What's it really like owning a dog?

[RubberDuck]

Have been seriously thinking about getting a rehomed greyhound over the last couple of weeks and am at the beginning stages of research. Realistically, we won't get one until ds2 is a little older (he's 3 now, and I'm not sure he would understand about leaving the dog alone while he/she ate or giving the dog space while asleep etc - so not really fair on the dog) but as I've never ever owned a dog before I'm finding it hard to imagine what life is like with one. I really need a place to ask some VERY silly questions

I'm a SAHM and we go camping for our main holidays so the dog won't be "alone" in the house very often, but assume if we go out for the day that a dog could be left safely? Or would I need someone to pop in so it could relieve itself?

If we do go away for a week or so but the dog is used to having me around all the time, would kennels be really unfair for it?

I'm asthmatic, so wouldn't want the dog upstairs, but I understand that greyhounds are really loyal and want to sleep in the same room as their owner. Would it be really cruel to keep it downstairs?

Do you have to "baby" proof everything or are small toys around (like lego) not a problem? I can see a dog having problems stepping around the toys (hell, I quite often do!) should I be thinking even longer term and waiting for a bigger house/kids are teenagers?

We have carpets not hard flooring - is the house going to stink?

How on earth do you transport dogs about in the car? We have a Nissan Almera and 2 kids - are we even going to FIT a dog as well in it?!

I'll probably think of a whole new load of silly questions in a bit

I'm sure you'll get lots of positive and helpful replies from dog people! But I just wondered if you are a dog person? Why do you want a dog? If it's because you want a pet, a cat would be much easier.

We got a similar dog (whippet crossed with something else) when I was a child and it was a bit of a disaster. We weren't used to all the walking and attention it needed and all the mess, mud and smell, and it kept running away when off the leash and having to be searched for. It also seemed susceptible to disease and in fact died after a while - which I was tbh OK about (sorry dog lovers) but upset my sister a lot.

I do think it has a big impact and you need to tread carefully - you're very wise to ask for this info from MNers!

We have a dog, and she is lovely (90% of the time)

She spends alot of time in the office with me, or the kitchen and hall which is all hard floor, she isn't allowed upstairs as I personally don't like it. She does smell, after about 6 months she lost her puppy smell and got the dog smell, but she is groomed regularly (one of dd's jobs ) and bathed every 4 ish months or if she gets really dirty.

We take her in the cars, I've now got a scenic but she used to fit in the megane and she goes in dh's MG, we use dog guards and put her in the back, we crate her when we go out as I used to come home andfind bit of skirting board missing.

someone once likened it to having a new baby/child - hard work and a big commitment?

I'd like a dog because I've fallen in love with someone else's greyhound!! But also I used to know another lovely greyhound a few years back - so it's this particular breed that has got me interested, iyswim.

I wouldn't have said I was a dog person at all until recently. A friend of mine used to have a Rottweiler which was the most gorgeous docile old dog I have ever met and he converted me a bit (unfortunately he passed away earlier this year). Previous pet experience is only fish or rabbits though (Dh did have a dog when he was a child, but too young to really remember what to do/what it was like).

I do appreciate that it's going to be a lot of work and upheaval, hence another reason for delay - want to make sure it's not just a passing whim and to make sure I get as much info as possible to be prepared

redfairy: sorry to be thick, but can I ask what "we crate her when we go out" means? I haven't heard that term before.

We have a dog crate that we use when we go out. She seems to like it as it is her space, she goes in it during the day when we are here of her own choice sometimes as the kids know to leave her alone when she is in it.

The door is shut when we go out, but not when we are here though

We had two dogs. They were both resuce dogs, one from a welfare centre, the other we rescued from a farm, they were going to shoot he. They were great, they do smell, all dogs do, but ours were bathed regulalry and if you keep on top of hygiene WRT their bedding area then it will be fine. When the DSes were little they were never left in the room alone with the dogs, and the same applied with my childmidning.
The hardest part - having to get one put down a year ago at the age of 16, and the other getting put down in March at the age of 15. cried for days, all of us. The boys found it very hard.

On the greyhound front, my mums neighbour has a rescue greyhound. Apparently they only need 2 x 20 minute walks a day. She says that the rest of the time they will curl up (usually on the comfiest chair) and sleep. Theya re great to be round children as well, even very young ones.
In 3 years when we move back to scotland I would like a greyhound

Oh - haven't heard about those. Sounds a good idea, especially about giving the dog its own space the children can't go!

The kennel question is a good one - I personnally wouldn't put mine in a kennel, but then he is rather neurotic and I think would go loopy (well more loopy than usual....). We are lucky the in-laws or friends have him when we are away.

