad mad mad!! We just have cats now, would love to have a part time dog that came to visit and I could take for walks if I could be arsed but I don't want a full time one until the kids grow up and then I will fill my house with animals

Nemo1977 · 17/05/2005 20:10

bubble i know she was loopy. When i got pg i was relieved to have an excuse to give her back..lol

Original poster
shimmy21 · 17/05/2005 20:11

Oh Emmatmg how awful for you. It sounds terrifying.

And Nemo - brilliant tip with the hearing dogs technique. Will definitely try that if I don't get put off by all the poo and fierce attack dogs!

OP posts:
Original poster
shimmy21 · 17/05/2005 20:13

Was thinking of a Cavalier -not because I specially like them (too little and lappy) but because they have a reputation for being 100% with kids and reasonably placid little things.

OP posts:
bubblerock · 17/05/2005 20:21

I grew up with one for 17 years and we got a springer puppy ourselves the year before last as I remembered all the fun stuff - big mistake!! He went to live with our friend when we moved here and tbh I was so relieved, missed him but he was more hassle than the kids - I am obviously not mature enough to be responsible for a dog yet and am in awe of anyone who can!

suedonim · 17/05/2005 22:17

We have a Cavalier and placid she is not! She's good with children, don't get me wrong, but is like a needy toddler herself. I do like dogs but I should have restricted myself to other people's and not have one of my own.

MUM007 · 04/06/2005 17:28

We have a cavalier and I have three children he is brilliant with them and they love him.Unfortunately I have not been able to take fully to him(with have had him three years) I thought I would have that undying love I have for my kids but it has never come. I think because all the responsibility is left to me. Cleaning up dog poo in the garden.Not being able to go out all day without popping back.Hairs on my lounge carpet although I bought one of those miele dog and cat hoovers and hoover three times a day.Cant take kids out for days in school holidays unless we have to prebook kennels all the time.Nothing can be done on the spur of the moment. I grew up with dogs but it is a bit different when you are the one that does everything for them.My mum tried to disuade me when I saw that beautiful pup in the window.I know I sound terrible but any friends of mine who are thinking of hetting a dog I do try to put them off and give them the hard reality. Hope this helps

Chandra · 04/06/2005 17:44

Yes... all that it's true but dogs, if well managed, can teach a children about responsability, they are great friends -though not toys-, and is really nice to see children and dog playing together. DS loves ours to pieces. It is hard work though but I still think it's worth it.

I don't believe that bolony that a dog can't be left alone for more than four hours. According to our dog trainner, if you deal with the dog as if it were a kid the dog starts believing you are his puppy rather than the other way around, then experience lots of anxiety and ruin things in the house while you are away (you are the missing child) but if they recognise you like the leader, they go to sleep soon after you leave and wake up just before you arrive, just like mum who went out to search for food . I think working part time you in a very favourable position to have a dog HTH

cupcakes · 04/06/2005 17:57

I love the idea of a dog but to be honest I find it hard work just having a cat (and even my dh does all the vet trips, medicine etc.) I thought I would love this cat like I loved the cats I had when young but it hasn't really happened.

(Poor thing, I'm only in a grouch with her because of the mouse she brought in)

debs26 · 04/06/2005 17:57

get a cat, much easier ask eddie izzard haha

Satine · 04/06/2005 18:04

My next door neighbour has an ex racing greyhound who is just the loveliest dog - they have 4 kids from 2 to 9 and Tilly lets them do anything to her, bless her heart. Greyhounds are also incredibly lazy - if you could walk him/her before you go to work, I think he/she'd be happy to sleep until you came back! When I've taken Tilly out for a walk with my dog, I've really had to coax her out of her bed!!

suedonim · 04/06/2005 18:33

Whatever hassle our dog is, it's not a problem leaving her if we go out for the day or do something on the spur of the moment. We've been away for 12hrs and she hasn't widdled or anything. Afaik, she just sleeps. She does have the cats for company, though.

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