Blackduck: unfortunately relatives aren't an option as my mum isn't a dog person and I can't see the inlaws having it either as they're out a lot

Truthfully??? They are fabulous companions BUT can be a fecking nightmare at times

Depends if the good points outweigh the bad ones?

For instance, My staffie is the most loving docile girl in the world and soooo friendly to all other dogs/kids/cats too! But she jumps a 6 foot fence and goes over the road to wait for our neighbours dog to come and play So she has to be chained when outside. She also still chews everything that isn't nailed down

My other dog is a springer X staffie and never jumps or chews but isn't keen on little dogs and has a tendency to pee everywhere when excited

There are days when I want to kill them! And days when I think they are Fab

magnolia

I suspect it's somewhat like kids - drive you to distraction and hard to explain to other people what the plus points are

If you have a easy to care for calm dog then what about using a petsitter? Either one that comes to your house or one that takes them into their house?

Would the local vets have a list of local petsitters?

I have half a ton of leaflets from there already and a load of website addresses about greyhounds.

Are there some good books about first-time dog ownership that are worth reading? Or is it a case of just getting on with it when they arrive?

(My main problem, I think, is that I'm not even sure what the right questions are to be asking at this stage)

We do put ours into Kennels when we go away. My brother offered to have her, but with his kids I think she'll come back twitching

We went and looked round kennels, if they told us we had to have an appointment we didn't go, we pay a bit more than some of the kennels round here, but one of the thinkgs that swung it for us was that they kennel police dogs when there handlers are on holiday.

Inky loves it there, she comes back nicely groomed and washed, they check them over every few days and weigh them to ensure they are not pining to much.

Ok right questions:

1: Why do you want a dog?
2: Do you have enough time/energy to walk it everyday rain or shine? Including Snow!!?
3: Do you have the money for vet bills inc vaccinations, microchipping, neutering? If the dog is over 8 then most places won't offer good insurance quotes
4: Are your kids comfortable around dogs? They need to know what they can and can't do especially with a rehomed one that may or may not be used to kids?
5: Caring for them when you are away even for a day? If yu are ot for more than 6-8hrs you really need someone who can come at lunchtimeish to let them out?
6: Are you at home much?

Will think of more

1: Why do you want a dog?

Because I've fallen in love with the breed, ds1 has been asking for a dog for a while and I think it would be good for the kids in general, and I sneakily like the idea of the house not being empty/having a companion once ds2 goes to school

2: Do you have enough time/energy to walk it everyday rain or shine? Including Snow!!?

Yes. 2x20min walks I can easily cope with and will force ME to take regular walks I hate the car and walk pretty much everywhere anyway, so I don't see the walking as a huge issue currently.

3: Do you have the money for vet bills inc vaccinations, microchipping, neutering? If the dog is over 8 then most places won't offer good insurance quotes

We have the money (although the extra expense is always a concern, of course). Am currently looking at the RSPCA insurance scheme - does that still insure them as they get older?

4: Are your kids comfortable around dogs? They need to know what they can and can't do especially with a rehomed one that may or may not be used to kids?

Ds1 is nervous around them but adores local greyhound and does really like the idea of a dog. Ds2 ADORES dogs but is a bit over-eager, hence the need to wait for about a year I think. If we get a rehomed one then we'll be very careful to ask all the right questions about how they deal with children, and any slightest hint that the new dog isn't settling well with them and the dog will go back (my kids come first, sorry!)

5: Caring for them when you are away even for a day? If yu are ot for more than 6-8hrs you really need someone who can come at lunchtimeish to let them out?

So rarely go out for a full day, but yes, I'll need to find someone locally in case of emergency that I can trust with a key, I think.

6: Are you at home much?

Yes. I like my routines, and I like my time in my own house

(my reasons for wanting one sound really selfish written down )

Dogs:

1. Your house will smell. You might not be able to smell it, but other people will. The reason you won't smell it is because you will also smell of dog.

2. Your house and clothes will be covered in dog hairs, and long after the dog has gone, you will still find hairs everywhere.

3. You have to pick up every single public shit it does. If you don't you will find someone like me waiting for you with a cattle prod. I don't care if the dog has diarrhoea, you still have to clean it's shitty mess off the pavement!

4. You have to understand that not everyone particularly likes dogs. So we don't want to pat it, we are not amused when it jumps up and puts it's muddy paws on our clothes and we do not appreciate our childrens faces being licked.

5. Their farts are more toxic than any man's.

6. They bark. When you go out they bark and annoy just about everyone living on your street. Dogs barking are rated as more annoying than house alarms because house alarms usually shut themselves off after a time, dogs can go on all bloody day.

And yes, I have been a dog owner. But I don't want another one. Bloody stupid mutts!

My post is better!